• Air Warfare

  Saudi Arabia “considering its options” with potential 100 Kaan jet acquisition

  8th January 2025

  Despite local media reports, an analyst has suggested that the country could be using these discussions as a way to gain bargaining power to bolster its bid to join the Global Combat Air Programme.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey moves one step closer towards Eurofighter Typhoon purchase

  17th October 2024

  Germany, the last country in the programme’s consortium to agree to any potential sale, has now softened its objections as the go-ahead for technical talks has been given.

• Defence Notes

  Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion

  11th February 2025

  The new figure is an increase from US$75.8 billion in 2024 and showcases the country’s focus on its Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing the Kingdom’s dependency on oil.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey begins steel-cutting on MUGEM and MiLDEN vessels

  3rd January 2025

  The MUGEM, TF-2000 and MiLDEN programmes all aim to boost Turkey’s domestic shipbuilding prowess and its fleet.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey scales back F-16 deal while US shifts position on F-35s, minister claims

  28th November 2024

  Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler gave updates on the country’s F-16 and Eurofighter acquisitions in Parliament, while signalling the US could reinstate Turkey into its F-35 programme.

• Air Warfare

  Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2025)

  10th February 2025

  The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet remains in the limelight more than 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and details everything you need to know about the aircraft in 2025.

• Air Warfare

  Croatia to purchase six Bayraktar TB2 drones in $95 million deal

  18th November 2024

  The drones will be used to cover radio coverage in Croatia in both stationary and mobile configurations, according to Croatia’s Minister of Defence, and will be equipped with an initial set of weapons.

• Land Warfare

  Romania signs for 1,059 Otokar Cobra II vehicles

  28th November 2024

  The deal was signed after Otokar became the last bidder standing. The first 278 vehicles will be manufactured in Turkey and the rest built in Romania.

• Land Warfare

  First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year

  19th November 2024

  Turkey has experienced losses of tanks in Syria including Leopards to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). A new active protection system (APS) will reduce the likelihood of such attacks being effective.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts

  14th February 2025

  Companies such as the Eurofighter consortium and Embraer, await potential orders from the Middle East, while countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE work to add mass, modernise and replace ageing aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey’s first commercial-built special operations submarine passes pressure hull test

  24th October 2024

  It is hoped the building of the STM500 might stimulate international sales.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Shifting sands – the Middle East’s defence landscape in flux (video)

  13th February 2025

  As Western influence wanes, Middle Eastern countries are leveraging defence modernisation to assert regional dominance, while global players such as China and Turkey seize new market opportunities. Sam Hart, Senior Land Analyst at Shephard Group, offers insights into how these developments are reshaping the region’s defence landscape.

• Naval Warfare

  Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile

  18th February 2025

  The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.

• Land Warfare

  Otokar inches towards Romania deal in major boost for the company

  8th October 2024

  The possible procurement of vehicles by Romania would build on the existing commercial presence which Otokar has in the country.

• Air Warfare

  USAF tests Harpoon missile integration on F-16 aircraft

  4th March 2025

  The integration of the Harpoon missile on the Lockheed Martin fighter worked to showcase the rapid speed at which a ‘gateway system’ integration can add new capabilities to aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter [Turkiye]

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey had already paid $1.4 billion into the programme, while its defence industry has ploughed significant sums into ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Reis Class (1-6) [Turkey]

  Programme Background Turkey is taking delivery of six Reis-class Type 214TN diesel-electric attack (SSK) submarines from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The new boats ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Programme Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Rwanda]

  Programme Background Media Links In October 2021, online reports emerged linking Rwanda with Baykar's TB2 drone. It was reported that the RFF's ongoing experience conducting military ...

• Fighter - multirole

  TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Geopolitical factors have spurred aircraft development in Türkiye. With its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project following the Russian S-400 ...

• Trainer

  KT-1T - Turkey

  In 2007, Turkey bought 40 KT-1 aircraft under a $400 million deal that puts average unit cost estimate around $10 million per platform.The first five ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

• Data links

  Data links | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [Türkiye]

  Turkey has become the second country to receive the new-generation A400M airlifter, with the first of ten aircraft handed over by Airbus Defence and Space ...

• Trainer

  MFI-395 Super Mushshak

  The TAF deliveries will mark the first NATO customer operating the platform. The deal is believed to be worth more than $50 million. According to the ...

• Corvettes

  PN MILGEM Corvettes (1-4) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Timeline The Ada-class is Turkey's first indigenous developed and built ship project under the MILGEM project. The project aimed at designing and building ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Tanks

  Upgraded M60

  IMI's Upgraded M60, originally known as the Sabra, is rooted in the company's experience upgrading M48 and M60 MBTs to the Magach standard for the Israel ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16

  The Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16 is an interceptor craft designed by Yonca Onuk JV. A number of units are currently on active duty ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PW127F turboprop

  The Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127F turboprop was certified in 1996 and powers ATR 72 and ATR 42 aircraft which are used as maritime patrol aircraft ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  Anadolu Class LHD

  The Anadolu class consists of one Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) being built for the Turkish Navy, TCG Anadolu. The vessel was commissioned in April 2023. The contract ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 24

  The Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 24 is an interceptor craft designed by Yonca Onuk JV. Available in Special Operations and Fast Attack versions, a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Kargi

  The Kargi is an in-development loitering munition that Lentatek has developed in collaboration with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK), Aselsan and Turkish Aerospace ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Ares 115 SAT

  The Ares 115 SAT is a special operations and fast attack craft designed and manufactured by Ares Shipyard in Turkey. The craft is designed for ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 214

  Type 214 submarines are a German design that builds upon the Type 209 and is in service with four countries - Greece, Portugal, South Korea ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  TACOS

  The TACOS Tank Gunnery and Combat Simulator is primarily intended for gunnery training as well as control and coordination of fire skills required of tank ...

• AEW&C

  737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)

  The Boeing 737 AEW&C; is based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial aeroplane. It is used for airspace surveillance and battle management. Three countries operate it: Australia ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AIFV

  The Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) was developed by FMC Corporation as an alternative to the M2 Bradley. The tracked platform is based on the M113A1 ...

• Air: Displays

  VMFD-810

  The VFMD-810 is an LCD multi-function display developed by Aselsan. The 12.1" colour screen is part of the company's Integrated Modular Avionics System designed for ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Bayraktar Mini

  The Bayraktar Mini UAS is used for short-range ISR applications and can be deployed in harsh environments. It is hand launched and is powered by ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ACV-15

  The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the generic designation for a tracked, diesel engine powered, heavy armoured platform in the 13-15 tons class, capable of ...

• Sniper rifles

  Istiglal IST-14.5

  The Istiglal IST-14.5 is a 14.5mm anti-materiel rifle in production since 2008. It has been exported to Pakistan and Turkey. The Istiglal is equipped with ...