• Defence Helicopter

  UTAS cog helps turn US Army programmes

  26th April 2018

  The US manufacturer UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) is investing heavily in a range of new technologies, which, in the company’s estimation, will eventually increase performance …

• Defence Notes

  China to hold military drills in Taiwan Strait

  18th April 2018

  China was scheduled to hold live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait on 18 April, flexing its military muscle after warning Taipei about seeking independence or …

• Defence Notes

  Saudi Arabia hosts multi-nation military drills

  16th April 2018

  Saudi Arabia concluded a month-long military exercise involving more than 24 nations on 16 April, a day after hosting an Arab summit that slammed what …

• Naval Warfare

  USCG cutter officially retired

  21st March 2018

  The US Coast Guard's (USCG’s) Galveston Island cutter has been officially retired after nearly 26 years of service, US Pacific Command announced on 19 March. …

• 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 …

• Military Logistics

  Albania wants US military to establish presence

  18th April 2018

  Albania wants to see a US military presence established in the Balkan country in order to counter influence from nations such as Russia, the Albanian …

• Defence Notes

  China sends bombers around Taiwan

  26th April 2018

  China flew bombers and fighter jets around Taiwan on 26 April, the air force said, the latest show of force by Beijing following warnings against …

• Training

  DSA 2018: Honeywell to supply engines for Taiwan’s AJT

  20th April 2018

  Honeywell confirmed that it closed a contract last October to supply F124 engines for Taiwan’s new advanced jet trainer (AJT) that will be built by …

• Defence Helicopter

  Quad A 2018: Sikorsky-Boeing remain 'confident' that Defiant will fly in 2018

  29th April 2018

  By the end of the year, the Sikorsky-Boeing team still expect to have their SB-1 Defiant helicopter in the air. Speaking with reporters 26 April …

• Defence Helicopter

  Rockwell Collins cements domestic support in Brazil

  17th April 2018

  Rockwell Collins is seeking to expand its reach in South America through military partnerships and agreements that will bring support direct to customers within the …

• Digital Battlespace

  France invests in advanced ELINT aircraft

  2nd March 2018

  The French Armed Forces will acquire three new strategic intelligence aircraft as part of a programme launched by the French Ministry of Armed Forces to …

• Military Logistics

  US Army attacks cold feet

  27th April 2018

  At the same time that soldiers in Pacific Command are evaluating new tropical climate boot designs, US Army planners are also addressing potential future footwear and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  RT announces SkyStar 180 lease

  18th April 2018

  RT LTA Systems has signed a leasing agreement with the government of an unnamed European nation to provide its SkyStar 180 aerostat system for six …

• Defence Helicopter

  Quad A 2018: Lockheed's PDAS ready for debut

  27th April 2018

  Lockheed Martin will debut its Pilotage Distributed Aperture System (PDAS) later this year as part of Bell's V-280 Valor tiltrotor flight testing. During the Army …

• Defence Notes

  Insight: Trump signs Taiwan Travel Act

  19th March 2018

  China’s Foreign Ministry expressed displeasure over US President Donald Trump’s signing of the Taiwan Travel Act (HR 535) on 16 March. The legislation, though non-binding, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Tactical Drone System (SDT) (15-28) [France]

  Background Tactical Drone System (SDT) programme The French Army launched the SDT programme to replace the Sagem (now Safran) Sperwer Intermediate Tactical Drone System (SDTI) ...

• Military UAS - micro

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon [France]

  Background Development of the Griffon commenced in 2014 when the consortium of Arquus, Nexter and Thales was awarded a development contract to design the VBMR ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Future UAVs: Navy Aerial Drone System (SDAM) [France]

  Background Requirement The requirement for the SDAM programme was a rotary-wing VTOL-capable UAV with a modular configuration that can host a range of payloads. France ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  C-UAS [Portugal]

  Background Portugal's Military Programming Law 2023–2034 includes $8.8724 million (€8.2 million) to acquire counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) by 2034. It is assumed that this acquisition requires ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Light Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Light Protected Mobility (LPM) programme. Information on the LMV and HPM can ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  ASTER / VL MICA Multi-layer [France]

