A USAF Boeing KC-135R refuels a flight of F-15C Eagles. (US Air Force)  The US Air Force (USAF) is seeking commercial satellite communications (satcom) options for its fleet of KC-135 aerial refuellers, with plans to allow these aircraft global, real-time access to the Pentagon's classified and unclassified networks.  USAF officials issued an initial list of strategic requirements to industry for the KC-135 Commercial Satellite Communication Access to Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) and Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) Networ...

Bombardier has unveiled its Smart Services Defense programme to provide fixed cost-per-flight-hour support for its Challenger and Global families of business jets. Above is a computer-generated image of Bombardier's Global business jet family. (Bombardier)  Bombardier has launched a new maintenance offering for government and military operators of its Challenger- and Global-series business jets. The Smart Services Defense (SSD) programme provides cost-per-flight-hour coverage of airframe system components, landing gear overhaul, and options t...

The DRDO has developed a laser beam-riding guidance   system  equipped with an ELRF to guide its very short-range air-defence system – pictured above from a DRDO test in March 2023.  (DRDO)  India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a laser beam-riding (LBR) guidance system equipped with an eye-safe laser rangefinder (ELRF), a senior DRDO official told Janes on 18 March.  “The technology development of the system is completed and now the DRDO is looking for an Indian i...

Seen on the flightline at RAF Valley in Wales, the Hawk T2 is due to be retired from UK service in 2024. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is weighing how to deliver pilot training after its planned retirement of the BAE Systems Hawk T2 (Mk 128) aircraft in 2040, with options to be presented later in 2024.  Answering questions in the House of Commons on 15 March, Minister of State at the MoD James Cartlidge said the Royal Air Force (RAF) had started its post-Hawk analysis, with several options for the continuation of p...

An MH-139A Grey Wolf prepares for take-off at its testing base at Duke Field, Florida, on 22 February 2024, en route to its first duty base at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. (USAF)  The US Air Force (USAF) has cut its planned purchase of Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters from 74 to 42, according to budget documents released on 11 March, with the programme's projected budget cut from USD2.55 billion to USD1.42 billion.  The fiscal year (FY) 2025 USAF Justification Book – a list of all the unclassified USAF programmes and budgets – lists the servic...

The fifth KAI KF-21 prototype takes on fuel from a Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) on 19 March 2024. This image is a screenshot from a Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) video of the event. (DAPA)  The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae has successfully completed its first in-flight refuelling (IFR) test.  South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the milestone was set by the fifth KF-21 prototype on 19 March. The aircraft “took off from the runw...

A CN-235 MPA of the Indonesian Navy at the Singapore Airshow 2016. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)  The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) has awarded a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract to upgrade three Indonesian Navy aircraft with enhanced maritime surveillance systems.    Under the contract, Oregon-based Integrated Surveillance and Defense (ISD) will upgrade two Indonesian Navy-operated Dirgantara CN-235-220/CN-235-220 MP maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and modify one King Air 350i aircraft with “proven maritime surveil...

An M113BR APC of the Brazilian Army integrated with REMAX 4 weapon system by Ares. (ARES)  Ares Aeroespacial e Defesa, a Brazilian subsidiary of Elbit Systems, has completed the development of an upgraded M113BR armoured personnel carrier (APC) belonging to the 20th Armoured Infantry Battalion of the Brazilian Army.    This self-funded technology demonstrator, developed with technical support from the army's manufacturing directorate, could emerge as a possible option for a potential upgrade of the M113BR by the army, Ares told   Ja...

Naval Group's Black Sword Barracuda design has been selected as the basis for the Netherlands' Walrus-class replacement submarine programme. (Naval Group)  The Netherlands has selected France's Naval Group as its preferred bidder for a new class of conventional submarine to replace the Royal Netherlands Navy's (RNLN's) current Walrus-class boats.  Naval Group, offering its Black Sword Barracuda design, was chosen ahead of rival proposals from Saab (bidding the C718 expeditionary derivative of Sweden's A26 design) and Thyssenkrupp Marine Syste...

The maritime reconnaissance version of the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 aircraft. (Janes/Patrick Allen)  The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to upgrade the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 fleet.  The contract, announced on 15 March, has a value of INR28.9 billion (USD348.6 million) and will cover the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 25 Do 228s in the Indian Navy, including the installation of associated equipment. According to the MoD, the MLU will include the replacement of the aircraft's...

