• Defence Notes

  Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending

  8th August 2025

  Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.

• Air Warfare

  China’s modernisation could “gradually erode” US advantage, says IISS

  13th February 2025

  China’s growing capabilities, such as newly unveiled combat aircraft designs and ongoing J-20 aircraft production, were noted as examples of the country's rapid modernisation efforts and military reforms.

• Land Warfare

  Czech government developing a plan for air defence beyond 2030 alongside NATO integration

  24th October 2025

  The Czech Armed Forces is set to receive four Israeli-made SPYDER long-range missile defence systems, the first of which was delivered earlier this year. They will be a key part of the country’s multilayered air defence system.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia drops CV90 plan as it shifts towards uncrewed systems and firepower

  13th April 2026

  The country is scaling back its reliance on heavy battlefield equipment in favour of upgrading existing platforms and investing in firepower, mobility, unmanned systems and situational awareness.

• Land Warfare

  TROPHY® APS: Revolutionizing Ground Maneuver Operations

  20th August 2025

  TROPHY® APS revolutionizes combat maneuverability, safeguarding crews and vehicles while enabling operations in complex terrains.

• Air Warfare

  Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance

  12th June 2025

  New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.

• Air Warfare

  Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line

  24th December 2024

  Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: DroneShield sets sights on Europe thanks to surge in CUAS demand

  9th September 2025

  The Australian-based CUAS technology specialist is responding to a marked shift in global appetite as it looks to branch out to an unspecified western European country early next year.

• Land Warfare

  Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts

  8th July 2025

  Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?

• Air Warfare

  Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network

  17th September 2025

  Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include uncrewed aerial systems.

• Land Warfare

  The path to a safer future – why technological innovation is key to successful mine clearance

  8th June 2026

  Landmines continue to present a persistent and constantly evolving global threat, and advances in technology are improving how the challenges posed by minefields are managed, while reducing risks to human life. The growing capabilities of autonomous and robotic systems, coupled with advanced sensor capabilities, are now fuelling industry’s responses to this pervasive danger.

• Land Warfare

  New agreement signed and another order for CV90s

  24th November 2025

  More than 1,800 BAE Systems Hägglunds CV90 armoured personnel carriers/infantry fighting vehicles have been ordered by European countries, with some looking at the platform as an option for a light tank.

• Defence Notes

  Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan

  11th December 2025

  Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy destroyer completes UAV live-fire exercise before heading to the Indo-Pacific

  3rd April 2025

  HMS Dauntless ran a full UAV test to mimic potential real-world threats.

• Naval Warfare

  Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation

  10th October 2025

  Satellite navigation is increasingly critical for global maritime defence, and Low Earth Orbit satellites are rapidly overtaking the traditional and more widely used Medium Earth Orbit option as they are less susceptible to jamming or spoofing.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16 Block 52 Pakistan

  Programme Background The 2016 FMS was proposed to the US Congress as a way to help increase Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations. ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter [Morocco]

  Programme Background 2019 In March 2019, the US State Department announced that it had approved a possible FMS of 25 F-16V Block 72 aircraft to ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (Jordan)

  Programme Background On 3 February 2022, the US State Department announced that it has approved a potential sale of 12 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft,  four ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Data links

  Data links | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (1-8) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background Requirement Bulgarian MoD plans to procure 16 new-built fighter aircraft to replace its fleet of 15 Russian-manufactured MiG-29 fighters. Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (9-16) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background In April 2022, the US State Department approved a potential FMS worth $1.673 million to procure eight F-16Vs to Bulgaria. The aircraft are ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: air combat simulators

  USAF F-16 Training System

  L3Harris Technologies is supporting approximately 180 F-16 pilot and maintenance trainers as part of the USAF’s F-16 Training System. Programme contract options extend through 2019. ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16C/D Block 50/52/52+

  A member of the F-16 Fighting Falcon family, the F-16C/D Block 50/52 ('C' single-seat, 'D' dual-seat) is a third-generation multirole fighter that was rolled out ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16E/F Block 60

  The F-16E/F Block 60/61 ('E' single-seat, 'F' dual-seat) is a fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft introduced as part of the Fighting Falcon family. It is also ...

• EO/IR systems

  DB/MS-110

  The DB-110 is a long-range oblique photography (LOROP) EO/IR dual-band sensor that combines visible and IR imaging. MS-110 represents the next generation of the widely deployed ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Air: chaff/flare/decoy systems

  AN/ALE-47A(V)

  The ALE-47 is an airborne counter-measures dispenser system manufactured by BAE Systems, though the system was originally designed by Tracor. ALE-47 counters threats by identifying ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70/72

  The F-16 Block 70/72, also referred to as the F-16V, is a fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft. It is the latest version of Lockheed Martin's F-16 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16C/D Block 25, 30/32, 40/42

  The F-16C/D ('C' one-seat, 'D' two-seat designation) is the second generation of the F-16 Fighting Falcon family. The production of the F-16C/D began in 1983 with ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  AGM-158B JASSM-ER

  The AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) is an American air-launched, precision standoff cruise missile and the extended-range version of the base JASSM.

• Air: air combat simulators

  F-16 FMS

  Elbit System's FMS for the Block 15, 30/40 and 52 F-16 fighters simulates all aircraft systems, emergencies and weapon deliveries. An F-16I simulator system has ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines, Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  F110-GE-129

  The F110-GE-129, manufactured by GE Aviation, is a derivative of the F110-GE-100 engine, sharing 81% of parts with the GE-100. The GE-129 engine is in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  I-HUD2

  The I-HUD2 is a modernised display for the F-16 platform, which is based on the base F-16 HUD in service with the US Air Force ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM, UAS: communication systems

  MR6000R/L (AN/ARC-238)

  Rohde&Schwarz; MR6000R/L software-defined radios are multiband, airborne transceivers that are part of the M3AR product family. They are integrated into fixed-wing, rotary wing and UAS platforms of ...

• 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 ...

• Data links

  MIDS-LVT(1) (ViaSat)

  MIDS-LVT(1) adds Link 16 communications to airborne and maritime platforms. It provides all operational modes of the Link 16 waveform, and implements the required MIDS ...