• Air Warfare

  US Air Force to receive extra $1.6 billion for aircraft procurement and modernisation in FY2025

  2nd January 2025

  The additional fund has been earmarked for fighter jets and transport aircraft efforts.

• Air Warfare

  Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion

  16th September 2024

  Romania is set to get the go-ahead for the purchase of F-35s after approval by the US State Department. Challenges before pen is put to paper remain, however, despite US$34.9 billion for 156 F-35s and equipment and systems having been approved to date.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2024: Lockheed Martin showcases an improved version of F-35 simulators

  6th December 2024

  Enhancements to the F-35 training system software will be deployed worldwide starting next year.

• Air Warfare

  First donated F-16s arrive in Ukraine but more pilot training will be ‘critical’

  7th August 2024

  Denmark and the Netherlands were the first Western nations to promise donated aircraft.

• Defence Notes

  UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions

  2nd June 2025

  The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force needs to “rebuild to win”, says deputy chief of staff of operations

  21st March 2025

  Aging aircraft, fewer platforms and a lack of replacements for retired systems has impacted the US Air Force’s lethality and training capabilities, according to the force’s deputy chief of staff for operations.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force F-16 fitted with IVEWS approaches flight tests

  18th July 2024

  Trials conducted at the US Air Force J-PRIMES enabled the solution to reach the skies in a couple of weeks.

• Air Warfare

  France to buy more Rafale jets and invest €1.5 billion in upgrading air base

  20th March 2025

  The Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base will be modernised to ensure it can host nuclear weapons as France continues efforts to boost its nuclear deterrence.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed Martin bags $3.2 billion US Air Force contract for JASSM and LRASM

  1st October 2024

  Lockheed Martin will supply the missile systems to the militaries of Japan, Finland, Poland and the Netherlands, with work carried out at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Orlando until mid-2032.

• Air Warfare

  Is Chinese naval air power ready for action?

  30th December 2024

  What role will the new jets and aircraft carriers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy play in Beijing’s wider fleet?

• Air Warfare

  Israel signs US$5.2 billion agreement for 25 F-15 jets

  7th November 2024

  The Israeli defence ministry said the deal would enable the Israeli Air Force to ‘maintain strategic superiority in addressing current and future challenges in the Middle East’.

• Defence Notes

  Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard

  1st November 2024

  The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.

• Air Warfare

  Norway to contribute F-35s and NASAMS air defence to Poland

  3rd December 2024

  The Scandinavian country will help to safeguard Polish airspace and ensure aid to Ukraine reaches its destination.

• Air Warfare

  Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line

  24th December 2024

  Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?

• Air Warfare

  Germany looks to upgrade KEPD 350 missiles and Sweden begins purchase process

  4th March 2025

  The Taurus KEPD 350 is an air-launched cruise missile developed by Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab Dynamics. The German contract is for maintenance and modernisation of German Air Force missiles.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (Jordan)

  Programme Background On 3 February 2022, the US State Department announced that it has approved a potential sale of 12 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft,  four ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (1-8) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background Requirement Bulgarian MoD plans to procure 16 new-built fighter aircraft to replace its fleet of 15 Russian-manufactured MiG-29 fighters. Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Turkish Air Force ordered 100 F-35A aircraft as a partner nation, however, the country was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Denmark

  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (9-16) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background In April 2022, the US State Department approved a potential FMS worth $1.673 million to procure eight F-16Vs to Bulgaria. The aircraft are ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16 Replacement [Portugal]

  Programme Background At the Portuguese National Defense Conference on April 22, 2025, General João Cartaxo Alves reaffirmed that the F-35A remains the sole viable successor ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Data links

  Data links | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Data links

  Data links | Next Generation Fighter (1-32) [Romania]

  In February 2022, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• 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. 

• 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: air combat simulators

  Iraqi Air Force F-16 FMT/WTT

  L3Harris Technologies has built two F-16 Block 52 Full Mission Trainers (FMTs), two F-16 Block 52 Weapon Tactics Trainers (WTTs), two brief/debrief systems and one ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  USAF F-16 ATD– JHMCS

  L3Harris Technologies has provided its simulated Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and Advanced Helmet Mounted Display (AHMD) on the USAF’s F-16 Aircrew Training Device programme. ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  I-HUD2

  The I-HUD2 is a modernised display for the F-16 platform, which is based on the base F-16 HUD in service with the US Air Force ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Data links

  MIDS-LVT(1) (ViaSat)

  MIDS-LVT(1) adds Link 16 communications to airborne and maritime platforms. It provides all operational modes of the Link 16 waveform, and implements the required MIDS ...

• Data links

  MIDS LVT(1) (EuroMIDS)

  MIDS-LVT(1) adds Link 16 communications to airborne and maritime platforms. It provides all operational modes of the Link 16 waveform, and implements the required MIDS ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  USAF F-16 MTC

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered seven F-16 Mission Training Centers (MTC) to the USAF and is currently on contract to deliver three additional MTC systems to ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  F-16 and F/A-18 Simulators

  HRS manufactures simulators and trainers with fully functional instrument panels, cockpit displays, stick and throttle grips with controllers, visual image generation and integration of the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70/72

  The F-16 Block 70/72, also referred to as the F-16V, is a fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft. It is the latest version of Lockheed Martin's F-16 ...

• Air: aerial targets

  QF-16 FSAT

  The QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) is an optionally piloted supersonic aerial target developed to replace the QF-4 in USAF service. Retired F-16 fighters are ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-178(V)

  BAE System’s AN/ALQ-178(V) is an integrated self-protection system designed to protect combat aircraft. During its service life it has outfitted several airframes including the Dassault ...