• Defence Notes

  ADECS 2018: South Korea harbours nuclear submarine ambitions

  31st January 2018

  South Korea is airing ambitions to form a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) fleet and the eventual commissioning of such boats is being described as ‘politically inevitable’. …

• Land Warfare

  Canada trials SRM-encased artillery shells

  18th January 2018

  The Canadian Army's research and development arm is trialling artillery shells encased in structural reactive materials (SRM) rather than conventional steel. The new shells are …

• Defence Helicopter

  USMC eyes up Super Cobra suitors

  24th January 2018

  The USMC is set to offload a surplus of Bell Helicopter AH-1W Super Cobras to FMS customers. Details of the development were recently disclosed by …

• Land Warfare

  Germany, Turkey to discuss Ankara's offensive in Syria

  24th January 2018

  Germany and Turkey planned to discuss on 24 January Ankara’s cross-border offensive against a Kurdish militia in Syria, amid controversy over German-built tanks being deployed …

• Training

  CAE bags M1A2 tank engine trainer contract

  15th January 2018

  CAE USA has received a contract from the US Army to provide a suite of M1A2 Abrams engine trainers, the company announced on 9 January. …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army bullish about Lakota order

  15th January 2018

  The US Army wasted little time taking the next step in buying 35 new UH-72 Lakota aircraft from Airbus Helicopters last week, and says it …

• Land Warfare

  Russia's Central MD unit receives Aistyonok system

  19th January 2018

  The Russian Army Central Military District's (MD) 90th Tank Division in Ural has deployed the portable Aistyonok radar reconnaissance and fire control system, the Russian …

• Land Warfare

  Australia deploys Hawkei to Middle East

  16th January 2018

  Two Australian Army Hawkei protected mobility vehicles have been deployed into the Middle East region as part of a defence trial, the Australian Department of …

• Defence Notes

  New US defence strategy promises big ticket investments

  19th January 2018

  The Pentagon’s new National Defence Strategy (NDS) has outlined preparations for a conflict with strategic competitors Russia and China, while the Pentagon says it is …

• Military Logistics

  Philippines receives protective eyewear

  19th January 2018

  The Aboitiz Foundation has delivered the second batch of Delta Plus safety glasses to the armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Department of National …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army realigns AH-64E Apache FOTE

  12th January 2018

  The US Army is realigning its Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOTE) of technology insertions for the AH-64E Apache helicopter, the army announced on 9 January. …

• Defence Notes

  New British Army ad promises emotional support

  11th January 2018

  The British Army launched a new advertising campaign on 10 January highlighting the emotional support available to new recruits as it seeks to address falling …

• Military Logistics

  Small business partnership receives US Army logistics award

  15th January 2018

  Ricardo Control Point (RCP) has announced that the US Army recently exercised Option Year 1 of the Electronic Maintenance System (EMS) Next Generation (NG) sustainment …

• Special Operations

  Green Berets strengthen cooperation in Japan

  15th January 2018

  A select group of US Army Green Berets strengthened cooperation with Japanese paratroopers via their participation in a mass airdrop at an exercise area adjoining …

• Special Operations

  New life preserver sought for US Army parachute ops

  22nd January 2018

  Representatives at the US Army’s Natick Soldier System Center have begun the search for a new life preserver designed for use during airborne operations. According …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-B [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-C [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army requested surplus M1117s to assist with counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics operations. Due to a lack of armoured vehicles suitable for troop transport, ...

• Light Tactical Vehicles [Colombia]

  Programme Background The Colombian MoD has not outlined how many new patrol vehicles will be needed to equip all seven of the light cavalry groups, ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  M113A3 [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army currently operates 54 M113A1 and M113A2 APCs, which are divided among two mechanised infantry battalions and a training school. Known as ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  PETEF (LAV III) [Colombia]

  Background Since the replacement of the M113 is understood to be a priority for the Colombian Army, it is anticipated that a contract could materialise ...

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

  WanderB or ThunderB [Colombia]

  Programme Background Expodefensa 2019 During Colombia's Expodefensa 2019 exhibition, BlueBird Aero Systems displayed its ThunderB VTOL small UAV. Reportedly, the Colombian Army requested information on ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PETEF (Tracked IFV) [Colombia]

  Background Since a programme to procure a tracked IFV has yet to be launched by the Colombian Army, it is unclear how many tracked IFVs ...

• Main battle tanks

  New MBT [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army has evaluated several offers for MBT platforms in the past, though none of these have progressed to the formal contract stage. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan

  Blindex developed the Titan series of APCs to provide the Colombian Army with an affordable means of transporting large numbers of troops for internal security ...

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

  Quimbaya X-003

  The Quimbaya X-003 is a Colombian fixed-wing UAV designed and developed by the Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC). Reportedly, following evaluation tests in late 2023, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV

  In December 1995, the US Army selected a design based on the Textron ASV 150 to provide the military police with a vehicle that combined ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Coelum

  Manufactured by Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana (CIAC), the Coelum is a mini UAV that is fitted with a 40x zoom EO/IR camera payload for ISR missions.  The ...

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

  Dragom

  Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC) unveiled the Dragom in mid-2025 at F-AIR Colombia 2025.  The rotary-wing quadcopter is designed for reconnaissance and guided attack missions. 

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-710

  The PRC-710 is a VHF/FM voice and data handheld radio with COMSEC and ECCM capabilities. Designed in response to emerging combat requirements, the PRC-710 is ...

• Frigates

  SIGMA 10514

  The Martadinata-class frigates, also known as the Perusak Kawal Rudal-class (PKR), are based on Damen's Sigma 10514 design. Two frigates have been jointly built by PT ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  LPR 40 MKII

  The LPR acts as a command boat for the group of tactical riverine combat boats operated by the Colombian Marine Corps. It is equipped with ...

• OPVs

  OPV 93C

  The OPV 93C is an offshore patrol vessel designed and developed by Cotecmar. The Colombian Navy ordered one platform in November 2022 and one in ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SCTV

  The Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle(SCTV), developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems and Granite Tactical Vehicles, is an upgrade solution for the AM General High ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 250

  The SERO 250 is a compact submarine periscope that can be installed in both new-build and upgraded boats. Little or no structural modifications are required ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Barak MR (MRAD)

  The Barak Medium Range (MR) missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is an advanced surface-to-air interceptor designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10

  The J-10 (NATO reporting name Firebird) is a multirole fighter developed by China to replace second-generation J-7 and Q-5 aircraft. The aircraft is also known ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 209/1200

  The Type 209/1200 diesel-electric submarine is a variant of the Type 209 submarine designed by the German company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft exclusively for the export market. ...

• Naval guns

  OTO Strales/Davide

  The OTO Strales represents the second iteration of the OTO 76/62mm Super Rapido gun from Leonardo. The weapon, which is in service with the Italian ...