• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aero India 2017: Aeronautics sees huge As-Pac potential

  12th February 2017

  Aeronautics, thanks to a product line of UAV platforms, associated Controp electro-optic payloads, Commtact data links and Zanzottera engines, is eyeing India as a market …

• Training

  Taiwan’s new AJT to take off in 2020

  12th February 2017

  Taiwan kicked off its air force's advanced jet trainer (AJT) programme on 7 February. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Republic of China …

• Land Warfare

  Analysis: Ammo revolution

  9th February 2017

  A revolution is occurring in armaments that is as great as the move from smoothbore to rifled weapons. It portends a leap in lethality and …

• Land Warfare

  South Korea boosts rocket and missile inventory

  7th February 2017

  Due to the threat from its northern neighbour, South Korea is implementing plans to deploy greater quantities of Hyunmoo missiles, as well as a new …

• Military Logistics

  F-22 redelivered to USAF from Speedline facility

  2nd February 2017

  The first F-22 Raptor to undergo work at Lockheed Martin’s Inlet Coating Repair (ICR) Speedline facility has been redelivered to the US Air Force ahead …

• Defence Notes

  Indian budget falls short of expectations

  1st February 2017

  India declared a defence budget of $40.6 billion for 2017/18, a 6% increase over last year’s spending of $38.2 billion. The budget did not meet …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New solar-powered UAS in development

  1st February 2017

  SolAero Technologies and Bye Aerospace are working together on the development of a new medium altitude UAS for a range of government and commercial applications, …

• Digital Battlespace

  F-35 and Typhoon share data

  1st February 2017

  Interoperability trials between the UK RAF’s F-35 Lightning II and Typhoon jets have been successful. According to Air Cdre Harv Smyth, the UK's Lightning Force …

• Training

  Netherlands orders ADMS

  31st January 2017

  Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC) has received a contract to deliver Advanced Disaster Management Simulators (ADMS) to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). The simulators will …

• Military Logistics

  USAF orders more KC-46A tanker aircraft

  30th January 2017

  Boeing will supply 15 additional KC-46A tanker aircraft, spare engines and wing air refuelling pod kits to the US Air Force under a $2.1 billion …

• Defence Notes

  Ten recommendations for Taiwan-US mil relations

  30th January 2017

  Taiwan fears becoming the golden peanut between two rogue elephants, said one Taiwan-based defence analyst, referring to the risk that the island will be caught …

• Digital Battlespace

  F-16V upgrade kicks off in Taiwan

  29th January 2017

  At the beginning of 2017, four Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16A/B Block 20 fighters began undergoing upgrades under Taiwan’s Feng Zhan (Phoenix Rising) …

• Digital Battlespace

  Japan launches first military comms satellite

  26th January 2017

  An H-IIA rocket carrying the Kirameki-2 X-band satellite was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre on 24 January. It is the Japan Self-Defence Force’s (JSDF) …

• Special Operations

  SHOT Show: New modular tactical rifle on display (video)

  25th January 2017

  Austrian company Ritter & Stark was one of the new exhibitors at this year's packed SHOT Show in Las Vegas, displaying its newest SX-1 Modular …

• Special Operations

  SHOT Show: L3 introduces new products (video)

  24th January 2017

  At this year's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Shephard got an exclusive look at some of the new products L3 Warrior Systems will be making …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  Programme Background The German newspaper Spiegel published a report on 20 October 2025 claiming that German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking to acquire 15 additional F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (33-64) [Poland]

  Background Requirement announcement In June 2026, the Polish Minister of Defence announced that the classified Polish Armed Forces Development Programme, which was officially signed off ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan

  In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Denmark]

  Programme Background  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Background Fleet to be replaced In 2003, Austria purchased 15 Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft and deliveries were completed between 2007-2009. Australian Tranche 1 fleet is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [UK]

  Programme Background Ahead of a NATO meeting taking place at the end of June 2025, the United Kingdom confirmed the procurement of 12 new F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Fighter) [India]

  Programme Background Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, 131 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15EX (2020) [USA]

  Programme Background The F-15EX is based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  Background Timeline In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

• Fighter - multirole, Trainer

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Trainer) [India]

  Programme Background Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Fighter Capability Project [Canada]

  Background Canada’s defence policy estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost C$15-19 billion (US$12.9-14.5 billion). However, by ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background Requirements The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Background Fleets one and two Across three separate orders, spanning from 2010 to 2016, Israel ordered 50 F-35I fighter aircraft, which make up its first ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  GH-4200

  L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15J/DJ

  The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

  The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is an integrated defence system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for the F-15, F-15K and F-15E ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15 Eagle

  The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-135

  The AN/ALQ-135, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is a mounted active jamming system carried on the F-15C and F-15 E combat aircrafts. The system is a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

  The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

• Guided munitions

  Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

  The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed for the USAF and USN that converts unguided bombs into all-weather ‘smart’ munitions. JDAM-equipped ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALQ-128(V)

  Raytheon’s AN/ALQ-128(V) is a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) which equips the F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle series combat aircraft. The system's original manufacturer was ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7020-1-D-01

  The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

  The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7010-1-D-01

  The 7010-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 35mm F/1.2. It supports multiple detectors with a pitch from 15-50µm and is designed for general ...