Defence Notes

Companies post mostly rosy results but warn of potential dark clouds

First quarter 2025 results have been dropping for companies in the past week but many of the US results come with a health warning in their forward-looking aspects about the potential impact of actions by the Trump administration.

Naval Warfare

Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS

In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.

Defence Notes

Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan

The new plan outlined how Spain would reach 2% of its GDP spend on defence by 2025, with €1.9 billion earmarked for new equipment acquisition with several land, naval and air platforms disclosed to be replaced or upgraded.

Naval Warfare

How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions

The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.

More Stories

Defence Notes

PODCAST: What kit are special operations forces looking to procure and what’s behind China’s increase in its defence budget?

5th June 2020

Welcome to Episode 22 of the second series of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more. Sign up to an early email alert …
Air Warfare

Marshall to upgrade Austrian C-130K avionics

5th June 2020

Marshall Aerospace and Defence has been awarded a multimillion-pound contract by the Austrian Air Force to upgrade and modernise the avionics of its three C-130K …
Naval Warfare

Mexican government priorities mean Benito Juarez sails alone

5th June 2020

The Mexican Navy is unlikely to receive additional SIGMA 10514 Patrulla Oceánica de Largo Alcance (POLA) long-range ocean patrol vessels — or other ships in the …
Defence Notes

BAE Systems CORDA to provide policy analysis to UK MoD

4th June 2020

BAE Systems CORDA is providing analysis on strategy, policy and investment challenges to the UK MoD, under a £350 million ($439 million) contract from Dstl. …
Air Warfare

Airbus obtains automatic low-level flight certification for A400M

4th June 2020

Airbus has secured automatic low-level flight certification for the A400M, following tests over the Pyrenees and across central France in April. The aircraft performed operations …
Defence Notes

US Defence Secretary opposes use of Insurrection Act

4th June 2020

US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper has told a Pentagon press briefing that he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807. Doing so …
Defence Notes

Boeing delivers first Super Hornet for USN Blue Angels

4th June 2020

Boeing on 3 June reported that it has delivered the first F/A-18 Super Hornet test aircraft for the USN’s Blue Angel flight demonstration squadron. The …
Defence Notes

COVID-19 prompts RCAF to enhance medevac capabilities

3rd June 2020

The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) is procuring a new isolation system to facilitate the transport of up to four highly infectious patients on …
Air Warfare

Kongsberg secures F-35 air-to-air pylon contract

3rd June 2020

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace confirmed on 3 June that it has secured a contract with Marvin Engineering, for the provision of air-to-air pylons for the …
Naval Warfare

IAI completes LORA firing trial

3rd June 2020

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on 2 June that it has completed a dual operational firing trial of its Long-Range Artillery Weapon System (LORA). The …
Air Warfare

Airbus A400M achieves paratrooper simultaneous dispatch certification

3rd June 2020

The Airbus A400M transport aircraft has achieved certification of its simultaneous paratrooper dispatch capability and completed full industrial development of the paratrooping deployment capacity. The …
Naval Warfare

Russia dawdles on improving naval infantry equipment

3rd June 2020

An official keel-laying ceremony is expected in the coming weeks for two Project 23900 amphibious assault ships at the Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch, as Russia …
Naval Warfare

Babcock gains another MTA contract

3rd June 2020

Babcock confirmed on 2 June that it has been awarded a multimillion-pound contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to deliver 18 tactical Missile Tube …
Defence Notes

Tensions boil over along Sino-Indian border

2nd June 2020

India and China are the world’s two most populous nations, and their militaries are currently engaged in a faceoff high in the Himalayas. Confrontations have …
Defence Notes

China accused of driving 5G security wedge between the UK and US

2nd June 2020

A US senator has weighed into the debate surrounding the UK reassessing whether to allow China’s Huawei telecommunications agency a role within its 5G cyber …
Naval Warfare

RFA trio remain in extended readiness as reduced fleet continues to support RN deployments

2nd June 2020

A trio of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ships, Fort Rosalie, Fort Austin and Wave Ruler (the latter pictured above during more active times), could see their periods of extended …
Naval Warfare

HII to carry out modernisation of USS Harry S Truman

2nd June 2020

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on 1 June was awarded a $17.17 million contract for maintenance and modernisation work on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S …
Defence Notes

IAI hooks up with Israeli start-ups for autonomous systems

2nd June 2020

The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Innovation Center is producing its first deliverables after completing an initial 13-week cycle of development with three local start-up companies. …
Naval Warfare

PLAN aircraft carrier sea trials on schedule

2nd June 2020

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is conducting sea trials of its latest Type 001A aircraft carrier, the Shandong (Hull 17), according to the Chinese …