• Defence Notes

  Coronavirus hits the PLA hard

  4th March 2020

  Chinese society and the national economy are reeling from the COVID-19 outbreak, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is not immune from the coronavirus’ microscopic …

• Military Logistics

  France receives second KC-130J

  10th February 2020

  The French Air Force has received its second KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refueller from Lockheed Martin. The aircraft was delivered to representatives from France’s Armée …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army orders Apache retrofit kits

  29th January 2020

  Boeing has received funding from the US Army for retrofit kits and software development for the Apache attack helicopter, the US Department of Defense announced …

• Land Warfare

  US Army orders more AMPVs

  28th January 2020

  The US Army's effort to replace the Vietnam War-era M113 armoured vehicles currently being used by the US Army’s Armoured Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) took a step …

• Naval Warfare

  First upgraded Hamina-class vessel delivered to Finland

  16th January 2020

  The first modernised Hamina-class vessel has been delivered by Patria to the Finnish Defence Forces. FNS Tornio is one of four vessels that will be …

• Land Warfare

  WFEL to play part in UK Boxer manufacture

  10th February 2020

  A significant portion of the manufacture of the Boxer armoured vehicles to be built for the British Army will take place at WFEL, the company …

• Defence Notes

  DefExpo 2020: India trumpets its supposed ascent with ASAT missile

  7th February 2020

  The largest item in the Defence Research & Development Organisation’s (DRDO) outdoor corral at DefExpo 2020 was an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon. This pride of the …

• Naval Warfare

  China commissions its most sophisticated surface combatant

  14th January 2020

  The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned the largest surface combatant ever built for China’s navy. The first Type 055 guided-missile destroyer was commissioned in …

• Land Warfare

  Canada replaces medium logistics vehicle fleet

  20th February 2020

  The Canadian Armed Forces have completed their Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern programme to replace their fleet of medium logistics vehicles that have been …

• Naval Warfare

  Maritime Strike Tomahawk development delayed

  16th January 2020

  Programme prioritisation factors have contributed to a delayed IOC for the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST), with the milestone not now expected to be achieved this year.  …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DroneShield progresses on xTechSearch programme

  28th January 2020

  DroneShield will advance to Phase III of the US Army’s Expeditionary Technology Search (xTechSearch) programme, the company announced on 27 January. The company’s selection follows …

• Defence Helicopter

  National Technologies Associates receives US DoD IDIQ contract

  28th January 2020

  National Technologies Associates will support the US Presidential Helicopters Program Office under a $104.9 million IDIQ contract announced by the US Department of Defense on …

• Naval Warfare

  India seeks subs and shuffles Sukhois to counter China

  23rd January 2020

  India’s top naval leader has said that seven to eight Chinese warships, including submarines, are present in the Indian Ocean at any one time. To …

• Land Warfare

  French MoD announces digital innovations for the army

  24th February 2020

  France is increasing its efforts to simplify and optimise infantry operations by improving the routine use of network technology.  In early February, the French Ministry …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lockheed Martin awarded MH-60R/S PBL contract

  4th February 2020

  Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by US Naval Supply Systems Command to support weapon replaceable assemblies on the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters. The …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [US]

  Programme Background The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) system is a heavily modified and militarized derivative of Boeing's 737-800 ERX commercial aircraft. The P-8A is ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [UK]

  Programme Background In July 2016, the UK government announced that it had ordered nine aircraft for service with the RAF. Under this frame, in January ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy

  Programme Background The Marine Corps is replacing its aging CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K ...

• Frigates

  Second-hand LCS [Greece]

  Programme Background Timeline In January 2024, Tasos Chatzivasileiou, a Member of the Hellenic Parliament and Secretary General of the Standing Committee of National Defence and Foreign ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 [USN]

  Programme Background Timeline The US Navy LCU 1700 amphibious landing craft are being procured to replace the ageing LCU 1610 class, which has an average ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy Follow-On

  Programme Background The Marine Corps is replacing its ageing CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• US Navy T-44C training services

  In late 2013, CAE received a contract to provide the USN with comprehensive T-44C aircrew training services at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. CAE USA is ...

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR. 

• Military - USVs

  Voyager

  Voyager is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) built by US-based Saildrone. Voyager has been used by the US Navy (USN) and is one of three ...

• Destroyers

  Kee Lung (Kidd) Class

  The Kee Lung-class consists of four ex-US Kidd-class guided missile destroyers in service with the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). The ships were originally built for ...

• Military - UUVs

  Orca

  Orca is an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) developed by Boeing for the US Navy (USN).

• Military - UUVs

  Mission Specialist Defender

  The Mission Specialist Defender is a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) developed by VideoRay, now part of BlueHalo's unmanned maritime systems. The ROV is known ...

• Military - USVs

  Explorer

  Saildrone's Explorer is the smallest of three USVs designed and built by the US-based USV manufacturer Saildrone. The system is used by the US Navy (USN) ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer

  The MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is currently in use with the US Navy.

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Integrated Combat System

  The Integrated Combat System (ICS) is a combat management system being developed for the US Navy. The project, currently led by Lockheed Martin, aims to ...

• Military - UUVs

  Snakehead LDUUV

  The Snakehead Large Displacement Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) is a US Navy (USN) Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designed to be launched from submarine Dry Dock Shelters ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD)

  The XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD) is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM1198.

• Data links

  GNOMAD US Domestic

  The US domestic version of GNOMAD (see separate entry) is a ruggedised system comprising a satellite antenna and baseband modular chassis that can be installed ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM950 Target Practice Round

  The XM950 Target Practice Round is a 30mm medium calibre training round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM950 for training with its ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)

  The Navy Multiband Terminal is the next-generation maritime military SATCOM for the US Navy and allied nations. The terminal integrates EHF and AEHF systems with ...