• Naval Warfare

  Leonardo fires up small calibre naval gun development as Italy nears first Lionfish X-Gun handover

  19th April 2024

  Alongside progress on its Lionfish contracts, Leonardo emphasised its shift in focus from traditional larger calibre systems toward smaller calibre solutions, epitomised by the X-Gun’s inception in 2017.

• Land Warfare

  Franco-German next-generation tank project moves forward

  30th April 2024

  The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme was initiated in June 2018 when France and Germany signed a Letter of Intent to develop a common next-generation main battle tank (MBT) platform.

• Land Warfare

  France steps up support for Ukraine through new military supplies

  18th January 2024

  France will boost its help to Ukraine by supplying missiles, artillery and CAESAR self-propelled howitzers after increasing industrial capability.

• Land Warfare

  Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)

  6th March 2025

  Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.

• Land Warfare

  Europe’s Defence Future: The Strategic Importance of the MGCS Project (Opinion)

  28th May 2024

  The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project, initiated by Germany and France in 2018, symbolises a transformative step forward in European defence capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  European MBT programmes make tracks and try to find a path forward

  8th July 2024

  European MBT programmes over the next decade or two could result in orders up to US$10 billion with orders occurring and plans for purchases predicted to refresh ageing fleets.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: Texelis looks to new Celeris customers as buyers prove the concept

  7th February 2024

  French mobility engineering company Texelis, the makers of the rolling chassis for the Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle, has launched a standalone product called Celeris.

• Land Warfare

  New bridges ordered for British Army

  26th January 2024

  The UK MoD has awarded a contract to provide replacements for the Royal Engineers' General Support Bridge systems as part of project Tyro.

• Land Warfare

  New French-Belgian 4x4 reconnaissance vehicle to enter service in 2030

  7th December 2023

  The Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) will replace older French vehicles and provide a new capability for Belgium.

• Land Warfare

  Estonian UGV trial demonstrates work done and work to be done

  22nd December 2023

  Eleven companies and 20 countries took part in a major two-day trial of large UGVs at the Estonian Military Academy in late June to evaluate the technology capabilities and produce a report on the event's findings.

• Land Warfare

  Texelis goes alone as it unveils Celeris

  28th November 2023

  Texelis and Nexter, a KNDS company, manufacture the Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle together but Texelis has started selling the rolling chassis of the vehicle as a separate system.

• Defence Notes

  Ireland commits to major equipment procurement schedules

  23rd November 2023

  The Irish Defence Forces has a range of challenges to overcome including discontent in sections of the forces, a need for cultural change, pay rates and equipment shortfalls. An implementation plan released 21 November has, however, provided projected timelines for change and procurement.

• Land Warfare

  As the Ukraine war passes the 18-month mark, how are NATO’s factories meeting the artillery challenge?

  18th September 2023

  NATO is rapidly increasing its supply of equipment to Ukraine in a number of key areas including tube artillery and, crucially, its ammunition. Shephard analyses how the alliance's members are stepping up to this challenge after years of industrial neglect.

• Land Warfare

  Trophy APS selected as baseline for new Leopard 2A8 tank configuration

  6th September 2023

  Trophy APS has been chosen as the active protection system for the new Leopard 2A8 MBT configuration, securing contracts with Germany and Norway.

• Land Warfare

  Milestone reached with delivery of 500th Griffon and 50th Jaguar to France

  13th July 2023

  The 500th Griffon multirole armoured vehicle has been delivered to the French defence procurement agency, marking a significant milestone in the Scoprion program.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus

  While there has been no direct confirmation that Nexter has sold the Titus to Saudi Arabia, it has been confirmed that Nexter has delivered CAESAR ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  DT46 [France]

  Programme Background Reports Around Eurosatory 2024, multiple defence news outlets, notably Army Recognition and The Defence Post, reported that the French Army had acquired Delair's ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus (Czech Republic)

  Programme Background The Czech government first announced its intention to purchase the Nexter TITUS platform in 2015.  However, a contract did not materialise until July ...

