• Training

  US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines conduct major military exercise in South China Sea

  8th April 2024

  The countries conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone on 7 April 2024.

• Land Warfare

  First two improved Turkish M60T tanks handed over

  16th February 2024

  The M60Ts, upgraded versions of the M60A3s, were delivered between 2007 and 2010. The latest upgrade followed a rolling programme of upgrades which have included Aselsan SARP RWS, Yamgoz situational awareness cameras, a TLUS laser warning receiver and a Pulat APS completed in 2020.

• Air Warfare

  India’s crisis deepens over ‘urgent’ need for mid-air refuellers

  22nd March 2024

  The Indian Air Force had said that it required 18 fuellers if the branch wanted to extend the range of its growing fleet.

• Defence Notes

  In depth: US and China’s complex arms race over Taiwan

  28th June 2024

  The US and China have been engaging in a complex game of mutual deterrence over Taiwan in a race that features a bewildering range of different equipment.

• Air Warfare

  How Russia’s declining arms sales is reshaping the global defence industry

  16th April 2024

  As Serbia considers a multi-billion-euro deal for French Rafale fighter jets, its move towards Western arms has signalled a significant departure from its reliance on Russian equipment, reflecting broader shifts in global defence procurement.

• Naval Warfare

  UK government defends nuclear submarine fleet after missile misfire

  21st February 2024

  The UK Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) provide the UK with its continuous-at-sea deterrent (CASD) coverage and have done so since 1994. The Vanguards will themselves be replaced by the new Dreadnought-class SSBNs from the 2030s.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: Alakran mobile mortar system to be made in Saudi Arabia

  8th February 2024

  NTGS has developed the Alakran 120mm mortar for customers requiring a highly mobile, lightweight self-propelled system to equip rapid reaction units. It is designed to be mounted without reinforcement on any light utility vehicle able to carry a 1,500kg payload.

• Air Warfare

  Azerbaijan completes Turkish Akinci drone procurement

  16th February 2024

  The exact number of Akinci drones acquired by Azerbaijan has remained undisclosed, but estimates suggested the purchase of two or three HALE units.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US approves sale of MQ-9Bs to India

  1st February 2024

  The US Government’s approval for the sale of 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS to India has begun paving the way for the nation to conclude its tri-service acquisition, ending years of delays.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: Guardiaris unveils the new generation of its Small Arms Mobile Trainer

  1st December 2023

  SAMT, a laserless, plug-and-play mobile system, can incorporate small arms, anti-tank weapons, military vehicles and remote weapon stations.

• Naval Warfare

  Planning begins for Harry S Truman overhaul and refuelling

  29th January 2024

  A total of 10 Nimitz-class were built by Newport New Shipbuilding with the last one entering service in January 2009. The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) entered service in 1998 with an out-of-service date of the early 2060s.

• Land Warfare

  Malaysian Army self-propelled howitzer acquisition programme faces a blurry future

  27th February 2024

  The schedule, number of platforms and total estimated cost of the Malaysian Army’s 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) acquisition programme has remained undefined despite the procurement effort having been announced back in the 2010s.

• Land Warfare

  Dutch CV90 update undergoes Spike test firing and gears up for roll-out

  24th January 2024

  A total of 122 Dutch CV9035NL vehicles are undergoing an update with an option for 19 more under a $500 million contract announced in January 2021. Upgrades have been underway on the first four vehicles in Sweden as Netherlands-based Van Halteren Metaal gets ready to begin series production.

• Naval Warfare

  MBDA to provide Sea Ceptor naval defence systems for Polish Miecznik-class frigates

  15th January 2024

  The Miecznik (Swordfish) programme, a multi-role frigate project for the Polish Navy, was first reported in 2014 as a multi-role coastal patrol vessel.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia receives Piorun MANPADS

  8th January 2024

  PIORUN, a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) in service in Poland and Ukraine, was introduced in 2019 and has a range of more than 7km.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  Programme Background Requirements The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS). SAS Drakensberg was launched in 1986 and commissioned ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SAS Drakensberg Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Navy needs to replace the SAS Drakensberg Combat Support Ship (CSS), which entered service in 1987. In October 2023, the South African Navy Chief ...

