• Naval Warfare

  US Navy sends second destroyer to patrol its own southern border

  26th March 2025

  The USS Spruance will help enforce anti-smuggling and anti-immigration laws.

• Special Operations

  Why artificial intelligence has secured its place in special forces’ operations

  31st May 2025

  The diverse use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been turning it into a critical tool for Special Operations Forces (SOF).

• Naval Warfare

  Thales to support UK Royal Navy fleet communications for next 10 years

  12th February 2025

  A new deal gives Thales discretionary powers on equipment replacement in the UK Royal Navy (RN) for a decade, saving an estimated £30 million.

• Land Warfare

  Red Cat to begin Black Widow sUAS production in early 2025

  26th November 2024

  Red Cat, recently selected for the US Army’s ambitious SRR programme to supply warfighters with the next-generation Black Widow sUAS, will begin production on the uncrewed platform in early 2025.

• Defence Notes

  US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities

  21st August 2025

  This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.

• Air Warfare

  UK MoD “getting a grip” of budgets as three UK air programmes slip into the red

  23rd January 2025

  The E-7 Wedgetail, Future Combat Air System and the Protector programmes were highlighted as items of concern from a recently published UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority report.

• Naval Warfare

  NATO to strengthen its Baltic Sea presence after new cable cutting incident

  27th December 2024

  The vessel suspected of cutting cables has been boarded by the Finnish Coast Guard, and Estonia has launched naval protection patrols.

• Air Warfare

  Avalon 2025: Australia reimagines Ghost Bat as a proving platform and targets future versions

  24th March 2025

  Now known as the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the Loyal Wingman notably kept close to promised deadlines such as first flight in February 2021, in spite of originally being promised for 2020.

• Air Warfare

  Japan targets T-4 replacement ahead of GCAP as pressure mounts to modernise pilot training

  6th June 2025

  The JASDF has been looking to replace its T-4 jet fighters amid concerns over training capacity and pilot readiness for fifth-gen fighters.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss

  30th January 2025

  Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg indicated ongoing improvements were being made in its defence programmes going forwards, despite being affected in Q4 by cost pressures, higher manufacturing costs and the impact of the IAM strike.

• Naval Warfare

  Defence Insight Briefs: Naval modernisation accelerates amid geopolitical tension and tech evolution

  14th April 2025

  The global naval market is undergoing a notable transformation, with growth driven by both escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of innovative technologies. Across NATO, but particularly in Europe, navies are accelerating modernisation efforts, spurred by renewed threats and persistent capability gaps.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Aselsan plans further electro-optic systems’ flight tests for 2025

  24th February 2025

  Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol confirmed that the tests for its TOYGUN and KARAT products would take place on a UAV platform as efforts continue to progress its “challenging” technology roadmap into 2025 and 2026.

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA

  25th April 2025

  Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2024: Red Cat unveils Black Widow as development continues on Arachnid UAS family

  15th October 2024

  Red Cat has provided updates on its Arachnid family of UAS systems during AUSA this year, including potential launch dates for Black Widow, Fang and Trichon.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force pushes back T-7A production to 2026

  21st January 2025

  The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing have agreed to adjust parts of the T-7A Red Hawk acquisition, with four more test T-7As being acquired to help improve manufacturing readiness and boost testing capacity.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-X / T-7A Red Hawk [USAF]

  Programme Background Goal The T-X programme aims to acquire a two-seat jet trainer aircraft to replace its Northrop Grumman T-38 Talon. The programme could be worth ...

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

  Edge 130 [US]

  Programme Background First Order As reported by Shephard, In October 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection force submitted a $1.6 million order to acquire Edge ...

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

  Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) (Tranche 2) / Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) [USA]

  Programme Background The Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) Programme The RPUAS programme will provide the battalion and below-ground manoeuvre elements within the US Army with an ...

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

  Teal 2 (Customs and Border Protection Force) [US]

  Programme Background First Order Global News Wire reported that Red Cat had filled an order for 54 Teal 2 units from the US Customs and ...

