• Land Warfare

  Poland continues army expansion with trio of armoured vehicle contracts

  17th August 2023

  The Polish Ministry of Defence has approved three new contracts for army vehicle procurement and development, covering wheeled and tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and tactical 4x4s.

• Digital Battlespace

  EOS to provide AS-65 gimbal for L3Harris's VAMPIRE weapon system

  21st July 2023

  EOS Defense Systems USA's AS-65 gimbal has been selected for L3Harris's VAMPIRE weapon system, empowering Ukraine's ground forces to counter hostile drones and ground threats using precision rockets.

• Air Warfare

  City-wide imaging sensor flies on US drone

  14th June 2023

  Logos Technologies, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America, has seen its BlackKite IR wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) pod flown on a US Army UAS for the first time.

• Naval Warfare

  OSI to deliver T-ACT navigation systems to German navy for small craft operations

  21st July 2023

  OSI Maritime Systems has been contracted to provide T-ACT tactical and high-speed navigation systems to the German Navy for its small craft operations. The advanced capabilities support complex missions and interoperability.

• Air Warfare

  A welcome observer? Workshare wrangles loom as Belgium joins SCAF future fighter effort

  12th September 2023

  Of the three major Western next-generation fighter programmes, the (arguably) French-led SCAF has received the least attention in English-speaking media. As Belgium gains observer status on the programme, what will this mean for the workshare arrangements between France, Germany and Spain?

• Naval Warfare

  Keel laid for first Polish SIGINT ship

  31st July 2023

  The keel laying for the first of two new signals intelligence (SIGINT) ships for the Polish Navy was completed on 27 July 2023.

• Air Warfare

  Rebranded as ELT, Elettronica presents cyber and space developments at Paris Air Show

  21st June 2023

  The move is part of the Rome-based firm's Tenet 2030 industrial plan which sees the company taking on an increasingly global and multi-domain dimension – which reflects its participation in the Anglo-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

• Defence Notes

  How Brazil will invest over $10 billion in new defence programmes

  6th September 2023

  A special fund of $10 billion will cover Brazil's acquisition of combat vehicles, aircraft and helicopters, building new warships and submarines and modernisation of legacy systems.

• Naval Warfare

  No easy options: Australia's navy faces complex surface fleet choices

  14th September 2023

  As part of Australia’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR), a report into the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) future surface fleet force structure was directed to be completed separately. Shephard examines its likely outcomes and how Australia might balance capability with affordability

• Naval Warfare

  Canada in talks with six countries over future submarine needs

  31st July 2023

  The Canadian Patrol Submarine Programme (CPSP) is in its options analysis phase that includes engagement with potential builders to determine next steps.

• Land Warfare

  Australia embarks upon a massive restructure of army

  3rd October 2023

  In response to strategic circumstances, the Australian Army is in for a massive overhaul and redistribution of units and equipment.

• Naval Warfare

  Why the durable MEKO warship design remains popular with navies

  8th September 2023

  The MEKO design from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) can be found in many navies around the world and the number of countries that are purchasing MEKO ships is growing. Shephard provides an overview of the latest MEKO offerings and how this type of vessel has remained successful on the international markets over the decades.

• Defence Helicopter

  Fokker Services Group accredited for Dutch NH90 base maintenance

  4th July 2023

  Fokker Services Group announced it has been accredited by the Military Aviation Authority of the Netherlands to continue base maintenance work on Dutch NH90 helicopters.

• Training

  Brazilian pilots complete Gripen conversion training in Sweden

  14th July 2023

  The last group of Brazilian Air Force pilots has concluded their Gripen conversion training in Sweden. The training covered basic operation, combat readiness, and familiarity with the fighter jet's human-machine interface.

• Air Warfare

  Metrea makes history with commercial air-to-air refueling for USAF

  14th July 2023

  Metrea achieved a milestone by providing commercial air-to-air refuelling to USAF RC-135 and E-3 aircraft during exercise Resolute Hunter, marking the first time the force has used commercial aerial tankers.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Minehunters

  Tripartite Class Replacement Programme [Belgium]

  Programme Background A joint Dutch-Belgian procurement programme is procuring 12 new Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMV) to replace the ageing Tripartite-class MCM, which are due to ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Skeldar V-200 Dutch Navy

  Programme Background The Dutch Ministry of Defence issued a notice seeking information regarding the potential acquisition of a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Skeldar V-200 Belgian Navy

  Programme Background For the joint MCM programme between Belgium and the Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Defence issued a notice calling for information regarding the ...

