Asia Pacific

Japan announced that it will replace its fleet of manned attack and armed scout helicopters with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)....Read More

Reportedly securing a sale of four Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to Indonesia, it is clear that UAVs are opening China’s entry into markets otherwise dominated by US, Europe and Russia....Read More

Indonesia has inked a $1.14 billion U.S. contract with Russia for the purchase of 11 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighters from United Aircraft Corporation…...Read More

BAE Systems reiterated its willingness to facilitate a UK-based line-of-credit to back a sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighters to Malaysia....Read More

Negotiations for the sale of 11 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multi-role fighters to Indonesia are still ongoing, with issues relating to countertrade still preventing finalization....Read More

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is nearing a firm contract for the sale of 30 T129 attack helicopters to Pakistan. It is also in talks with Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand....Read More

Star UAV System Company, a business from Chengdu, is developing a twin-engine, stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) for the export market....Read More

At the 2018 Singapore Air Show, Airbus Defence & Space said it was considering the prospect of offering MPA and ISR variants of the A320neo....Read More

As part of its defence modernization efforts, Indonesia is reportedly defining a new fighter requirement that could amount to a multi-billion-dollar bid....Read More

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China will launch a new variant of the Wing Loong I – i.e. Wing Loong ID – UAV in 2018 for prospective export customers....Read More

Russia has reportedly begun delivering Almaz-Antey S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to China, the launch export customer of the S-400....Read More

PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) says it will collaborate with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). ...Read More

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced that the Chengdu J-20 participated in exercises with PLAAF J-10C and J-16s....Read More

China announced that the Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute (CADI) Wing Loong II drone engaged in five targets in succession in one sortie...Read More

The Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) took delivery of its first Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter on December 18....Read More

The Indonesian Air Force received four of six final ex-USAF Block-25 F-16C/Ds on Tuesday, December 12. Two were grounded in Hawaii due to engine trouble....Read More

Brazilian aviation giant Embraer announced that it has received a firm order from the Philippine Air Force for six A-29 Super Tucano close air support (CAS) aircraft. In its press release, Embraer states, “After a comprehensive...

CSIC recently revealed three new single-hull teardrop submarine designs, showcasing its Chinese submarine design improvements...Read More

In a speech, the Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte outlined his government’s intentions to acquire attack helicopters for close air support...Read More

In its bid to secure markets in East Asia, Turkish Aerospace Industries is reportedly drawing interest from Bangladesh for the TAI T129, Anka and Hürkuş...Read More

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will evaluate options for an active requirement of four new maritime patrol aircraft (MPA)...Read More

The Royal Malaysian Air Force is reportedly examining the possibility of acquiring a lightweight fighter to complement its F/A-18D and Su-30MKM fleets...Read More

The Indonesian Navy took delivery of its second SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR)-class frigate from PT PAL on Monday, October 30...Read More

Indonesia’s Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu announced that the Indonesian government will ink its purchase of 11 Su-35 fighters in November...Read More

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries will market the C-2 heavy transport aircraft to Middle Eastern markets, such as the UAE...Read More

The Indonesian Army officially displayed its newly developed Kaplan MT Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) last week during an official military parade...Read More

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) officially inducted the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG J-20 on September 26...Read More

Russian Helicopters and Avicopter have agreed on technical responsibilities and workshare for the Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) helicopter program...Read More

India media reports claim that the DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System’s (ATAGS) firing tests at Pokhran yielded “world-beating” records...Read More

Chinese state-owned media report that Chengdu Aerospace Superalloy Technology Co. Ltd. (CAST) can mass-producing single-crystal turbine blades...Read More

Saab and Indian infrastructure business Adani Group have announced a partnership to promote the JAS-39E/F Gripen and other defence systems to India...Read More

The Indian Ministry of Defence has received the first batch of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) systems for the India Navy...Read More

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing for an additional 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters to augment the 36 fighters on order...Read More

Malaysia has launched its first DCNS Gowind-based Littoral Combat Ship for the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Maharaja Lela, on August 24...Read More

