• Digital Battlespace

  US Space Defence Agency awards $2.5 billion for missile defence satellites

  17th January 2024

  The Tracking Layer (TL) will deliver a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites. The constellation will consist of approximately 270 operational Transport and Tracking Layer satellites.

• Training

  Australia dives deep with $2 billion AUKUS submarine training investment

  12th December 2023

  The US has given the green light to a potential contract with Australia aimed at bolstering the AUKUS trilateral agreement by enhancing Royal Australian Navy training.

• Air Warfare

  Israel prepares F-35s for potential mission in Iran

  21st February 2024

  The threat of Iranian nuclear weapons has led Israel to make changes to its F-35s while Russian actions in Syria have acted as a catalyst for action in developing anti-jamming systems.

• Defence Notes

  Global defence spending hits record highs amid threats from Russia and beyond

  14th February 2024

  With the possibility of having to confront challenges without substantial US support looming, European nations have been compelled to reassess their defence strategies and prioritise investments to ensure collective security and resilience.

• Defence Notes

  US awaits parliamentary approval to access Swedish military bases

  14th December 2023

  A defence cooperation agreement between Sweden and the US will enable the Pentagon to preposition stocks and conduct operations in Swedish territory.

• Air Warfare

  Altius 700 air-launched UAV completes first successful flight demonstration

  5th January 2024

  The Altius 700 was developed as an air vehicle solution to address the size, weight and power requirements in the approved May 2020 Launched Effects Abbreviated Capabilities Development Document and has marked a further development of the Altius 600.

• Land Warfare

  Pakistan conducts test launch of Fatah-ll guided rocket system

  2nd January 2024

  Pakistan’s indigenous Guided Multi-barrel Launched Rocket System Fatah-II could provide the country with a significant leap in its missile capabilities, enabling precision strikes at distances ranging from 250km to 400km.

• Air Warfare

  US Army cancels FARA helicopter programmes to fund UAS and Black Hawk procurement

  9th February 2024

  The cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) has reflected a shift in focus towards uncrewed systems in response to evolving battlefield dynamics and lessons learned from recent conflicts.

• Air Warfare

  Pakistan’s fighter dilemma: Pursuing Chinese FC-31 amid Turkish Kaan uncertainty

  9th January 2024

  With the Pakistan Air Force acknowledging its intention to procure Chinese J-31/FC-31 fifth-generation aircraft, questions have arisen about Pakistan’s stance on joining Turkey’s TF-X Kaan fighter programme, heightening speculation on the nation’s strategic alliances.

• Land Warfare

  Lithuania receives JLTVs and towed mortars, orders optical sights and radars

  3rd January 2024

  Lithuania has invested heavily in new equipment for air defence and its ground forces including recently signing an agreement with Sweden for short-range air-defence systems, additional NASAMS medium-range air defence systems and additional Saab RBS 70 air defence missiles.

• Digital Battlespace

  Solving key multidomain challenges for major alliances

  12th December 2023

  Undertaking complex multidomain operations within a multinational alliance comes with challenges. Here are some ways to address them.

• Air Warfare

  GCAP alliance signs treaty for sixth-generation fighter and establishes UK as programme HQ

  14th December 2023

  Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) nations Italy, Japan and the UK signed a treaty for the sixth-generation fighter, but the selection of the UK as headquarters has sparked involvement and workshare discussions.

• Land Warfare

  Brazilian Army plans future acquisitions under $2.4 billion SISFRON programme

  22nd January 2024

  From 2024 to 2027, the service is interested in procuring unique C4ISR capabilities to be deployed in diverse regions of the country.

• Naval Warfare

  Is Australia’s plan for the surface fleet viable?

  21st February 2024

  Australia’s long-awaited Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review has recommended significant changes to the future make-up of the country’s surface fleet. It has received sharp criticism from some experts who claim the recommendations have not gone far enough, while others have described it as an attempt to run before being able to walk.

• Digital Battlespace

  L3Harris satellite missile detector and tracker passes design reviews

  21st December 2023

  L3Harris was awarded a US$193.5 million deal in January 2021 to develop satellites for system to provide global indications, warning, tracking and targeting of advanced missile threats including hypersonic missile systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Baltic Joint Naval Procurement [Latvia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, regarding them as important elements in the NATO alliance — ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Baltic Joint Naval Procurement [Latvia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, regarding them as important elements in the NATO alliance — ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 212CD (1-4) [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway selected TKMS as the shipbuilder for its new class of Type 212CD submarines to replace the six Ula-class SSKs currently in service. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Destroyers

  Hobart Class (Sea 4000)

  Programme Background The Hobart-class consists of three air warfare destroyers (AWDs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ships replaced the Adelaide-class frigates. Built by a ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Second Hand Submarine Procurement [Argentina]

  Programme Background Argentina is seeking to rebuild its submarine force, as ARA Salta and ARA Santa Cruz are no longer operational. In the short term, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Flute MLRS

  The Flute Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a self-propelled missile system that can be armed with up to eight unguided S-8 rockets (Flute-80) or ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Ula Class

  The Ula-class conventional attack submarines (SSK) was a joint project between Norway and Germany, with some sections made in Norway, but assembled in Germany, equipped ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 14/15

  SERO 14/15 periscopes were developed on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement. Used in Norwegian ULA plus German and Italian Type ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer

  The Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer expands the Action Speed Tactical Trainer’s sonar capability with new sonar simulations to create a dedicated ASW trainer. Various ...

• Major networking projects

  Missile Defence

  In 2010, NATO rolled out an initial capability to protect alliance forces against missile threats and is now examining options for protecting territory and populations. ...

• Major networking projects

  AGS

  NATO is acquiring an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a picture of the situation on the ground in areas of interest. ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces. 

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 212CD

  Norway is to get six new Type 212CD ‘common design’ submarines to replace the existing Ula-class SSKs after it selected German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems ...

• Major networking projects

  Air and Missile Defence

  NATO Air and Missile Defence comprises all measures aimed at monitoring and reacting to potential air threats in NATO airspace, as well as countering hostile ...

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

  Granat-1

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) – the largest Russian manufacturing company that produces a wide range of precision weapons – includes at least ...

• Sea: procedural training, Sea: tactical training

  Submarine Training Systems

  Thales has delivered submarine training systems to nations around the world, including Submarine Control Simulators and Machinery Control Trainers, with example deployments being the UK ...

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

  Granat-4 (Rubezh-20)

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) includes at least six tactical variants: the Granat-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6. A popular ...

• Sea: weapon training

  Harpoon Weapon Simulator

  The Harpoon Weapon Simulator simulates Harpoon Ship Command-Launch Control Set (HSCLCS), AN/SWG-1A(V), in all HSCLCS modes of operation (normal, GDS casualty and HWS casualty modes). ...

• Air: mission management systems

  DSAR

  Data Storage and Retrieval (DSAR) provides the capability for storing, managing and disseminating joint ISR and operational C2 data and information. It can support cross-community ...