• Defence Helicopter

  India to upgrade dilapidated Ka-28s

  2nd August 2016

  India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Rosoboronexport on 29 July to upgrade ten of its Kamov Ka-28 helicopters, of which only four …

• Defence Helicopter

  UK gets final upgraded Merlin Mk2

  1st August 2016

  The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP) has marked a significant milestone with the handover of the final upgraded Merlin Mk2 …

• Defence Notes

  BAE bags gun contract for Type 26 ships

  29th July 2016

  BAE Systems will supply the Maritime Indirect Fires System (MIFS) for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship under a $245 million contract from the UK …

• Military Logistics

  A330 MRTTs for Netherlands, Luxembourg

  29th July 2016

  The Netherlands and Luxembourg governments have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purchase of two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UK ScanEagles to be refurbed, redeployed

  27th July 2016

  Some of the ScanEagle systems operated in recent years for the UK Royal Navy (RN) will be refurbished by manufacturer Insitu and made available to …

• Military Logistics

  India reverses course on MRTT

  27th July 2016

  In a flip-flop typical of Indian procurement activities, the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) cancelled its tender process for six A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) …

• Land Warfare

  Russia to strengthen borders

  26th July 2016

  Russia is preparing a symmetrical response to the recent plans for a NATO deployment. NATO has announced that four battalions of alliance troops would be …

• Naval Warfare

  Philippines awaits new cutter and frigates

  26th July 2016

  Documents were signed at Coast Guard Base Alameda, California on 21 July to hand over a decommissioned Hamilton-class cutter to the Philippine Navy (PN).  Boutwell …

• Naval Warfare

  Russia in Baltic naval command change

  25th July 2016

  The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) earlier in July decided to remove more than 50 senior officers of the Baltic Fleet from their posts, which …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UGVs team in Didcot demolition

  22nd July 2016

  Irish company Reamda saw its Reacher UGV complete its first official mission in assisting to bring down the remains of Didcot power station’s boiler house, …

• Land Warfare

  Terrex eyes up MIV

  22nd July 2016

  Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) is considering making a bid for the UK’s future Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme. A spokesperson from the company told Shephard …

• Defence Notes

  US approves SM-2 Block IIIB sale to Japan

  21st July 2016

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIB missiles, equipment, and support to …

• Digital Battlespace

  Japanese communications satellite damaged

  20th July 2016

  Even before it got close to the launchpad, a mishap involving a tarpaulin will delay Japan’s first military communications satellite by up to two years, …

• Naval Warfare

  CXO300 engine trials continue

  20th July 2016

  The Cox Powertrain CXO300 outboard engine, potentially destined for the Royal Navy (RN), is still undergoing trials ahead of a future launch and full production …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough 2016: Brimstone in for a firing shot with UK

  15th July 2016

  MBDA’s Brimstone missile has undergone successful firing tests from the AH-64E, heightening the weapon's potential appeal to the British Army for future capability plans. It was …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  Medium Transport Aircraft (DROP) [Poland​]

  Programme Background Requirement Poland acquired the C-130E Hercules over a decade ago under the US FMS programme. Deliveries started in 2009 and ran through to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Action Plan of the Georgian Defence Force (FlyEye) [Georgia]

  Programme Background Action Plan of the Georgian Defence Forces 2020-30 In July 2021, the Georgian Minister of Defence, Juansher Burchuladze, outlined the country's military modernisation plan. ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-32) [Poland]

  Programme Background During MSPO 2021, Lockheed Martin announced details related to F-35A manufacturing for the Polish Air Force. According to J.R McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s VP, business ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Gryf [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirements The Polish MoD identified the need for several ingeniously produced UAVs to provide ISTAR and strike capabilities for its armed forces at the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Force Protection Drone Systems [Poland]

  Background Force Protection In November 2024, the Polish Defence Ministry's Armaments Agency signed a PLN 499 million (US$127.6 million) agreement with WB Group for 12 Force Protection drone ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Gladius [Poland]

  Programme Background Contract Signing On 6 May 2022, the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, the president of the WB GROUP, Piotr Wojciechowski and the head ...

