• Defence Notes

  D&S 2019: Thai defence industry receives shot in the arm

  13th November 2019

  The Thai armed forces are emphasising greater coordination with government agencies and commercial enterprises to support R&D; for equipment that can be produced domestically and …

• Land Warfare

  Alakran light mortar carrier now operational internationally

  12th November 2019

  Although the Spanish-developed Alakran Light Mortar Carrier (LMC) has been tested domestically, the system is now deployed operationally by two export customers with additional contracts …

• Military Logistics

  Hesco receives EBS contract

  5th November 2019

  Hesco Bastion has received an IDIQ contract worth up to $24 million for the Expeditionary Barrier System. The contract, issued by the US Defense Logistics …

• Digital Battlespace

  Germany continues pursuit of Tactical Edge Networking

  1st November 2019

  The German Army continues to consider requirements to support its next-generation tactical communications programme with industry sources suggesting the effort remains a ‘very fluent process’.  …

• Land Warfare

  Boxer contract announced for British Army

  5th November 2019

  The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, announced on 5 November that a contract has been signed to provide Boxer 8x8 armoured vehicles …

• Land Warfare

  D&S 2019: Vietnam domestically upgrades T-54B tanks

  13th November 2019

  Vietnam has been conducting an indigenous programme to upgrade old Russian-built T-54B tanks to T-54M3 configuration, with a focus on improving their firepower, mobility, protection …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  D&S 2019: Thai military charts course towards armed UAVs

  18th November 2019

  The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) does not currently operate any armed UAVs, but it has already taken steps to develop and introduce a future …

• Training

  Spanish Army receives NH90 simulator

  29th October 2019

  Indra has delivered an NH90 helicopter flight simulator to the Spanish Army, the company announced on 25 October. The NH90 training system has been installed …

• Defence Helicopter

  Taiwanese Hueys replaced with only half the promised strength

  1st November 2019

  The Republic of China Army (ROCA) retired it last batch of UH-1H helicopters on 30 October. The occasion marked the end of nearly 50 years …

• Digital Battlespace

  Future soldier ensembles set for German Army

  1st November 2019

  Rheinmetall is preparing to support the German Army’s lead role in the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) deployment in 2023 with a …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lockheed appoints new lead for FVL work

  8th November 2019

  Lockheed Martin has appointed Andrew Adams to lead the company’s pitch for the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) requirements.  Adams will oversee all strategic …

• Land Warfare

  D&S 2019: Armoured vehicle production grows in Thailand

  14th November 2019

  In the past five years, the armoured vehicle industry in Thailand has leapt forward due to increasing needs for vehicles in the Thai armed forces …

• Military Logistics

  Asian countries receive new transport aircraft

  5th November 2019

  Countries in Asia are continuing to bolster their transport fleets as part of continuing modernisation of their air fleets. A new CN-235-220M transport aircraft departed …

• Naval Warfare

  D&S 2019: China scoops up lucrative navy contracts in Thailand

  20th November 2019

  Chinese companies were major players at Defense & Security 2019, with shipbuilders out in force in Bangkok as the kingdom awaits delivery of a submarine …

• Military Logistics

  New respirators for UK armed forces

  4th November 2019

  Avon Protection has received a £16 million contract to manufacture and supply respirators for the UK armed forces, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-B [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-C [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army requested surplus M1117s to assist with counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics operations. Due to a lack of armoured vehicles suitable for troop transport, ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  M113A3 [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army currently operates 54 M113A1 and M113A2 APCs, which are divided among two mechanised infantry battalions and a training school. Known as ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  PETEF (LAV III) [Colombia]

  Background Since the replacement of the M113 is understood to be a priority for the Colombian Army, it is anticipated that a contract could materialise ...

• Military UAS - small

  WanderB or ThunderB [Colombia]

  Programme Background Expodefensa 2019 During Colombia's Expodefensa 2019 exhibition, BlueBird Aero Systems displayed its ThunderB VTOL small UAV. Reportedly, the Colombian Army requested information on ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PETEF (Tracked IFV) [Colombia]

  Background Since a programme to procure a tracked IFV has yet to be launched by the Colombian Army, it is unclear how many tracked IFVs ...

• Main battle tanks

  New MBT [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army has evaluated several offers for MBT platforms in the past, though none of these have progressed to the formal contract stage. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan

  Blindex developed the Titan series of APCs to provide the Colombian Army with an affordable means of transporting large numbers of troops for internal security ...

• Military UAS - small

  Quimbaya X-003

  The Quimbaya X-003 is a Colombian fixed-wing UAV designed and developed by the Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC). Reportedly, following evaluation tests in late 2023, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV

  In December 1995, the US Army selected a design based on the Textron ASV 150 to provide the military police with a vehicle that combined ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Coelum

  Manufactured by Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana (CIAC), the Coelum is a mini UAV that is fitted with a 40x zoom EO/IR camera payload for ISR missions.  The ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Dragom

  Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC) unveiled the Dragom in mid-2025 at F-AIR Colombia 2025.  The rotary-wing quadcopter is designed for reconnaissance and guided attack missions. 

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-710

  The PRC-710 is a VHF/FM voice and data handheld radio with COMSEC and ECCM capabilities. Designed in response to emerging combat requirements, the PRC-710 is ...

• Frigates

  SIGMA 10514

  The Martadinata-class frigates, also known as the Perusak Kawal Rudal-class (PKR), are based on Damen's Sigma 10514 design. Two frigates have been jointly built by PT ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  LPR 40 MKII

  The LPR acts as a command boat for the group of tactical riverine combat boats operated by the Colombian Marine Corps. It is equipped with ...

• OPVs

  OPV 93C

  The OPV 93C is an offshore patrol vessel designed and developed by Cotecmar. The Colombian Navy ordered one platform in November 2022 and one in ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SCTV

  The Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle(SCTV), developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems and Granite Tactical Vehicles, is an upgrade solution for the AM General High ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 250

  The SERO 250 is a compact submarine periscope that can be installed in both new-build and upgraded boats. Little or no structural modifications are required ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Barak MR (MRAD)

  The Barak Medium Range (MR) missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is an advanced surface-to-air interceptor designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10

  The J-10 (NATO reporting name Firebird) is a multirole fighter developed by China to replace second-generation J-7 and Q-5 aircraft. The aircraft is also known ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 209/1200

  The Type 209/1200 diesel-electric submarine is a variant of the Type 209 submarine designed by the German company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft exclusively for the export market. ...

• Naval guns

  OTO Strales/Davide

  The OTO Strales represents the second iteration of the OTO 76/62mm Super Rapido gun from Leonardo. The weapon, which is in service with the Italian ...