• Defence Notes

  US forces’ heads lay out their needs and requirements before Senate committees

  22nd May 2025

  The new US administration has introduced or outlined plans for substantial change across the Department of Defence (DoD) and its branches. Several branch heads faced up to Senate Committees to outline needs and challenges.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris

  21st May 2025

  Airbus says it will aim to have a working prototype of the MQ-72C Logistics Connector by the end of the decade as it bids for a contract with the US Marine Corps.

• Air Warfare

  Leonardo’s Proteus structural tests “nearing completion” ahead of first flight

  30th June 2025

  The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.

• Air Warfare

  Germany confirms loitering munitions contracts for its armed forces

  15th April 2025

  Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2025: Mack Defense bets on commercial technology to get US military contracts

  13th October 2025

  The company is currently involved in the US Army Common Tactical Truck and the US Marine Corps Medium Tactical Truck programmes.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms

  18th February 2025

  The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.

• Naval Warfare

  Helsing unveils new AI-enabled uncrewed underwater glider

  13th May 2025

  The glider, named SG-1 Fathom, has been designed to be scalable and affordable, and can be deployed for up to three months at a time, according to Helsing.

• Special Operations

  Why artificial intelligence has secured its place in special forces’ operations

  31st May 2025

  The diverse use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been turning it into a critical tool for Special Operations Forces (SOF).

• Land Warfare

  US approves $825 million sale of Stinger Block I missiles to Morocco

  17th April 2025

  The 600-missiles will be used to expand the Moroccan armed forces’ short range air defence capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2025: Moog unveils lighter weapons platform for smaller vehicles

  13th October 2025

  Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform base module has been displayed integrated on a range of platforms to meet air defence requirements and is in use as part of the US Army’s SGT Stout programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026

  11th June 2025

  The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network

  17th September 2025

  Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include unmanned aerial systems.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India

  18th June 2025

  Turgis Gaillard and Bharat Forge have signed an MoU to offer the Aarok, produced in India, to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The UAV could satisfy the country’s desire for an indigenous MALE UAV, offering an alternative to the TAPAS BH-201 that has had a rocky development.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine Defence Contact Group commit another $24 billion for Ukraine

  14th April 2025

  The announcement of the funds followed a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) which consists of 57 countries. The UK has committed a further £350 million to Ukraine to provide repairs and maintenance to previously donated vehicles and equipment and additional equipment.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing’s F-47 expected to fly by 2028, says USAF Chief of Staff

  23rd September 2025

  The sixth-generation aircraft was previously targeted to fly during President Trump’s administration, with this date the first insight into the US Air Force’s plans to field the aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV-30 PRTV (USA)

  Programme 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BvS10 [Sweden]

  Programme Background The FMV announced that it had signed a contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for 127 BvS10 MkIIBs in May 2021. These will fulfil ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Data links

  Data links | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (US - USMC)

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

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AMPV [USA]

  Programme Background Platform Development The US Army initiated the AMPV programme to acquire a replacement for several variants of the M113 tracked APC, which has ...

• ISR/special mission

  EA-37B [Italy]

  Programme Background  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract to supply two EA-37B electronic attack aircraft. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 1 (US - USMC)

  Programme 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 2 (US - USMC)

  Programme 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 3 (US - USMC)

  Programme 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 ...

• ISR/special mission

  Airborne Electonic Attack (1-2) [Italy]

  Programme Background The acquisition effort involves a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) for the procurement and installation of modifications and a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme ...

• OPVs

  River Class Batch 2

  Programme Background BAE Systems developed an improved version at the River class Batch 1 ships (which first entered service in 2003), to be dubbed the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  BAE Systems Avionics

  The avionics suite developed by BAE Systems, USA, is specifically designed for aircraft operating in harsh environments. The integrated suite includes caution and warning systems, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Air: mission management systems

  BAE Systems Mission Computers and Display Systems

  The Mission Computers and Display Systems has been designed and developed by BAE Systems, UK, for military platforms. These systems are fully qualified to military, ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Celldar

  BAE Systems and Roke have developed the Celldar passive radar which detects disturbances to civilian Global System for Mobile Communications digital cellphone networks operating in ...

• Naval guns

  Bofors 40 mk4

  Bofors 40 Mk4 is a naval gun system developed and produced by BAE Systems. It was originally produced by Swedish Bofors, which was acquired by ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Training Services

  Working in Saudi Arabia, BAE Systems is the prime contractor supplying training solutions. These include managing the design, development, delivery and integration of pilot and ...

• Major networking projects

  Defence Architecture Framework

  BAE Systems is developing a broad base of systems architecture expertise to execute network-centric warfare projects on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. This is ...

• Tanks

  MPF Prototype

  In 1992, the US Army selected the M8 to meet its requirement for an air-transportable Armored Gun System, but the programme was cancelled for budgetary ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hawk Oman Training System

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) received a contract from BAE Systems to develop the Hawk Oman Training System (HOTS). The training system will ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  L21 High Explosive (HE)

  The L21 High Explosive (HE) is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by BAE Systems. The British Army uses the L21 with its Archer artillery systems.

• Air: Head-up displays

  Wide-angle holographic HUD

  The wide angle holographic Head-up Display (HUD) was been developed by GEC Marconi (now BAE Systems). 

• Transport

  BAe 146M/Avro RJM

  BAE Systems is offering previously owned BAE 146 and Avro RJ aircraft to air forces operating ageing turboprop and jet airliners for transport and communications ...

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

  T-650

  Debuted at DSEI 2021, the T-650, or T650, is a multi-role quadcopter UAS manufactured by BAE Systems in collaboration with Malloy Aeronautics.  The electric-powered platform produces ...