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

  Spy Ranger SMDR - Contracted (France)

  Programme Background Requirement The French Army has identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac UAS, which first entered service in ...

• Minehunters

  Tripartite Class Replacement Programme [Netherlands]

  Programme Background A joint Dutch-Belgian procurement programme is procuring 12 new Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMV) to replace the ageing Tripartite class MCM's which are due ...

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

  Spy Ranger SMDR - Option (France)

  Programme Background Requirement The French Army has identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac UAS, which first entered service in ...

• Minehunters

  Project SEA 1905 - MMCMMS [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements Australia is looking to acquire up to eight new advanced mine countermeasures/hydrographic survey vessels under the Project SEA 1905 Maritime Mine Countermeasures ...

• OPVs

  Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVS (former Patrouilleurs Océanique) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The programme aims to procure new OPVs that will replace the D'Estienne d'Orves-class and the Flamant-class vessels. The OPVs are intended to be armed ...

• Minehunters

  Al Jawf Class Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges the replacement of three Al Jawf-class minehunters. Based on the Sandown-class design, the ships entered service in the ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Corvettes

  Multirole Corvette Programme [Romania]

  Programme Background Timeline Romania, since 2014. has seen a significant increase in its defence budget, which has allowed for more room to procure modern platforms. In ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military - UUVs

  A9-M

  The A9-M is a light, man-portable AUV, enabling deployment from small craft and in shallow water as a hand-launched vehicle. It is developed Exail. This AUV ...

• Military UGVs

  Cobra Mk2

  The Cobra Mk2 is a 5kg UGV designed for EOD/IED disposal and CBRN operations. The modular architecture of the Cobra Mk2 E supports different types of ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Scorpene Class

  The Chilean Scorpene-class were procured from the consortium composed of Naval Group and Navantia in the late 1990s. The submarines, which were delivered between 2005 and ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  I4 Drone

  The I4 Drone is a multi-drone, multi-environment mission system for naval drones. It has been designed and developed by Naval Group (formerly DCNS) for an ...

• Military - USVs

  Inspector 90

  The Inspector 90 is a multipurpose USV designed by Exail, able to be operated in autonomous mode, remoted control or onboard steering. Its performances and ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  IT180

  The Infotron IT180 VTOL mini-UAS is designed to perform a range of missions in civilian and military sectors, such as surveillance, site protection, inspection, pollution ...

• Military - UUVs

  K-Ster C

  K-Ster C is a mine disposal system (MDS) equipped with a tiltable warhead. It is produced by Exail and in-service with navies in both Asia ...

• Minehunters

  City Class

  Twelve new Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) are being built to replace the ageing Tripartite-class MCMVs due to retire from service in 2023. The programme is ...

• Military - UUVs

  K-Ster I

  K-Ster I is a lightweight, self-propelled ROV developed for mine warfare applications. It is designed by Exail to complement their K-Ster C model.

• Military - UUVs

  A18-M

  The A18-M AUV is a configuration of ECA Group’s A18 AUV family, dedicated to military applications. With magnetic and acoustic signatures compliant to STANAG 1364, ...

• Military UGVs

  TSR 202

  The TSR 202 is a UGV in service with French forces and other military and police forces around the world for EOD/IED detection and neutralisation, ...

• Ground control stations

  MAMBA

  MAMBA is an IED and CBRN countermeasures system allowing the transport, deployment and control of UGVs or UAVs in hostile areas. A light manned vehicle ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  ECA Flight Training Device

  ECA offers a range of Flight Training Devices (FTDs), each of which is a life-size 3D replica of the cockpit. They provide flexibility of training methods and ...

• ISR Group UAS Airfield

  The ISR Group UAS Airfield, located in Savannah, Tennessee, is the largest privately owned flight facility in the US and provides capability for research, development, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  ECA Touch Screen Trainer

  The Touch Screen Trainer (TST) is a modular training tool for full aircraft simulation, integrating hardware replicas for a representative cockpit layout. The main training ...