• Land Warfare

  Enforcer in new test firings

  19th December 2016

  The development programme for the Enforcer lightweight missile has chalked up new test firings at the German military’s Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition 91. …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: Saudi Arabia - A close customer (part 3 - maritime)

  18th December 2016

  We come to the last part on Saudi Arabia's defence relationship with the West, the maritime domain. This is less high profile than the land …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DJI thinks big for wider applications

  16th December 2016

  DJI, which at last count enjoyed a 70% market share in the sale of consumer UAVs according to an Oppenheimer report, continues to emphasise the …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems rolls out AMPV

  15th December 2016

  The US Army has received its first Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype from manufacturer BAE Systems. BAE Systems will manufacture all five variants of the …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: Saudi Arabia - A close customer (part 2 - air)

  14th December 2016

  As we have already seen in Part 1 – Land, the close defence relationship between Saudi Arabia's ruling House of Saud and Western governments is …

• Defence Notes

  Saudi Arabia to receive first F-15SA

  14th December 2016

  The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is set to receive this week the first batch of F-15SA aircraft from Boeing Defense. The US congress was …

• Defence Notes

  Qatar and Kuwait closer to fast jet deals

  13th December 2016

  Last month the GCC states of Qatar and Kuwait moved one step closer to completing one of the largest fast-jet programmes in recent years with …

• Defence Helicopter

  Ka-52 first export deliveries set for 2017

  13th December 2016

  Russian Helicopters plans to begin export deliveries of the Ka-52 coaxial rotor attack helicopters in 2017. The launch export customer for the type is Egypt, …

• Land Warfare

  India's new rifle opts for 7.62mm

  13th December 2016

  The Indian Army is rerunning a competition for a general assault rifle to replace the problematic Indian Small Arms System (INSAS). The specifications for the new …

• Naval Warfare

  OPV river flows for Royal Navy

  9th December 2016

  The long expected contract for ships four and five of the River-class Batch 2 programme for the Royal Navy (RN) was announced on 8 November.  …

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop to upgrade RNLAF ECM pods

  7th December 2016

  Northrop Grumman will upgrade the AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods on the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-16 aircraft fleet under a contract announced on …

• Naval Warfare

  Analysis: Waters rage in South China Sea (Part 1)

  7th December 2016

  On 12 July the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), at The Hague, handed down a landmark decision in a case the Philippines had brought against …

• Military Logistics

  Aging infrastructure challenges fleet readiness

  6th December 2016

  The commander of the US Navy's Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) has outlined a range of challenges casting a shadow over fleet readiness, including an aging …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Barco unveils the F70

  5th December 2016

  Although seen by Shephard in 2015 in a whisper suite, I/ITSEC 2016 saw Barco unveil its F70 4K projector to the public. The laser phosphor …

• Training

  Turkey selects new training aircraft

  5th December 2016

  Turkey will acquire new training aircraft from Pakistan in a deal signed at the IDEAS exhibition in Karachi on 23 November. The  52 Super Mushshak trainer …

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 ...