• Tanks

  Leclerc Upgrade (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE MoD has not disclosed any intention to modernise or replace its Leclerc MBTs, but an unconfirmed report published by the Asian Defence ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Sherpa Light [Morocco]

  Programme Background Morocco is in the midst of procuring large quantities of defence equipment from the French defence industry to modernise its forces, with much ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval (Batch 2) [France]

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• Loitering munitions

  Larinae [France]

  Programme Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated in a press conference in May 2022 that the Direction Générale de l'Armement ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI (Qatar)

  Programme Background The VBCI-2 was selected in preference to a competing offer comprising Patria's AMV 8x8 equipped with a Lockheed Martin turret. However, at the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VAB Mk3 6X6 APC

  Based on the number of VAB Mk IIIs estimated to have been delivered to Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2018, this forecast expects at least ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval (Batch 1) [France]

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval (Batch 3) [France]

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri [France]

  Programme Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated in a press conference in May 2022 that the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval (Batch 4 - Forecast) [France]

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Belgium Griffon Light Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  8x8 IFV [Greece]

  Programme Background The Greek Army is believed to operate a vast inventory of tracked APCs numbering more than 2,600 vehicles. This consists of legacy Cold ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar 6x6 MkII + 8x8

  Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) is a self-propelled 155mm/52cal artillery mounted available on either a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis. The configuration was chosen to provide ...

• Towed guns

  Trajan

  Nexter unveiled the Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre towed gun at IDEX 2013. Trajan was developed for the export market, with the first potential customer being ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  CAESAR

  The Computer Aided Evaluation System for Air Defence Rating (CAESAR) was designed for air defence mission planning and provides a means to train commanders and ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ATLAS

  An interoperable C4I system for artillery missions and resources deployed in the French Army. Commissioned in 2005, ATLAS represents a main element of battlespace digitisation, ...

• Caesar Trauma Patient Simulator

  Caesar is claimed to be one of the most realistic and physiologically advanced trauma patient simulators available. The mannequin, which represents a 1.93m, 68kg soldier, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI-2

  Nexter unveiled the VBCI-2 IFV, the latest evolution of its 8x8 VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, at DSEI 2015 in London. Using company funds, Nexter has built ...

• Land: RWS

  ARX 20

  The ARX 20 was developed by Nexter to meet demand for a vehicle-mounted RWS that offers more firepower than an RWS armed with a 12.7mm ...

• Tanks

  EMBT

  KNDS (KMW + NEXTER Defense Systems) presented its first joint product, the EMBT (European Main Battle Tank) demonstrator, at the June 2018 Eurosatory defence exhibition. The EMBT mounts ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Helic³om

  Helic³om is a fully digital, integrated C3 and mission management system designed to provide crew with data communications and accurate, real-time tactical pictures. The modular ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Aravis

  Nexter unveiled its 12.5t Aravis at Eurosatory 2008, and in April 2009, the company received a launch order for 15 vehicles to equip French Army ...

• Military UGVs

  Ultro

  Nexter Robotic's Ultro is a 4x4 multi-mission tactical robot designed as a multi-role platform UGV.  100% electric and capable of silent running, the Ultro is ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  TITUS

  Nexter Systems unveiled the Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System (TITUS) 6x6 modular armoured vehicle at DSEI 2013. TITUS was developed for the export market ...

• Naval guns

  Narwhal

  Narwhal is a 20mm, remotely operated naval gun turret by Nexter Systems. It utilises Nexter Systems' M621/M693 cannons, also deployed on helicopters. Narwhal can be ...

• Self-propelled guns

  RapidFire

  Thales unveiled the RapidFire, intended to protect both mobile forces and key assets/fixed points, at the Eurosatory 2012 exhibition. The system is designed to exploit ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  ERC 90 Sagaie

  The ERC 90 (Engin à Roues, Canon de 90mm) is a 6x6 90mm-armed armoured car developed as a private venture by Nexter in 1975-78. The vehicle was exported to ...