• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New UMS Skeldar V-200 UAV console unveiled

  26th July 2023

  MilDef and UMS Skeldar have introduced a bespoke console for V-200 UAVs, enhancing workspace and ergonomics for operators.

• Land Warfare

  Argentina moves ahead with projects to modernise its armoured vehicle fleet

  14th July 2023

  While the country is advancing negotiations with Brazil to procure 6x6 Guarani vehicles, it conducted demonstrations with the second prototype of the modernised TAM MBT.

• Training

  International forces collaborate in Exercise Ulchi to enhance Northeast Asia's security

  22nd August 2023

  Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23 underscores international cooperation in strengthening defence capabilities, as US and South Korean military units and several UN Command member states engage in training.

• Air Warfare

  Shield AI successfully demonstrates autonomous teaming with V-BAT UAS

  31st August 2023

  Shield AI has completed an autonomous teaming demonstration using three V-BAT UAS, showcasing their Hivemind AI pilot and paving the way for deployable teaming capabilities in GPS-denied environments.

• Air Warfare

  South Africa upgrades ageing C-130s for a second time

  16th August 2023

  Marshall Aerospace has secured a contract to perform two modifications and extensive servicing on the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) 1960s-vintage C-130 fleet, as well as supporting subsequent in-country modification work.

• Naval Warfare

  SSN-AUKUS contract sets foundation for future UK-Australian capability

  27th October 2023

  The £3.95 billion (US$4.8 billion) contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to BAE Systems earlier this month was the firing gun that truly started the UK-Australian project for a future nuclear-powered attack submarine.

• Naval Warfare

  Italian Navy overcomes delays in PPA ship deliveries

  29th September 2023

  Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the third of seven Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA) Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Italian Navy during a ceremony on 27 September.

• Defence Helicopter

  KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters

  12th September 2023

  Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.

• Air Warfare

  Azerbaijan's integral role in Turkish TF-X Kaan fighter programme strengthens defence capabilities and strategic ties

  2nd August 2023

  'By involving Azerbaijan [in the TF-X Kaan programme], Türkiye can potentially share the financial burden of the project, leading to cost savings and economic advantages for both countries,' team lead for government contracting at Tusas Engine Industries tells Shephard.

• Air Warfare

  Double Dutch as Netherlands adds four more Reapers to first order

  22nd August 2023

  The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will increase its fleet of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers UAS from four to eight under a deal announced on 21 August.

• Land Warfare

  What will the US Army’s RCVs-Light feature?

  3rd October 2023

  Modularity, open systems architecture, transportability, advanced technology and growth potential are among the main US Army requirements to select the designs of four companies as part of the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-Light) Middle Tier Acquisition – Rapid Prototyping programme capability.

• Defence Helicopter

  Czech Republic receives first AH-1Z Viper helicopters

  18th August 2023

  The Czech Republic has taken delivery of its first AH-1Z Vipers as part of a partnership with the USMC H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter programme.

• Defence Helicopter

  ITP Aero tests NH90 engines with sustainable fuel

  26th July 2023

  ITP Aero has successfully completed engine testing using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the NH90 helicopter's GE CT7-8F5 engines, marking a significant step in reducing emissions.

• Land Warfare

  Insight: The UK's Challenger 3 tank programme gets ready for service in 2025

  4th September 2023

  Initially planned for service entry between 2027 and 2030, the British Army's first Challenger 3 tanks remain on track for accelerated delivery in 2025. Shephard Defence Insight provides full technical details and a programme update for this vital UK armoured capability.

• Training

  UK trains hundreds of Ukrainian marines

  14th August 2023

  Ukrainian marines were trained by Royal Marines and British Army Commandos to conduct small boat amphibious operations, including beach raids.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Combat Fighter Jet [Ireland]

  Programme Background  In February 2025, the Irish Minister for Defence and Tánaiste Simon Harris highlighted Irelands need to procure a new combat fighter jet to combat ...

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

  Polish Drones (Ukraine Aid) [Sweden]

  Background Swedish Support Package On 31 March 2025, the Swedish Government presented its 19th and largest military support package to Ukraine to date, valued at almost SEK ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | A400M (forecast) [United Kingdom]

  In April 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that as part of the Strategic Defence Review is reviewing a potential purchase of additional A400M Atlas ...

