• Land Warfare

  US Army funds HK417 as squad marksman rifle

  13th February 2018

  The US Army has announced funding for the acquisition of over 5,000 rifles as part of its Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) programme, which will …

• Training

  FORSCOM 1st SFAB’s first rotation at JRTC

  29th January 2018

  The US Army Forces Command’s (FORSCOM) newest unit, the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, is completing its first rotation …

• Special Operations

  Denmark identifies future SOF upgrades

  13th February 2018

  The Danish Defence Agreement 2018-2023, published on 1st February 2018, has outlined a series of future plans to upgrade the capabilities of the country’s special …

• Training

  Australia warplane catches fire during US training

  28th January 2018

  A Royal Australian Air Force electronic warfare plane caught fire on takeoff during an exercise in the United States Saturday but there were no serious …

• Defence Helicopter

  Islamabad to modernise its army's fleet

  9th February 2018

  The Pakistan Army is soon to induct a small number of Russian Helicopters Mi-35Ms in the assault role and is in the process  of modernising …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian MoD set to order 114 more Ka-52s

  7th February 2018

  The Russian MoD has announced plans for inking a large-scale contract covering delivery of 114 more Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters. According to Yury Borisov, deputy …

• Training

  HMS Queen Elizabeth crew trains at Raleigh

  26th January 2018

  Crew from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has undergone training in the operation of the ship’s workboats at the HMS Raleigh seamanship …

• Training

  ADECS 2018: RAAF training commences on upgraded Hawk Mk 127 fleet

  26th January 2018

  With 20 of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) BAE Systems Hawk Mk 127 fleet of 33 aircraft now converted to Lead-In Fighter Capability Assurance …

• Defence Notes

  ADECS 2018: Show preview (video)

  29th January 2018

  Shephard editor Helen Haxell gives an overview of the topics that are likely to form a part of the dialogue at ADECS 2018 across the …

• Training

  Taiwan holds live-fire drills as China tensions mount

  30th January 2018

  Taiwan troops staged live-fire exercises on 30 January to simulate fending off an invasion, as the island's main threat China steps up pressure on President …

• Military Logistics

  ADECS 2018: India awaits submarine rescue equipment

  25th January 2018

  JFD, formerly known as James Fisher Defence, will despatch two much-needed submarine rescue systems to India in March. The acquisition of two systems will allow …

• Naval Warfare

  Socarenam wins utility craft order from DGA

  29th January 2018

  The French shipyard Socarenam has received an order from the General Directorate of Armament (DGA) for the supply of a maritime and port security craft …

• Military Logistics

  Singapore Airshow 2018: PTDI continues expanding its portfolio

  8th February 2018

  PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) will deliver three NC-212i light transport aircraft – one to Vietnam and two to the Philippines – by midyear, Shephard learned …

• Military Logistics

  Three dead in Turkey military plane crash

  17th January 2018

  A Turkish military transport plane has crashed in southern Anatolia, claiming the lives of three army personnel on board, the Turkish Army announced on 17 …

• Defence Notes

  French defence spending spike to hit NATO target

  8th February 2018

  France has announced plans to boost defence spending by more than 40%, bringing it into line with NATO targets after complaints from US President Donald …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW-4

  The SW-4 is aimed at the basic and advanced pilot training, troop transport and ISR missions. Its Polish designation is Puszczyk. The SW-4s are based ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  PC-21 (Project Air 5428) [Australia]

  The new PTS, including aircraft, flight training simulators and learning environments is being acquired from a single capability contractor, Team 21, which consists of Lockheed ...

• Trainer

  PC-21 [Spain]

  Programme Background In January 2020, Pilatus was awarded a contract worth more than €200 million to provide the Spanish Air Force with 24 PC-21 Trainer ...

