Main News Portal

Global defence news, analysis and data insights across air, land, naval and military training. Shephard’s team of expert journalists cover new equipment and technology coverage, capability development, acquisition plans, contract awards and more.

Air Warfare

JF-17 fighter fills expanding niche in a competitive geopolitical market

With orders from three countries, 2024 is unlikely to be the last of the export years for the joint Pakistan-Chinese fighter jet.

Land Warfare

British Army’s Archer hits bullseye for capability and procurement

The Archer artillery system was rushed into service and training of British Army trainers began in October 2023 before live fire trials just over a year later.

Air Warfare

Japan and South Korea upgrade F-15 fighters to keep them relevant

Japan and South Korea plan major enhancements to their F-15 programmes.

Training

Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army

The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.

More Stories

Naval Warfare

US Coast Guard acquires icebreaker, and gets approval for Polar cutter

26th December 2024

The investment will help the US move towards its prescribed Arctic requirement.
Naval Warfare

Saab signs modernisation deal for Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability

24th December 2024

Sweden’s Baltic coastal defence will be upgraded with new missile options.
Naval Warfare

South Korea chooses LIG Nex1 for reconnaissance USV

24th December 2024

The uncrewed surface vessel was secured with a DAPA contract.
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?
Land Warfare

British Army programme cuts could continue in 2025

24th December 2024

The six-month old Labour leadership in the UK has already made cuts and army programmes could be on the chopping block in 2025. Where might the axe fall?
Naval Warfare

Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen

23rd December 2024

The PNS Yamama completes the class of maritime security vessels.
Land Warfare

NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet

23rd December 2024

VAMTAC vehicles are expected to replace one-quarter of New Zealand’s Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
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?
Naval Warfare

Hanwha Ocean to build FFX Batch-IV frigates for South Korea

23rd December 2024

Hanwha Ocean aims for consistency between Batch-III and Batch-IV, despite radical technological overhaul.
Land Warfare

Israel’s Elbit Systems riding high and reports almost a billion dollars in orders to close 2024

23rd December 2024

Elbit Systems has signed another US$967 million in orders in the past three months after reporting its land revenues increased by 24% for 3Q2024 compared to 3Q 2023 thanks to increasing ammunition and munition sales in Israel.
Digital Battlespace

Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s

20th December 2024

Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
Air Warfare

XTEND wins contract for precision strike drone

20th December 2024

XTEND is supplying its Scorpio UAS to meet a US DoD requirement for an indoor/outdoor strike drone.
Air Warfare

US Congress limits F-35 procurement

20th December 2024

Restrictions cover new purchases of the three variants of the multirole fighter and require the DoD to correct issues in the acquisition programme.
Air Warfare

Spain makes order for 25 Eurofighter Typhoons

20th December 2024

Known as the Halcon II programme, the order covers 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft, set to be delivered between 2030 and 2035.
Land Warfare

BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles

20th December 2024

BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.
Land Warfare

Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks

20th December 2024

The contract is for the supply of a variety of military logistic platforms equipped with tactical cabins and based on the new range of IDV SMR6 trucks (Standard Military Range), which includes 4×4, 8×8 and 10x10 variants.
Naval Warfare

Navantia signs deal to supply new Avante 2200 corvettes to Saudi Arabia

20th December 2024

The vessels are the latest additions to an ongoing supply arrangement for Saudi Arabia’s defence force.
Land Warfare

Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system

20th December 2024

Poland has been investing heavily in new defence equipment, including billions-of-dollars in air defence systems such as Narew and Wisła to provide multi-tier coverage, as well as in C2 systems such as IBCS.