• Land Warfare

  NZ Army orders significant Bushmaster fleet

  9th July 2020

  It comes as no surprise that the New Zealand Army has confirmed an order for Thales Australia’s Bushmaster NZ5.5 protected mobility vehicle. The country’s 1st SAS …

• Naval Warfare

  Can the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy be deemed a success?

  14th August 2020

  Nearly three years have passed since the publication of the UK MoD’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, a navigational map intended to revitalise naval manufacturing and create a …

• Land Warfare

  Pakistan finally fields upgraded Al-Khalid tank

  4th August 2020

  On 28 July the Armoured Corps of the Pakistan Army held a rollout ceremony for the upgraded Al-Khalid-I MBT at a Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) …

• 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, …

• Air Warfare

  KF-X prototype assembly continues apace

  28th July 2020

  The top, middle and bottom parts of the fuselage of the first KF-X prototype, a new South Korean 4.5-generation twin-engine fighter, are being assembled by …

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine leans on US to build military capability

  17th July 2020

  Ukraine continues to expand its armed forces with the help of the US, with the acquisition late last year of additional Javelin antitank missiles being …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM picks industry provider of RFCM for C-130 variants

  6th July 2020

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on 1 July awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation a $700 million contract  for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure …

• Land Warfare

  LMUK expects to seal Warrior deal next year

  20th July 2020

  Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) expects to sign a £800 million ($1 billion) sole-source contract in 2021 for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP).  Currently, the …

• Training

  Czech Army adds TESS capabilities

  13th July 2020

  Soldiers of the 71st Mechanized Battalion based at Hranice have tested the latest tranche of laser-based Tactical Engagement Simulation Systems (TESS) delivered by Saab Training …

• Land Warfare

  Ukroboronprom delivers four more BTR-4Es

  3rd July 2020

  The Ukrainian Army has received four more BTR-4E 8x8 IFVs from manufacturer Ukroboronprom. The Ukrainian MoD signed a contract with Ukroboronprom for 45 BTR-4E IFVs in …

• Land Warfare

  Australia orders additional EF88 rifles

  16th July 2020

  The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is to receive an extra 8,500 EF88 bullpup rifles under an order announced by the Department of Defence on 13 July. Defence Minister …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  China accelerates maritime UAS development

  17th July 2020

  A Chinese emphasis on UAVs for maritime and shipborne use is evident, with a new full-scale rotorcraft mock-up appearing on the navy’s first Type 075 …

• Military Logistics

  Kongsberg takes full control of Patria Helicopters

  1st July 2020

  Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services on 1 July formally took over Bardufoss, Norway-based Patria Helicopters after buying a minority share held by Finnish defence and aerospace …

• Training

  Private simulator training beckons for Indian Mi-17V-5 helicopters

  1st July 2020

  A long-delayed $210 million project to build, operate, train and maintain simulators for some 150 Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V-5 helicopters has now been fast-forwarded. …

• Air Warfare

  Rwanda joins the Grand Caravan club

  25th June 2020

  Cessna C-208 Grand Caravan EX aircraft are being supplied to the Rwandan Air Force by ATI Engineering Services in an FMS deal. The $10.1 million contract for …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  Programme Background Requirements The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS). SAS Drakensberg was launched in 1986 and commissioned ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• OPVs

  Project Biro (1-3) [South Africa]

  Programme Background Three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) have been procured for the South African Navy under Project Biro. Based on Damen's Stan Patrol 6211 ...

• New Zealand Bushmaster PMV

  Programme Background The NZDF had called attention to the need to retire the armoured Pinzgauer fleet in its 2019 Defence Capability Plan. Not only are ...

• SOV-Cdo Replacement (Australia)

  Programme Background The Australian MoD plans to invest in new equipment for its SOF units to allow the ADF to respond more effectively and more ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background According to a December 2020 report by the Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Azerbaijan acquired an estimated 50 Harop loitering munitions ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-1Z [Romania]

  The Romanian MoD has a long-standing requirement for new rotary platforms, including troop transport, supply and attack configurations. According to the the Military Strategy document, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Piranha V

  264 of the Piranha Vs will be assigned to the Danish Army's 1st Brigade, following its reorganisation in January 2019. Each of its three armoured ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM) [France]

  Programme Background Requirement The requirement for the SDAM programme is a rotary-wing VTOL-capable UAV with a modular configuration capable of hosting a range of payloads. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Sea: sonar systems

  T-SAS

  The Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (T-SAS) is a high-resolution towed side scan sonar for detection of bottom and short-tethered mines. It is able to deliver ...

• Loitering munitions

  AIHMI AHM-1X

  The AIHMI AHM-1X, also known as Sharp Point or Spearhead in Greek, is a loitering munition from SAS Technology. More specifically, the drone is a 4kg ...

• SAS AW169 interior

  The Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) AW169 Medical Interior is a fully certified EMS interior that features a swivelling, easy-load longitudinal stretcher, giving all-round patient access with ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  SARISA SRS-1A

  The SARISA SRS-1A is a quadcopter rotary-wing UAS unveiled at DEFEA 2021. Manufactured by the Greek company Spirit Aeronautical Systems (SAS) Technology, the platform features two rails underneath ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Mako

  Mako is an air-launched hypersonic missile developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with CoAspire. The missile was unveiled to the public for the first time ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Patrol boats

  Warrior Class (Stan Patrol 6211)

  Under Project Biro, the South African Navy is acquiring three new multi-mission inshore patrol vessels. The project is expected to run for approximately seven years, ...

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

  ARES ARS-1X

  Manufactured by SAS Technology, ARES ARS-1X is a mini rotary-wing UAV. The UAV has an open architecture, allowing it to operate as a quadcopter or ...

• Military - USVs

  ARCIMS

  The Atlas Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (ARCIMS) is an MCM USV platform designed by Atlas Elektronik UK. It is capable of being deployed and operated from ...

• Military - UUVs

  Bluefin-12S

  The Bluefin-12S AUV has been designed for a range of applications, including shallow-water survey, search and salvage, oceanography and scientific research, as well as MCM and ...

• Military - UUVs

  A27-M

  The A27-M is a multi-mission, long-endurance AUV developed by Exail that is suitable for military and civil missions. This includes reconnaissance, MCM, homeland security, hydrographic survey, ...

• Frigates

  MEKO A-200

  The MEKO A-200 is a general-purpose frigate development of the MEKO 200 design in service with multiple nations. Built by Germany's Blohm+Voss, Howaldtswerke Deutsch Werft ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 209/1400mod

  The Type 209/1400mod is a modified variant of the German-designed export Type 209/1400 submarine. This variant of the Type 209 is in service with the ...

• Military - UUVs

  SeaOtter Mk II

  The SeaOtter Mk II is a long-range AUV developed by Atlas Elektronik. It is designed for mine detection and classification, rapid environmental assessment, seabed mapping and hydrographic ...

• Land: Defensive Systems - Gunshot Detection / Hostile Fire Indicator

  Acoustic Shooter Locating System (ASLS)

  The compact Acoustic Shooter Locating System (ASLS) consists of a powerful acoustic sensor with integrated analysis electronics and a compact control and display unit. The ...