Archive: News & Articles

The annual International Exhibition of Rotorcraft Equipment (or HeliRussia) was held at the Crocus Expo Centre on the outskirts of Moscow from 15 to 17 September with 153 exhibitors (including 40 from the media) making it the smallest since 2009. Previously scheduled for May, it was moved to this new date due to COVID -19, making […]

The 2020 edition of the EURONAVAL exhibition will be held in Paris-Le Bourget from 20 – 23 October 2020. ESD was granted an exclusive interview with Hugues d’Argentré, Director of SOGENA, which organises EURONAVAL. In this interview, Mr d’Argentré addresses the most pressing topics for would-be exhibitors and visitors to EURONAVAL 2020. ESD: How many […]

Belgium and the Netherlands will replace almost their entire fleets in the next 15 years. This will mean six new ships for the Belgian Navy, and 23 for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Some of these new ships are being developed jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands, while for some others the Netherlands is seeking cooperation […]

Saab has received an order from its German partner Diehl Defence for the RBS15 anti-ship missile to be supplied to the German Navy. The order value is approximately 1.7 BSEK with deliveries between 2022 and 2026. This is part of a framework agreement between Saab and Diehl Defence, which offers the possibility for additional procurement […]

The MSPO exhibition in Kielce, Poland, has just started. It’s a national show but this year its importance is not to be underestimated, as much of the defence world – politicians, industry, exhibition and conference organisers, the military, the media etc – will be looking to learn lessons about professional, large-scale exhibitions in the post-COVID-19 […]

While most members of NATO have standardised on 120mm smooth bore tank guns and their suites of ammunition for their Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), there has been a complete lack of standardisation of medium calibre weapons for their infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) with currently deployed vehicles in Europe being armed with 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm […]

Gerhard Heiming At the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) virtual exhibition in Washington from 28th to 29th August 2020, Airbus Helicopters announced the launch of the latest version of the LAKOTA helicopter, with an order for 17 aircraft. The UH-72 belongs to the widely used H145 family, whose military and civilian versions […]

Since General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and engineering and technology firm SENER began collaborating in 2008, the international partnership has resulted in significant agreements regarding the MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for Spain and its adaptation to the requirements of the Spanish Armed Forces. The latest joint development effort is a NATO Pod, designed and […]

Korhan Özkilinc The Turkish armaments company Roketsan has opened the Research Center for ‘Satellite Launch, Space Systems and Advanced Technologies and Explosive Raw Materials Production Plant’. The company will continue to work on its sounding rocket at the facilities where it has carried out successful tests in the past. The aim is to launch satellites […]

Arie Egozi The Indian government is about to approve a deal to purchase two additional PHALCON Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems from Israel. This comes after India purchased three such aircraft in 2004, based on the Russian ILYUSHIN 76, in which Elta installed the radar and other systems. The proposed deal is estimated at US$1.2bn and […]

Yury Laskin Tests of several modifications to the BrahMos cruise missile to extend its range are planned for 2020, one of Russia’s top defence industries officials announced at the ARMY-2020 Forum. India, with whom Russia developed the missile, is among the top exhibitors at the show, having a strong national pavilion. In June, the BrahMos […]

The Spanish Ministry of Defence has awarded a €1.74 bn (US$2.06bn) contract to a joint venture of General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and three other companies to deliver 348 8×8 Wheeled Combat Vehicles (VCR), their maintenance and life cycle support, as well as support their international commercialisation. The GDELS-SBS contract is for […]

The organisers of DVD2020, which is jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the British Army, have today announced that they have taken the difficult decision to cancel DVD2020, in light of the ongoing pandemic. Despite working hard to ensure that, wherever possible, the event could continue to run as planned, organisers have […]

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) appointed Walid Abukhaled as its Chief Executive on Sunday as it pressed ahead with its plans to localise defense spending, local media reported. Mr. Abukhaled, who was promoted from his post as Acting Chief Executive, has nearly 30 years of experience in military industries. Prior to his role at SAMI, […]

Gerhard Heiming The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded a ten-year contract to Avon Protection to supply complete personal CBRN respirator systems. Under the leadership of Finland and Norway, technical requirements and specifications for end-user testing were developed. The framework agreement allows NATO countries and their partners to purchase breathing protection systems from Avon […]

Jack Richardson ST Engineering yesterday announced that its land systems arm has signed an agreement with IAI to set up a joint venture company in Singapore, with each firm holding a 50% share of the new venture, which will be named Proteus Advanced Systems Pte Ltd. Defence Update reported that the move by two government […]

There are three major airborne threats that make their way into regional security discussions today, whether in the defence press or policy offices across NATO member states: 1) Russia’s hypersonic missiles 2) COVID 19 dispersion 3) aerial drones of various sizes and threat levels The NSO Group recently launched two compelling solutions for two of […]

The armoured vehicle spectrum is quite broad, and includes many 4×4 systems. The 4×4 configuration has the advantage of being generally more mobile than larger and heavier vehicles, whether tracked or 6×6/8×8 wheeled systems. At the same time, these vehicles are designed from the beginning with a significant armour suite and offer a higher level […]

J C Menon Lockheed Martin has received a US$226m contract from the U.S. Army to recapitalise an additional 44 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270 launchers, following an initial contract, issued in 2019, calling for the refurbishment of 50 MLRS launchers, a company official informs. The programme will eventually upgrade the service’s existing fleet of 225 […]

Curtis Hand ESD: How would you describe the Dellner Bubenzer Group to a defence procurement officer (military or prime contractor) in light of its unique – yet complementary – portfolio of products and services for all military air-land-sea “vehicles”? …Or, what would you say it does the best? DBG: The Dellner Bubenzer Group is a […]

Jack Richardson Royal DSM has announced the launch of a product portfolio for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Trosar™, produced by the company which works in nutrition, health, and sustainable living, is in line with the growing demand for materials solutions that deliver higher strength and durability, so will bring the unique benefits of UHMWPE within reach of […]