• Defence Helicopter

  AUSA 2018: Need for speed dominates S-97 Raider tests

  4th October 2018

  Sikorsky’s future generation light attack S-97 Raider aircraft is set to push beyond speeds of 220kts, a benchmark which represents uncharted territory on the programme’s …

• Naval Warfare

  F-35 makes first SRVL on HMS Queen Elizabeth

  18th October 2018

  The first shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) has been carried out by an F-35 Lightning fighter jet onboard the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS …

• Defence Helicopter

  UK requests H-47 Chinooks

  24th October 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of H-47 Chinook Extended Range helicopters to the UK, the Defense …

• Defence Helicopter

  Brazilian Army receives 33rd H225M

  16th October 2018

  Helibras has delivered the 33rd H225M military helicopter for the Brazilian Army's H-XBR programme, the company announced on 9 October. The H-XBR programme was signed …

• Defence Notes

  Harris, L3 merging to form a defence-technology giant

  15th October 2018

  Harris and L3 Technologies, two American companies specialising in military communications and technology, announced their merger on Sunday, giving birth to a giant in the …

• Military Logistics

  First series production KC-390 flies

  15th October 2018

  Embraer has completed the maiden flight of the first series production KC-390 military transport and aerial refuelling aircraft, the company announced on 9 October. As …

• Defence Helicopter

  Australia retires the Kiowa

  19th October 2018

  The Australian Army formally retired the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa on 18 October, a date that also marked the 50th anniversary of the service’s Aviation Corps. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AWHero’s communications trials with Wildcat

  29th October 2018

  Leonardo has disclosed efforts to extend the communications range and manned/unmanned teaming capabilities of the AWHero VTOL UAS, a company official has said. Addressing delegates …

• 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 …

• Naval Warfare

  HMAS Canberra conducts FOCFT for Tigers

  25th October 2018

  The Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Canberra has conducted first of class flight trials (FOCFT) for the Tiger ARH helicopter, the navy …

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2018: RN issues caution to politicos on HMS Queen Elizabeth

  22nd October 2018

  As HMS Queen Elizabeth goes full steam ahead with its sea trials a senior Royal Navy official urged caution to politicians keen to utilise the …

• Land Warfare

  Antifreeze and balaclavas: NATO troops in cold war games

  2nd November 2018

  ‘This is my second time seeing snow, so it's a rather new experience,’ said a tank operative, a Florida native more accustomed to ice boxes …

• Digital Battlespace

  Systel launches the Raven-Strike™ high performance rugged computer (sponsored video)

  3rd October 2018

  At the AUSA 2018 exhibition in Washington DC in October, Systel will launch its latest product in the embedded computing field. Raven-Strike™ is a fully …

• Training

  T-X falls to Boeing

  28th September 2018

  The winner of the long-awaited T-X Advanced Pilot Training (APT) programme is Boeing. Along with partner, Saab, the company will deliver 351 aircraft and a …

• Training

  Singapore commissions LMV Simulator Centre

  26th September 2018

  The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) inaugurated a new Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) simulation centre on 26 September at the same time as commissioning its …

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 - air superiority

  J-7/F-7

  The J-7 is a second-generation fighter designed primarily for air superiority, although later versions incorporate a ground attack capability. Although manufactured in China, the aircraft ...