• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Leonardo invests in Skydweller Aero

  12th November 2019

  Leonardo has announced its investment in Skydweller Aero, a US/Spanish company specialising in large-scale solar-powered UAS. The initiative will result in the development and deployment …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Thales introduces EagleSHIELD solution

  19th November 2019

  Thales has introduced a new counter-UAS solution designed to detect, identify, track and neutralise drones flying in civil airspace, called EagleSHIELD. The system can be …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  European MALE RPAS builds toward development contract signature

  6th November 2019

  Industry partners involved in the multinational European MALE RPAS effort are set to be awarded with a first full programme contract in 2020, a development that …

• Digital Battlespace

  NATO announces $1bn upgrade to ageing AWACS fleet

  20th November 2019

  NATO is to upgrade its ageing fleet of AWACS reconnaissance planes at a cost of $1 billion, the alliance announced Wednesday, with still no plan …

• Defence Notes

  Asia-Pacific dominates MPA market

  8th November 2019

  The global market for procurement of new maritime patrol aircraft (MPAs) is forecast to be worth $28 billion between 2019 and 2029 and is dominated …

• Defence Helicopter

  China’s Z-20 gets its first public airings

  23rd October 2019

  The Z-20 helicopter manufactured by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group – but clearly copied from the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk – has enjoyed a flurry …

• Digital Battlespace

  AOC 2019: New approach to innovation needed as EW threat expands

  30th October 2019

  Having heard from government departments, agencies and defence primes at AOC 2019 on the state-of-play of US electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities, representatives from commercial industry …

• Training

  Cobham awarded RAF Lakenheath training contract

  14th November 2019

  Cobham will deliver operational readiness training for RAF Lakenheath under a four-year contract announced on 13 November. Training will include aerial gunnery (live fire) and …

• Defence Helicopter

  AUSA 2019: Defiant delays return to haunt SB>1

  15th October 2019

  The SB>1 Defiant programme has been hit by a delay of two months following a precautionary step to modify a main gearbox joint on a …

• Military Logistics

  Asian countries receive new transport aircraft

  5th November 2019

  Countries in Asia are continuing to bolster their transport fleets as part of continuing modernisation of their air fleets. A new CN-235-220M transport aircraft departed …

• Defence Notes

  D&S 2019: India looks east to strengthen bilateral cooperation

  13th November 2019

  Bilateral cooperation between India and Thailand received a new fillip when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA-ASI Predator series reaches six million flight hour milestone

  6th November 2019

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on 4 November that its Predator-series of UAVs, which includes the Predator, Predator B, Gray Eagle, Avenger and MQ-9B …

• Defence Notes

  Boeing bullish on P-8 CEE business

  5th November 2019

  Manufacturer Boeing sees growing sales opportunities for its P-8 Poseidon MPA platform across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), as countries across the region look to …

• Naval Warfare

  OCEAN2020 demonstration kicks off

  20th November 2019

  The first OCEAN2020 demonstration is set to commence today, 20 November, in the Gulf of Taranto. OCEAN2020 is a European Defence Fund pan-European military research …

• Military Logistics

  USN orders E-2D aerial refuelling kits

  7th November 2019

  The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $32.5 million contract modification exercising an option for five aerial refuelling retrofit kits, installations and technical support …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In mid-2024, Malaysia commenced discussions with Kuwait regarding a possible transfer of up to 33 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. According to reports, the Kuwaiti government ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Data links

  Data links | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Fighter - air superiority, Fighter - multirole

  Kaan [Indonesia]

  Programme Background Witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia and Turkish Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at InfoDefence 2025 in Jakarta for 48 Kaan fighters. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale - Follow-On (Greece)

  Programme Background Referring to the rearmament programme for 2020-2025, Greek defence minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said in parliament on 7 October 2021 that up to 48 new multi-role ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Zero-G HMDS+

  The Zero-G HMDS+ is a developmental helmet-mounted display system being developed by Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems for sixth-generation higher aircraft. According to the company, ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-75 Checkmate

  Checkmate is a fifth-generation light tactical aircraft being developed by Sukhoi. Its prototype was unveiled at MAKS 2021. Checkmate's first flight is scheduled in 2023, ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Low Profile Head-Up Display (LPHUD)

  The Low profile Head-up Display (LPHUD) series is designed developed by Elbit Systems' ISTAR division, for fourth and fifth generation advanced fighter aircraft jets. Notalby, ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AL-41F-1S

  Manufactured by Saturn, the AL-41F-1S aircraft engine is a modular two-shaft turbofan engine with thrust vector control and integrated digital control. The engine is used ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PD-14M

  PD Family of Engines comprises of bypass two-shaft turbojet engines with a light shroudless fan. The PD family of engines are designed for short- and ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Land: air defence radar

  ELM-2026B VSHORAD

  The ELM-2026B Very Short Range Air Defence Radar (VSHORAD) is designed for detection and tracking of airborne targets, including a variety of low-RCS and low-flying ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  Python-5

  The Python-5 is an Israeli beyond-visual-range anti-air missile developed by Rafael. The newest member of the Python family, the Python-5 is described as a fifth-generation air-to-air ...

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

  Grom (Thunder)

  Grom, or Thunder, is an in-development loyal-wingman type fixed-wing UAS from Kronshtadt. A mock-up of the platform was first displayed at  Army-2020. At Army-2024, an updated version featuring ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Eagle V 4x4

  GDELS unveiled the fifth generation of its Eagle light tactical vehicle at Eurosatory 2012. The platform has replaced earlier-generation vehicles in production. More than 1,250 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-31/FC-31

  The J-31 (also known as the 'Falcon Eagle' in Chinese) is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter domestically developed by China. Its export variant is designated as ...