  Background The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, acting on behalf of France, awarded EUROSAM a contract on April 30th, 2026, for the development of the ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Medium Range Air Defence [Portugal]

  Background Portugal's Military Programming Law 2023-2034 includes a requirement for medium-range air defence. In order to facilitate this, Portugal has joined the European Sky Shield Initiative ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Navio Polivalente Logistico (NAVPOL) (Portugal)

  Programme Background Requirements The NAVPOL is expected to feature a flexible and modular LPD design capable of amphibious operations and HADR tasks. Timeline The plans for ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  ASTER / VL MICA Multi-layer (additional) [France]

  Background In October 2026, France ordered four additional firing units of the SAMP/T NG air and missile defence system. With this order, the total number of SAMP/T ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Eurodrone [France]

  Background Inception (Stage One) The European MALE RPAS programme was launched in September 2016. Germany, Spain, France and Italy had negotiated and agreed, in collaboration ...

• ISR/special mission

  Strategic Intelligence Aircraft [France]

  Background In February 2018, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced that the strategic intelligence aircraft program CUGE Universal EW Capability began to ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [France]

  Background Airbus formally delivered the first production A400M to the French Air Force in August 2013. The French Air Force took delivery of its 15th ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Serval LAD [France]

  Background France's Military Planning Law 2025-2030 committed it to purchasing 12 variants of the Serval MPVS specialised for counter-drone operations. Following Senate criticism, this figure was ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Medium Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Medium Protected Mobility (MPM) programme. Information on the LMV and MPM can ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Medium UGVs

  Centurio

  At Eurosatory 2024, KNDS unveiled the Centurio family of 4x4 UGVs. Based on the Phobos UGV by SOGECLAIR, Centurio has been developed in the 2024-30 ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  O-NYX

  The Thales O-NYX is a Ultra-Compact Night Vision Goggle used by the French armed forces. They have an enlarged field of vision to 51° compared ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Patroller

  The Patroller is a long-endurance, multi-mission UAS manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defence. Designed for ISR operations, the platform hosts a Euroflir 410 EO/IR pod and can accommodate ...

• Land: range systems and targets

  Urban Ranges

  Cubic Range Design Solutions has provided facilities around the world for military and law enforcement training in urban terrain. It uses its previous experience, as ...

• Sniper rifles

  Model 95

  The Model 95 is a bolt-action 50cal sniper rifle in a bullpup configuration, which entered production in 1995. Its buttplate, magazine well and trigger housing ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SandCat

  The 4x4 SandCat family of vehicles was designed by Israeli armour specialist Plasan Sasa in 2005 for a range of military, special operations, homeland security, ...

• Pistols

  P30

  The P30 is available in 9x19mm and .40 S&W; calibres with six variants of each. The grip of the P30 has exchangeable backstrap and grip ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  EK 001 Blue Whale

  The EK 001 Blue Whale is a large, rotary-wing UAV capable of carrying a payload of 23kg. It is in the early stages of development. ...

• Suppressors

  FA556-212

  The Fast Attach 5.56mm (FA556)-212 sound suppressor is designed for use on the AR-15, C8 SFW, HK416, M4, M16 and SA-80. Firearms with 266.7mm barrels ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Steel

  Designed for military and law enforcement users, the Jericho pistol in steel frame configuration is available in 9x19mm and .45 ACP calibres and in standard ...

• Pistols

  P Series

  The S120 pistol series has been used globally in law enforcement and military organisations, with the weapons initially designed as tactical and task force pistols ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  IA-12A Stark

  The IA-12A Stark is a small, rotary-wing UAV that features a dual propulsion system, swappable payload bay, retractable landing gear, single operator control, ground mission planning, ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Polymer

  Jericho pistols have been used for over three decades by military and police units, including law-enforcement entities in Israel and around the world. Designed for ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Tiger LPV

  The MDT Armor 4x4 Tiger Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) is designed to meet the requirements of military and law enforcement customers for a survivable, light ...

• Sniper rifles

  ALIAS CS5

  The ALIAS Concealable Subsonic/Supersonic Suppressed Sniper System (CS5) is designed for concealment in urban settings. With the buttstock and suppressor detached, the CS5 is 597mm ...