• Digital Battlespace

  Cubic completes GATR acquisition

  4th February 2016

  Cubic has completed its acquisition of GATR Technologies after receiving the final US regulatory approval for the purchase, it announced on 2 February. Cubic acquired …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UK confirms Zephyr purchase

  3rd February 2016

  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will invest in two Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) in a deal worth £10.6 million. The contract will …

• Defence Helicopter

  India gets last Mi-17V-5 helicopters

  3rd February 2016

  Russian Helicopters has delivered the last batch of Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters to India, the company announced on 2 February.  A total of 151 Mi-17V5 …

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall awarded Skyguard contract

  3rd February 2016

  Rheinmetall has been awarded a $425.39 million order by an undisclosed international customer to modernise its Skyguard air defence systems, the company announced on 2 …

• Naval Warfare

  Malaysia to allow armed guards

  3rd February 2016

  With Southeast Asia the worst region globally for piracy attacks last year, one new course of action taken by Malaysia is to permit armed guards …

• Land Warfare

  US GMD system completes test

  2nd February 2016

  A Boeing-led team successfully tested improvements to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, validating system components with its partners and the US Missile Defense Agency, …

• Training

  Thales opens Norway Training Centre

  1st February 2016

  Thales officially opened its Norway Training Centre on 27 January, and is set to commence the first training programmes at the facility.   The centre …

• Naval Warfare

  CCG monster deploys to SCS

  1st February 2016

  The China Coast Guard (CCG) has delivered a statement of intent with its deployment of the largest coast guard vessel in the world to the …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky provides early challenge for Lockheed

  28th January 2016

  Lockheed Martin executives predict a sharp fall in commercial helicopter sales due to the poor state of the oil and gas market. Following the company’s …

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall forms Vehicle Systems division

  27th January 2016

  Rheinmetall will form a new division called ‘Vehicle Systems’, under which the company will consolidate its defence military vehicle activities, it was announced on 25 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New payload software for AFSOC MQ-9s

  27th January 2016

  The development of a new line of software for the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will enable the fielding of ‘new payloads’ on …

• Defence Helicopter

  Airbus and Mahindra strengthen partnership

  27th January 2016

  Airbus Helicopters and Mahindra Defence announced further solidification of their ‘Make in India’ partnership on 24 January. This followed an initial MoU signed in July …

• Naval Warfare

  India steps up maritime surveillance

  27th January 2016

  India is tightening its monitoring of strategic entry points into the Indian Ocean after it emerged the Indian Navy (IN) deployed for the first time …

• Training

  MilSim Asia: AviationLearn delves into unmanned sector

  26th January 2016

  One of the few domestic companies to exhibit at MilSim Asia 2016 in Singapore was AviationLearn, which is delving more deeply into the unmanned sector. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Mi-8/17 after sales support to expand

  25th January 2016

  Russian Helicopters is considering strengthening its in-country after sales support capabilities in Serbia, the company announced on 20 January. The company is assessing whether the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme 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 ...

• 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 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 - 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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, ...

• 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), ...

• 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 - 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 ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  WJ-700 [Algeria]

  Forecast Methodology Programme Value Unconfirmed reports show that the completed procurement cost Algeria $145 million in 2022. Quanity Required Reports indicated that Algreia had acquired four ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Erdogan Visit On 17 July 2023,  President Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Jeddah for the first stop of his Gulf tour. The following day, ...

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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Jaser

  The Jaser is an electronically powered loitering munition manufactured by Serb Advanced Industries. It is pneumatically launched, and is qquipped with both day and thermal imaging cameras. At ...

• 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 ...