• Naval Warfare

  Lockheed Martin selects Thales to supply ASW sonars

  28th April 2021

  Thales has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to supply airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars for the MH-60R helicopter.

• Training

  PLAAF makes major reforms to fast-jet pilot training

  18th March 2021

  The PLAAF has introduced changes to the fast-jet pilot training curriculum and added a new advanced trainer — but major shortcomings persist.

• Naval Warfare

  LUSV plans face critical assessment

  13th April 2021

  Will the USN have to backtrack on its plans to arm unmanned surface vessels with long-range strike missiles?

• Training

  Singapore to up F-15SG training tempo in new Air Mission Trainer

  8th March 2021

  The Republic of Singapore Air Force is using modern state-of-the-art flight simulators to increase the amount of virtual training that it undertakes.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia tests IFV contenders

  19th April 2021

  The Slovak MoD is pushing ahead with the procurement of new infantry fighting vehicles to replace its old Soviet-era platforms. Companies interested in bidding for the programme are bringing their platforms to Slovakia to demonstrate their capabilities throughout early 2021.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Legal issue prompts USMC to buy contractor-operated Reapers

  14th April 2021

  A pair of MQ-9As can no longer be operated and owned by General Atomics for strike and targeting missions in the CENTCOM area of operations.

• Land Warfare

  Germany modifies Puma before NATO task force deployment

  22nd March 2021

  Improvements were made to the Puma IFV after an operational test in July 2020 identified ‘significant defects’.

• Defence Notes

  Space Force awards NSSL task orders

  10th March 2021

  Four launches to be conducted by SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.

• Digital Battlespace

  FMS customers to obtain AN/AAR-47 sensors

  16th April 2021

  Northrop Grumman obtains a task order to supply missile warning sensors to the USAF and seven allied nations.

• Training

  QinetiQ boosts ETPS fleet with three more helicopters

  19th April 2021

  Two AW109S helicopters and one AW139 will reach initial operating capability in mid-2021 at the Empire Test Pilots’ School.

• Naval Warfare

  Poland reaffirms its commitment to Miecznik but Swedish sub talks stutter

  18th March 2021

  Polish government breathes new life into its plan to build at least one new frigate for the Polish Navy, with European shipbuilders expressing interest.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UK investment in Switchblade loitering munitions revealed

  17th March 2021

  UK interest in loitering munitions is growing, with confirmation in a new US DoD contract that it has invested in the AeroVironment Switchblade weapons system.

• Defence Notes

  V Corps gears up for operations

  8th April 2021

  The reactivated V Corps reflects a focus in the US National Defense Strategy on forward deployment to counter adversaries and improve readiness in the event of a conflict with a near-peer rival power.

• Air Warfare

  Taiwan makes progress with F-16V upgrade

  18th March 2021

  The under-stress ROCAF is welcoming the arrival of upgraded F-16V fighters.

• Naval Warfare

  Thales IFF identifies India as friendly target

  22nd March 2021

  India has been singled out as a strong potential naval market for Thales' new IFF Mode 5 interrogator.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Data links

  Data links | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In June 2019, The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed to Shephard that the government has given approval for the service to prepare ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Data links

  Data links | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia released a RfI in early January 2019 seeking light combat aircraft capable of some air-to-air and full air-to-ground missions. The requirement is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirement Malaysia has long had a requirement known as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) designed to replace the MiG-29 fleet. The MRCA programme ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch III (13-18) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack

  Hawk 200

  The Hawk 200 is a single-seat light attack iteration of the Hawk 100 (see separate entry) and Advanced Jet Trainer or AJT (see separate entry). ...

• Subsystems: software

  SimuSphere HD-9

  SimuSphere HD-9 is an HD visual display solution that can be upgraded to trainers currently integrated with SimuSphere systems or as an option for a ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ESP

  The Electronic Surveillance Payload (ESP) is a lightweight system providing capabilities for Electronic Support Measures(ESM)/ELINT operations. It is designed to operate as a standalone ESM ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SISTELA

  Developed by the Naval Group's Malaysian division, the SISTELA Combat Management System supports diverse naval missions such as surface warfare and air defence. Developed for the ...

• 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 ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D TOFT

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) delivered an F/A-18D Tactical Operations Flight Trainer (TOFT) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The TOFT consists ...

• OPVs

  New Generation Patrol Vessel

  LUNAS unveiled the New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) at DSA 2018. The NGPV is intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) New Generation Patrol Vessels ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Tactical UAV

  Unveiled at DSA 2022, the Deftech Tactical UAV is an indigenously developed platform based on the Aldura Mk1. The platform is aimed at the Royal Malaysian ...

• EO/IR systems

  Damocles

  The Damocles is a third-generation targeting pod developed by Thales Group, designed for advanced reconnaissance and laser designation. It is modular, features an eye-safe laser, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  M Solar-X

  First revealed in August 2020, in February 2024, at its symposium, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) showcased the M Solar-X. This solar-powered fixed-wing drone was ...

• Corvettes

  Laksamana Class

  The Royal Malaysian Navy's Laksamana-class corvettes originated under an order placed with Fincantieri by the Iraqi government, but this was cancelled in the 1980s after ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SETIS

  SETIS is Naval Group's integrated combat system designed initially for French Navy's FREMM-frigates. It is currently being used on Naval Group's Gowind-class corvettes. SETIS is ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  J/ALQ-8

  Like Israel, Japan elected to outfit its McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J/DJ combat aircraft with an indigenous self-protection system. This takes the form of Mitsubishi Electric’s J/ALQ-8 ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Bö 105 FFS

  Aircraft-specific simulation for the MBB Bö 105, supplied to the Indonesian Army and Royal Netherlands Air Force. Features: actual aircraft cockpit, Doppler radar, NVG-capable visual ...