Overview

The year 2022 can be defined as a turning point for global security and the geopolitical landscape. It was a significant year for the global defense industry as 2022 witnessed an immense increase in demand for weapons largely due to a global wave of military modernization. New technological advances were achieved while older technologies were upgraded. From next-generation bombers and aircraft to basic handheld rocket launchers, the IRIA Defense Review 2022 provides a concise and comprehensive overview of the weapon technologies of 2022 and their use in modern warfare.

The first quarter of the year 2022 saw the beginning of Russia’s war on Ukraine and changed the course for the rest of the year. Although the actual military campaign started only in February 2022, the military buildup had been forging grounds since late 2021. Updates related to the Russia-Ukraine war have been making headlines to date as it seems far from over. The Russia-Ukraine war is a significant development because it is one of the largest military conflicts in Europe since World War II. This year’s edition of Defense Review extensively focuses on events related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

NATO claims not to be an actor in the Russia-Ukraine war, however, members of the NATO alliance are most vulnerable to a security threat if the war spreads beyond Ukrainian borders. In the wake of this threat, NATO and its allies have revitalized their arsenal and defense capabilities. NATO has conducted a large number of military exercises while the alliance members are ramping up efforts to deter a possible war in Europe. All this has led to an immense increase in the demand for weapons most prominently, fighter jets and air defense systems. U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and Korean-made FA-50 Golden Eagle saw a substantial increase in demand while U.S.-made HIMARS became the most extensively used air defense system against Russian aerial attacks. This year’s Defense Review puts a special emphasis on these and other defensive weapons technologies that gained prominence as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The year 2022 also saw a substantial improvement in the drone industry as global militaries are shifting towards cheaper yet more reliable drones to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance as well as light combat missions. Turkey became the frontrunner in the global drone industry with its military drones gaining significant fame during the Russia-Ukraine war. On the other hand, Iranian drones also gained a fair share of publicity after being used by the Russian military for carrying out attacks in Ukraine. Defense Review 2022 gives particular attention to the role of drones in modern warfare and its future implications.

As Europe was facing a threat of aggression, a lot happened in the Indo-Pacific region as well. The year 2022 saw an unprecedented increase in weapons testing and missile launches by North Korea. From the start of 2022 until the end, North Korean leadership kept its regional rivals on the edge of their seats by carrying out consecutive missile tests, including one of the largest Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests to date.

Not too far away from North Korea, tensions were rising between China and the U.S. on issues related to Taiwan. The ongoing tension reached its climax in August 2022 when an unannounced trip by the U.S. House Speaker to the self-governed island angered Beijing to a point that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted the largest-ever live-fire drills around Taiwan. The IRIA Defense Review 2022 provides an analysis of the weapons and military capabilities that China showed off during the live-fire drills.

Militaries all around the world advanced their ambitions of modernization. Several countries added new fighter jets, naval ships, and attack missiles to their fleets while many others unveiled similar plans for the future. The most significant additions are the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Bomber Jet, Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant Aircraft Carrier, and Russian Navy’s Oscar II-class Belgorod K-329 Submarine. These cutting-edge upgrades to the largest military arsenals of the world indicate the ambitions of the states and the continually evolving global and regional security landscape.

Overview

The evolving geopolitical situation has intensified the need for procurement and development of advanced weapons technology and led many countries to enhance and upgrade their arsenals. The year 2021 witnessed significant progress on this front with many countries unveiling their weapons upgrade plans and aircraft, warships, and missile procurement programs. These ameliorations are not only confined to the conventional domains such as naval technology, air defense systems, and land-based weapons but also explore new and unconventional domains such as space weapons and hypersonic missile technologies.

This edition of IRIA Defense Review focuses on the latest advancements in all domains of weapons technologies. In this edition, several ongoing and future military programs from around the world have been analyzed concisely to provide readers with relevant information on weapon development projects.

The United States’ progress in the X-Plane project, LongShot UAV program, and Hypersonic weapons technology demonstrates that the U.S. military has paced its efforts to develop and procure the latest aerial defense technologies. While Russia is focusing on enhancing its naval capabilities with the development of its latest 23900 Amphibious Assault Ships Project. Russia is also increasingly focused on hypersonic weapons programs and has conducted several tests of submarine-launched and ship-launched hypersonic missiles.

China, after making significant progress on the naval front in the past few years, has shifted its focus on the advancement of its aerial warfare capabilities. China’s new 20-series fighter jets and drones are set to become its most important air defense and assault assets. At present, China is also leading the hypersonic arms race with the capabilities of deploying operational missiles and advancing its ongoing missile development programs.

At the same time, Turkey is determined to become one of the biggest producers and exporters of drone and UAV technology. In South Asia, India and Pakistan are making significant progress in upgrading their arsenals through indigenously developed weapons as well as acquiring new technologies from their respective allies, the U.S. and China. In East Asia, Japan has acquired the latest AEGIS destroyer and is set to increase its naval capabilities amid the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. While Iran’s Alborz and Borhan air defense systems and North Korea’s Hwagsong-8 hypersonic missiles have been the most significant advancements by the countries despite heavy sanctions.

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