• Defence Notes

  ADECS 2018: Show preview (video)

  29th January 2018

  Shephard editor Helen Haxell gives an overview of the topics that are likely to form a part of the dialogue at ADECS 2018 across the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Elbit’s Mercury Radio System achieves UK FOC

  5th January 2018

  Elbit Systems’ Mercury Radio System has achieved full operational capability (FOC) and is now in service with the UK's Army Cadet Force (ACF), the company …

• Training

  Taiwan holds live-fire drills as China tensions mount

  30th January 2018

  Taiwan troops staged live-fire exercises on 30 January to simulate fending off an invasion, as the island's main threat China steps up pressure on President …

• Defence Notes

  French defence spending spike to hit NATO target

  8th February 2018

  France has announced plans to boost defence spending by more than 40%, bringing it into line with NATO targets after complaints from US President Donald …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Air Force in SUAS survey mission hunt

  29th January 2018

  The US Air Force is challenging industry to submit a proposal for a fixed-wing small UAS (SUAS) of less than 1.3kg (3lb), according to an …

• Military Logistics

  ADECS 2018: India awaits submarine rescue equipment

  25th January 2018

  JFD, formerly known as James Fisher Defence, will despatch two much-needed submarine rescue systems to India in March. The acquisition of two systems will allow …

• Naval Warfare

  Socarenam wins utility craft order from DGA

  29th January 2018

  The French shipyard Socarenam has received an order from the General Directorate of Armament (DGA) for the supply of a maritime and port security craft …

• Defence Notes

  Head of US Marines Osprey unit sacked

  2nd February 2018

  The US Marines Corps have sacked the commander of its Japan-based Osprey squadron ‘due to loss of trust,’ US officials said on 2 February, following …

• Land Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2018: NGAFV to reach Singapore Army next year

  7th February 2018

  ST Kinetics will begin production of its Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) ‘soon’, the company said, as the tracked vehicle made its first appearance …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Protector deliveries yet to be finalised as IOC looms

  25th January 2018

  As development of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian continues with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA‑ASI) announcing the first SATCOM taxi of the system, the timeline for first deliveries of …

• Training

  AECOM receives rotary wing training services contract

  22nd January 2018

  AECOM has received a nine-year contract from the US Army to provide rotary wing flight training instructor support services at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the company …

• Naval Warfare

  Will the budget prepare the US Navy for a war with China?

  2nd February 2018

  With an eye on conventional warfare with China and Russia, Pentagon leaders say they are preparing for a maritime fight. But questions loom as to …

• Special Operations

  New life preserver sought for US Army parachute ops

  22nd January 2018

  Representatives at the US Army’s Natick Soldier System Center have begun the search for a new life preserver designed for use during airborne operations. According …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM eyes contractor owned and operated UAS

  23rd January 2018

  The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is currently seeking information on a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) UAS for future ISR missions. USSOCOM has stipulated the …

• Land Warfare

  Delivery of first Ajax variant imminent

  29th January 2018

  British Army training units are preparing for the imminent delivery of the first Ajax variant after the completion of government acceptance testing (GAT). The first …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - micro

  eBee Vision [US]

  Background Multiple orders In November 2025, the US Army acquired three eBee Vision systems to enhance training operations at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Germany. A ...

• Military UAS - small

  Thor [Israel]

  Background Various Contracts On 3 December 2024, the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced it had purchased “advanced drones and autonomous systems” from Elbit Systems in various ...

• Maritime patrol

  Long Range Patrol Aircraft [The Philippines]

  Programme Background On 10 July 2023, Elbit Systems announced that it had secured a contract for two long-range patrol aircraft. Although the customer was not ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Kenya]

  Programme Background Training On 23 August 2024, Baykar posted on social media that trainees from Kenya had completed their Bayraktar TB2 training at the Baykar Flight ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Hermes 900 (Uganda)

  Programme Background In September 2018, The East African reported that Uganda had received 24 Hermes 900 platforms from Elbit Systems. Evidence of the platform being ...

