• Defence Notes

  Farnborough: Tornado will go out in style

  16th July 2014

  UK RAF Tornado aircraft will receive further upgrade packages to provide additional capabilities up until their scheduled retirement in 2019, it has been confirmed. Speaking …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough: Aero Sekur advances helicopter survivability range

  16th July 2014

  Aero Sekur has used the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) to launch a new lightweight crash-worthy fuel tank, and showcase its range of emergency flotation and …

• Defence Helicopter

  Merlin Mk2 helicopters complete Exercise Deep Blue

  15th July 2014

  Nine Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopters have taken part in Exercise Deep Blue in the Atlantic Ocean, simulating their anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol and casualty …

• Digital Battlespace

  Farnborough: Sentinel advances to 2018

  15th July 2014

  Raytheon has outlined its planned investment in the UK RAF’s Sentinel R1 long-range surveillance aircraft following Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement yesterday to extend its …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough: Merlin MKII formally introduced to service

  15th July 2014

  Lockheed Martin has used the Farnborough International Airshow to formally announce the early entry into service date of the Maritime Merlin HM Mk2. The Royal …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Farnborough: Taranis completes stealth test phase

  15th July 2014

  The Taranis UCAV demonstrator has successfully proven its stealth capability in a second phase of testing, according to BAE Systems. According to programme officials, the …

• Defence Helicopter

  GDUK details Tactical Processing System work for MLSP

  14th July 2014

  General Dynamics UK has begun modification work on its Tactical Processing System for integration into the Royal Navy’s AW101 Merlin Mk4 helicopter. The work is …

• Digital Battlespace

  Farnborough: BAE Systems advances F-35 interoperability

  14th July 2014

  BAE Systems is moving into the second phase of integration testing allowing the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to operate alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon, …

• Defence Notes

  Farnborough: Cameron pledges £1.1bn defence injection

  14th July 2014

  UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a £1.1 billion investment injection to counter emerging threats to national security such as cyber terrorism. Addressing the …

• Defence Notes

  Farnborough: F-35 international debut ‘uncertain’

  10th July 2014

  The international debut of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II remains uncertain as the deadline to cross the Atlantic Ocean in time for the Farnborough International …

• Military Logistics

  New Zealand approves new support vessel

  10th July 2014

  The New Zealand government has given its approval for the replacement of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s tanker HMNZS Endeavour with a new replenishment ship. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Farnborough: Pave Hawk crash caused by bird strikes

  9th July 2014

  A US HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter that crashed off the coast of Norfolk, UK on 7 January killing four crew members was brought down by …

• Digital Battlespace

  Farnborough: Boeing unveils MSA offering (video)

  9th July 2014

  Boeing Defense, Security & Space will unveil its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) at the Farnborough International Airshow in July, company officials have confirmed. The demonstrator …

• Military Logistics

  Farnborough: GKN completes winglet concept

  9th July 2014

  A new process that could cut winglet manufacturing costs by 20% has been completed by GKN Aerospace and will be highlighted at the Farnborough Air …

• Naval Warfare

  Double success for MBDA’s Sea Ceptor system

  7th July 2014

  Two guided firings of the Sea Ceptor air defence system have been successfully carried out by MBDA, demonstrating the functionality of the system’s Command and …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  FPV & Attack Drones (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Background £450 million On 11 April 2025, the UK MoD announced a £450 million package for Ukraine, which included £350 million from the UK from this ...

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

  AR3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Background £270 Million investment On 15 September 2025, the UK MoD noted that, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK ...

• Loitering munitions

  Altius 600M & Altius 700M (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background Anduril On 6 March 2025, the UK MoD and John Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence, announced a package to help counter Russia's aggression against ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Multi-Role Vehicle (Protected) (MRV-P) Package 1 (UK)

  Programme Background Requirement The MRV-P programme was intended to procure replacements for a diverse fleet of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles purchased during the wars in Iraq ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  30,000 FPV Drones (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background IDCC On 9 January 2025, the UK MoD announced that 30,000 FPV drones would be sent to Ukraine after the awarding of £45 million ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Fleet Solid Support (FSS) (1-3) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirement The 2015 Strategic Defence & Security Review (SDSR) highlighted the requirement for three Military Afloat Reach & Sustainability (MARS) Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  New Medium Helicopter (NMH) [UK]

  Programme Background NMH Market Interest Day On 11 November 2021, the MoD communicated the requirements of the £1 billion ($1.34 billion) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Project Tiquila [UK]

  Programme Background Tender Notice On 18 September 2020, the MoD Combat Air Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Team published a tender notice for a system integrator ...