• Main battle tanks

  Wilk

  Programme Background The Wilk programme was included in the Polish MoDs Technical Modernisation Plan of the Polish Armed Forces for 2021-2035. It was primarily aimed ...

• Main battle tanks

  K2 (Phase 1) [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirement Poland's K2 purchase is the successor of the Wilk programme which aimed to replace the country's Soviet-era T-72 and PT-91 MBTs with a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  FlyEye (Framework Agreement) (Uncontracted) [Poland]

  Background Pre-2023 Contracts Across three orders, one in the early 2010s, another in December 2018 and another in February 2022, the Polish Territorial Defence Force ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Zefir (Uncontracted) [Poland]

  Programme Background Inception The Zefir programme required a MALE UCAV with an operating radius of up to 1000km. In 2018, Defence24 reported that Poland could ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirement Under the Gryf programme, the Polish MoD identified the need for an indigenously produced MALE UAV to provide ISTAR and strike capabilities at ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Zefir (Contracted) [Poland]

  Programme Background Inception The Zefir programme required a MALE UCAV with an operating radius of up to 1000km. In 2018, Defence24 reported that Poland could procure ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  FlyEye (Framework Agreement) (Contracted) [Poland]

  Background Pre-2023 Contracts Across three orders, one in the early 2010s, another in December 2018 and another in February 2022, the Polish Territorial Defence Force ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  RQ-21A Blackjack - Additional Units (Poland)

  Programme Background Known First Procurement As covered by another entry (see 'RQ-21 Blackjack (Poland)' programme), the Polish government ordered a single RQ-21A system via the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Warmate (2022) [Poland]

  Background 2022 Order Following a purchase of the drone in 2027, on 30 April 2022, Defence 24 reported that the Polish Armament Agency had ordered ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  PGZ-19R

  The PGZ-19R is a low-altitude, short-range tactical fixed-wing UAV. Based on the E-310 demonstrator, the platform has been designed to carry ISR sensors, search and rescue and ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW149

  The AgustaWestland 'AW149' is an 8t-class multirole battlefield helicopter developed by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) launched in 2006, making its maiden voyage in 2009. For combat ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Krab

  Poland selected a modified version of the BAE Systems AS90M Braveheart 155mm/52cal turret to meet its requirement for a new SPH. Poland’s HSW is prime ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  BSP-U

  The BSP-U, or Gladius/Gladius 2, is a Polish-made UAV. Defence 24 confirmed that the platform is not a loitering munition, suggesting that it could be a UCAV or a striking ...

• Main battle tanks

  Challenger 2

  The 120mm-armed Challenger 2 MBT was introduced into British Army service in 1994 as a replacement for the Challenger 1, which was successfully employed in ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  FA-50

  Based on the T/TA-50 trainer/light attack aircraft, the FA-50 is further developed and upgraded with a tactical data link, precision-guided munitions, and a self-protection subsystem. ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  R&S M3SR Series4400

  Rohde & Schwarz M3SR Series4400 is a VHF/UHF radio system designed for stationary and shipborne applications. It offers several proprietary frequency-hopping waveforms as well as data link ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk-48 Mod 6AT ADCAP

  The Mk-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) is the improved version of the Mk-48 family. Development started with the Mk-48 Mod 5 and continues to the present ...

• EO/IR systems

  LRF Mod 4EC/6EC

  The Mod 4EC and Mod 6EC were designed specifically for remotely operated small platforms. The modules can be attached to Mini-Typhoon, CLAWS and other systems ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition

  The Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition (NGVA) is a family of ammunition being developed by the US Army's Armaments Center and manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BMP-1

  The BMP-1 (Bronevaya Maschina Piekhota-1) is a tracked amphibious IFV that was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960s.  Entering service with the Soviet ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  AN/SQQ-89

  The AN/SQQ-89 is an ASW combat system incorporates and processes all the sonar information and LAMPS sensor data. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, there are currently ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  LTMPAV Dino 519

  The Dino 519 is a light tactical multi-purpose armored vehicle (LTMPAV) developed by Team Concept, a Poland-based armored vehicle manufacturer. 

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  R35010

  The Radmor R35010 personal role radio is a handheld, lightweight radio intended to operate in a small radio network between combat team members.  The R35010 ...