• Defence Notes

  Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons

  18th February 2025

  Increased drone use in Ukraine and in Middle Eastern conflicts has created a strong impetus to develop laser and radio-frequency firepower as exploration of direct-energy technology intensifies.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris wins P-8A Poseidon support contract

  1st October 2024

  L3Harris has provided support for previous generation P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). As many P-3 Orion users retire the aircraft, they have been picking up P-8A Poseidon MPAs, which L3Harris has now been contracted to support.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UAVs in multiple classes proliferate in South Korea

  6th September 2024

  South Korea is rapidly advancing its UAV programmes and counter-drone capabilities in response to increasing threats from North Korea’s unmanned aerial systems.

• Air Warfare

  Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium’s star is on the rise

  9th January 2025

  The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2024: New standard JLTVs built as Oshkosh waits by to step up

  17th October 2024

  The competition to build the next generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV A2) was hotly contested and ultimately saw manufacture go from Oshkosh Defence to AM General. Now, as the latter makes the vehicle, the former stands by for commercial sales or to fill any gaps.

• Air Warfare

  US approves $4.9 billion E-7 AEW&C sale to South Korea

  5th November 2024

  The purchase of the four aircraft will also include 10 CFM56 engines, alongside aircraft countermeasures, GPS navigation systems, and related logistic and programme support.

• Land Warfare

  HII awarded contract to support US ground vehicles

  7th November 2024

  The Department of Defense Information Analysis Center (DoDIAC) provides technical data management and research support for vehicle users. The HII contract will focus on ground combat systems and service lifecycle efforts.

• Land Warfare

  Steadicopter launches Golden Eagle Heavy Strike RUAS in Washington

  16th October 2024

  Using its platform at AUSA 2024, Steadicopter launched its latest rotary unmanned aerial system (RUAS), having worked alongside partner Rafael on the platform’s payload.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS

  9th October 2024

  The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia narrows SEA 3000 frigate designs to TKMS and MHI

  15th November 2024

  Two modular frigate designs will be considered as the replacement to Australia’s ageing Anzac-class.

• Land Warfare

  Turkey’s FNSS turns to a tank for its new armoured vehicle

  2nd January 2025

  The first Kaplan Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is due to be completed by FNSS in Turkey next year, with the second rolled out in Indonesia by Pindad, and qualification trials undertaken in both countries by 2026.

• Naval Warfare

  Steel cutting begins on German Type 424 SIGINT ships

  28th November 2024

  The new signals vessels will replace the ageing 423 Oste-class ships, which have been operating since the late 1980s.

• Land Warfare

  UK establishes mortar barrel production capability

  11th December 2024

  Precision machining company brings production of 60mm, 81mm and 120mm smooth bore mortar barrels back to the UK.

• Air Warfare

  Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 million deal for Black Hornet 4 UAS

  22nd October 2024

  The Black Hornet 4 was unveiled 12 months ago and has an improved thermal sensor and an EO camera over the previous platform, and a forward-facing ultrasound sensor and navigation cameras on the top and sides.

• Land Warfare

  EOS looks to improve CUAS capability as further development and deployment continue

  22nd October 2024

  EOS Defense Systems remote weapon stations (RWS) have been in service in Ukraine. The company has seen users deploy it for CUAS roles in a war where drones have been heavily used.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• ARV (USMC) [USA]

  Programme Background The ARV constitutes one component of a wider USMC effort to develop an interconnected network of manned and unmanned platforms more suited to ...

• 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 ...

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

  Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy

  Programme Background The Marine Corps is replacing its aging CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-1Y Venom (Czechia)

  Programme Background Czech Armed Forces intended to use the UH-1Y Venom helicopters in various missions including utility, search and rescue, aerial reconnaissance, air-to-ground support and ...

• Main battle tanks

  M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams [Morocco]

  Programme Background The Moroccan Armed Forces have received substantial investment in recent years as the country seeks to maintain parity with its regional rival, Algeria. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 25 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

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

  Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS) / Medium ULS-A [USA]

  Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with their ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 24 Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 24 Mobile 120mm Mortar (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

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

  Large ULS-A / Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with their ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV Procurement (USMC) [US]

  Programme Background The USMC is expected to procure 10,859 JLTVs to replace all of its HMMWVs on a like-for-like basis. Since the USMC has already ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon (Batch 1) [Belgium]

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• Military UAS - small

  RQ-21A Blackjack / STUASLO - Replacement Units (USMC)

  Programme Background Joint USN and USMC Procurment The RQ-21 Blackjack, or STUALSO, was a combined United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) programme ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) (Uncontracted) [USMC]

  Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual update ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Yanjing Sabre-ER

  The Sabre-ER is a protective multipurpose missile launching system developed by Beijing Zhongzi Yanjing Automobile Co. It is integrated into their YJ2080C2 light armored vehicle, ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  LTMPAV Dino 519

  The Dino 519 is a light tactical multi-purpose armored vehicle (LTMPAV) developed by Team Concept, a Poland-based armored vehicle manufacturer. 

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV

  BAE Systems teamed with Iveco Defence to offer a version of Iveco Defence Vehicle's Superav for the USMC's Armored Combat Vehicle Phase 1 Increment 1 ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers, Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  73mm Recoiless Round

  US-based LD Systems' 73mm Recoiless Round is supplied with a thermobaric warhead designed to destroy targets in enclosed spaces. 

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  JAB

  The US Army is leading the Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) project to replace legacy M60A1-based bridge launchers in service with itself and USMC with an M1-based ...

• Light UGVs

  XM1216 SUGV

  The XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) is a tactical system that can enter and secure areas that are either inaccessible or too dangerous for ...

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Corsar

  The Corsar (RK-3) is a light, portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system designed and manufactured by the Ukrainian state enterprise State Kyiv Design Bureau 'Luch'. ...

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  81mm Mortar Bomb HE

  Franco-German KNDS-Nexter's 81mmMortar Bomb HE is a medium-calibre mortar bomb. It provides high-explosive indirect fire, effective against light structures, vehicles, non-armored assets and infantry troops, due to its ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  ALTV

  The ACMAT Light Tactical Vehicle (ALTV) is the first military pickup produced in France that is dedicated to tactical missions. Available as a two-seater single ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  EBRC Jaguar

  The Jaguar Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle (EBRC) is a 6x6 armoured reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by a consortium formed of Nexter Systems, Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense) and ...

• Military - USVs

  AIRCAT Bobcat USV

  The AIRCAT Bobcat is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) developed by Eureka Naval Craft. It is designed as an optionally crewed light supply vessel, specifically ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Flyer 60 ALSV

  General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), in partnership with Flyer Defense, developed the Flyer 60 Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) in parallel with the ...

• Land: RWS

  LW30/RS6

  The LW30 (since rebranded RS6) is part of the Protector RWS family developed by Kongsberg. Designed to carry a heavier armament than earlier Protector systems, ...

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  M1150 ABV

  The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) project, launched by the USMC in 2002, is a joint programme to meet the requirements of both the US ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Cottonmouth

  The Cottonmouth is a purpose-built 6x6 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle designed by Textron Systems to meet the requirements of the USMC's Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) programme. It ...