• Military UAS - small

  Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project [UK]

  Programme Background Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project The British Army launched the RAS project to provide the "direction required to exploit emerging technologies to ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  ReDrone [Romania]

  Background Romania signed a contract with Elbit Systems to receive its ReDrone multi-layered unmanned air defense systems (C-UAS). The ReDrone is equipped with a DAiR ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Magni-X [Albania]

  Background Larger Deal In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania announced that Elbit Systems would supply Albania with various military ...

• Trainer

  M-346 [Greece]

  Background Contract award In April 2021, Elbit Systems was awarded a $1.65 billion contract to set up Hellenic Air Force International Flight Training Centre. The deal ...

• Military UAS - small

  Thor [Albania]

  Background Larger Deal In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania announced that Elbit Systems would supply Albania with various military ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Magni-X (1-350) [Austria]

  Background Contract Various outlets reported in mid-2025 that the Austrian Armed Forces had acquired 315 Magni-X UAVs from Elbit Systems. The contract was concluded with the German branch of ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - small

  Company Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (SUAS) Directed Requirement (DR) [US Army]

  Background Requirement The US Army approved the Co-Level SUAS DR acquisition in June 2023 to supply Brigade Combat Teams with an “immediate, commercially available capability” to meet ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  ReDrone [Netherlands]

  Background In 2023 the Netherlands signed a contract with Israeli company Elbit Systems to supply an unspecified number of its ReDrone C-UAS for $55 million.  ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: air combat simulators

  Air Combat Training

  Boeing has experience in delivering training for fixed-wing air combat platforms including F-15C/E, F-16, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-22 and MV/CV-22.

• Air: UAV simulators

  UAV Simulators

  Elbit Systems has developed simulation systems to train personnel in UAV operation, from generic UAV training for initial screening procedures up to full mission, high-fidelity ...

• 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. ...

• Air: Displays

  F-16 Center Pedestal Display

  Produced by Elbit Systems of America, the F-16 Center Pedestal Display (CPD) provides a high-resolution colour display that replaces several legacy instruments on F-16 aircraft. 

• Land: C2 simulators

  BGSC

  The Battle Group Simulation Center (BGSC) is a commander’s open training tool for doctrine and tactics. BGSC uses AI-based, adaptive-behaviour CGF. Applications include: conventional and ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  SkyBreaker

  Elbit Systems' SkyBreaker is an airborne Mission Training Centre that enables networked training between various trainees and platforms, including a range of air force platforms. ...

• Air: mission management systems

  Naval Command Center

  The Elbit Systems Naval Command Center (NCC) provides the infrastructure, systems and functionality required to achieve maritime domain awareness in conjunction with applicable means, evaluating ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  Live Training System for Air Defence

  Elbit Systems' Live Training System for Air Defence is integrated on various short- and medium-range air defence systems. The Live Training System provides networked and ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Instrumented Ground Combat Training Systems

  Cubic supplies combat training systems for CTCs, homestations and forward-deployed environments. The systems are designed to support missions including force-on-force, urban operations, joint, combined arms ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  VMTS

  Elbit Systems' Virtual Mission Training System (VMTS) provides realistic training at a reduced cost in a fighter-like environment, claims the company. Using a data link, ...

• Major networking projects

  DAP

  Israel’s Digital Army Program (DAP) offers interoperability of tri-service (air, land, sea) platforms and sensors for force-wide collaboration. The system is implemented in the IDF ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Magni-X

  Magni-X is a mini rotary-wing UAV from Elbit Systems. The aircraft was first unveiled in 2019 and was designed specifically for Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) operations ...

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  M769 Full Range Practice Round

  The M769 Full Range Practice Round is a 60mm mortar training round developed by the US Army's Armament Center and the Picatinny Arsenal.

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Tzofit Training Centre

  In June 2009, Elbit inaugurated the Beechcraft King Air B200 Tzofit Training Centre for IDF pilots. Elbit Systems serves as the project’s prime contractor, while ...