• Defence Notes

  Boeing 1Q profits jump, lifts 2018 forecast

  25th April 2018

  Boeing reported a surge in Q1 profits on 25 April and lifted its full-year earnings forecast following a strong performance in commercial aviation and defence …

• Naval Warfare

  RSN’s sixth LMV launched

  29th March 2018

  Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) has launched the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN's) sixth Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Fortitude, the company announced on 24 March.  …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSA 2018: Malaysian MD 530Gs approach their Destini

  19th April 2018

  When the Malaysian Army ordered its six MD 530G scout helicopters from MD Helicopters, as announced on 1 February 2016, the first aircraft were to …

• Digital Battlespace

  Blighter books Indian Blighter order

  26th April 2018

  Blighter Surveillance Systems has received a contract for its Blighter B400 series E-scan micro Doppler ground surveillance radars from India’s Tata Power Company, Blighter announced …

• 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 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Airbus Helicopters, Schiebel demo MUM-T

  27th April 2018

  Airbus Helicopters and Schiebel have demonstrated Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities between an H145 helicopter and Camcopter S-100 UAS, Airbus announced on 24 April.The flights …

• Training

  Poland orders four more M-346 AJTs

  29th March 2018

  Leonardo has signed an agreement with the Armament Inspectorate of the Polish Ministry of National Defence to supply four additional M-346 Advanced Jet Trainers, the …

• Defence Notes

  Airbus and Dassault to team up on combat fighter

  25th April 2018

  Airbus and Dassault Aviation announced on 25 April that they intend to team up on the development of the future French-German combat fighter, a project …

• Digital Battlespace

  Insight: How intel assets laid the groundwork for Syria strikes

  20th April 2018

  The coordinated strikes against Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons facilities in the early hours of 14 April were a significant show of force by the US, …

• Land Warfare

  Lasers are coming, but are personnel protected?

  23rd April 2018

  The US Army’s recent tests of high-energy laser systems, including on the Stryker combat vehicle, illustrates a potential problem with their use; the safety of personnel …

• Naval Warfare

  Deadline looms for NZ P-8 purchase

  23rd April 2018

  The deadline for a decision on whether the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) can order the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is approaching. New Zealand …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  European MALE UAS finally revealed

  26th April 2018

  The European MALE RPAS has been revealed at the ILA Berlin Air Show on 26 April during a sound and light show accompanied by clouds of …

• Defence Notes

  China flies bombers around Taiwan

  19th April 2018

  Chinese bombers and spy planes have flown around Taiwan, the air force said on 19 April as Taipei accused Beijing of trying to stoke regional …

• Military Logistics

  US Air Force exploring C2 modules for C-17

  16th April 2018

  The US Air Force is developing a programme designed to optionally enhance the C2 infrastructure aboard selected C-17A Globemaster III aircraft. Designated as the C-17 Roll-On Conference …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSA 2018: Wuxi confirms UAV sales to Indonesia and Malaysia

  24th April 2018

  A representative at the Wuxi-based Jiangsu Digital Eagle Technology Development Company confirmed the first overseas sales of its YFT-CZ36 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing …

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 - multirole

  J-31/FC-31

  The J-31 (also known as the 'Falcon Eagle' in Chinese) is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter domestically developed by China. Its export variant is designated as ...