The value of Indonesia’s forthcoming purchase of 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters from Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation is set at $1.14 billion U.S....Read More

The Government of India has begun the process of procuring 123 anti-submarine warfare-capable naval multirole helicopters and 111 naval utility helicopters...Read More

India’s Ministry of Defence Production has approved a $654.6 million U.S. purchase for six Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters...Read More

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the maiden flight of the first EL/M-2052 AESA radar-equipped SEPECAT Jaguar DARIN III on August 10...Read More

China plans to conduct mooring trials for its first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier in September...Read More

Indonesia has signed an MoU with Russia’s Rostec to exchange Indonesian coffee, palm oil and other agriculture products for Sukhoi Su-35 fighters...Read More

A panel appointed by the Indian Defence Ministry has recommended that New Delhi participate in the PAK-FA – i.e. Su-57 – stealth fighter program with Russia...Read More

DRDO has showcased its newly developed Muntra unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for operations in specific high-threat conditions...Read More

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu announced that Jakarta will procure 11 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multi-role fighters from Russia...Read More

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced that it is ready to produce the CH-5 drone for export...Read More

Jiangnan-Changxing Shipyard in Shanghai launched a Type 055 destroyer for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on Wednesday, June 28...Read More

Rostec and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) are aiming to ink the development contract for the Advanced Heavy Lifter helicopter in 2017...Read More

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed an agreement to jointly market and produce the F-16 Block-70 in India...Read More

The Bangladesh Air Force inked an order for five Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters from Russian Helicopters on Monday, June 12....Read More

Thanks to photos shared on Chinese websites (i.e. FYJS.cn), the first FC-1 bound for export, apparently to Myanmar, has been spotted in China....Read More

In January, the Pakistan Army’s Inspectorate of Armaments imported weapons from Hanwha Corporation and Poongsan Corporation for possible tests...Read More

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced that it successfully conducted two flight tests for its new ramjet engine...Read More

Indonesia will sign a contract for Sukhoi Su-35 from United Aircraft Corporation by the end of 2017. The TNI-AU could acquire at least 8 aircraft. ...Read More

The Indonesian Army’s (TNI-AD) first Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is undergoing tests. The TNI-AD has eight AH-64Es on order in a $1.4 billion U.S. package...Read More

Indonesia, STM and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems signed a letter-of-intent to explore the sale of Turkish-built Type 214 submarines to Indonesia...Read More

Turkish armoured vehicles supplier FNSS and Indonesia’s PT Pindad showcased their jointly developed Kaplan MT armoured fighting vehicle (AFV)...Read More

The Government of Thailand inked a $1.04 billion U.S. deal for three S26T air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines from China...Read More

Hongdu Aviation Industry Group rolled out its first L-15B lead-in fighter-trainer (LIFT) on May 1, building upon the success of the L-15A ...Read More

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is preparing to launch its first indigenously built – and second – aircraft carrier…...Read More

Golcük Shipyard and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) jointly marketed the Type 214 diesel-electric submarine (SSK) to Indonesia...Read More

The Royal Thai Army ordered 34 NORINCO VN-1 8x8 armoured fighting vehicles to join the 38 NORINCO VT-4 main battle tanks it has on order from China...Read More

On March 29 Indonesia signed a letter-of-intent (LoI) to buy Airbus DS A400M Atlas transport aircraft...Read More

Thailand’s Prime Minister – Prayut Chan-o-cha – confirmed Bangkok’s plans to procure three AIP-powered submarines from China...Read More

Saab and BAE Systems are reportedly offering export credit/financing plans for Malaysia’s fighter bid (to replace its MiG-29s)...Read More

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) recently received a batch of four additional Embraer A-29 Super Tucano close air support (CAS) aircraft...Read More

Europe’s defence giants Leonardo and Airbus Defence & Space (DS) are taking aim at emerging maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) requirements in Asia...Read More

Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Defence Purchases (DGDP) released its tender for up to 12 new-built multi-role combat aircraft...Read More

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) successfully test flew a Wing-Loong II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Monday, 27 February 2017...Read More

