Project Updates

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Equipment Type: Main battle tank 

Manufacturer: RBSL 

Location: UK 

Operators: British Army 

Programme Value: $1.11bn

Challenger 3 is a new main battle tank being developed for the British army, with the UK Ministry of Defence tasking Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in 2021 for the conversion of 148 Challenger 2 tanks into the Challenger 3 configuration. In January 2024, TT Electronics secured a contract to integrate electric cable harness assemblies for the Challenger 3 MBT.

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Equipment Type: Ballistic missile submarine 

Manufacturer: Naval Group 

Location: France 

Operators: French Navy 

Programme Value: Unknown

The third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine programme (SNLE 3G) is designed to meet the requirements of the French Navy into the 2090s, with the class due to enter service from 2035. Launched in February 2021, the programme aims to provide the French Navy with a new fleet of four ballistic missile submarines. Construction of the first boat commenced in March 2024.

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Equipment Type: SIGINT surveillance aircraft 

Manufacturer: Bombardier Defense, Hensoldt  

Location: US/Germany 

Operators: German Air Force 

Programme Value: $1bn

In May 2024, the first of an eventual three-airframe fleet of Pegasus signals intelligence (SIGINT) spy aircraft for Germany rolled out of Bomdardier Defense’s Wichita site to begin its ground testing programme. In June 2021, Hensoldt was awarded a contract to supply an airborne SIGINT capability on board three Bombardier jets based on its Kalætron Integral system.