• Data links

  Data links | PC-7 MKX [France]

  Babcock International Group announced on 10 January 2025 a new 17-year contract worth $827.9 million to supply the French Air and Space Force and the French ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | PC-7 MKX [France]

  Babcock International Group announced on 10 January 2025 a new 17-year contract worth $827.9 million to supply the French Air and Space Force and the French ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | PC-7 MKX [France]

  Babcock International Group announced on 10 January 2025 a new 17-year contract worth $827.9 million to supply the French Air and Space Force and the French ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | PC-7 MKX [France]

  Babcock International Group announced on 10 January 2025 a new 17-year contract worth $827.9 million to supply the French Air and Space Force and the French ...

• Trainer

  Trainer Aircraft (1-12) [Vietnam]

  Programme Background After years of operating Russian-built military equipment, Vietnam is more willing to procure US-supplied equipment following the lifting of the arms embargo in ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  A-29 Super Tucano Afghanistan

  Media reports suggest that with the hourly cost of $1000, the A-29 is a successful platform for counter-insurgency missions. Its operational capability from unprepared airstrips, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Procurement (1-36) [Qatar]

  According to the Dassault 2018 Annual Report, the company recorded €1.7 billion ($2 billion) from 12 Rafales export order in 2018. This puts the total ...

• Trainer

  PC-21 [France]

  Programme  Background The French Air and Space Force has chosen Dassault Aviation and Babcock to provide between nine and 13 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for Phase ...

• Trainer

  T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  Programme Background  In January 2025, Textron Aviation confirmed that the T-6C Texan II was selected as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence ...

• Data links

  Data links | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-1 Jayhawk

  FlightSafety operates and maintains T-1 training devices as part of its CLS contract. Air Education and Training Command uses these high-fidelity simulators and part-task trainers ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  TH22 helicopter training device

  The TH22 is a piston rotary-wing training simulator with a single-engine piston and dual-control cockpit trainer based on the Robinson R22. Its combination of ergonomics, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Integrated Training Systems

  IAI provides a range of integrated training packages to support pilot training and meet the requirements of complex battle scenarios. 

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  C-2A OFT

  The C-2A OFT replicates the physical and performance characteristics of the C-2A carrier-qualified cargo aircraft. The OFT includes a functional cockpit mock-up surrounded by a ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Aviator FTD

  L3Harris Technologies' Aviator Flight Training Device (FTD) line has a type-specific flight deck, offering the form, fit, feel and function of the actual aircraft. The ...

• 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: helicopter flight simulators

  UH-60 Black Hawk Training Devices

  FlightSafety offers UH-60A/L pilot training on their Black Hawk Level D simulator at West Palm Beach, Florida. The UH-60A/L pilot training features the company’s exclusive ...

• Air: UAV simulators

  IM3PUT

  Corsair’s Integrated Multi-Mission Multi-Platform UAS Trainer (IM3PUT) is a reconfigurable, ITAR-safe generic UAS pilot and sensor training system. Pilot and sensor operator stations function off ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  German Air Force Tornado Simulators

  CAE has designed and manufactured all Tornado combat and aircraft flight simulators for the German Air Force and continues to provide upgrades and on-site training ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Rafale Simulator

  Thales, Sogitec and Dassault Aviation have together developed two pilot training centres to support the training of Rafale fighter pilots. The Saint-Dizier Rafale simulation centre ...

• Land: fire support simulators

  I-FACT

  Meggitt's Indirect Fire Forward Air Control Trainer (I-FACT) supports training for forward observers, naval gunfire observers, fire support planning and joint tactical close air support. ...

• Trainer

  T-38 Talon

  Developed by Northrop Grumman, the T-38 Talon is an advanced trainer aircraft introduced into service in 1961. The T-38 has the same basic airframe as ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-38C Talon

  FlightSafety supports nearly 40 T-38 training devices as part of its contract for logistics support for the T-38. The T-38C is a converted T-38A/B that ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Motion Cueing System

  Frasca's Motion Cueing System is a compact motion system designed to increase pilot training efficiency by providing vestibular and proprioceptive feedback. This results in realistic motion ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  F28 and 280

  The F28F and 280FX are light observation and training helicopters in service with the Peruvian Army, Peruvian Navy and the Venezuelan National Guard. Powered by turbocharged ...