• Training

  RAAF to retire its PC-9/A aircraft

  5th March 2019

  The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will officially retire its PC-9/A aircraft in 2019, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 28 February. The Roulettes …

• Training

  IFTS takes delivery of first M346 trainers

  18th February 2019

  The first two new M-346 aircraft for the joint Leonardo-Italian Air Force’s International Flight Training School (IFTS) have been delivered marking a significant milestone for …

• Training

  AAFC to receive training aircraft

  5th March 2019

  The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is set to receive eight Diamond DA40 NG light aircraft for its flight training requirements, the Australian Department of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  USMC looks to buy Reaper UAVs

  14th March 2019

  The USMC wants to begin buying a handful of MQ-9A Reaper UAVs in FY2020 to meet an ‘urgent operational need,’ according to a US Navy …

• Training

  Avalon 2019: ADF pushes simulation

  1st March 2019

  The Australian Defence Force (ADF) ‘needs to improve how simulation is perceived’ according to the keynote speaker at the Aerospace Simulation Conference during the Avalon …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy’s AN/AQS-20C completes developmental testing

  1st March 2019

  The US Navy’s AN/AQS-20C mine-hunting sonar system completed developmental testing at the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), on 26 February …

• Military Logistics

  Tarmac lighting installed at RAAF Base Richmond

  14th March 2019

  A programme between Air Mobility Group and Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group and Aurecon has delivered new tarmac lighting at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Marine Advanced Robotics to deliver MARV II

  27th February 2019

  Marine Advanced Robotics is set to deliver the next generation Multifunctional Assessment Reconnaissance Vessel II (MARV II) to the US Army’s Engineer Research and Development …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales receives French order for Coast Watcher 100

  13th March 2019

  Thales has received an order from the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to supply two Coast Watcher 100 coastal surveillance radars. The radars will be …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2019: MD Helicopters enters FARA fray with Swift

  5th March 2019

  MD Helicopters (MDHI) is the latest industry participant to confirm it has submitted a proposal for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme as …

• Military Logistics

  Elbit Systems’ TF/TA declared operational onboard C-130

  5th March 2019

  Elbit Systems’ new Terrain Following and Terrain Avoidance (TF/TA) system has been declared operational onboard the C-130 aircraft of an unidentified air force, the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2019: Essex and Ace getting grips to Black Hawks

  5th March 2019

  Platform controls and aircraft component manufacturer, Essex Industries is showcasing its Ergonomic Collective Grip at HAI Heli-Expo 2019. The current status of the grip is …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2019: Leonardo target 2021 AW609 military certification

  5th March 2019

  The soon to be civil certified AW609 tiltrotor is also expected to receive a military type certification in approximately 2021 – subject to customer demand. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Thales, University of Southampton team up

  14th February 2019

  Thales has signed a five-year partnership agreement with the University of Southampton to research and develop maritime autonomous technology, the company announced on 7 February. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Poland plans to modernise its combat helicopter fleet

  21st March 2019

  Warsaw’s Armament Inspectorate will launch a technical dialogue to determine a preferred scope and timeline for the planned modernisation of a fleet of Polish Mi-24 …

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 ...