• Land Warfare

  Caracal scrambles to hold onto Indian carbines

  24th September 2020

  Caracal of the UAE, unwilling to relinquish a major deal for 93,895 CAR816 5.56mm carbines for the Indian Army, is now offering to build 100% …

• Land Warfare

  First Armenian-made AK-103s set for delivery

  24th August 2020

  The first batch of 1,000 domestically made AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles is ready to be delivered to the Armenian Army, according to government-run media. Public …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan contemplates difficult alternatives to Aegis Ashore

  15th September 2020

  The Japanese MoD is considering alternatives to Aegis Ashore, with three potential ballistic missile defence (BMD) plans encompassing an isolated installed launcher, mega-floating platform or …

• Land Warfare

  Thai marines to get First Win IIs

  1st September 2020

  Chaiseri won a contract last month from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for the procurement of two First Win II 4x4 armoured vehicles. The Naval …

• Training

  4GD delivers to US SOF

  2nd September 2020

  UK-based immersive dismounted close combat training specialists 4GD recently delivered another major project to the SOF community in the US. This US system is a …

• Land Warfare

  Czech procurement surge caters for dismounted infantry

  25th August 2020

  The acquisition of IFVs for the army has tended to dominate attention among the equipment modernisation programmes in the Czech Republic, especially given its bumpy …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Helicopters displays upgraded Mi-171Sh

  24th August 2020

  The initial flying prototype of the upgraded Mi-171Sh helicopter is being exhibited for the first time on 23-29 August during the Army 2020 show. The ‘Storm’ …

• Defence Helicopter

  PLA shows wide-body Z-8 and new helicopter missile

  25th August 2020

  The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has begun fielding a wide-body variant of the Z-8 helicopter built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC). By midyear, approximately six of …

• Defence Notes

  NATO evaluates SMASH as possible anti-drone terrorism solution

  18th August 2020

  The SMASH Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) fire control solution from Smart Shooter is under consideration by NATO in its Defense Against Terrorism Program of Work …

• Training

  Finland picks Bagira for BARS

  13th August 2020

  Israeli company Bagira Systems has been awarded a EUR42.16 million ($49.89 million) contract by the Finnish Department of Defence Logistics, to provide a replacement Blank …

• Land Warfare

  Australia lays out Land 159 lethality roadmap

  5th August 2020

  Following an industry brief on 30 July, further details have emerged about Australia’s Land 159 Lethality Systems programme. Prime contractor Nioa released details of the …

• Land Warfare

  USMC looks ahead to new rocket system

  17th August 2020

  The USMC is keen to improve the lethality and safety of its troops as the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has released a solicitation to …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Bataan to undergo maintenance having ended seven-month deployment

  6th August 2020

  General Dynamics NASSCO is to provide facilities and human resources to complete, coordinate and integrate ‘multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernisation’ of USS Bataan …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell enhances industrial capabilities with FVL in mind

  10th August 2020

  Bell Textron officially unveiled its new 140,000ft2 (13,000m2) Manufacturing Technology Center at Fort Worth, Texas on 10 August, underlining its bullish mood regarding development and rapid …

• Defence Notes

  South Korea looks boldly ahead in mid-term plan

  14th August 2020

  On 10 August, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) released a KRW300 trillion ($253 billion) blueprint for defence spending over the coming five years, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 1) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 2) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS [Japan - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCVPs Replacement [Netherlands]

  Background Requirements The Dutch Marine Corps needs to replace 12 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) from 2025. The current LCVPs will reach the end of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single largest ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Bushmaster 4x4 [Australia]

  Programme Background Australia has bought 1,052 Bushmasters in seven variants: troop carrier; command; assault pioneer; mortar; direct fire weapons; ambulance; and, air defence. These vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PMC KAAV (First Batch)

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• Patrol boats

  UNPAV - Angelo Cabrini Class

  The Angelo Cabrini class consists of two high-speed multipurpose patrol boats (UNPAV) intended for the Italian Navy special forces. The vessels were built by Intermarine, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 2) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 3) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 4) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• Main battle tanks

  Main Battle Tank Upgrade [Australia]

  Programme Background Between 2006 and 2007, the Australian Army received 59 M1A1 AIM SA Abrams MBTs under Project Land 907 Phase 1. These vehicles were planned to ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-12

  Kalashnikov publicly unveiled the AK-12 assault rifle in January 2012. The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system as previous Kalashnikov rifles. A 5.45x39mm ...

• Military UAS - mini

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-19

  The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled its developmental AK-19 assault rifle in August 2020. Compared to the AK-12 assault rifle upon which it is based, the AK-19 ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  GP-34

  Kalashnikov designed the single-shot GP-34 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for use with the company’s 5.45mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm assault rifles. The sight allows the firer ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Vikhr

  The 9A4172K Vikhr-1 (AT-16) long-range antitank guided missile is a large dual-purpose antitank/air-to-air missile. The laser-guided antitank projectile can be launched from air, land or ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-101/103

  The AK-100, or Century series, applies modern production techniques to the legacy AK design. The 5.56mm AK-101 and 7.62mm AK-103 are full-length assault rifles. Forearm, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-15

  Developed under the Ratnik modernisation programme, the AK-15 assault rifle was first unveiled in 2016. It is designed for elite units and law enforcement and ...

• Pistols

  PL-15

  The PL-15 is a double-action-only pistol chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. Developed by firearms designer and target shooter Dmitry Lebedev and manufactured by ...

• Military UAS - small

  Legionnaire E33K

  The Legionnaire E33K is a small fixed-wing UAV developed by Kalashnikov Concern. The drone is designed for various tasks, including cargo carrying.  An electric motor powers ...

• Light machine guns

  RPK-16

  Kalashnikov unveiled its 5.45x39mm RPK-16 light support weapon at the Army 2016 exhibition. Intended to supersede the RPK-74 light machine gun, the RPK-16 can be ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-200

  The AK-200 family of assault rifles and carbines was developed by the Kalashnikov Concern for export customers and domestic law enforcement agencies. Designed as an ...

• Loitering munitions

  RUS-PE

  The RUS-PE is an X-wing-shaped loitering munition from Kalashnikov Concern.  Appearing visually similar to the HERO-90, the system is designed for swift, precise strikes against individual, stationary, ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Karakurt

  The Karahurt is a Russian tube-launched rotary-wing platform manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It bears visual similarities with SpearUAV's range of drones and has been designed ...

• Light machine guns

  RPL-20

  After testing with the RPK-16 light machine gun uncovered several issues with the design, Kalashnikov initiated development of the new RPL-20 light machine gun to ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PCS-5/5M GABRO

  The PCS-5/PCS-5M passive NVD is a lightweight telescopic sight designed for use on portable weapons. It can be used for battlefield observation, detection and target ...