• Naval Warfare

  DIMDEX 2018: New machine guns for Cardigan Bay's commandos

  12th March 2018

  The UK’s Royal Marine Commando's stationed on board the RFA Cardigan Bay are set to receive new heavy machine guns (HMG) as part of their …

• Special Operations

  Venezuela to enhance SOF capabilities

  12th March 2018

  Venezuela’s special operations forces are set to receive a USD $20 million uplift in materiel and equipment, according to President Nicolas Maduro. Announcing the news …

• Land Warfare

  Switzerland eyes new soldier kit, retires artillery

  9th March 2018

  The Swiss government has outlined a requirement for updated clothing and equipment for its soldiers in its new armament programme, released last month. Switzerland’s 2018 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  USMC moves forward on group five UAS requirement

  9th March 2018

  As part of the US Marine Corps' growth in airborne capabilities, an RFI for a new group five UAS has been released by the Program …

• Defence Notes

  Nine civilians killed as Syria regime strikes shake Ghouta

  6th March 2018

  At least nine civilians were killed on 6 March in Syria's Eastern Ghouta as fresh regime air strikes and clashes shook the rebel enclave outside …

• Special Operations

  AFSOC hones tactical training edge

  7th March 2018

  Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is helping pre-deployment forces hone their tactical training edge, according to recent contract awards and sources sought announcements. On 1 …

• Land Warfare

  Russia commissions two new assault rifles

  1st February 2018

  The Russian MoD has finally taken a decision to accept two new assault rifles into frontline service, manufactured by Kalashnikov and the Degtarev Plant company.  …

• Defence Notes

  Cobra Gold 2018 helps prepare for real-world missions

  21st February 2018

  A critical part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018, an annual exercise held in Thailand, was a combined amphibious assault at Hat Yao Beach on 17 …

• Defence Notes

  Air strikes kill nearly 200 in Syria enclave

  21st February 2018

  Air strikes hit Syria's Eastern Ghouta for a third straight day on 20 February, bringing the civilian death toll to nearly 200 as the United …

• Defence Notes

  New US advisors hope to give Afghan soldiers vital boost

  5th March 2018

  A brigade of seasoned American soldiers has arrived in Afghanistan in recent days on a much-trumpeted mission to offer a new type of training – …

• Military Logistics

  HII receives LPD 29 contract

  20th February 2018

  Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has received $1.43 billion, fixed-price incentive contract for the detailed design and construction of the US Navy’s 13th San Antonio-class amphibious …

• Defence Notes

  Russia tests over 200 new weapons in Syria

  22nd February 2018

  Russia has tested over 200 new types of arms in Syria during its campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a senior lawmaker said on …

• Training

  Vestdavit’s PLAR-4000 davit for RNZN

  19th February 2018

  Vestdavit’s PLAR-4000 davit boat-handling technology has been selected for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) new Devonport Naval Base training facility in Auckland, the company …

• Land Warfare

  India scurries to buy thousands of small arms

  16th February 2018

  The Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval on 13 February for procurement of small arms worth more than $2.2 billion for the Indian military is being …

• Defence Notes

  India publishes ambitious defence roadmap

  28th February 2018

  India released its ‘Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap - 2018’ (TPCR-2018) document in late February, outlining the equipment and technology that the country’s armed forces …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 1) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Batch 2) [Turkey]

  Background The Turkish Navy required a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS [Japan - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCVPs Replacement [Netherlands]

  Background Requirements The Dutch Marine Corps needs to replace 12 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) from 2025. The current LCVPs will reach the end of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single largest ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Bushmaster 4x4 [Australia]

  Programme Background Australia has bought 1,052 Bushmasters in seven variants: troop carrier; command; assault pioneer; mortar; direct fire weapons; ambulance; and, air defence. These vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PMC KAAV (First Batch)

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• Patrol boats

  UNPAV - Angelo Cabrini Class

  The Angelo Cabrini class consists of two high-speed multipurpose patrol boats (UNPAV) intended for the Italian Navy special forces. The vessels were built by Intermarine, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 2) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 3) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background Prior to taking delivery of the KAAV, the PMC did not possess an amphibious assault vehicle. While it had previously received Landing Vehicle, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 4) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• Main battle 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 ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-12

  Kalashnikov publicly unveiled the AK-12 assault rifle in January 2012. The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system as previous Kalashnikov rifles. A 5.45x39mm ...

• 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, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-19

  The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled its developmental AK-19 assault rifle in August 2020. Compared to the AK-12 assault rifle upon which it is based, the AK-19 ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  GP-34

  Kalashnikov designed the single-shot GP-34 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for use with the company’s 5.45mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm assault rifles. The sight allows the firer ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Vikhr

  The 9A4172K Vikhr-1 (AT-16) long-range antitank guided missile is a large dual-purpose antitank/air-to-air missile. The laser-guided antitank projectile can be launched from air, land or ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-101/103

  The AK-100, or Century series, applies modern production techniques to the legacy AK design. The 5.56mm AK-101 and 7.62mm AK-103 are full-length assault rifles. Forearm, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-15

  Developed under the Ratnik modernisation programme, the AK-15 assault rifle was first unveiled in 2016. It is designed for elite units and law enforcement and ...

• Pistols

  PL-15

  The PL-15 is a double-action-only pistol chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. Developed by firearms designer and target shooter Dmitry Lebedev and manufactured by ...

• Military UAS - small

  Legionnaire E33K

  The Legionnaire E33K is a small fixed-wing UAV developed by Kalashnikov Concern. The drone is designed for various tasks, including cargo carrying.  An electric motor powers ...

• Light machine guns

  RPK-16

  Kalashnikov unveiled its 5.45x39mm RPK-16 light support weapon at the Army 2016 exhibition. Intended to supersede the RPK-74 light machine gun, the RPK-16 can be ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-200

  The AK-200 family of assault rifles and carbines was developed by the Kalashnikov Concern for export customers and domestic law enforcement agencies. Designed as an ...

• Loitering munitions

  RUS-PE

  The RUS-PE is an X-wing-shaped loitering munition from Kalashnikov Concern.  Appearing visually similar to the HERO-90, the system is designed for swift, precise strikes against individual, stationary, ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Karakurt

  The Karahurt is a Russian tube-launched rotary-wing platform manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It bears visual similarities with SpearUAV's range of drones and has been designed ...

• Light machine guns

  RPL-20

  After testing with the RPK-16 light machine gun uncovered several issues with the design, Kalashnikov initiated development of the new RPL-20 light machine gun to ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PCS-5/5M GABRO

  The PCS-5/PCS-5M passive NVD is a lightweight telescopic sight designed for use on portable weapons. It can be used for battlefield observation, detection and target ...