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

  First Person View (FPV) Drones (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background 2024/2025 Military Aid Package On 12 January 2024, the UK government announced it would provide Ukraine with £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in military ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B [United Kingdom]

  Programme Background The total cost of the currently funded programme as reported through the UK Major Projects Report is expected to be £10.5 billion ($13.5 ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Light Mobility Vehicle) [UK]

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

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme [UK]

  Programme Background The next-generation platform concept is part of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which sought to deliver a Future Combat Air System ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | AUKUS-SSNs/SSN(R) Astute Replacement Programme [UK]

  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has begun the planning process for the Astute class replacement programme referred to as SSN-Replacement (SSN(R)). In September 2021, it was announced ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | AUKUS-SSNs/SSN(R) Astute Replacement Programme [UK]

  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has begun the planning process for the Astute class replacement programme referred to as SSN-Replacement (SSN(R)). In September 2021, it was announced ...

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

  Protector RG1 [UK]

  Background Programme Goal The programme aims to replace the MQ-9A Reapers in the RAF's inventory until they are formally retired in October 2025. The MQ-9B will deliver a UK ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Major networking projects

  Project Marshall

  The Joint Military Air Traffic Services project was initiated by the UK MoD in November 2005 to identify and evaluate options for the future delivery ...

• Light UGVs

  T7

  The T7 is a multi-mission robotic system designed for military, police and hazardous missions. At DSEI 2017, the UK MoD awarded the Harris Corporation a ...

• Laser-directed energy weapons

  DragonFire

  DragonFire is a laser weapon system built for the UK MoD and manufactured by a consortium of manufacturers. The primary manufacturer is MBDA, though they ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  ASTOR FBFCT

  The Fixed Base Flight Crew Trainer (FBFCT) is a Level 5+ FTD for the UK RAF’s Airborne Standoff Radar (ASTOR) platform. The ASTOR FBFCT is ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Sting Ray

  The Sting Ray Mod 1 is an air- and surface-launched, lightweight ASW torpedo. It can be deployed from frigates, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft against ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Warthog

  The Warthog is based on the ST Kinetics Bronco all terrain tracked carrier (ATTC) and was developed to meet a UK MoD urgent operational requirement ...

• Standalone Field Generator

  HGI is a supplier of standalone field generators to the UK MoD. It has supplied systems for communications, C2, field hospitals and workshop facilities. The ...

• Major networking projects

  Skynet 6 SATCOM

  Skynet 6 is designed to replace Skynet 5. The PFI contract for Skynet 5,  held by Paradigm Secure Communications and Airbus DS, ends in 2022. As ...

• Major networking projects

  DTT

  Raytheon UK is working with the UK MoD to deliver a Defence Targeting Toolset (DTT) capability. Aimed initially at land operations and eventually extending to ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  RFA Proteus (Vard 3 08)

  RFA Proteus serves as the launchpad for remotely operated vehicles and is the newest UK seabed warfare vessel. The ship, bought by the UK MoD as MV ...

• Major networking projects

  Skynet 5 SATCOM

  Airbus is the service provider for the UK MoD Skynet 5 private finance initiative contract, signed in October 2003 and now worth $5.6 billion. Airbus ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  UK MFTS

  The Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme, is a private finance initiative involving the MoD and Ascent, a JV of Lockheed Martin and Babcock, which was ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  SPEAR 3

  The Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) Capability 3 is being developed by MBDA for the UK MoD, which is seeking a new missile for ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 6x6

  Wheeled Tanker

  The Oshkosh Wheeled Tanker is a high-performance tactical vehicle, designed and built for the UK MoD in order to replace the existing fleet of legacy ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  UK MSHATF

  The Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) opened for training at RAF Benson, England in July 1999. It provides training services to personnel from ...