• Data links

  Data links | A400M (forecast) [United Kingdom]

  In April 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that as part of the Strategic Defence Review is reviewing a potential purchase of additional A400M Atlas ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | A400M (forecast) [United Kingdom]

  In April 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that as part of the Strategic Defence Review is reviewing a potential purchase of additional A400M Atlas ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Landing Craft Utility (LCU) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new Landing Craft Utility (LCUs). This was already specified in the Medium Term Defence Programme (FY2019 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Landing Craft Utility (LCU) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new Landing Craft Utility (LCUs). This was already specified in the Medium Term Defence Programme (FY2019 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Landing Craft Utility (LCU)/Small Transport Vessels (1-4) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new Landing Craft Utility (LCUs). This was already specified in the Medium Term Defence Programme (FY2019 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Landing Craft Utility (LCU)/Small Transport Vessels (1-4) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new Landing Craft Utility (LCUs). This was already specified in the Medium Term Defence Programme (FY2019 ...

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

  FlyEye (Framework Agreement) (Contracted) [Poland]

  Background Pre-2023 Contracts Across three orders, one in the early 2010s, another in December 2018 and another in February 2022, the Polish Territorial Defence Force ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Manoeuvrable Boats [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new manoeuvrable boats for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). Deliveries are set to start ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Manoeuvrable Boats [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new manoeuvrable boats for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). Deliveries are set to start ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Manoeuvrable Boats (1-3) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new manoeuvrable boats for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). Deliveries are set to start ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Manoeuvrable Boats (1-3) [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new manoeuvrable boats for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). Deliveries are set to start ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Landing Craft Utility (LCU)/Small Transport Vessels [Japan]

  According to the 2022 Defence Buildup Programme, Japan will procure new Landing Craft Utility (LCUs). This was already specified in the Medium Term Defence Programme (FY2019 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  RGW 60

  Dynamit Nobel developed the Recoilless Grenade Weapon 60mm (RGW 60) for special operations, airborne and other light forces which require a compact, lightweight assault weapon. ...

• Land: RWS

  FeWaS 80

  The FeWaS 80 (Fernbedienbare Waffen Station 80kg – Remotely Controlled Weapon Station 80kg) was originally developed alongside the heavier FeWaS 120 to meet a requirement from ...

• Land: RWS

  Dual FeWaS

  The Dual FeWaS is an RWS designed to be installed on medium and heavy AFVs. It is armed with two weapons consisting of either a ...

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  Enforcer

  MBDA has been developing the Enforcer since 2014 to provide a shoulder-launched precision missile system  that is able to defeat lightly armoured and soft-skinned targets ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PMMC G5

  The PMMC G5 is a tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC) intended to replace vehicles such as the M113 APC series with a modular family that ...

• Land: RWS

  FeWAS 120

  The FeWaS 120 (Fernbedienbare Waffen Station 120kg – Remotely Controlled Weapon Station 120kg) was originally developed alongside the lighter FeWaS 80 to meet a requirement from ...

• Land: RWS

  Samson Mini

  The Samson Mini is one of the lightest members of the Samson RWS family. It is a dual-axis, gyrostabilised RWS designed for use on vehicles, ...

• Major networking projects

  Missile Defence

  In 2010, NATO rolled out an initial capability to protect alliance forces against missile threats and is now examining options for protecting territory and populations. ...

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys, Sea: sonar systems

  Krait Defence System

  Krait Defence System is a flexible, scalable and modular anti-submarine warfare solution by the British SEA. It includes a family of products from stand-alone KraitArray ...

• Major networking projects

  Defence Architecture Framework

  BAE Systems is developing a broad base of systems architecture expertise to execute network-centric warfare projects on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. This is ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces. 

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  NOMADS Air Defence

  Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace developed the National Manoeuvre Air Defence System (NOMADS) to address the increasing need for mobile, adaptable air defence systems capable of ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  Rapier Air Defence PTT

  In service with the British Army, the Rapier Air Defence Field Standard A and B part task trainer (PTT) gives students target alerting, identification, tracking ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Falcon Air Defence System

  Unveiled at IDEX 2019, Falcon is a medium range ground-based air defence system, including C-RAM and C-UAS capabilities. The Falcon consists of Lockheed Martin's Skykeeper ...

• Long Range Missile Defence Systems: > 90km range

  Patriot Air Defence System

  The MIM-104 Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (Patriot) is an American Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system designed for air-defence duties. The original Standard MIM-104A  ...