• Defence Notes

  UK pushes back on Chinese E-7 spy fears

  19th January 2021

  Links between China and repurposed Boeing 737 aircraft are not thought to represent a national security threat for the UK, despite a national newspaper suggesting otherwise.

• Naval Warfare

  Safe Boats wins pre-production work on two Mk VI boats for Ukraine

  6th January 2021

  Deal is part of a wider $600 million FMS package.

• Defence Notes

  Brexit leaves future UK-EU defence relationship undefined

  22nd January 2021

  ​More clarity is needed on how a post-Brexit UK, with its ambitions for ‘Global Britain’, regards mainland Europe in terms of defence and security.

• Air Warfare

  QinetiQ to deliver engineering services for Typhoon

  5th January 2021

  ​Contract forms second part of Phased Enhancement Programme for the multi-role fighter.

• Naval Warfare

  USN unmanned ambitions face a crucial year

  20th January 2021

  Hurdles await the USN in its effort to developed greater unmanned capabilities as Congress remains to be convinced.

• Naval Warfare

  Analysis – the EU and maritime power projection

  29th January 2021

  With another renewal of the mandate of the long-running EU maritime security mission in the waters off the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula, the EUNAVFOR deployment looks to have entered a new era.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Egypt seeks more advanced UAV capabilities

  14th January 2021

  Egypt is believed to be interested in the Falco Xplorer ISR platform, in keeping with a strong defence business relationship between Italy and the North African country.

• Defence Notes

  Sweden pledges surge in cyber investment

  13th January 2021

  Sweden will improve the cyber defence capabilities of the armed forces under the Total Defence Bill 2021-2025, including measures to enhance inter-service cooperation in this area.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Operational flexibility is the secret to the Northrop Grumman Firebird's success (Studio)

  15th December 2020

  Firebird offers operators a tailorable solution, enabling maximum mission flexibility and widening the potential customer base for manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

• Naval Warfare

  In focus — the IRGC(N) and its strategic effect

  11th January 2021

  Formed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has developed a unique approach to maritime force projection, and represents the force of choice for Tehran when it wants to bring about a strategic effect in the Gulf region and beyond

• Digital Battlespace

  What is MOJO? (sponsored video)

  19th November 2020

  Viasat’s Move Out/Jump Off terminal allows operational commanders at the tactical edge to receive the best possible levels of situational awareness required to do their job.

• Naval Warfare

  Attack-class combat systems spin through third R&D cycle

  18th November 2020

  Lockheed Martin awards contracts to research topics ranging from innovative cable management to electronically steered arrays

• Land Warfare

  EU member states sign a deal to develop the European standard UGS

  17th December 2020

  Seven EU member states, a consortium composed of European companies and the European Commission signed a €32,6 million ($ 39.68 million) agreement under the iMUGS project. This deal will allow the group to start working on the European standard unmanned terrestrial system.

• Digital Battlespace

  What is an STT? Small Tactical Terminal (sponsored video)

  17th November 2020

  The KOR-24A STT extends the ability of warfighters to conduct real-time communications and increase interoperability in austere environments.

• Digital Battlespace

  France looks to enhance space capabilities

  14th December 2020

  Safran is leading a largely secretive SIGINT effort to detect RF emissions from satellites.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Next Generation Submarines [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements Japan typically only keeps submarines in service for around 20 years, a relatively short time for modern warships. The Next Generation Submarine is, ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  Light Combat Helicopter (India - Army)

  Programme Background Requirement India's requirement for light attack helicopters capable of operating at high altitudes became apparent during the 1999 Kargil War. Originally planned to reach ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [UAE]

  Programme Background Surprise Delivery Baykar, in a statement of its 2024 achievements, stated that it had delivered two Akinci UAVs to the UAE, one in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A add-on [Belgium]

  Programme Background In order to fulfil pressing operational requirements, at the end of April 2025 Belgian leadership announced a new procurement of F-35A fighters; officials emphasised that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Forecast [Indonesia]

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• Main battle tanks

  Leopard 2A4 [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background  The Czech Republic currently operates a small fleet of T-72s, which, while undergoing upgrades and life extension programmes, are increasingly obsolete. In October ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [Indonesia]

