• Defence Helicopter

  Malaysia falls back in love with MD 530G

  11th March 2020

  Malaysia will take delivery of six MD 530G helicopters from the end of 2020, following a decision by the then Pakatan Harapan government, before its …

• Training

  Australia invests in training equipment

  12th March 2020

  The Australian Department of Defence is intensifying its efforts to improve how armed forces personnel are trained, with the award to Raytheon Australia of a …

• Digital Battlespace

  Three into one: IDF fuses air, land and naval capabilities into multidimensional unit

  19th February 2020

  A few weeks after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the establishment of a new multidimensional unit, systems and technology are being matched with operational …

• Land Warfare

  Spike plugs the Suwalki Gap

  2nd March 2020

  The 14th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment of the Polish Army recently concluded training and certification in the use of the Spike LR long-range ATGM system. Stationed …

• Defence Helicopter

  No mention of Egyptian AW149 order in Leonardo's 2019 financials

  13th March 2020

  A supposed contract for at least 20 Leonardo AW149 8t-class helicopters from Egypt has not been listed among the orders signed off by the manufacturer …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Singapore Airshow 2020: ST Engineering lifts lid on VTOL UAVs

  11th February 2020

  Singapore-based ST Engineering displayed two new hybrid UAV platforms at Singapore Airshow 2020. The Veloce 15 and Veloce 60 respectively cover MTOWs from 15-16kg to 50-70kg …

• Air Warfare

  Japan charts course for new F-X fighter

  16th March 2020

  As its fleet of F-2A and F-2B fighters ages, Japan continues to consider plans and potential partners for an indigenous next-generation fighter that is due …

• Naval Warfare

  UK shipyards prepare for COVID-19 virus

  18th March 2020

  As the COVID-19 virus continues to influence businesses across Europe, naval shipbuilders are having to determine how to react to and prepare for a worsening …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  PHASA-35 flies in Australia

  18th February 2020

  The solar-electric Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA-35) has completed its first flight, BAE Systems announced on 17 February. Designed to operate unmanned in the …

• Training

  CAE MSI adds more business

  5th March 2020

  Tampa, Florida-based CAE USA-Mission Solutions Inc (CAE MSI) has been awarded a US$10.6 million firm-fixed-price modification contract for F-15E, F-16C/D and F-22A contract aircrew training …

• Naval Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2020: India moves on arming nuclear submarine

  5th February 2020

  The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired India’s first submarine-launched ballistic missile, the K4 SLBM, from underwater on 19 January. Measuring 10m long …

• Training

  USAF hopes VR can bridge gap in C-130 maintenance training

  25th February 2020

  With technology constantly changing, the USAF is actively seeking innovative methods to train its crews with tomorrow’s technology.  In an attempt to achieve this goal, …

• Naval Warfare

  German yard is favourite to build Bulgarian patrol ships

  2nd March 2020

  Germany-based Lürssen is set to be awarded a contract to supply two multifunctional modular patrol vessels to the Bulgarian Navy, following the recommendation of a government …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ​Northrop Grumman not pausing for thought on MQ-4C

  13th February 2020

  The US DoD's decision to pause production of the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV is not one that concerns the platform’s manufacturer. A two-year …

• Training

  New AKM-patterned training rifle plugs a gap

  28th February 2020

  US-based Centre Firearms Co has released the first dedicated 5.56x45mm FX AKM-patterned training rifle.  The company has a primary focus on armourer and training classes …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

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

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve surveillance ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

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

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

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

  Mini Intelligence Drone System (SMDR) [France]

  Background Requirement The French Army identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac, which entered service in 2008. The Mini Reconnaissance ...

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

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

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

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

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

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

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

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...