Defence Notes

Read the latest general defence news and company announcements from our team of expert journalists and analysts, giving you the 'so what' behind the latest headlines.

Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”

The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.

Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force

It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.

Uncrewed Vehicles

Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market

The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.

Land Warfare

Viettel acts as dominant force in Vietnam’s military modernisation

Vietnam defence manufacturer Viettel, traditionally known for radar and communications equipment, has been moving into new areas including kinetic weapons and loitering munitions.

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Air Warfare

Lockheed wins $8.7 million contract for Singapore F-16 upgrades

21st January 2025

The contract modification announced by the DSCA, will cover consolidated spares in support of Singapore’s F-16 upgrade programme.
Land Warfare

Solving production & supply chain challenges with additive manufacturing

13th January 2025

Boosting supply chain resilience with additive manufacturing: exploring solutions to production and logistics challenges.
Air Warfare

Norway contributes NOK 700 million to Ukraine drone donation

9th January 2025

Other countries, including Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Latvia, have also donated funds towards drones and maritime training for Ukraine.
Air Warfare

Lockheed secures more than $12 billion in contracts for F-35 production and TR-3 upgrades

9th January 2025

The contracts include a $678.4-million contract for F-35 modification kits, along with an earlier December 2024 contract worth $11.7 billion for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 Lot 18 aircraft.
Naval Warfare

US to resume production of SM–3 IB interceptors

3rd January 2025

Although the US Navy and MDA planned to discontinue the acquisition of this missile, Congress provided $250 million for its manufacturing.
Air Warfare

Undisclosed customer signs for two C-390 Millennium aircraft

30th December 2024

The customer would be the 10th nation to select the C-390 after several others signed orders for the aircraft in 2024.
Air Warfare

Is Chinese naval air power ready for action?

30th December 2024

What role will the new jets and aircraft carriers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy play in Beijing’s wider fleet?
Air Warfare

Assessing Saab’s future as an independent combat aircraft developer

27th December 2024

Can Sweden’s Saab continue to go it alone in the fighter jet market, or could it boost its profile by forging new partnerships?
Air Warfare

Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line

24th December 2024

Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?
Naval Warfare

South American shipyards end 2024 positively as regional navies bet on local manufacturers

23rd December 2024

The year ends with several South American navies undergoing ambitious programmes to modernise their fleets. A common denominator is that regional services want domestically manufactured surface vessels and even submarines.
Air Warfare

Analysis: Is the C-5 Galaxy in it for the long-haul?

23rd December 2024

What are the realistic options for replacing or replicating the C-5’s unique capability when it finally reaches its end of life?
Land Warfare

US sanctions fail to rattle India as it looks to Russian long-range radar

20th December 2024

India has been navigating a strategic balancing act in its defence modernisation efforts as it considers deals with Russia and the US.
Air Warfare

Northrop gets $3.5 billion contract to integrate mission systems for E-6B successor

19th December 2024

The E-130J aircraft will take over the E-6B for the US Navy’s Take Charge and Move Out system.
Land Warfare

Land Warfare Preview 2025: Questions remain in a time of change

19th December 2024

The land war in Ukraine has dominated the posture, spending and actions of Russia and NATO countries for two years. With a new US Government committed to ending the conflict early in 2025, there are implications on all three of those fronts.
Air Warfare

Air Warfare Preview 2025: A pressure-filled year ahead will see decisions made on major platforms and programmes

18th December 2024

Looming government decisions on major defence programmes in the US and UK will colour much of 2025, while manufacturers and their orderbooks look on.
Naval Warfare

Naval Warfare Review 2024: Business as usual overshadowed by geopolitics and budgets, but innovation promised solutions

13th December 2024

There was solid programme advancement around the world in 2024, but a combination of more threats, fleet unreadiness and a financial squeeze darkened naval horizons as the year advanced.
Land Warfare

Land Warfare Review 2024: Conflict in Europe and the Middle East dominate attention and power spending

11th December 2024

Political turbulence in the US and across the Atlantic could have huge implications for Ukraine in the coming months. In 2024, however, the land warfare domain saw spending increase in eastern and central Europe, the continent continue its preference for the CV90 and a global rise in the demand for missiles.
Air Warfare

Air Warfare Review 2024: Budget cuts and delays fail to dampen modernisation efforts in 2024

10th December 2024

From major platform upgrades, high-value contract wins and programme delays, Shephard reported on a mixed year for air warfare in 2024, as geopolitical tensions rose across Europe and the Middle East.
Naval Warfare

Italian Navy finally takes delivery of Trieste

10th December 2024

The largest ship built in Italy in the post-war period has been delivered, and is expected to significantly boost Italy’s Amphibious Task Group.