• Defence Notes

  A welcome but belated US response to the ‘China threat’

  19th March 2021

  'Strategic competition' is the name of the game in the Asia-Pacific region, as China throws its considerable weight around.

• Digital Battlespace

  MIDS On Ship Modernized (MOS MOD) system (sponsored video)

  9th March 2021

  The MOS MOD system is a new version of the current Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) On Ship, with the advantages of lower size, weight, and power usage.

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army issues CD&RR Phase 2 contracts for FLRAA

  31st March 2021

  Bell Textron and Sikorsky-Boeing will complete Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction phase of Future Long Range Assault Aircraft programme by 30 March 2022.

• Digital Battlespace

  Slovak radar deal nears finalisation

  12th March 2021

  Slovakia expects to sign deal for Israeli-made air defence radars in late March.

• Air Warfare

  Germany requests five P-8As

  15th March 2021

  FMS of five P-8As to Germany has been approved by the US State Department.

• Defence Notes

  Air power leaks leave Command Paper to tell old news

  22nd March 2021

  On air force issues, much of what is in the UK's new Command Paper has previously been leaked to the media.

• Naval Warfare

  No watering down of local content on Australian naval projects

  26th March 2021

  Although concerns linger about the construction schedule for Attack-class submarines, Australian government demands for greater local industrial content in naval programmes continue with the rollout of a Saab Australia combat management system.

• Training

  Cubic in takeover battle

  1st April 2021

  Cubic Corporation has two suitors who aim to take a majority shareholding. The final decision will be taken in late April.

• Defence Notes

  V Corps gears up for operations

  8th April 2021

  The reactivated V Corps reflects a focus in the US National Defense Strategy on forward deployment to counter adversaries and improve readiness in the event of a conflict with a near-peer rival power.

• Training

  NFTE builds up a head of steam

  30th March 2021

  As Leonardo and CAE join forces in a JV to operate their International Flight Training School, NATO's Flight Training Europe programme gains traction and is on target to open in 2022.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia tests IFV contenders

  19th April 2021

  The Slovak MoD is pushing ahead with the procurement of new infantry fighting vehicles to replace its old Soviet-era platforms. Companies interested in bidding for the programme are bringing their platforms to Slovakia to demonstrate their capabilities throughout early 2021.

• Land Warfare

  Indian Army seeks 155mm howitzers and T-90S protection

  15th April 2021

  The Indian Army makes moves to select its first ever truck-mounted howitzers, plus it recognises the need to protect its T-90S tank fleet.

• Naval Warfare

  USS Delaware to undergo post-delivery work

  9th March 2021

  General Dynamics Electric Boat receives contract modification for maintenance, repair, alterations, testing and other work.

• Digital Battlespace

  DoD approves miniature IFF transponder

  29th March 2021

  ​ZPX-B micro-transponder cuts size, weight and power requirements by more than 90%, says manufacturer uAvionix.

• Digital Battlespace

  AeroVironment gains another FMS contract for Puma 3 AE

  12th March 2021

  An undisclosed FMS customer is expected to receive Puma 3 AE in April 2021.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

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

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft (South Korea)

  Programme Background South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated that Seoul is planning to procure additional aircraft to minimize potential surveillance gaps amid growing security ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

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

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

• OPVs

  Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (1-12) [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements The primary role of the OPVs will be ISR and patrol. The armament will be limited. One of the key features is a reduced ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...