• Defence Notes

  Pentagon conducts latest test of US-Japan interceptor

  12th December 2018

  The US military on 11 November successfully conducted a test of a new ballistic-missile interceptor system, which is being co-developed with Japan. The launch marks …

• Naval Warfare

  Israel Shipyards looks to Shaldag and Saar for market breakthrough

  8th January 2019

  Although the naval arm of Israel's military is the smallest of its services, recent hydrocarbon finds have focused interest in securing industrial assets inside its …

• Naval Warfare

  US conducts latest South China Sea sail-by amid trade talks

  7th January 2019

  A US Navy guided-missile destroyer on Monday sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea where Beijing has built military installations, sparking anger in …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  PAE ISR selects MPU5 for Resolute Eagle

  27th December 2018

  PAE ISR has selected Persistent Systems’ MPU5 Wave Relay mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology for its Resolute Eagle UAS platform, the company announced on …

• Defence Helicopter

  FLIR sensors for US Air Force MH-139s

  31st December 2018

  FLIR Systems has been selected by Boeing to provide its Star Safire 380-HDc EO/IR surveillance sensor in support of the US Air Force’s UH-1N helicopter …

• Training

  Poland orders four additional M-346s

  21st December 2018

  The Armament Inspectorate of Polish Ministry of National Defense has exercised an option to acquire four more M-346 advanced jet trainers from Leonardo for pilot …

• Land Warfare

  Russia set to upgrade its BMD-2 inventory

  26th December 2018

  The Russian MoD has unveiled a plan to launch a large-scale upgrade of the BMD-2 lightweight IFV inventory of the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) branch, …

• Land Warfare

  Philippines selects SPYDER for GBAD

  2nd January 2019

  The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is believed to have selected Rafael’s Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) system for its ground-based air defence requirement under Horizon …

• Land Warfare

  Qatar requests NASMAS from US

  3rd December 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) to …

• Land Warfare

  Russia delivers on Vietnam and Laos tanks

  20th December 2018

  Russia is delivering T-90S and T-72B1 tanks to Vietnam and Laos respectively, fulfilling recent contracts placed by the Southeast Asian countries. The first batch from …

• Digital Battlespace

  Cohort acquires Chess Technologies

  18th December 2018

  Cohort has acquired a majority stake in Chess Technologies, a UK-based integrated fire control and tracking systems provider for military vehicles and naval ships. Chess …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan requests SM-3 missiles from US

  22nd November 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B missiles and SM-3 Block 2A …

• Land Warfare

  Czech Republic orders Saab RBS 70 NG

  21st December 2018

  Saab has received a $40.29 million order to supply its RBS 70 NG man-portable air defence system to the Czech Republic’s armed forces, the company …

• Defence Notes

  100th Su-35 fighter produced in Russia

  20th December 2018

  Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has announced the production of the 100th Su-35 fighter. This was marked at a handover ceremony of the final batch of …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Abraham Lincoln completes CSSQT

  12th December 2018

  US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, successfully completed testing of its self-defence system (SSDS) capabilities during Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale [France]

  Programme Background Rafale F4 is the latest configuration of the Rafale fighter jet family. New functions will also be developed to improve the aircraft’s capabilities ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement The RAN already has 24 MH-60R Seahawks (the last delivered in September 2016), so this represents a 50% increase in fleet size. ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background 2018 - Issue of RfI The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated that Seoul planned to procure additional aircraft to minimise potential surveillance ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Project Sea 129 Phase 5 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement Project Sea 129 Phase 5 was intended to acquire a new ISR UAS capability for the RAN. The aircraft was required to perform ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (Project Land 8710 Phase 1A) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements Australia has set out requirements for a fleet of up to 18 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels - Medium (LMV-M) with the release of ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  VTOL UAV [New Zealand]

  Background Defence Capability Plan (DCP) In April 2025, the New Zealand government published the DCP, a document that is essentially a blueprint for what procurements ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Data links

  Data links | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• Main battle tanks

  M1A2T Abrams [Taiwain]

  Programme Background Taiwan has had a long-standing desire to attain M1A1 or M1A2 Abrams from the US in order to replace elderly M60A3 TTS and CM11 ...