EvoLogics Sonobot 5 USV being demonstrated at Oceanology International 2024 in London on 13 March. (Janes/Neil Dee)  German company EvoLogics is planning to deliver a further batch of Sonobot unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to the Ukrainian armed forces. EvoLogics CEO Fabian Bannasch told Janes at Oceanology International 2024, held in London on 12–14 March, that his company is “currently preparing a fourth configuration of Sonobot with enhanced underwater data networking and positioning capabilities in order to guide and support complex und...

The acquisition of Bayraktar TB2 MALE tactical UAVs will allow the Maldives to patrol its exclusive economic zone for a range of up to 300 km. (BAYKAR/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)  The Maldives has inducted Baykar Bayraktar TB2 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while forming a new Air Corps to conduct air operations with the type.    Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu formally inducted three UAVs on 15 March and said the acquisition is part of an effort to enhance the military capab...

The CS/AA3 gun – pictured above in service with the Cameroonian Defence Forces – has a maximum slant range of 11 km, but its effective slant range is 4 km and effective altitude is 3 km. (Cameroon Ministry of Defence)  The Bangladesh Army's Adhoc 57 Air Defence (AD) Regiment Artillery test-fired two CS/AA3 twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun systems for the first time during a firing exercise held in mid-March at Inanistha AD Firing Range in Cox's Bazar.  According to a press release by Bangladesh Armed Forces' media and public relations wing Inter...

On entering service, JLTV will replace a percentage of the current AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle fleet. (Oshkosh Defense)  While the US Army is planning a major design overhaul for its Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tank (MBT), the service wants to slow down the tempo of upgrades for its most advanced MBTs, according to budget documents released on 11 March.  The decision to slow down the rate was “financial” as well as to keep the upgrades on pace with the rest of the capabilities in the Armoured Brigade Combat Team...

The Djiboutian Air Force is to operate a pair of Grand Carvan EX aircraft (pictured), which the US is selling as part of a wider effort to increase security around the Horn of Africa. (Textron)  Djibouti is to receive two Textron C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft as the United States looks to enhance security across the Horn of Africa.  US Army Contracting Command awarded the contract on 13 March, with the manufacturer disclosing that the aircraft will be owned and operated by the Djiboutian Air Force (Force Aerienne du Djibouti: FAD).  “The t...

Italy is acquiring the latest AIM-9X Block II+ air-to-air missile to equip its fleet of F-35 (pictured) combat aircraft. (Italian Air Force)  The United States has approved the sale of 66 Raytheon AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to Italy, announcing a potential USD90.6 million sale on 15 March.  The US Department of State approval covers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of an additional 28 Block II+ missiles to add to the 38 previously approved, as well as training missiles, related equipment, training, and support...

The UK is to get 14 new CH-47 Chinook ER helicopters, which will be similar in appearance to the ‘fat tank' Chinook HC5 variant (pictured) already in RAF service. (Janes/Patrick Allen)  The UK has recommitted to its previously announced plan to buy new Boeing Chinooks, with the Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, announcing a buy of 14 helicopters on 14 March.  Speaking during a visit to British forces exercising in Poland, Shapps reiterated the plan to buy the new CH-47 Chinook Extended Range (ER) helicopters, which had been subjec...

The HAL Dhruv ALH has become a mainstay of the Indian Army's rotary-wing capabilities. In this image, an Indian Army Dhruv hovers as Australian Army troops from the 13th Brigade conduct a drill in India in 2022. (Commonwealth of Australia)  The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to acquire 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk IIIs.  The INR80.7 billion (USD973.8 million) contract was announced on 13 March and covers 25 ALH Dhruv Mk IIIs for the Indian Army with role-specific...

With the keel being laid in 2022 for carrier  Enterprise  , the expected delivery date for the ship was scheduled for March 2028. The ship is now to be delivered in September 2029.  (Janes/Michael Fabey)  Industry supporters caution that any delays in the previously planned acquisition schedules of aircraft carriers could have a cascading effect on cost and schedule in the wake of proposed carrier schedule changes in the proposed US Navy's (USN's) fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget, released on 11 March.    “Overal...

The Thales SquadNet soldier radio will be pitched for the UK's forthcoming next-generation personal role radio replacement programme, expected to be launched in 2025. (Thales)    Thales is planning to pitch its SquadNet radio for the UK armed forces' next-generation Personal Role Radio (PRR) replacement programme due to be announced in 2025,   Janes   learnt at SAE Group's Future Soldier Technology conference held from 11 to 13 March.   According to John Dix, Thales UK sales manager for land communications, SquadNet is a su...