Defence Notes

WDS 2024: the emerging platform for the global defence industry

29th September 2023

Focusing on future technology and innovation, World Defense Show returns, expanded in floorspace, duration and participation.

Defence Notes

Patria to deliver Hawk trainer jet full mission simulator to Finnish Defence Forces

27th September 2023

Patria has signed a procurement contract with the Finnish Defence Forces to provide a Hawk Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for pilot training, boosting the realistic and extensive training capabilities of the Finnish Air Force.

Digital Battlespace

Orbiting the Future: How New Satellite Technologies are Revolutionising Global Communications

26th September 2023

With the satellite industry at a pivotal juncture, Intelsat is investing in advanced technologies like 5G and optical communications, striving to enhance worldwide connectivity and address emerging governmental needs.

Naval Warfare

Hensoldt wins order to provide more TRS-3D multi-mode naval radars to US Coast Guard

25th September 2023

Hensoldt will deliver another TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode naval radar to be installed on a USC Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) under a $10 million contract which is in addition to the 12 already delivered for the ships.

Land Warfare

Kongsberg receives $94 million order for CROWS remote weapon stations

25th September 2023

Kongsberg has won a NOK1 billion ($94 million) order from the US Army for an additional 409 US Army Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) remote weapon stations, spares and support as part of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract signed last year.

Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

Loitering munitions

Phoenix Ghost (Ukraine Aid) [US]

Programme Background Presidential Drawdown (21 April 2022) Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, on 21 April 2022, President Biden announced an $800 ...

Loitering munitions

Switchblade 600 (Ukraine Aid) [US]

Programme Background $300 Million USAI (1 April 2022) On 1 April 2022, the US DoD announced a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine following ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

GA-ASI Drone [Ukraine]

Programme Background 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Ukraine's UAVs seemingly performed well in the conflict, ...

Loitering munitions

Switchblade 300 (Ukraine Aid) [US]

Programme Background Presidential Drawdown (16 March 2022 & 13 April 2022) On 16 March 2022, President Biden announced $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine through ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

Puma 3 AE (Ukraine)

Programme Background Military Aid - $300 Million On 1 April 2022, the US DoD announced a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine to "bolster Urkaine's capacity ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

MQ-9A (Poland)

Programme Background Reported Procurement On 28 February 2022, the Polish website Defence 24 reported that Poland had ordered an unknown quantity of MQ-9As as an urgent acquisition connected directly ...

Loitering munitions

Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) (Contracted) [US Army]

Programme Background First Contract In June 2011, the US awarded AeroVironment a $4.9 series-production contract for the loitering munition, satisfying the US Army's Lethal Miniature ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Vector / Scorpion [Ukraine]

Programme Background Previous Orders & Donations On 29 March 2022, the US Embassy in Warsaw announced that Quantum Drones had donated an unknown quantity of ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

Bayraktar TB2 (Aid & Discounted Units) [Ukraine]

Programme Background Pre Invasion Units The Ukrainian Army purchased 12 TB2 units in January 2019 for a reported $69 million. Deliveries began in June 2019, ...

Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

T-150 (Ukraine)

Programme Background Virtual Address On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. On 3 May 2022, the UK's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, virtually addressed the Ukrainian ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Vector / Scorpion (Second Order) [Germany]

Programme Background  Donation To Ukraine On 29 March 2022, the US Embassy in Warsaw announced that Quantum Drones had donated an unknown quantity of its ...

Patrol boats

FPB 98 (Ukraine)

Programme Background The international competition had been launched in the Spring of 2018 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior for the reinforcement of the State ...

APCs/IFVs - 4x4

Sisu GTP 4x4 (Finland)

Programme Background Finlands Sisu GTP 4x4 purchase comes as part of the increased Finnish defence budget, which saw an increase of $2.2 billion earlier in ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Vector / Scorpion (Third Order) [Germany]

Programme Background First Order On 22 April 2022, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) reported that Ukrainian millionaires and Quantum Systems struck a deal to send Vector units to ...

Loitering munitions

Phoenix Ghost

Manufactured by AEVEX Aerospace with input from the USAF, the Phoenix Ghost is a VTOL capable loitering munition revealed by the 21 April 2022 announcement of ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

Supercam S350/S350F

The Supercam S350/S350F is a mini fixed-wing that Supercam Unmanned Systems Group manufactures. The Russian UAV features a modular design and has been primarily designed ...

Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

Ophir 26-105mm f/1.6 LWIR continuous zoom

Ophir's plethora of IR optics includes a wide range of long-range zoom lenses for every application. Ophir's budget range has been extended to include a ...

Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Black Hornet 3

The Black Hornet 3 is the next generation of the PD-100 Black Hornet, the world's smallest nano-UAS. This new model of the Black Hornet provides ...

Infrastructure - shelters/accommodation

Alpha/Omega

Alpha and Omega are multipurpose frame tents that require minimal maintenance and can be used in extreme climatic conditions. The Omega is more spacious and ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - micro

Corvo PPDS

The Corvo Precision Payload Delivery Systems (PPDS) is a micro fixed-wing drone constructed from cardboard.  It is a low-cost, single-use drone for delivering supplies and ...

Loitering munitions

Switchblade 300

The Switchblade 300 is a man-portable, tube-launched loitering munition manufactured by AeroVironment. The platform is rapidly deployable by one operator from either a self-contained ground launcher ...

Loitering munitions

AQV 100 Scalpel

The AQV 100 Scalpel, or AQV-100, is a low-cost loitering munition manufactured by One Way Aerospace.  The drone is operated using a first-person view and ...

Patrol boats

FPB 98 MKI

The FPB 98 MKI is a fast patrol boat designed and built by the French company OCEA. The vessel, which is in service in four different ...

APCs/IFVs - 4x4

Bushmaster

The 4x4 Bushmaster was developed in 1995-99 to meet the Australian Army’s need for an Infantry Mobility Vehicle (later changed to Protected Mobility Vehicle) with ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

UA-Beta

Ukraine’s UA-Beta tactical mini-UAV is developed by UA Technology and the National Aviation University. There is more than one version of this aircraft, and it ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

Astero

Manufactured by Nordic Wing, the Astero is a fixed-wing mini UAV designed for ISR missions. The drone is equipped with a NightHawk 2 camera. Marketed at ...

Self-propelled rocket launchers

HIMARS

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control developed the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher to provide the US and allied armies with a ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

Puma 3 AE

The Puma 3 All Environment (AE), or RQ-20 in US nomenclature, is the third generation of AeroVironment's small UAS.  The UAS is designed for reconnaissance and ...

Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

M1151 HMMWV

AM General designed the High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to meet US Army requirements for a durable, mobile and reliable soft-skin light utility vehicle. The ...