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

  MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 [Italy]

  Programme Background Initial Procurement Italy submitted a $330 million FMS request through the Defence Security Cooperation Agency for four MQ-9A aircraft, four GCS and five ...

• ISR/special mission

  MC-27J [Algeria]

  Programme Background Algeria has a long standing ISR aircraft requirement to support its Beech 1900 fleet comprised of six aircraft. The new ISR fleet is ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Dreadnought Class (Successor Programme) (1-4) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirements The Dreadnought-class, prior to being named in October 2016, was known as the Successor programme, which was approved by the government in May ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-air missiles

  SM-2 Block IIIC/Block IIICU

  The SM-2 Block IIIC and Block IIICU are medium-range, surface-to-air missiles with active radio frequency seekers. Both missiles are modifications to legacy SM-2 Block III/IIIA/IIIB ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  FIM-92 Stinger

  The FIM-92 Stinger, passive-guided MANPADS, was developed by General Dynamics to meet the requirements of the US Army to defence against low-flying threats. It replaced ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ESTL

  The Enhanced Survivability Technology (ESTL) is an integrated self-protection pod with missile approach warning (MAWS) manufactured by Saab. It is designed to counter RF and IR ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  SkyCeptor

  The SkyCeptor missile is a multi-mission interceptor developed collaboratively by Raytheon and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is a derivative of the Stunner missile ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2

  The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 is a short-range, ship-launched missile designed primarily to defend naval vessels against incoming anti-ship missiles and aerial ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  SM-1MR Block VI

  The RIM-66 Standard-1MR is a medium-range surface-to-air missile that can also take on the role of an anti-ship missile. It was developed as part of ...

• Multipurpose missiles

  BGM-71 TOW

  The BGM-71 Tube-launched Optically tracked Wire-guided (TOW) missile entered US Army service in 1970. As well as being integrated on vehicles and helicopters, TOW can be ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPY-3

  The AN/SPY-3 is a multifunction naval radar developed and manufactured by Raytheon. Its intended uses include horizon and surface search, navigation, periscope detection, discrimination, and ...

• Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  MK 99

  The MK 99 is a fire control system developed and produced by Raytheon.  The system works as an interface to connect a vessel's missiles and ...

• Sea: weapon training

  SM-1 and SM-2 Standard Missile and Harpoon Missile with Guided Missile Launcher Mk 13 Mod 4 Simulator

  Textron's SM-1 and SM-2 Standard Missile and Harpoon Missile simulator simulates a guided missile launching system and guided missile launcher, Mk 13 Mod 4, in ...

• Land: air defence radar

  LTAMDS

  The Raytheon Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System (LTAMDS) is an active electronically scanned array Gallium Nitrade (GaN) radar. The use of GaN strengthens ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 Block IIA

  The SM-3 Block IIA is an advanced interceptor missile designed for exo-atmospheric engagements against intermediate-range ballistic missiles and limited intercontinental ballistic missile threats. The SM-3 Block ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  RIM-174 Standard ERAM SM-6 Block I/IA

  The SM-6 (RIM-174 Standard ERAM) is a surface-to-air supersonic missile launched from cruisers and destroyers, capable of successfully engaging crewed and uncrewed, fixed- or rotary-wing ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming, Air: EO/IR – Jamming Systems

  Quiet Eyes

  Quiet Eyes is a laser DIRCM system, manufactured by Raytheon. The pointer/tracker turret system protects aircrafts from IR-guided missiles by jamming the missile, directing the threat away ...

• Long Range Missile Defence Systems: > 90km range

  Mk-57 VLS

  The Mk 57 Vertical Launching System (VLS), developed by Raytheon, is an advanced missile launching system designed to enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of ...