• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky begins S-97 Raider ground tests

  5th February 2015

  Sikorsky Aircraft has begun bladed ground testing for its S-97 Raider armed reconnaissance rotorcraft, the company announced on 4 February. This marks a major milestone …

• Land Warfare

  US budget: land systems stabilise

  4th February 2015

  After years of ups and downs the ground procurement budget for the US military has achieved some stability. The US Army, which will receive the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Budget: Fielding date of UCLASS pushed to 2023

  4th February 2015

  The US Navy’s carrier-based UAV programme has been given an extra three years for development, according to a navy budget official at the briefing of …

• Digital Battlespace

  US urged to supply Ukraine with weapons

  3rd February 2015

  As the Obama administration once again mulls a decision to arm the Ukrainian Army, a leading group of US policymakers has urged the West to …

• Digital Battlespace

  South Korea to launch five spy satellites by 2022

  30th January 2015

  A contract for the first of five spy satellites for South Korea is expected to be signed in October. Managed by South Korea’s Agency for …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Nigeria suspected of using Chinese UCAS

  29th January 2015

  Photographs of a crashed UCAS in Nigeria – apparently a Chinese-built CH-3A – began circulating online on 25 January 2015 and show that two intact …

• Defence Notes

  Japan, UK to enhance operational cooperation

  28th January 2015

  In the first ever UK-Japan defence ministerial meeting, the two ministries agreed to enhance operational cooperation, the UK government announced on 21 January. The meeting …

• Digital Battlespace

  DRS demonstrates new laser designating gimbal

  27th January 2015

  DRS Technologies has successfully performed the first airborne demonstration of its GS205-XRZ laser designating gimbal, the company announced on 21 January. The GS205-XRZ variant executed …

• Land Warfare

  Manta showcases USMC weapon covers (video)

  22nd January 2015

  Greg Foster, with Manta Weapons Accessories, tells Shephard Media about its range of rail guards, grip sleeves and barrel covers, which are standard issue with …

• Naval Warfare

  French Navy tests Aster 30 missile

  22nd January 2015

  The French air defence frigate Chevalier Paul carried out test firing of the Aster 30 surface to air missile on 13 January. The test was …

• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems wins US Navy Aegis contract

  21st January 2015

  BAE Systems has won a five-year contract from the US Navy, the company announced on 19 January. Under the contract, the company will supply critical …

• Naval Warfare

  Are ballistic blinds the answer to petro-piracy?

  21st January 2015

  Owners and operators of vessels can now fit ballistic blinds themselves thanks to a new ‘self-install’ system from Marine Armor System (MAS) that offers crews …

• Land Warfare

  BAE offers India M777 build

  20th January 2015

  BAE Systems is offering to relocate its M777 lightweight howitzer production line to India to meet Indian Army artillery requirements. A statement from BAE Systems …

• Digital Battlespace

  Global chaos creating GEOINT challenges

  19th January 2015

  Russia’s growing belligerence, vast swathes of ungoverned land in the Middle East and Africa, and global health pandemics will be the main challenges for the geospatial …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy's JSOW C-1 set for operational testing

  15th January 2015

  The US Navy has completed integrated test and evaluation of its Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1, according to an announcement on 12 January. The JSOW …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  M1135 Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Programme Background According to the DSCA's notification to Congress, the acquisition of 50 M1135 Strykers was intended to allow the Iraqi government to identify harmful ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Ka-52M Alligator-Russia

  Programme Background The loss of 66 Ka-52s and 8 Mi-24s damaged and/or destroyed leaves the Russian Military with an acute need of replacements.  The Ka-52M will ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) [US Army]

  Background  Requirements The purpose of the CSIRP is to repackage and integrate modular CBRN sensors onto uncrewed systems to provide increased situational awareness on the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BMPT Terminator

  Despite having earlier rejected the BMPT vehicle, the Russian MoD tested BMPT prototypes in Syria, where the vehicles performed well in combat conditions. This culminated ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MALE UAVs [Thailand]

  Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events such ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Micro/Nano Drone Swarms [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - small

  Tactical-Level Armed Drone [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - small

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - HALE

  High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Atlet [Russia]

  Programme Background The Military Industrial Company (VPK) began development of the Atlet 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2017 to meet a requirement from the Russian Army ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Patrul-A (Military Police)

  Programme Background The Russian Military Police is increasingly being called upon to carry out patrols and escort convoys in support of international peacekeeping missions. It ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  IAR-99 Replacement (Romania)

  On 29 August 2017, Leonardo announced that the IAR-99 trainer technology demonstrator (TD) will be fitted with company's Vixen 500E AESA radar. The Vixen 500E AESA ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Heavy Weapons Infantry Carrier) [Germany]

  Background The German Army is believed to require a total of 43 Boxer Heavy Weapons Infantry Carriers to equip its Division 2027. 36 of these ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Heavy Weapons Infantry Carrier) [Germany]

  Background Whilst Germany already has a number of Boxer APCs in service, the rationale behind the purchase of Australian Boxers was to replace its legacy ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munitions [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events such ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Less Than Lethal Weapon Simulators

  Meggitt produces wireless simulators for the X26 Taser and chemical spray less-lethal weapons. These accessories are supported with specialised courseware.

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Hwasong-6

  The Hwasong-6 is a North Korean tactical ballistic missile based on the Hwasong-5, which itself is based on the Soviet R-17 Elbrus. Its NATO reporting ...

• Land: air defence radar

  JY-27

  The JY-27 is a Chinese long-range surveillance radar manufactured by ECRIEE. It was developed to provide early warning information and detect low-observable air targets. It ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  Rychag-AVM

  KRET’s Rychag-AVM radio frequency jammer is designed to perform electronic attack against hostile communications and radar systems. The Rychag-AVM ensemble is mounted onboard dedicated Mil ...

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Fateh-110

  The Fateh-110 is a short-range ballistic missile produced in Iran with help from China.

• Land: counter-IED simulators

  Large IED Trainer

  The Large IED Trainer can be integrated into a number of training scenarios including convoy roadside bombs, vehicle-borne IEDs, artillery/mortar impact, vehicle search and/or destruction, ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Reveal D&I

  Reveal D&I; is a real-time gas detection and identification chemical imaging software for hyperspectral data. This software allows the real-time detection of a large portfolio ...

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Weapons Technology

  Laser Shot designs, engineers and fabricates simulated recoil weapons, drop-in recoil conversion kits, inert training weapons and laser inserts. The company offers individual and crew-served simulated ...

• Guided munitions

  KAB-500/1500

  The KAB-500 and KAB-1500 were Soviet electro-optical TV-guided bombs that were part of the KAB family. It is thought that this family of weapons were ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Hyper-Cam

  The Hyper-Cam is a passive IR hyperspectral imaging system that combines high spatial and spectral resolution. It provides real-time radiometrically calibrated data for gas and ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  HD-IR

  HD-IR high-resolution cameras have high sensitivity for surveillance and airborne mapping applications. The camera features a four-position filter wheel, 1.3MP spatial resolution and an IP67-certified ...

• Trainer

  T-4

  Developed by Kawasaki, the T-4 is an intermediate jet trainer successor to the T-33A and Fuji T-1A/B. Its first flight was performed on 29 July ...

• Heavy UGVs

  Uran-9

  The Uran-9 is a Russian UGV designed to support troops operating in urban environments. Equipped with EO/IR sensors and typically armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  Bright Onyx Chemical Sensor

  Active multi-spectral chemical sensor operating in the 5µm region. The Bright Onyx sensor must operate at UAV airspeeds and ranges with detection sensitivities of 10ppmm ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  ​Zubr (Project 1232)

  The Zubr-class (Project 1232) amphibious assault ships are air-cushioned landing craft. The vessels were sold to the Chinese, Greek, Russian and Ukrainian naval forces. Four ...