• Defence Notes

  IDEX 2019: UAE stocks up on military kit (video)

  20th February 2019

  Editor-in-chief Richard Thomas and deputy editor Beth Maundrill discuss the highlights from IDEX 2019. On land, wheels have been stars of the show, from the …

• Defence Notes

  IDEX 2019: Jankel’s Hunter production ready

  14th February 2019

  Jankel, providers of protection systems throughout the world, have announced that their latest generation Hunter Tactical Intervention Vehicle (TIV) has achieved ‘production ready’ status.  This …

• Training

  RAF’s Texan T1 completes maiden flight

  27th February 2019

  The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Texan T1 training aircraft has completed its first flight at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, Wales, the UK …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Avalon 2019: Firebird deliveries to US agency are imminent

  28th February 2019

  Northrop Grumman highlighted developments of its optionally manned Firebird MALE aircraft platform designed for both overland and littoral surveillance at the Avalon Air Show. It …

• Military Logistics

  Solers receives award on DISA's SETI contract

  25th February 2019

  Solers has received a prime award on the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Systems Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) multiple-award IDIQ contract, the company announced …

• Special Operations

  Japanese SOF observe “Flintlock”

  18th February 2019

  Japanese special operations forces are set to further expand their international exposure by observing the latest iteration of the “Flintlock” training exercise in West Africa. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Avalon 2019: Kelpie chases service role in Australia

  26th February 2019

  The Kelpie multirole UGV, unveiled on 25 February at the Avalon Air Show, is expected to reach production standard in 2020. It will be developed …

• Defence Notes

  China to raise defence spending by 7.5%, lower than 2018

  7th March 2019

  China announced on 5 March 2019 a 7.5% increase in military spending in 2019, lower than last year as the country faces an economic slowdown, …

• Military Logistics

  KDA to support Poland’s C-130 fleet upgrade

  22nd February 2019

  Kellstrom Defense Aerospace (KDA) has partnered with Military Aviation Plant No. 2 to provide six SHORT-POD APU kits in support of the Polish Air Force’s …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Avalon 2019: Secretive Loyal Wingman breaks cover

  27th February 2019

  Boeing unveiled a new large stealthy UAV at the Avalon Air Show, one designed to act as an escort support for manned aircraft and as …

• Naval Warfare

  Saab to deliver 9LV FCS in Norway

  21st February 2019

  Saab has received an order from Vard Group to deliver its 9LV fire control system (FCS), including the Ceros 200 fire control director, for the …

• Special Operations

  Putin spotlights Russian SOF

  5th March 2019

  Russian special operations forces will benefit from “consistent reinforcement and development” in 2019 and beyond, according to a speech made by President Vladimir Putin on …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy’s Large Surface Combatant to reflect DDG-1000 lessons

  20th February 2019

  The US Navy’s future Large Surface Combatant (LSC) will draw heavily on lessons learned from its tiny fleet of ‘extraordinarily expensive’ but cutting-edge DDG 1000 …

• Naval Warfare

  Iran announces 3-day navy drill from Gulf to Indian Ocean

  21st February 2019

  Iran is to launch a three-day annual navy drill from 22 February 2019 in a vast area of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean including …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy accepts future USS Paul Ignatius

  27th February 2019

  The US Navy received its 67th Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), from Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls shipbuilding …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan (SNEP II) which, so far, has seen the procurement of ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [Qatar]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Haboob [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Licence production In April 2020, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) announced that it had granted NTRA Defense Technologies a licence to produce ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Gambit [UAE]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Military UAS - small

  Shield AI UAVs [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Reported talks Reporting from the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, the Middle East Eye (MEE) noted that, according to two sources, Saudi Arabia was ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M (National Guard) [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Broader order The Saudi Arabian UH-60M order in 2017 was part of a broader contract with the US Army, which covered 257 total helicopters ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munitions [Czech Republic]

  Background KVAČR Concept In February 2024, the Czech Army unveiled the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic (KVAČR) concept, which outlined an increase ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Hawk Mk 165 Advanced Jet Trainer- Saudi Arabia

  Background Requirement The Hawk Mk 165 fleet will be used to train Saudi pilots before they transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15 in service with RSAF.  Under ...

• Frigates

  Frigates Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges to enhance its combat capabilities and to replace older vessels. Riyadh has recently embarked on major naval procurement ...

• Loitering munitions

  Deep-strike, low-cost, loitering munition [India]

  Background Effectiveness of the capability Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on 28 February 2026, which marked the beginning of the 2026 Iran war, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kaan [Saudi Arabia]

  Background 2024 and 2025 discussions Reports in the Saudi Arabian interest in the Kaan aircraft first emerged in 2024 during a visit of the commander ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Surion Marine Attack Helicopter [South Korea]

  Programme Background The ROKMC has planned to obtain 24 attack helicopters for the first time. When bidding opened in January 2019, there were five contenders: Bell ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  StormFighter [UK]

  Background Project Mosquito and its cancellation Beginning in 2019, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), in collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF), ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its older ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a joint ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Samoom

  Unveiled at the World Defence Show 2022, the Samoon is a Saudi Arabian UCAV manufactured by Intra Defence Technologies.  It is powered by Belgian ULPower Aero ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  2800 ASW Patrol Boat

  The 2800 ASW Patrol Boat, developed by Couach, is a vessel designed for ASW operations. Unveiled at the 2022 World Defence Show, the vessel can be ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Cockerill i-X

  The Cockerill i-X is a wheeled armoured vehicle designed as a light armoured platform with a modular turret for intercepting enemy forces. John Cockerill Defense unveiled the new ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Mulhim

  Developed by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Mulhim is a developmental Battle Management System designed for brigade-level and below formations. First unveiled in 2022, it ...

• UAS: communication systems

  SkyARX Ku-18

  CTech SkyARX Ku-18 is a lightweight, SATCOM-on-the-move terminal designed for air applications. The Ku-band terminal supports the secure transmission of full-motion video, data, and mission-critical ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8N

  The PT-8D is an IR system from Overwatch Imaging. It is fitted with multiple HD thermal cameras and has been designed to conduct missions at dusk ...

• 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, ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8D

  Marketed as a cost-effective solution, the PT-8D is a wide-area search and ISR payload from Overwatch Imaging. It features an RGB colour camera and a ...

• Air: Displays

  LAD2008DA

  Produced by Psion DSP, LAD2008DA is a 20"x8" Large Area Display for full-glass cockpit applications. It was showcased during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show and the 2023 ...

• Land: RWS

  TEBER-II 30/40

  The Teber II-30/40 is a remote-controlled turret developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS. This RCT is designed to fit tracked or wheeled armour vehicle programs. FNSS ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8DN

  The PT-8DN is a versatile day-night payload from Overwatch Imaging.  It has dual RGB sensors of different focal lengths and an HD LWIR sensor. It also ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  Dzhigit

  Dzhigit is a two-barrel, pedestal air defence missile launcher intended for single or salvo launches of Igla family surface-to-air missiles. Developed in the 1990s, the Dzhigit ...

• Loitering munitions

  Hamza-3

  Egypt’s state-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) unveiled its Hamza-3 at the World Defence Show 2026. It is fitted with cameras and anti-jamming systems, and can ...

• Air: Displays

  RDU-4208 LAD

  ScioTeq RDU-4208 is a 20"x8" Large-Area Display. It features a fully redundant, high-resolution screen with multitouch support. Unveiled in 2022, it was also demonstrated in ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  D-Tiger

  Thai Defense Industry (TDI) unveiled its D-Tiger 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle at Defense & Security 2022 in Bangkok. The D-Tiger is aimed at export sales, with ...