• Digital Battlespace

  Academia to aid Australian development of AI capabilities

  25th May 2020

  A team of mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, and software scientists at two Australian universities is to research new data analytics and AI applications for the Department …

• Training

  RAF expects new Typhoon sims

  9th June 2020

  The RAF is understood to be close to signing a deal with BAE Systems for deployment of a number of new Eurofighter Typhoon simulators at …

• Air Warfare

  Hendsoldt secures German Air Force IFF modernisation contract

  28th May 2020

  Hensoldt announced on 28 May that it had secured a contract with the German Air Force to equip its fleet of 90 Tornado fighter aircraft …

• Naval Warfare

  Elbit Systems UK looks to USV-based towed array sonars after 2019 Progeny Framework trials

  8th June 2020

  As the maritime battlespace widens its scope away from littoral operations and back into the blue waters of the open oceans, navies are looking at …

• Defence Notes

  Chinese draft budget describes 6.6% defence spending increase

  22nd May 2020

  China will increase defence spending by 6.6% in 2020, according to a draft budget released on 22 May. State-controlled news agency Xinhua noted that this …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky secures contract modification for USMC H-53K services

  29th May 2020

  Sikorsky on 28 May secured a modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract worth $17.9 million for support services for the USMC’s H-53K fleet. The …

• Land Warfare

  FAMAE to market new pistol from October

  9th June 2020

  Chilean state-owned company Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (FAMAE) has developed a 9x19mm pistol called Vulcano and intends to sell it from October this year, …

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF Warfare Center to build 5G network prototype

  29th May 2020

  The USAF Warfare Center and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E;)) announced plans to build a 5G cellular …

• Special Operations

  Study calls for more flexibility from US special forces on CT operations

  14th April 2020

  Counter-terrorism (CT) operations conducted by special operations forces (SOF) must require ‘more than just the application of military power’, according to a report by the …

• Defence Notes

  Reconciled to reality, UK defence peers into the budgetary abyss

  29th May 2020

  The UK MoD looks set to continue its difficult balancing act of capability versus budgetary reality at least until the conclusions drawn up in the …

• Military Logistics

  USN submarine tender to undergo dry-docking

  19th May 2020

  Mare Island Dry Dock has been awarded a $33.53 million contract for overhaul and dry-docking of the USN submarine tender Emory S. Land.  Work will …

• Defence Notes

  PODCAST: Gauging the impact of COVID-19 and bringing machine learning to the military

  22nd May 2020

  Welcome to Episode 20 of the second series of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more.

• Defence Notes

  Greek deal shows how far Israel-Turkey relations have fallen

  19th May 2020

  In an agreement that reflects major strategic shifts in recent years, the defence ministries of Greece and Israel signed a deal on 6 May for …

• Defence Helicopter

  AW159 Wildcat conducts first Martlet LMM firing test

  26th May 2020

  Leonardo and Thales reported on 26 May that the AW159 Wildcat helicopter had completed the first successful test firing of the Thales Martlet Lightweight Multirole …

• Air Warfare

  Russia deploys MiG-29s to Libya

  27th May 2020

  US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) reported on 26 May that it believes Russian MiG-29 aircraft have been deployed to Libya in order to support private military …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fardier SOV

  Programme Background The French Army's airborne units previously operated 280 Lohr FL500 Fardier utility vehicles to carry heavy equipment. Those vehicles increased the tactical mobility ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon [France]

  Programme Background Development of the Griffon commenced in 2014 when the consortium of Arquus, Nexter and Thales was awarded a development contract to design the ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Light Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Light Protected Mobility (LPM) programme. Information on the LMV and HPM can ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-France

  Airbus formally delivered the first production A400M to the French Air Force in August 2013. The French Air Force took delivery of its 15th A400M ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Navio Polivalente Logistico (NAVPOL) (Portugal)

  Programme Background Requirements The NAVPOL is expected to feature a flexible and modular LPD design capable of amphibious operations and HADR tasks. Timeline The plans for ...