CSSC showcased a next-generation trimaran-hull frigate and the S26 air-independent propulsion (AIP)-powered submarine at IDEX 2017...Read More

The Government of India approved US $203 million for raising a second production line for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas ...Read More

Saab and Lockheed Martin are competing for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) requirement of new single-engine fighter aircraft to replace its MiG-21s...Read More

The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics recently revealed the AR-2 small precision-guided air-to-ground missile for CH-series armed drones...Read More

The Competition Commission of India cleared Dassault and Reliance ADAG to form a joint venture for the Indian Air Force’s Rafale program...Read More

Myanmar is reportedly in negotiations with Pakistan for the local licensed production of JF-17 Thunder lightweight multi-role fighters...Read More

The Indian Navy issued a Request for International (RFI) for 57 multi-role carrier-borne fighters for its burgeoning aircraft carrier fleet...Read More

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) secured USD $383.4 million for the first of three S26T air-independent propulsion (AIP)-powered submarines...Read More

Despite media reports claiming that Thailand has or plans to cancel its Oplot-M main battle tank order, the Malyshev Factory states that the contract is still in place...Read More

The Avicopter AC352, which was jointly developed by Avicopter and Airbus Helicopters, successfully conducted its maiden flight using the WZ-16 turboshaft…...Read More

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has issued a tender for active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radars for the HAL Tejas Mk-1A......Read More

Images attributed to the second Shenyang Aircraft Corporation J-31 prototype suggest that the unit is imminently ready to conduct its maiden test flight…...Read More

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will reportedly begin receiving its Su-35 Flanker-E multi-role fighters before the end of 2016…...Read More

Indonesia’s Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu confirmed to state media that the Indonesian government is in talks with Russia for eight Su-35s…...Read More

The Government of Bangladesh plans to procure eight multi-role combat aircraft for the Bangladesh Air Force in the fiscal year 2016-2017…...Read More

Manilla is considering the possibility of procuring arms from Islamabad in a bid to modernize its armed forces and diversify its supplier pool…...Read More

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the remote-sensing satellite Resourcesat-2A into orbit…...Read More

The Indian Navy has determined that the Naval Tejas is not yet adequate for carrier operations because its low thrust-to-weight ratio…...Read More

The Government of India has inked a $750 million U.S. contract for 145 BAE Systems M777 lightweight towed howitzers…...Read More

Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Defence Purchases (DGDP) has released a tender for two anti-submarine warfare helicopters…...Read More

France’s Safran Group will be supporting Gas Turbine Research Establishment in the final development work areas of the Kaveri turbofan…...Read More

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has declared that the Liaoning, its first and only aircraft carrier, is now ‘combat ready.’...Read More

India has successfully test flown its indigenously developed medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, the RUSTOM-II…...Read More

The Bangladesh Navy has taken delivery of two refurbished Type 035G diesel-electric submarines (SSK) – BNS Nabajatra and BNS Joyjatra – from China....Read More

The Royal Malaysian Navy will procure four surface warships from China. These combatants have been designed “Littoral Mission Ships” (LMS)…...Read More

China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) began marketing its new AEW&C offering in the form of KJ-200-based ZDK06. Hinted of letting customers choose platforms…...Read More

At the Zhuhai Air Show, the Chinese defence industry showcased its diverse range air-to-surface munitions and solutions. IHS Jane’s reports that the Ying Sun (YINGS) III is a day and night-capable laser-targeting pod available in three...

Saab, Lockheed Martin, Dassault, United Aircraft Corporation and Airbus Defence and Space are taking aim at Indonesia’s call for new fighter …...Read More

Indonesia’s PT Palindo Marine showcased its mini-submarine design at Indo-Defence 2016, a 22-metre ship oriented for special forces operations in littoral waters…...Read More

The People Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s newest fighter aircraft, the Chengdu J-20, recently made its public debut at the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show…...Read More

The Turkish armour vehicle manufacturer FNSS Savunma Sistemleri and Indonesian defence vendor PT Pindad have unveiled the collaborative tank program, the Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT), at Indo Defence 2016, Indonesia’s bi-annual defence exhibition. Notes &...

The Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) has unveiled a new active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar for the JF-17 …...Read More

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is showcasing a new jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – the Cloud Shadow…...Read More

The Indian Navy will lease a second Akula-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) to take over from its current Akula-class SSN, INS Chakra…...Read More

The Indian Navy has reportedly decided to omit to integrate a homegrown air-independent propulsion system to its forthcoming DCNS Scorpene submarines …...Read More

The Government of India has begun the process of selecting probable candidates for replacing the Indian Air Force’s legacy MiG-21 interceptors …...Read More

The Indian Ministry of Defence is reportedly not firm on the idea of additional Rafale fighters, may opt for another platform instead …...Read More

Dassault Aviation will partner with private sector Reliance Group to begin executing its commercial offset commitments in India....Read More

With plans to acquire another 36 Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50s, the Philippine Air Force is looking to expand its airpower capabilities....Read More

The third Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Series Production (SP) unit for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is close to induction…...Read More

The Government of India has finally inked an $8.8 billion U.S. deal with France for 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters and lucrative offsets....Read More

Wiranto – Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Security, and Legal Affairs – extended an offer to sell defence equipment to Pakistan....Read More

The Indian Navy’s second Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyer, Mormugao, is scheduled to be launched on 17 September 2016....Read More

The People Liberation Army Navy has recently decommissioned the Nanchang, one of its remaining Type 051 destroyers....Read More

Tata Advanced Materials Limited will produce various composite materials, namely interior panels, for Boeing’s P-8 maritime patrol aircraft....Read More

The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation seems to have developed a 70km range version of its HQ-16 surface-to-air missile system....Read More

The commander of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force recently confirmed the existence of a next-generation strategic bomber program...Read More

On 6 September, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Light Utility Helicopter successfully undertook its maiden test flight....Read More

The Government of India may walk away from the idea of acquiring an additional three Scorpene conventional submarines from France’s DCNS....Read More

India and Russia have agreed to a $300 million U.S. plan to establish a logistics hub to support the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI Flanker fleet....Read More

By establishing Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), Beijing is looking consolidate its aircraft engine development and manufacturing efforts....Read More

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully test-launched its scramjet engine from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh....Read More

Confidential details of DCNS’s Scorpene-class submarine, which is in use by India, Malaysia, and Chile were leaked in a 22K+ page document....Read More

The Indian Ministry of Defence will re-allocate $8.46 billion U.S. in unspent development funding to procurements....Read More

The second batch of C13B (i.e. Type 056) corvettes for the Bangladesh Navy has recently entered production in China....Read More

The Government of Sri Lanka has approved the Sri Lankan Air Force’s plan to procure a squadron of new fighter aircraft to supplant its ageing fleet....Read More

The Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff (CAS)’s visit to Sri Lanka is a bid to continue enhancing defence ties between Sri Lanka & Pakistan....Read More

Turkey’s BMC will join hands with Rheinmetall AG & Malaysia’s Etika to create a new joint company to market armoured solutions for the Middle East & Asia....Read More

Tata Technologies Limited, India’s growing defence giant, is seeking to expand and grow in prominence through targeted acquisitions....Read More

China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) could be offering global satellite navigation coverage by 2020....Read More

An introductory overview of transfer-of-technology (ToT) and commercial offsets in the context of developing world defence industries and militaries. ...Read More

The People Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has formally inducted the first of its many XAC Y-20 heavy-lift transport aircraft....Read More

As part of its offset commitments for India’s Rafale acquisition, France is offering to invest over a billion dollars in India’s homegrown fighter engine....Read More

Not a conventional comparison of the JF-17 Thunder and LCA Tejas, but a look at cases where each platform shines in comparative to the other....Read More

An overview and analysis of India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), especially in terms of its impact on India's defence programs....Read More

Russian Helicopters and China’s AVIC have inked an agreement to develop the Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) helicopter, which will be based on the Mi-26....Read More

India’s Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) approves $750 million U.S. deal to procure 145 M777 ultra-lightweight howitzer artillery guns from the U.S....Read More