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

  Golden Eagle (Ukraine Aid) [NATO Member]

  Programme Background 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the usage and effectiveness of micro and mini UAV platforms ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Data links

  Data links | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft [Serbia]

  To replace its ageing Soko J-22 and G-4 trainer fleet, the Serbian Air Force seeks to acquire 20 light attack/trainer aircraft. In July 2020, Nenad Miloradovic, acting ...

• Data links

  Data links | Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft [Serbia]

  To replace its ageing Soko J-22 and G-4 trainer fleet, the Serbian Air Force seeks to acquire 20 light attack/trainer aircraft. In July 2020, Nenad Miloradovic, acting ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft [Serbia]

  To replace its ageing Soko J-22 and G-4 trainer fleet, the Serbian Air Force seeks to acquire 20 light attack/trainer aircraft. In July 2020, Nenad Miloradovic, acting ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft [Serbia]

  To replace its ageing Soko J-22 and G-4 trainer fleet, the Serbian Air Force seeks to acquire 20 light attack/trainer aircraft. In July 2020, Nenad Miloradovic, acting ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft [Serbia]

  To replace its ageing Soko J-22 and G-4 trainer fleet, the Serbian Air Force seeks to acquire 20 light attack/trainer aircraft. In July 2020, Nenad Miloradovic, acting ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-air missiles

  HHQ-10 / FL-3000N

  The Hai Hong Qi-10 (Naval Red Flag-10), or HHQ-10 for short, is a Chinese naval surface-to-air missile. Its export version is the Flying Leopard 3000 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Aleksandar Unifier

  The Aleksandar Unifier is an armoured 4x4 that was unveiled at a Serbian military parade to commemorate the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and the National ...

• Subsystems: software

  Network Defense Trainer

  The Scalable Network Defense Trainer is an LVC simulation system for delivering realistic hands-on cyber training. It enables students to experience cyber attacks launched against ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Seal Family

  The naval ESM Seal family can provide: self-protection functions, with the capability to drive active ECM equipment (jammers) or passive ECM equipment (chaff/flares) automatically; tactical ...

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

  WingXpand

  Unveiled at the Special Operations Force Industry Conference in May 2022, the WingXpand is a fixed-wing platform manufactured by a company with the same name. Branded ...

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

  MQ-20 Avenger

  The MQ-20 Avenger, or Predator C, is a long-endurance UAS designed to perform high-speed, covert ISR and precision-strike missions over land or sea. The UAV is ...

• Weapon sights for day use

  Romeo Red Dot Sights

  The Romeo line of red dot sights are parallax-free and feature (MOTAC) motion-activated illuminated glass reticles. The dual reticle option, on select models, toggles between ...

• Laser pointers

  Lima Laser Sights

  Lima red and green laser fore grips are low-profile rail-mounted laser sights. The laser operates in momentary-on mode, with an additional continuous mode on the ...

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

  Fang

  Fang is a first-person view (FPV) UAS for precision strike roles. The drone is aimed to launch in Q2 2025. Developed by Red Cat, the drone ...

• Multipurpose missiles

  Red Arrow 73

  The Red Arrow 73, also known as the HJ-73, was a copy of the Russian 9M14 Malyutka. The Red Arrow 73 was China's first-generation antitank ...

• Radius

  The Joyton Radius fixed-wing UAV is designed to perform a range of commercial and professional roles, including property rights definition, blast and mining data collection, ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PNP-MS

  The PNP-MS standalone miniature I2 NV weapon sight is based on the PNP-M monocular. It incorporates an illuminated red-dot aiming mark for target acquisition with ...

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

  Black Widow

  The Black Widow is a rotary-wing micro UAV from Red Cat. Unveiled at AUSA 2024, the AI-enabled drone is designed for instant ISR tasks and ...

• Weapon sights for day use

  1.1-4x20 PM II ShortDot

  The 1.1-4x20 PM II ShortDot is a combination of a red dot sight and a scope developed for use at short and medium distances. With ...

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

  Trichon

  The Trichon is a VTOL-capable UAV designed for medium-range missions, including mapping, inspection and intelligence gathering. It is a development of Red Cat's Edge 130 drone. It ...