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

  Tactical Drone System (SDT) (15-28) [France]

  Background Tactical Drone System (SDT) programme The French Army launched the SDT programme to replace the Sagem (now Safran) Sperwer Intermediate Tactical Drone System (SDTI) ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H-145M-Luxembourg

  With a MTOW of 3.7t, the H145M can be used for a wide range of tasks, including troop and passenger transport, surveillance, air rescue, reconnaissance ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Medium Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Medium Protected Mobility (MPM) programme. Information on the LMV and MPM can ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Corps of Engineers UAS [Ireland]

  Programme Background EU Competition Notice On 13 August 2024, a competition notice appeared on the EU tendering website stating that the Irish Defence Force invited ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (1) [Malaysia]

  Malaysia is procuring a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS-1) designed to perform multiple maritime operations, including maritime law enforcement, EEZ protection, surveillance, and counter-trafficking. The Malaysian ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (1) [Malaysia]

  Malaysia is procuring a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS-1) designed to perform multiple maritime operations, including maritime law enforcement, EEZ protection, surveillance, and counter-trafficking. The Malaysian ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (2) [Malaysia]

  Malaysia is procuring a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS-2) designed to perform multiple maritime operations, including maritime law enforcement, EEZ protection, surveillance, and counter-trafficking. The ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (2) [Malaysia]

  Malaysia is procuring a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS-2) designed to perform multiple maritime operations, including maritime law enforcement, EEZ protection, surveillance, and counter-trafficking. The ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  EBRC Jaguar [France]

  Programme Background Requirement Initially, the French government required 248 Jaguars. However, this requirement quickly rose to 300 platforms, 50% of which are set to be ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Medium UGVs

  Centurio

  At Eurosatory 2024, KNDS unveiled the Centurio family of 4x4 UGVs. Based on the Phobos UGV by SOGECLAIR, Centurio has been developed in the 2024-30 ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  O-NYX

  The Thales O-NYX is a Ultra-Compact Night Vision Goggle used by the French armed forces. They have an enlarged field of vision to 51° compared ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Storm Shadow/SCALP EG

  The Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile developed by France, Italy and the UK. It is known as the Storm Shadow in the UK ...

• Land: range systems and targets

  Urban Ranges

  Cubic Range Design Solutions has provided facilities around the world for military and law enforcement training in urban terrain. It uses its previous experience, as ...

• Sniper rifles

  Model 95

  The Model 95 is a bolt-action 50cal sniper rifle in a bullpup configuration, which entered production in 1995. Its buttplate, magazine well and trigger housing ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SandCat

  The 4x4 SandCat family of vehicles was designed by Israeli armour specialist Plasan Sasa in 2005 for a range of military, special operations, homeland security, ...

• Pistols

  P30

  The P30 is available in 9x19mm and .40 S&W; calibres with six variants of each. The grip of the P30 has exchangeable backstrap and grip ...

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

  EK 001 Blue Whale

  The EK 001 Blue Whale is a large, rotary-wing UAV capable of carrying a payload of 23kg. It is in the early stages of development. ...

• Suppressors

  FA556-212

  The Fast Attach 5.56mm (FA556)-212 sound suppressor is designed for use on the AR-15, C8 SFW, HK416, M4, M16 and SA-80. Firearms with 266.7mm barrels ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Steel

  Designed for military and law enforcement users, the Jericho pistol in steel frame configuration is available in 9x19mm and .45 ACP calibres and in standard ...

• Pistols

  P Series

  The S120 pistol series has been used globally in law enforcement and military organisations, with the weapons initially designed as tactical and task force pistols ...

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

  IA-12A Stark

  The IA-12A Stark is a small, rotary-wing UAV that features a dual propulsion system, swappable payload bay, retractable landing gear, single operator control, ground mission planning, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Tiger LPV

  The MDT Armor 4x4 Tiger Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) is designed to meet the requirements of military and law enforcement customers for a survivable, light ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Polymer

  Jericho pistols have been used for over three decades by military and police units, including law-enforcement entities in Israel and around the world. Designed for ...

• Sniper rifles

  ALIAS CS5

  The ALIAS Concealable Subsonic/Supersonic Suppressed Sniper System (CS5) is designed for concealment in urban settings. With the buttstock and suppressor detached, the CS5 is 597mm ...