• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe: NATO's rude wake-up call

  12th May 2016

  Advances in Russian anti-access area denial (A2AD) have bought key capability gaps in NATO forces to the fore. The latest developments in Russia include the …

• Defence Notes

  Australian navy leases Survitec life rafts

  12th May 2016

  Survitec has been awarded a five-year contract by the Royal Australian Navy to replace the existing fleet of inflatable life rafts with its leased commercial …

• Land Warfare

  SOFEX 2016: The pistol-packing Caracal

  11th May 2016

  Abu Dhabi-based small arms producer Caracal International used the SOFEX exhibition to showcase its 9mm Caracal Enhanced F semi-automatic pistol. Redesigned in 2014 and launched …

• Training

  Elbit to upgrade US Navy's C-26 aircraft

  11th May 2016

  Elbit Systems of America's M7 Aerospace subsidiary has received a $7.5 million Firm, Fixed Price contract from the US Navy to perform modifications on US …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales Scorpion HMCS for Spain

  11th May 2016

  Thales will equip the Spanish Air Force's EF-18 fighter jets with Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (HMCS), under an order announced on 10 May. Scorpion provides …

• Defence Notes

  BEL chimes with major Indian programmes

  11th May 2016

  Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have revealed updates on some of its key programmes for the Indian military, including artillery, digital equipment and armoured vehicles. A company …

• Military Logistics

  Aussie replenishment ships contract signed

  11th May 2016

  The Australian government has formalised the selection of Navantia to build its two new replacement replenishment ships with contracts for the work now signed, the …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe: App encryption threatens surveillance

  10th May 2016

  The increasing use of commercial products such as the internet and smartphones by terrorist organisations to carry out their operations presents a new challenge to …

• Digital Battlespace

  Saab announces Ceros 200 sensor order

  10th May 2016

  Saab will add optronic sensors to the Ceros 200 fire control directors used on the Canadian navy’s Halifax-class frigates, the company announced on 9 May. …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems, EDT team up for UAE

  10th May 2016

  BAE Systems and Emirates Defense Technology (EDT) have signed a teaming agreement to pursue opportunities for the towed M777 155mm Lightweight Howitzer in the UAE, …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe: SATCOM intercept challenges

  10th May 2016

  In remote border areas where there are fewer landline or cell phone towers, tactical satellite interception may prove useful. Nevertheless, satellite interception is different when …

• Land Warfare

  ADMM-Plus shows counterterrorism resolve

  10th May 2016

  In a major show of cooperation, special forces representing 15 nations from the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) performed a counterterrorism exercise in Singapore …

• Defence Notes

  RAF tests enhanced Brimstone

  10th May 2016

  The latest technical enhancements of the MBDA Brimstone air-to-surface missile have been tested in operational trials by the Royal Air Force (RAF) at China Lake …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: Training inflation

  10th May 2016

  The Bideford, UK-based Inflatable Wall Company (IWC) has announced a number of new orders. The Royal Australian Regiment, Austrian Ministry of Defence and Zurich Police …

• Military Logistics

  RAAF practices KC-30A aerial refuelling

  10th May 2016

  A KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have conducted air-to-air refuelling for the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft (South Korea)

  Programme Background South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated that Seoul is planning to procure additional aircraft to minimize potential surveillance gaps amid growing security ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

• OPVs

  Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (1-12) [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements The primary role of the OPVs will be ISR and patrol. The armament will be limited. One of the key features is a reduced ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...