• Defence Notes

  China sends bombers around Taiwan

  26th April 2018

  China flew bombers and fighter jets around Taiwan on 26 April, the air force said, the latest show of force by Beijing following warnings against …

• Defence Notes

  Xi unleashes PLA on Taiwan

  8th May 2018

  China’s military and intelligence services have significantly ramped up efforts to undermine the self-ruled island of Taiwan. These strategies have much to teach regional neighbours …

• Military Logistics

  Boeing receives DLA F/A-18 support contract

  30th April 2018

  Boeing has received a five-year $427 million contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide and manage consumable material for F/A-18 depot maintenance, …

• Defence Notes

  May and Macron face lawmakers angry over Syria strikes

  16th April 2018

  British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron on 16 April faced anger from lawmakers for conducting air strikes with the US in Syria …

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine offers to provide NATO with cargo aircraft

  27th April 2018

  Ukraine's state-run Antonov Airlines has said it is willing to provide more cargo planes to NATO after a Russian company said it would halt its …

• Naval Warfare

  Spain's navy wants role in post-Brexit European defence

  29th April 2018

  With naval power Britain at the EU's exit door, Spain has gone on the offensive to be the next major player defending European shores. Madrid's …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Trump administration attacks Chinese drone ‘knock-offs’

  19th April 2018

  The Trump administration is seeking to combat expanding Chinese influence in the international drone market with new export rules which will allow US companies to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA-ASI demos aircraft carrier deck handling for MQ-25

  18th April 2018

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has successfully demonstrated aircraft carrier deck handling as part of its proposed MQ-25 Stingray solution, the company announced on 16 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New target drone complete for Italian operations

  16th April 2018

  After unveiling its new Mirach-40 (M-40) target drone during Paris Air Show 2017 Leonardo has been given the green light to operate the system with the …

• Military Logistics

  US Navy commissions USS Portland

  23rd April 2018

  The US Navy has commissioned its newest amphibious transport dock, USS Portland, at a ceremony at the Port of Portland, Oregon.USS Portland is the 11th …

• Defence Notes

  NATO say North Korea sanctions must stay

  26th April 2018

  The world must maintain sanctions on North Korea until ‘concrete changes’ in its actions are seen, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned on 26 April on …

• Defence Notes

  Saudi intercepts ‘ballistic missile’ fired by Yemeni rebels

  20th April 2018

  Saudi air defences intercepted a ‘ballistic missile’ fired by Yemeni rebels at the kingdom's southern coastal city of Jizan, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels …

• Naval Warfare

  Chinese carrier leads live fire drill in East China Sea

  24th April 2018

  China's sole aircraft carrier has led a flotilla of naval vessels in a ‘live combat drill’ in the East China Sea, the latest show of …

• Special Operations

  Caribbean Special Tactics Center opens

  1st May 2018

  Special operations units across the Caribbean Sea, Central and South America are set to benefit from increasing levels in cooperation and interoperability with the establishment …

• Defence Notes

  Taiwan to conduct live-fire drill simulating China ‘invasion’

  24th April 2018

  Taiwan will practice thwarting a Chinese ‘invasion’ in annual live fire drills in June, simulating surprise coastal assaults to reflect increased military threats from Beijing, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan (SNEP II) which, so far, has seen the procurement of ...

• Military UAS - small

  Shield AI UAVs [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Reported Talks Reporting from the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, the Middle East Eye (MEE) noted that, according to two sources, Saudi Arabia was ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [Qatar]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Gambit [UAE]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munitions [Czech Republic]

  Background KVAČR Concept In February 2024, the Czech Army unveiled the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic (KVAČR) concept, which outlined an increase ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Surion Marine Attack Helicopter [South Korea]

  Programme Background The ROKMC has planned to obtain 24 attack helicopters for the first time. When bidding opened in January 2019, there were five contenders: Bell ...

• Loitering munitions

  Deep-strike, low-cost, loitering munition [India]

  Background Effectiveness of the capability Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on 28 February 2026, which marked the beginning of the 2026 Iran war, ...

• Frigates

  Frigates Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges to enhance its combat capabilities and to replace older vessels. Riyadh has recently embarked on major naval procurement ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  StormFighter [UK]

  Background Project Mosquito and its cancellation Beginning in 2019, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), in collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF), ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a joint ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Watchkeeper X (Uncontracted) [Romania]

  Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a joint ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  WJ-700 [Algeria]

  Forecast Methodology Programme Value Unconfirmed reports show that the completed procurement cost Algeria $145 million in 2022. Quanity Required Reports indicated that Algreia had acquired four ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Morocco]

  Programme Background In November 2021, Haaretz reported that a $22 million drone sale between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Morocco had occurred. That publication and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Samoom

  Unveiled at the World Defence Show 2022, the Samoon is a Saudi Arabian UCAV manufactured by Intra Defence Technologies.  It is powered by Belgian ULPower Aero ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  2800 ASW Patrol Boat

  The 2800 ASW Patrol Boat, developed by Couach, is a vessel designed for ASW operations. Unveiled at the 2022 World Defence Show, the vessel can be ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Cockerill i-X

  The Cockerill i-X is a wheeled armoured vehicle designed as a light armoured platform with a modular turret for intercepting enemy forces. John Cockerill Defense unveiled the new ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Mulhim

  Developed by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Mulhim is a developmental Battle Management System designed for brigade-level and below formations. First unveiled in 2022, it ...

• UAS: communication systems

  SkyARX Ku-18

  CTech SkyARX Ku-18 is a lightweight, SATCOM-on-the-move terminal designed for air applications. The Ku-band terminal supports the secure transmission of full-motion video, data, and mission-critical ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8N

  The PT-8D is an IR system from Overwatch Imaging. It is fitted with multiple HD thermal cameras and has been designed to conduct missions at dusk ...

• 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, ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8D

  Marketed as a cost-effective solution, the PT-8D is a wide-area search and ISR payload from Overwatch Imaging. It features an RGB colour camera and a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Jaser

  The Jaser is an electronically powered loitering munition manufactured by Serb Advanced Industries. It is pneumatically launched, and is qquipped with both day and thermal imaging cameras. At ...

• Air: Displays

  LAD2008DA

  Produced by Psion DSP, LAD2008DA is a 20"x8" Large Area Display for full-glass cockpit applications. It was showcased during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show and the 2023 ...

• Land: RWS

  TEBER-II 30/40

  The Teber II-30/40 is a remote-controlled turret developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS. This RCT is designed to fit tracked or wheeled armour vehicle programs. FNSS ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8DN

  The PT-8DN is a versatile day-night payload from Overwatch Imaging.  It has dual RGB sensors of different focal lengths and an HD LWIR sensor. It also ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  Dzhigit

  Dzhigit is a two-barrel, pedestal air defence missile launcher intended for single or salvo launches of Igla family surface-to-air missiles. Developed in the 1990s, the Dzhigit ...

• Loitering munitions

  Hamza-3

  Egypt’s state-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) unveiled its Hamza-3 at the World Defence Show 2026. It is fitted with cameras and anti-jamming systems, and can ...

• Air: Displays

  RDU-4208 LAD

  ScioTeq RDU-4208 is a 20"x8" Large-Area Display. It features a fully redundant, high-resolution screen with multitouch support. Unveiled in 2022, it was also demonstrated in ...