Boeing has begun construction on a new AH-64 Apache production facility in partnership with Tata. India will become the source of key AH-64 parts....Read More

Hanwha Techwin is marketing its K9 Thunder 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzer at Eurosatory 2016 in Paris. It is competing for several tenders....Read More

South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the first Daegu-class (FFX-II) multi-mission frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy....Read More

India’s Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha is on a visit to Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen production facilities in Sweden....Read More

According to Chinese media, the AVIC Y-20 heavy-lift transport aircraft be delivered to listed Chinese military and civil buyers “very soon.”...Read More

Last week, the Government of Bangladesh announced that it will increase its defence budget for 2016-2017 by $2.8 billion....Read More

According to its ambassador in Russia, Indonesia is interested in acquiring two Kilo-class submarines and other arms from Russia....Read More

The Government of India has essentially banned (on charges of corruption) the Italian defence giant Leonardo from competing for Indian military contracts....Read More

The L-15, China’s promising lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) is beginning to materialize as an adept lightweight multi-role fighter....Read More

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has taken delivery of its first of eight Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMV)...Read More

According to India’s defence minister, the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Rafale deal will be finalized in June....Read More

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has selected General Electric (GE) to supply the powerplant that will be used on the KFX...Read More

Bureaucratic friction once again grinds the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Rafale purchase - $8.9 billion for 36 fighters and offsets - to a halt...Read More

The Sri Lankan Air Force is reportedly dropping the JF-17 and LCA in favour of a Russian fighter, potentially the Yak-130...Read More

A leading designer at CASC says that an “unnamed South Asian” country with a history of buying CH-drones is in talks for the CH-4....Read More

The CM-708UNB has a range of 290km. Could this missile be joining the eight new submarines Pakistan is buying from China? ...Read More

Pakistan may not have many avenues to explore in the Pacific Asia defence market, but firms such as Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) do have a real shot if they play their cards correctly. ...Read More

After protracted negotiations, India and France have finalized an $8.8 billion U.S. purchase for 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters....Read More

The Y-20 conducted its maiden flight in January 2013, and with its latest prototype flying in February 2016, the aircraft seems to be entering Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by the end of this year. ...Read More

Destined to one day begin replacing the ROKAF’s F-16s, the KFX (and IFX in terms of Indonesia) could have a real opportunity at replacing many of the world’s F-16s in the late 2020s and early 2030s....Read More

Pakistan reportedly closed the sale of eight JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft to Sri Lanka on 05 January 2016. This marks the second finalized overseas JF-17 sale for Pakistan, the first likely being Myanmar...Read More

On 11 December the Bangladesh Navy received two new-build C13B corvettes, BNS Shadhinota (F11) and BNS Prottoy (F112), from China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC). ...Read More

Last week an article emerged on Ceylon Today outlining not only a possible sale of 10 JF-17s to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), but additional news about mounting Indian...

The F/A-50 is the fighter derivative of the T-50. The T-50 was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with the help of Lockheed Martin. ...Read More

It is no secret that India’s immense and once burgeoning public sector defence industry has its shortfalls, particularly in terms of its inefficiencies, which have consistently delayed and inflated key military programs, most notably the Light...

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) recently unveiled the FC-31 Gyrfalcon at the 2015 Dubai Air Show. The twin-engine FC-31 is marketed as a 5th-generation multi-role stealth fighter based on the J-31 that has been...

14 September 2015 By Bilal Khan The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will receive the first 6 of its 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainers from Russia on September 17 (RBTH). Bangladesh ordered the aircraft in January 2014...

By Bilal Khan The Indonesian Ministry of Defence recently announced that the country would acquire “a squadron” of Sukhoi Su-35s from Russia to replace the Indonesian Air Force’s ageing Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs. The contract is...

By Bilal Khan Building upon its recent surge in commercial ties with Russia, Bangladesh just signed onto purchasing seven Mi-171 Hip helicopters from Moscow. The order is composed of six Mi-171Sh assault-transport helicopters and one Mi-171E...

By Bilal Khan It is not an understatement to state that India’s Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program has been a very long and arduous journey for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Government, and...