• Defence Notes

  Insight: China builds new PLARF missile base on Hainan

  29th August 2018

  Satellite imagery reveals the existence of a hitherto unknown facility for the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) on Hainan Island, China’s southernmost province that …

• Defence Notes

  US Army Secretary admits Poland may not be ready for 'Fort Trump'

  20th September 2018

  Poland might not yet be ready for a permanent US military base, the head of the US Army said on 19 September, the day after …

• Defence Notes

  Russia boosts Syrian air defence after plane shot down

  24th September 2018

  Moscow on Monday announced new security measures to protect its military in Syria, including supplying the Syrian army with a new S-300 air defence system …

• Land Warfare

  India goes great guns to rejuvenate artillery

  31st August 2018

  The MoD has approved the acquisition of 150 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) of 155mm L/52 calibre from the Defence Research and Development Organisation …

• Defence Notes

  Russia, Central African Republic sign military cooperation pact

  21st August 2018

  Moscow and the Central African Republic (CAR) signed a military cooperation agreement on 21 August, less than a month after three Russian journalists were killed …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army Future Vertical Lift: Lifting the spirits

  15th September 2018

  With several combat-proven helicopter models coming to the end of their life cycles, OEMs are coming together with innovative designs to create the rotorcraft of …

• Military Logistics

  GTS to support US Army CERDEC

  17th September 2018

  General Technical Services (GTS) has received a $67 million contract to provide soldier tactical/expeditionary power and energy generation services in support of the US Army …

• Land Warfare

  MBDA explores novel tech for land domain firepower

  19th September 2018

  European missile manufacturer MBDA is showcasing several new solutions at DVD 2018 geared towards future land requirements in both the UK and abroad. The company …

• Special Operations

  Land Forces 2018: Supacat purrs in Australasia

  5th September 2018

  Supacat had two of its HMT Extenda vehicles on display at Land Forces 2018 in Adelaide, both being production models destined for commandos in the …

• Military Logistics

  MDM 2018: Bell looks to VTOL resupply

  28th September 2018

  In addition to unveiling the full-size model of its V-247 aircraft, Bell utilised this week’s Modern Day Marine expo to provide an update on its …

• Land Warfare

  Land Forces 2018: Quartet of IFV contenders emerges

  6th September 2018

  Four OEMs made their presence felt as potential candidates for Australia’s latent Project Land 400 Phase 3 that is worth a lucrative A$10-15 billion ($7.2-10.8 …

• Military Logistics

  AM General receives M997A3 ambulance order

  21st September 2018

  AM General has received a contract from the US Army Contracting Command to manufacture up to 2,800 new M997A3 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) …

• Training

  Polish Army CTC acquisition takes next step

  26th September 2018

  The Polish Ministry of Defence has issued its RFQ for a new laser-based Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) Combat Training Centre (CTC). Industry responses are due …

• Land Warfare

  Citing progress, UK officials commit to Warrior upgrade

  21st September 2018

  Top industry and UK government officials used this year’s DVD 2018 event to reaffirm their commitment to the British Army’s flagship Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UMS Skeldar, Airflite partner for MRO services

  6th September 2018

  UMS Skeldar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Australia’s Airflite to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and technical support services for its rotary …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Indiza (South Africa)

  Programme Background Trials The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) is known to have begun trialling the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Indiza ...

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

  Indiza - Additional Units (South Africa)

  Programme Background First Procurement After trialling the platform, in September 2019 the South African Army chief confirmed the Indiza had been procured to support SANDF peacekeepers ...

• Military UAS - mini

  ECAC/2022/199 [South Africa]

  Programma Background Two Tenders In March 2023, DefenceWeb reported that the South African Army's tender ECAC/2022/154 was put on hold due to bidders failing to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Project Hoefyster (South Africa)

  Programme Background History The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) first formulated operational requirements for a new ICV in 1995, but modernisation of South Africa's ...

• OPVs

  Project Biro (1-3) [South Africa]

  Programme Background Three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) have been procured for the South African Navy under Project Biro. Based on Damen's Stan Patrol 6211 ...

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

  Milkor 380 [South Africa]

  Programme Background According to Milkor, as reported by defenceWeb, during its successful showing of the UAV at AAD 2022, an MoU was signed with the South ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Project Kiepie [South Africa]

  Programme Background South African Air Force has been planning to replace 47TP (DC-3)s and C212s since mid-2010s. However, budget issues put this replacement programme behind the other ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  Programme Background Requirements The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS). SAS Drakensberg was launched in 1986 and commissioned ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG32M Replacement [Ireland]

  Programme Background Ireland currently maintains a small army designed for home defence. It is only deployed abroad as part of operations authorised by the UN. ...

• Main battle tanks

  Project Aorta

  During the 1990s, the SANDF envisioned the procurement of 282 new MBTs to replace the Olifants then in service. Should a similar tender be initiated ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Wheeled assault guns

  Rooikat

  The 76mm-armed Rooikat 6x6 armoured car was developed in 1976-89 for the South African Army and the first of 240 vehicles was delivered in 1989. The ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 4x4

  SAMIL 50

  Like other vehicles in the South African Military (SAMIL) series the SAMIL 50 all-wheel-drive 4x4 truck was developed in the 1980s to meet the requirements ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 4x4

  SAMIL 20

  The all-wheel-drive 4x4 SAMIL 20 is the smallest member in the South African Military (SAMIL) truck range developed in the 1980s to meet the requirements ...

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

  Indiza

  The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Indiza small fixed-wing mini-UAV started its development in 2017 and was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo ...

• Naval guns

  Denel 35mm Dual Purpose

  The Denel 35mm Dual-Purpose is a naval dun system developed by South African Denel. The Denel 35mm comprises two Denel GA35 cannons and the non-deck-penetration ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Casspir

  Originally adopted by the Apartheid-era South African Police for COIN operations in Namibia, the Casspir is generally regarded as having pioneered the development of the ...

• Patrol boats

  Warrior Class (Stan Patrol 6211)

  Under Project Biro, the South African Navy is acquiring three new multi-mission inshore patrol vessels. The project is expected to run for approximately seven years, ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Oryx

  The Oryx is a medium-sized utility helicopter based on the Airbus SA 330 Puma. It was manufactured to meet South African military requirements during the ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Umkhonto-IR Block II

  The Umkhonto-IR Block II is a South African-developed medium-range surface-to-air missile. It was designed for all-around defence against simultaneous air attacks from multiple targets. The ...

• Air: aerial targets

  Skua

  The Skua is a high-speed aerial target in service with the South African National Defence Force since 1994.

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 6x6

  SAMIL 100

  The all-wheel-drive 6x6 SAMIL 100 is the largest member of the South African Military (SAMIL) truck series developed in the 1980s to meet the requirements ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  AML

  Panhard developed the 4x4 AML (Auto Mitrailleuse Légère) in 1956-1960 to meet a French Army requirement for a fast, long range light armoured car which carried ...

• Land: air defence radar

  RSR 320 – DBRXL

  The RSR 320 – DBRXL 3D ground-based dual-band radar is based on the ESR 220 Thutlwa local warning radar already in service with the South ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Ratel

  The Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) was developed to meet the specific operational requirements of the Apartheid-era South African military for a highly mobile, reliable ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Maatla 4x4

  Paramount's Maatla 4x4 is a Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) aimed at the African off-road armoured vehicle market. Announced at the African Aerospace and Defence Expo (AAD 2022) in ...