• Naval Warfare

  As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging

  28th April 2026

  Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems’ UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly

  26th June 2026

  The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.

• Air Warfare

  Canadian observer status reinforces GCAP’s strength in emerging ‘middle power’ bloc

  17th July 2026

  The significant setback seen by FCAS earlier this year has secured GCAP’s position as Europe’s future sixth-generation fighter, while Canada’s potential observer status could push the programme into the next stage.

• Air Warfare

  British Army’s Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system

  20th May 2026

  The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.

• Defence Notes

  Eurosatory 2026: Iran’s attacks on UAE have “accelerated” Edge’s plans, says company

  25th June 2026

  The UAE’s Edge has undergone massive changes since it was formed in 2019, from acquisitions to partnerships, and has now set up a European division in Paris.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms

  19th February 2026

  Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: new and improved vehicles and counter-drone technology foreshadowed

  8th June 2026

  Eurosatory is the world’s largest defence show with more than 2,000 exhibitors listed and more than 43,000 visitors expected, as the show expands to a floorspace of 185,000m². Uncrewed systems and effectors to defeat them, as well as 4x4 vehicles, are all set to be focal points at the event.

• Naval Warfare

  UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power

  16th January 2026

  Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.

• Defence Notes

  As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues

  6th January 2026

  The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.

• Air Warfare

  UK Royal Navy notes hybrid air wing progress with eyes on Peregrine drone development

  26th February 2026

  The Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) initiative aims to modernise aviation capabilities to use uncrewed systems where possible, supporting its goal of a hybrid air wing by 2040.

• Land Warfare

  Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme

  13th March 2026

  The move signals significant progress for the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System programme with first powerpack prototypes set to be tested before the end of the decade.

• Naval Warfare

  First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June

  12th May 2026

  Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough

  30th July 2026

  Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.

• Air Warfare

  GCAP remains bright spot in UK rearmament efforts as international prospects widen

  21st July 2026

  Funding for the programme is secure – for now – while future opportunities to join Japan, Italy and the UK could tempt other Western partners to join the joint fighter development project.

• Air Warfare

  USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC

  9th September 2026

  The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A [Kuwait]

  Programme Background The capability packages granted to Kuwait will include the integration of Storm Shadow and Brimstone and other air-to-surface weapons, the integration of a ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  M-SHORAD Increment 1 [USA]

  Background The US Army is developing a new maneuver short-range air defense system (M-SHORAD) to perform short-range air defense (SHORAD). Under this programme, there are ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System [US]

  Background The US Marine Corps' (USMC) Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System (L-MADIS) supports deployed Marine Expeditionary Units with non-kinetic C-UAS capabilities and a shoulder-fired surface-to-air weapon for ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  TH-73 Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) (TH-57 Replacement)

  Programme Background Contenders for the competition included the Leonardo single engine TH-119 – a military variant of the AW119Kx – and Bell’s newly upgraded single ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  AW119 Koala [Israel]

  Background Pre-contract timeline The initial request for information regarding a replacement system for the Israeli Bell 206 training platforms was released to industry in 2015, ...

• Light attack

  M-346 Procurement (1-24) [Nigeria]

  Programme Background On 9 December 2023, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Chief of Air Staff Marshal Amao said the country expects delivery of 54 new ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW4 Puszczyk Replacement [Poland]

  Programme Background  In 2002, Poland order 47 SW4 training helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo; as of Spring 2025, the Ministry of Defence is looking to ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  New Medium Helicopter (NMH) [UK]

  Background NMH Market Interest Day On 11 November 2021, the MoD communicated the requirements of the £1 billion ($1.34 billion) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  Maritime Operations Helicopters

  The three maritime operations helicopters will be used for logistics and personnel transport, alongside transportation of PASKAL naval special forces in operations in the area. ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW139 [Greece]

  Programme Background Reportedly, during a December 2023 meeting of the Greek Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) proposed the purchase of 14 ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Project Proteus [UK]

  Project Proteus is an RN and Leonardo effort to design and develop an uncrewed helicopter demonstrator that could provide an innovative alternative to existing crewed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Project Proteus [UK]

  Project Proteus is an RN and Leonardo effort to design and develop an uncrewed helicopter demonstrator that could provide an innovative alternative to existing crewed ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  MH-139 (UH-1N Huey Replacement)

  Background  Competing bids In competition with the Boeing/Leonardo bid was Sikorsky with a HH-60U offer, and Sierra Nevada with an upgrading offer of UH-60As to ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW139M (1-7) [Algeria]

  Programme Background In 2016, Leonardo partnered with the Algerian National Defence Ministry to establish a second international production line for AW139 helicopters. By March 2025, ...

• Main battle tanks

  C1 Ariete Replacement [Italy]

  Background Following nearly 20 years of service within the Italian Army, the C1 Ariete MBT is due for an upgrade or replacement. Suffering from poor ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  IVCS

  The Integrated Voice Communications System (IVCS) is a shipboard communications system that combines naval telephones and intercom equipment into one system. It consists of terminals, ...

• Land: battle management systems

  MFoCS

  Mounted Family of Computing Systems (MFoCS) is a modular family which is designed to integrate existing FBCB2, future JBC-P and WIN-T capability into a modular ...

• Air: EO/IR – Jamming Systems

  AN/AAQ-45

  Leonardo’s AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasures is designed to equip rotorcraft. The system is being installed on Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters used ...

• EO/IR systems

  Arrowhead M-TADS/PNVS IR Receivers

  The DRS provides the integrated forward-looking-IR receivers for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight (M-TADS) and the Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-PNVS) for Lockheed ...

• Data links

  JTT-NG

  The Joint Tactical Terminal - Next Generation (JTT-NG) is a small form factor Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) transceiver produced by Leonardo DRS. It provides situational ...

• Data links

  Joint Tactical Terminal

  Leonardo's Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) family of products provides Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) capability to air, land and naval platforms. According to the manufacturer, over 1,200 ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar

  RADA’s Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars (MHR) are S-band, software-defined, pulse-Doppler AESA radars. The radars have beam-forming capabilities and advanced signal processing, which can provide for various ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  LIMWS

  BAE Systems is leading the US Army’s Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) initiative. This is intended to enhance the missile protection provided to US ...

• Land: RWS

  RIwP

  The Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) is a modular remote weapons station designed by Moog to counter a wide spectrum of threats ranging from enemy infantry ...

• Land: NVGs

  Leonardo DRS ENVG III/FWS-I

  The US Army has selected industry teams to meet its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III and Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (ENVG III/FWS-I) programme goals of ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Joint Battle Command - Platform

  Joint Battle Command - Platform (JBC-P) is a networked mission command information system designed for the US Army and USMC. It can provide real-time blue ...

• Military - USVs

  Stormrunner

  Stormrunner is an autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed by Boston, Massachusetts-based unmanned systems manufacturer, Sea Machines Robotics. The platform is designed for for logistics, surveillance and counter-drone ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Stallion II

  KADDB displayed the first example of its 4x4 Stallion (Wahsh) II light armoured vehicle at SOFEX in May 2014, two years after the start of ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPQ-9B

  The AN/SPQ-9B is a multi-purpose naval surface search and fire control radar manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is a TWS system and detects sea-skimming missiles on the ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems, Land: COMINT and ELINT systems

  SI-8649A/PF PicoFlexor Transceiver

  The PicoFlexor Transceiver is a miniature tactical software-defined radio (SDR) platform manufactured by Leonardo DRS. It integrates a transmitter with a high-performance SIGINT superheterodyne receiver in ...