Archive: News & Articles

As part of its ongoing modernisation, the Australian military is pursuing several helicopter procurement programmes to benefit all three service arms. UH-60M Black Hawk In January 2023 the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) formally announced its decision to purchase 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The procurement package is valued at AUD 2.8 Bn (approximately […]

In a worsening missile threat environment, the need for comprehensive and technologically superior ballistic missile defence (BMD) is more important for western allies now, than at any other time in world history. The US and its NATO allies have a great responsibility to protect their respective populations in what are, probably, the most dangerous geopolitical […]

Passive IRST (infrared search and track) sensors – whether built-in or in podded solutions – are an essential element of modern and future combat aircraft. IRST is a form of FLIR (forward looking infrared) that tracks individual targets, generally for weapons guidance or linked recce, while FLIR alone just ‘sees’ infrared heat signatures. Passive automatic […]

The United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is developing a Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) to support homeland defence from ballistic missiles. The first units could be fielded in 2027 or 2028. The United States began fielding a Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) system in 2004. It was never feasible or intended to protect North America from […]

Widespread acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 across Europe is proving to be a transformational experience for the air forces adopting the type, Peter Felstead reports. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II has swept through Europe to become the continent’s dominant fifth-generation combat air platform, securing sales not only with former operators of the Lockheed […]

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has a clear roadmap to revitalise its Suppression of Enemy Air Defence capabilities. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO’s) Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD) posture arguably took a back seat during alliance Counter-Insurgency (COIN) operations in Afghanistan. NATO SEAD/DEAD came to […]

Having now been in service for almost 20 years, the Eurofighter Typhoon is reaching full maturity as a combat air platform. While most of its users, in Europe at least, have now joined the ‘F-35 club’, the Typhoon will continue to operate as a potent complement to the F-35 for some years to come. Peter […]

With Europe exposed to war on its doorstep once again, and the NATO alliance continuing to face some internal political opposition with regard to the accession of its newest candidates, the modern European security environment is a challenging one to say the least. In May 2023, ESD interviewed Lieutenant General Göran Mårtensson, Director General of […]

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio, despite being over eight decades old, is still indispensable for military communications. How did this vital technology evolve and how does it work? Calling it Ultra High Frequency is a misnomer, compared to other frequencies in the radio part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Judged by today’s standard, UHF is not […]

This correspondent has covered various aspects of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection business for a number of years in this magazine, often with emphasis on manufacturers and markets. The manufacturers and markets remain largely the same as discussed in the past. As an active consultant in the field, your correspondent is often […]

Whether for shelters, parachutes, combat clothing, camouflage and more, some highly advanced technologies go into the making of textiles found in the many diverse and demanding applications across today’s operational environments. Conducting operations in exacting military scenarios for extended periods places huge demands on individual soldiers, airmen and sailors and requires that, as far as […]

The Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF) represents enterprises with security and defence equipment and services in Sweden. SOFF currently has 180 member companies of which 100 SME’s – ranging from one-man businesses to major national defence contractors. Whereas the enterprises have approximately 30,000 employees, the subcontractor level employs even more people. The SOFF […]

After three decades of development, the THAAD ballistic missile defence (BMD) system – once considered destined to fail – is praised as the most advanced BMD system in the world. As defined by the US Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) element provides the US military’s Missile Defense […]

In a previous article titled ‘The Art of Logistics’, published in ESD 03/2023, the authors looked into ammunition logistics, specifically the issue of required stock levels and supply to front lines. In this article, the authors look to longer-term logistics and supplies. The previous article recalled ‘30 days of supply (30 DOS)’ as an oft-quoted […]

The end of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of the Soviet Union opened the way towards a new future for Eastern Europe, but the path was not the same for every country. Different circumstances led to different results and that influenced the nature of the transitional process and the time necessary to rejoin the […]

From major vehicle programmes and autonomous battlefield systems, to new individual equipment and devices, British infantry are in line for some much-needed upgrades and additions to their inventories. Procurement is a long and winding process for any arm of service and only with the dark clouds of war gathering does any sense of urgency seem […]

With the German Navy celebrating its 175th anniversary on 14 June 2023, it is worth taking the opportunity to reflect on the Navy’s continuing role in Germany’s security and prosperity. In this vein, Irina Haesler of the German Shipowner’s Association (VDR) examines the relationship between Germany’s Navy and its merchant shipping, making the case for […]

Following a long wait, Ukraine has restarted offensive combat operations against Russia, starting in late-April, and gradually ramping up throughout May. The bulk of the offensive action around this time has been around the periphery of Bakhmut, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been attempting to push back Russian forces. While Ukrainian forces made incremental […]

Given the heightened likelihood of inter-state conflicts and the proliferation of submarines around the world, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) has returned to the minds of military planners and decision-makers. Traditional ASW is cost-intensive and implies a high level of expenditure; in terms of personnel and materiel. Forward-thinking industry and military stakeholders anticipate that large uncrewed surface […]

Troops, vehicles and other equipment can be transported to the beach by a variety of means including helicopters, landing craft, hovercraft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs). This article concentrates mainly on the latter. Getting to the Beach While some armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) do have an amphibious capability, such as the Russian BMP-1, BMP-2 and […]

Italy’s new diesel-electric submarine (SSK) – being delivered under the U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) programme – will arrive at a time when new submarine capabilities are having significant effect in an increasingly contested underwater domain. The boats’ improved capabilities will reinforce the output the Italian Navy is already generating with its Todaro class Type […]