• OPVs

  Project Biro (1-3) [South Africa]

  Programme Background Three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) have been procured for the South African Navy under Project Biro. Based on Damen's Stan Patrol 6211 ...

• New Zealand Bushmaster PMV

  Programme Background The NZDF had called attention to the need to retire the armoured Pinzgauer fleet in its 2019 Defence Capability Plan. Not only are ...

• SOV-Cdo Replacement (Australia)

  Programme Background The Australian MoD plans to invest in new equipment for its SOF units to allow the ADF to respond more effectively and more ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background According to a December 2020 report by the Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Azerbaijan acquired an estimated 50 Harop loitering munitions ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-1Z [Romania]

  The Romanian MoD has a long-standing requirement for new rotary platforms, including troop transport, supply and attack configurations. According to the the Military Strategy document, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Piranha V

  264 of the Piranha Vs will be assigned to the Danish Army's 1st Brigade, following its reorganisation in January 2019. Each of its three armoured ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM) [France]

  Programme Background Requirement The requirement for the SDAM programme is a rotary-wing VTOL-capable UAV with a modular configuration capable of hosting a range of payloads. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Sea: sonar systems

  T-SAS

  The Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (T-SAS) is a high-resolution towed side scan sonar for detection of bottom and short-tethered mines. It is able to deliver ...

• Loitering munitions

  AIHMI AHM-1X

  The AIHMI AHM-1X, also known as Sharp Point or Spearhead in Greek, is a loitering munition from SAS Technology. More specifically, the drone is a 4kg ...

• SAS AW169 interior

  The Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) AW169 Medical Interior is a fully certified EMS interior that features a swivelling, easy-load longitudinal stretcher, giving all-round patient access with ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  SARISA SRS-1A

  The SARISA SRS-1A is a quadcopter rotary-wing UAS unveiled at DEFEA 2021. Manufactured by the Greek company Spirit Aeronautical Systems (SAS) Technology, the platform features two rails underneath ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Mako

  Mako is an air-launched hypersonic missile developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with CoAspire. The missile was unveiled to the public for the first time ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Patrol boats

  Warrior Class (Stan Patrol 6211)

  Under Project Biro, the South African Navy is acquiring three new multi-mission inshore patrol vessels. The project is expected to run for approximately seven years, ...

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

  ARES ARS-1X

  Manufactured by SAS Technology, ARES ARS-1X is a mini rotary-wing UAV. The UAV has an open architecture, allowing it to operate as a quadcopter or ...

• Military - USVs

  ARCIMS

  The Atlas Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (ARCIMS) is an MCM USV platform designed by Atlas Elektronik UK. It is capable of being deployed and operated from ...

• Military - UUVs

  Bluefin-12S

  The Bluefin-12S AUV has been designed for a range of applications, including shallow-water survey, search and salvage, oceanography and scientific research, as well as MCM and ...

• Military - UUVs

  A27-M

  The A27-M is a multi-mission, long-endurance AUV developed by Exail that is suitable for military and civil missions. This includes reconnaissance, MCM, homeland security, hydrographic survey, ...

• Frigates

  MEKO A-200

  The MEKO A-200 is a general-purpose frigate development of the MEKO 200 design in service with multiple nations. Built by Germany's Blohm+Voss, Howaldtswerke Deutsch Werft ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 209/1400mod

  The Type 209/1400mod is a modified variant of the German-designed export Type 209/1400 submarine. This variant of the Type 209 is in service with the ...

• Military - UUVs

  SeaOtter Mk II

  The SeaOtter Mk II is a long-range AUV developed by Atlas Elektronik. It is designed for mine detection and classification, rapid environmental assessment, seabed mapping and hydrographic ...

• Land: Defensive Systems - Gunshot Detection / Hostile Fire Indicator

  Acoustic Shooter Locating System (ASLS)

  The compact Acoustic Shooter Locating System (ASLS) consists of a powerful acoustic sensor with integrated analysis electronics and a compact control and display unit. The ...