• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus tests stratospheric 4G/5G defence comms

  1st October 2018

  Airbus has successfully tested stratospheric 4G/5G defence applications with a high-altitude balloon demonstration, the company announced on 25 September. Supported by the French and Canadian …

• Special Operations

  Australia seeks new special operations helicopter

  5th October 2018

  The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has initiated a program to procure a fleet of light attack military rotary-wing aircraft to support force components from …

• Defence Helicopter

  De-risking phase for Tiger upgrade launched

  1st October 2018

  OCCAR-EA has awarded two contracts to a consortium consisting of Airbus Helicopters, Thales and MBDA for de-risk work for the planned mid-life upgrade of current …

• Defence Helicopter

  Thailand orders additional H225Ms

  25th September 2018

  Airbus Helicopters has received an additional order from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for the supply of four H225M multirole utility helicopters, the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  Philippines narrows combat utility helicopter hunt

  3rd October 2018

  During a Senate hearing concerning the 2019 budget for the Department of National Defense (DND), the commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Lt …

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE Systems advances tactical hotspot tech

  26th September 2018

  BAE Systems’s Strike Hotspot technology demonstrator (TD) continues to be upgraded as it remains in an assessment programme with the British Army, company officials have …

• Naval Warfare

  ADAS 2018: HHI cuts steel on second Philippine frigate

  26th September 2018

  Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) hosted a ceremony on 17 September to mark the cutting of steel for the second of two frigates for the Philippine …

• Military Logistics

  Finland to upgrade C295M systems

  12th September 2018

  The Ministry of Defence of Finland has given the go ahead to conclude a contract for the modification of navigation and identification systems on its …

• Digital Battlespace

  Five Eyes acquisition struggles with private sector innovation

  13th September 2018

  Members of the Five Eyes alliance have in recent years attempted wholesale reform of their acquisition processes to speed up the fielding of new capabilities. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Whole lotta love for the Lakotas from US Army

  6th September 2018

  The US Army’s acquisition of the Airbus UH-72A Lakota continues to go from strength to strength as yet another order for more of the aircraft …

• Training

  Exercise Ample Strike concludes in Czech Republic

  19th September 2018

  An international flavour provided added spice to the recently concluded Exercise Ample Strike 2018, which ran from 3-14 September, with personnel from 19 NATO and Partnership …

• Military Logistics

  Singapore receives first A330 MRTT

  4th September 2018

  Airbus has delivered the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, the company announced on 3 September. The …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Indonesia seeks UAV and tanker cooperation with Singapore

  4th September 2018

  The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) announced on 31 August that it is exploring cooperation with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) regarding UAV pilot …

• Defence Helicopter

  Helibras delivers 31st H225M to FAB

  5th September 2018

  Helibras has delivered the 31st H225M helicopter to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the company announced on 3 September. The delivery is part of Airbus' …

• Defence Helicopter

  MSPO 2018: Rafael unveil Spike ER2

  4th September 2018

  Precision weapons system manufacturer Rafael is debuting its latest extended range missile - the Spike ER2 - at MSPO 2018.  Marketed as a 'fifth generation' …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Data links

  Data links | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Transport

  A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  Programme Background At IDEX 2025, two Airbus representatives shared insights into a possible offer from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

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

  Sistema RPAS Táctico de Altas Prestaciones (SiRTAP) [Spain]

  Background MoU In 2017, it was announced that Spain was jointly developing a MALE UAV with Colombia to meet the ISR requirement of both armed ...

• Transport

  A400M (Kazakhstan)

  Programme Background In September 2021, it was announced that Kazakhstan ordered two Airbus A400M aircraft. According to Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, ‘The A400M ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  H225M - France

  Programme Background In April 2021, the French government signed a deal for the purchase of eight H225M Airbus helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of SA330 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT [Singapore]

  In February 2020, Airbus and the Singapore government announced an agreement to collaborate on the development of an A330 Smart Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). One Singaporean ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Data links

  Data links | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

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

  Eurodrone [Spain]

  Programme Background Inception (Stage One) The European MALE RPAS programme was launched in September 2016. Germany, Spain, France, and Italy negotiated and agreed, in collaboration ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  Maritime Operations Helicopters

  The three maritime operations helicopters will be used for logistics and personnel transport, alongside transportation of PASKAL naval special forces in operations in the area. ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Programme Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  MQ-72C Lakota Connector

  The MQ-72C Lakota Connector is an uncrewed version of Airbus' UH-72B, primarily designed to provide contested logistics in austere expeditionary environments. Airbus has partnered with L3Harris, Shield AI, ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H175M

  The Airbus H175M is the military variant of the H175, a seven-tonne class aircraft powered by twin PT6C 67E engines. The civilian variants produced by Airbus ...

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

  Flexrotor

  Flexrotor is a VTOL small tactical UAS manufactured by Aerovel. In a typical operational configuration, it has been designed for ISTAR missions for more than ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  H145

  The light, twin-engine EC145 began as an initiative to increase the cabin size of the BK 117 C1 aircraft, involving Kawasaki of Japan and Airbus ...

• 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 ...

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

  Airbus Multi-Mission and Transport UAS

  The Airbus Multi-Mission and Transport UAV, or cargo copter, is a rotary-wing cargo-carrying platform that Airbus is developing. The platform has yet to be formally named. The ...

• Transport

  C295

  The C295 is the largest member of Airbus Defence and Space’s family of medium tactical airlifters and surveillance aircraft. It is a development of the ...

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

  Wingman

  The Wingman is an Airbus concept drone unveiled at ILA Berlin in June 2024. The loyal wingman-type fixed-wing UAV is designed to accompany crewed fighters, ...

• Helicopter engines

  LTS101

  The LTS101 was first certified in 1975. Since then, over 2,100 engines have been delivered to customers worldwide, logging over 11 million service hours. The ...

• Air: mission management systems

  Helionix

  The Helionix digital avionics suite was developed from the need for a more powerful avionics system with greater functions and computing capacity, alongside a user-friendly interface. ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole

  H135M

  The H135M (formerly known as the EC635 and also designated as H135) is a light utility variant of the EC135 twin-engine, multipurpose 3t helicopter. In ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A400M Training

  Thales is the principal training provider for the Airbus A400M with a contract to provide FFSs and flat-panel trainers. Four A400M FFS and two flat-panel ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H215M

  The H215M (formerly the AS532 ALe) is the most recent addition to the Cougar family.  It is a medium-weight (9t-class), twin-engine helicopter, combining the AS532's ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Bo 105

  The Bo 105 is a twin-engine, multipurpose, light helicopter that was developed in 1963-68. Approximately 37% of the more than 1,400 aircraft built before production ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  H225M

  The medium-weight, 11t-class H225M (formerly known as the EC725) is the latest military Super Puma/Cougar family member.  Technical features include a modular design of mechanical ...