• Special Operations

  PLA SOF expands counter-terrorism training

  15th January 2019

  The New Year has seen Chinese special operations forces prioritizing counter-terrorism (CT) capabilities with partner nation forces across the Indo-Pacific region. As the People’s Liberation …

• Special Operations

  US Navy identifies counterterrorism needs

  9th January 2019

  The US Navy has released a list of its wide-ranging needs to combat terrorism across the operational spectrum. The requirements, designed to meet the needs of both conventional …

• Defence Notes

  CAR rebels buy weapons from Sudan traffickers: UN report

  3rd January 2019

  Rebels who briefly seized power in the Central African Republic in 2013 have received fresh weapons supplies from traffickers in Sudan even as they take …

• Military Logistics

  South Korean Navy receives new landing ship

  21st December 2018

  The South Korean Navy has commissioned its fourth landing ship (LST-II), No Jeok Bong, at a ceremony in Seo Hae Dae, the South Korean Ministry …

• Land Warfare

  Russia set to upgrade its BMD-2 inventory

  26th December 2018

  The Russian MoD has unveiled a plan to launch a large-scale upgrade of the BMD-2 lightweight IFV inventory of the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) branch, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US DoD evaluates DroneShield products

  13th December 2018

  DroneShield’s DroneSentry and DroneGun Tactical products have been evaluated by the US Department of Defense Asymmetric Warfare Group, the company announced on 10 December. The …

• Defence Notes

  Russia deploys two bombers to Venezuela for exercises

  11th December 2018

  Two Russian long-range strategic bombers landed in Venezuela on 10 December for what the government said were air force exercises aimed at strengthening the defence …

• Land Warfare

  Russia to begin testing of new mobile mortar

  14th December 2018

  A new 82mm mobile mortar system dubbed Drok is set to begin testing by the Airborne Troops branch of the Russian military. According to the …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Navy corvette performs helicopter trials

  13th December 2018

  The Russian Navy’s new corvette, Gromky, is undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on 6 December. As …

• Land Warfare

  Russia delivers on Vietnam and Laos tanks

  20th December 2018

  Russia is delivering T-90S and T-72B1 tanks to Vietnam and Laos respectively, fulfilling recent contracts placed by the Southeast Asian countries. The first batch from …

• Military Logistics

  France ships 1,400 assault rifles to Central Africa army

  11th December 2018

  France on 11 December handed over 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and three amphibious vehicles to the Central African Republic to shore up its beleaguered armed …

• Naval Warfare

  Russia eyes Ivan Gren-class landing ships

  6th December 2018

  The Russian MoD is looking to acquire two or three more Ivan Gren-class landing ships, slightly modified from the original design. According to Alexey Rakhmanov, …

• Defence Notes

  US defense chief quits as Trump pulls from Syria, Afghanistan

  21st December 2018

  US Defense Secretary James Mattis resigned Thursday, leading a chorus of protests at home and abroad after President Donald Trump ordered a complete troop pull-out …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Herons to migrate to Vietnam

  12th December 2018

  It is believed that Vietnam has ordered the Heron UAVs from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with a contract apparently being signed in recent days. Vietnam …

• Special Operations

  US Naval Special Warfare seeks new tactical wetsuits

  5th December 2018

  US Naval Special Warfare Command is interested in wetsuit designs capable of insulating operators during underwater transit while strong enough to withstand follow-on tactical environments.  …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 1) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 2) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS [Japan - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCVPs Replacement [Netherlands]

  Background Requirements The Dutch Marine Corps needs to replace 12 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) from 2025. The current LCVPs will reach the end of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single largest ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Bushmaster 4x4 [Australia]

  Programme Background Australia has bought 1,052 Bushmasters in seven variants: troop carrier; command; assault pioneer; mortar; direct fire weapons; ambulance; and, air defence. These vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PMC KAAV (First Batch)

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• Patrol boats

  UNPAV - Angelo Cabrini Class

  The Angelo Cabrini class consists of two high-speed multipurpose patrol boats (UNPAV) intended for the Italian Navy special forces. The vessels were built by Intermarine, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 2) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 3) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 4) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• Main battle tanks

  Main Battle Tank Upgrade [Australia]

  Programme Background Between 2006 and 2007, the Australian Army received 59 M1A1 AIM SA Abrams MBTs under Project Land 907 Phase 1. These vehicles were planned to ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-12

  Kalashnikov publicly unveiled the AK-12 assault rifle in January 2012. The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system as previous Kalashnikov rifles. A 5.45x39mm ...

• Military UAS - mini

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-19

  The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled its developmental AK-19 assault rifle in August 2020. Compared to the AK-12 assault rifle upon which it is based, the AK-19 ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  GP-34

  Kalashnikov designed the single-shot GP-34 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for use with the company’s 5.45mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm assault rifles. The sight allows the firer ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Vikhr

  The 9A4172K Vikhr-1 (AT-16) long-range antitank guided missile is a large dual-purpose antitank/air-to-air missile. The laser-guided antitank projectile can be launched from air, land or ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-101/103

  The AK-100, or Century series, applies modern production techniques to the legacy AK design. The 5.56mm AK-101 and 7.62mm AK-103 are full-length assault rifles. Forearm, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-15

  Developed under the Ratnik modernisation programme, the AK-15 assault rifle was first unveiled in 2016. It is designed for elite units and law enforcement and ...

• Pistols

  PL-15

  The PL-15 is a double-action-only pistol chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. Developed by firearms designer and target shooter Dmitry Lebedev and manufactured by ...

• Military UAS - small

  Legionnaire E33K

  The Legionnaire E33K is a small fixed-wing UAV developed by Kalashnikov Concern. The drone is designed for various tasks, including cargo carrying.  An electric motor powers ...

• Light machine guns

  RPK-16

  Kalashnikov unveiled its 5.45x39mm RPK-16 light support weapon at the Army 2016 exhibition. Intended to supersede the RPK-74 light machine gun, the RPK-16 can be ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-200

  The AK-200 family of assault rifles and carbines was developed by the Kalashnikov Concern for export customers and domestic law enforcement agencies. Designed as an ...

• Loitering munitions

  RUS-PE

  The RUS-PE is an X-wing-shaped loitering munition from Kalashnikov Concern.  Appearing visually similar to the HERO-90, the system is designed for swift, precise strikes against individual, stationary, ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Karakurt

  The Karahurt is a Russian tube-launched rotary-wing platform manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It bears visual similarities with SpearUAV's range of drones and has been designed ...

• Light machine guns

  RPL-20

  After testing with the RPK-16 light machine gun uncovered several issues with the design, Kalashnikov initiated development of the new RPL-20 light machine gun to ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PCS-5/5M GABRO

  The PCS-5/PCS-5M passive NVD is a lightweight telescopic sight designed for use on portable weapons. It can be used for battlefield observation, detection and target ...