• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2016: And that's a wrap

  5th March 2016

  As Heli-Expo 2016 draws to a close, Editor Richard Thomas looks back at some of the highlights from the Airbus Helicopters booth and what the …

• Training

  US, Japan conduct joint training

  4th March 2016

  Units from the US Navy conducted a Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) units in February, the US Navy announced …

• Land Warfare

  Alcoa to lighten combat vehicles

  4th March 2016

  Alcoa has received a five-year contract from the US Army for research and development (R&D) projects involving the development of lightweight solutions for ground combat …

• Training

  UK invests in Wiltshire training camp

  4th March 2016

  The UK Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is investing £2.4 million in upgrades at the New Zealand Farm camp on Salisbury Plain training area in Wiltshire, …

• Training

  ROCAF Invests in F-16 MTC

  4th March 2016

  The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) is currently undergoing a period of turmoil with budgetary pressures and political intervention from the People’s Republic of …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2016: Era Group considers AW609 for EMS

  2nd March 2016

  Era Group is working with Finmeccanica Helicopter Division to further develop the AW609 tiltrotor for EMS missions, following the signing of an agreement at Heli-Expo. …

• Defence Helicopter

  H160 and H175 Flight Experiences at Heli-Expo 2016

  2nd March 2016

  At this year's Heli-Expo, Airbus Helicopters has taken a slightly different approach to its booth set up. Richard Thomas spoke to the company about some …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2016: Airbus eyes US and Chile for H215

  1st March 2016

  Airbus Helicopters is due to begin an extensive marketing campaign this year centred on its 9t H215 helicopter, with the platform touring both North and …

• Digital Battlespace

  Three firms selected for manpack contract

  1st March 2016

  The US Army has selected three companies - Harris, General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins - to compete for a potential ten-year, $12.7 billion contract to …

• Training

  USMC simulator to get more weapons

  1st March 2016

  Cubic Global Defense (CGD) has been awarded contracts worth $3.7 million to integrate new weapons into the US Marine Corps’ (USMC's) Squad Immersive Training Environment …

• Digital Battlespace

  CVA/H weapon system reaches FOC

  1st March 2016

  The US Air Force Space Command's (AFSC) Cyberspace Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H) weapon system has reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) status. The system is now ready …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2016: Black Hawks set loose on civil market

  29th February 2016

  The presence of three civil configured UH-60 Black Hawks has added an extra dimension to this year's Heli-Expo, as companies prepare to start selling the …

• Military Logistics

  USAF receives T56 engine upgrade kits

  29th February 2016

  Rolls-Royce has delivered the first T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits to the US Air Force (USAF) for its C-130H transport fleet. The upgrades are …

• Training

  Canada orders Bell 412/429 simulator

  26th February 2016

  CAE has been contracted by Public Works and Government Services Canada to provide a CAE 3000 Series helicopter simulator for the Bell 429 and Bell …

• Military Logistics

  Iraq requests KA-350 support package

  26th February 2016

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible sale of KA-350 sustainment, logistics, and spares support to Iraq, it was announced on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan (SNEP II) which, so far, has seen the procurement of ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [Qatar]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Haboob [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Licence production In April 2020, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) announced that it had granted NTRA Defense Technologies a licence to produce ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Gambit [UAE]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Military UAS - small

  Shield AI UAVs [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Reported talks Reporting from the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, the Middle East Eye (MEE) noted that, according to two sources, Saudi Arabia was ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M (National Guard) [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Broader order The Saudi Arabian UH-60M order in 2017 was part of a broader contract with the US Army, which covered 257 total helicopters ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munitions [Czech Republic]

  Background KVAČR Concept In February 2024, the Czech Army unveiled the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic (KVAČR) concept, which outlined an increase ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Hawk Mk 165 Advanced Jet Trainer- Saudi Arabia

  Background Requirement The Hawk Mk 165 fleet will be used to train Saudi pilots before they transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15 in service with RSAF.  Under ...

• Frigates

  Frigates Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges to enhance its combat capabilities and to replace older vessels. Riyadh has recently embarked on major naval procurement ...

• Loitering munitions

  Deep-strike, low-cost, loitering munition [India]

  Background Effectiveness of the capability Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on 28 February 2026, which marked the beginning of the 2026 Iran war, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kaan [Saudi Arabia]

  Background 2024 and 2025 discussions Reports in the Saudi Arabian interest in the Kaan aircraft first emerged in 2024 during a visit of the commander ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Surion Marine Attack Helicopter [South Korea]

  Programme Background The ROKMC has planned to obtain 24 attack helicopters for the first time. When bidding opened in January 2019, there were five contenders: Bell ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  StormFighter [UK]

  Background Project Mosquito and its cancellation Beginning in 2019, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), in collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF), ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its older ...

• 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 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Samoom

  Unveiled at the World Defence Show 2022, the Samoon is a Saudi Arabian UCAV manufactured by Intra Defence Technologies.  It is powered by Belgian ULPower Aero ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  2800 ASW Patrol Boat

  The 2800 ASW Patrol Boat, developed by Couach, is a vessel designed for ASW operations. Unveiled at the 2022 World Defence Show, the vessel can be ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Cockerill i-X

  The Cockerill i-X is a wheeled armoured vehicle designed as a light armoured platform with a modular turret for intercepting enemy forces. John Cockerill Defense unveiled the new ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Mulhim

  Developed by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Mulhim is a developmental Battle Management System designed for brigade-level and below formations. First unveiled in 2022, it ...

• UAS: communication systems

  SkyARX Ku-18

  CTech SkyARX Ku-18 is a lightweight, SATCOM-on-the-move terminal designed for air applications. The Ku-band terminal supports the secure transmission of full-motion video, data, and mission-critical ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8N

  The PT-8D is an IR system from Overwatch Imaging. It is fitted with multiple HD thermal cameras and has been designed to conduct missions at dusk ...

• Military UAS - mini

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8D

  Marketed as a cost-effective solution, the PT-8D is a wide-area search and ISR payload from Overwatch Imaging. It features an RGB colour camera and a ...

• Air: Displays

  LAD2008DA

  Produced by Psion DSP, LAD2008DA is a 20"x8" Large Area Display for full-glass cockpit applications. It was showcased during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show and the 2023 ...

• Land: RWS

  TEBER-II 30/40

  The Teber II-30/40 is a remote-controlled turret developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS. This RCT is designed to fit tracked or wheeled armour vehicle programs. FNSS ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8DN

  The PT-8DN is a versatile day-night payload from Overwatch Imaging.  It has dual RGB sensors of different focal lengths and an HD LWIR sensor. It also ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  Dzhigit

  Dzhigit is a two-barrel, pedestal air defence missile launcher intended for single or salvo launches of Igla family surface-to-air missiles. Developed in the 1990s, the Dzhigit ...

• Loitering munitions

  Hamza-3

  Egypt’s state-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) unveiled its Hamza-3 at the World Defence Show 2026. It is fitted with cameras and anti-jamming systems, and can ...

• Air: Displays

  RDU-4208 LAD

  ScioTeq RDU-4208 is a 20"x8" Large-Area Display. It features a fully redundant, high-resolution screen with multitouch support. Unveiled in 2022, it was also demonstrated in ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  D-Tiger

  Thai Defense Industry (TDI) unveiled its D-Tiger 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle at Defense & Security 2022 in Bangkok. The D-Tiger is aimed at export sales, with ...