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Buque de Acción Marítima - (7-8) [Spain]

  In May 2023, multiple Spanish media outlets reported that the Spanish Navy began the design studies for two new Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM) with ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Buque de Acción Marítima - (7-8) [Spain]

  In May 2023, multiple Spanish media outlets reported that the Spanish Navy began the design studies for two new Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM) with ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Fast Attack Vessel 250 (1-10) [Egypt]

  At NAVDEX 2023, Shephard understood that DIV M.E.S. and NVL are discussing with Egypt to supply the Egyptian Navy with up to ten FAV 250). ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Fast Attack Vessel 250 (1-10) [Egypt]

  At NAVDEX 2023, Shephard understood that DIV M.E.S. and NVL are discussing with Egypt to supply the Egyptian Navy with up to ten FAV 250). ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Future Submarine Acquisition [Philippines]

  The Philippines is looking into acquiring at least two diesel-electric submarines to form a submarine arm for the country. They currently do not operate any ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Future Submarine Acquisition [Philippines]

  The Philippines is looking into acquiring at least two diesel-electric submarines to form a submarine arm for the country. They currently do not operate any ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Horizon 3 - Submarines Procurement Programme [Philippines]

  The Philippines is looking into acquiring at least two diesel-electric submarines to form a submarine arm for the country. They currently do not operate any ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  IRB

  The Impact Rugged Baseband Kits (IRBs) are standalone or stackable ruggedised communications terminals enabling rapid configuration and deployment options across fixed and mobile platforms. The ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  IPS-250X

  The IPS-250X is an inline network encryptor that creates secure IP connections with US warfighters and government agencies, without the deployment limitations, logistics and lifecycle ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  LiteHUD

  BAE Systems' LiteHUD is a low-profile head-up display compatible with various aircraft ranging from conventional turboprops to next-generation fighter jets. 

• UAS: communication systems

  Black ICE Medium

  A member of Inmarsat's Black ICE family of SDR modems, Black ICE Medium provides secure BLoS communications for uncrewed and crewed aerial platforms. Notably, it is ...

• UAS: communication systems

  ORION X630

  The ORION X630 is a very small form-factor, two-channel MIMO tactical radio ideally suited for Vertical Height Antennas (VHA), uncrewed platforms, or any other application ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  R&S M3xR

  The R&S; M3xR family of radios is a generation of digital radios that can be used in mobile (manpack and vehicular form factor), stationary/shipborne (19in ...

• Data links

  Voyager

  The Klas Telecom Voyager system of systems is a modular scalable baseband product designed to meet the requirements of military communicators. It consists of a ...

• Land: battle management systems

  RPCS

  The Remote Payload Control Station (RPCS) is a third-level remote video terminal. It is designed for receiving real-time images directly from unmanned platforms (UAV, USV, ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Flat Panel Manpack SATCOM

  Produced by ST Engineering, the Flat Panel Manpack SATCOM terminal provides Ku-band communications in a compact form factor. 

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  MILOR

  The Miniature Integrated eLORAN Receiver (MILOR) is claimed to offer the smallest eLORAN location, timing and tracking solution available. Utilising the eLORAN system to provide ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir IR optics optimised for 10-12µm LWIR detectors

  Ophir, addressing the new market shift in the direction of 10-12μm detectors, is offering a wide collection of lenses, optimised to meet the needs of ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Harris Airborne Multi-Channel Radio (HAMR)

  The Harris Airborne Multichannel Radio (HAMR) is a two-channel wideband radio designed to deliver voice, high-speed IP-networked data and full-motion video. It uses VHF/UHF networks ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/ARC-232

  The AN/ARC-232(V) Starblazer is a single-channel radio that supports fixed- and rotary-wing applications. Designed by Raytheon, it is available in panel and remote mount variants.

• Data links

  TTR

  Offered through Data Link Solutions (DLS) – Rockwell Collins' joint venture with BAE Systems – TacNet Tactical Radio (TTR) is claimed to be the smallest ...

• Parvus DuraCOR 312

  The Parvus DuraCOR 312 is an Ultra-Small Form Factor (USFF) modular mission computer unveiled by Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions in November 2016. The DuraCOR 312 is ...