• 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.

• 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

  Communications and ES measures on board for strategic advantages (Sponsored)

  22nd June 2023

  Moving towards sixth generation technologies with a demand for high data rate exchange, ad-hoc creation of multi-point links, permanent cryptology and more knowledge.

• 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).

• 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

• 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

  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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Defence Helicopter

  Argentina shops for new helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft

  14th July 2023

  While Argentina’s combat aviation fleet remains weak, the armed forces are acquiring new search and rescue (SAR) helicopters and a fixed-wing surveillance aircraft with SAR capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Australian Land 8116 howitzer conducts test firing

  6th July 2023

  Hanwha has successfully completed the first stage of Land 8116 Protected Mobile Fires Ordnance Integration Testing, marking a milestone in artillery system integration for the Australian Defence Force.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Watchkeeper UAV providing value for money for the British Army?

  8th September 2023

  The Watchkeeper UAS has garnered interest from countries like Poland and Romania, despite a chequered operational history in the UK. Shephard analyses the aircraft's capabilities and the cost they come at.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Kalyani M4 (India)

  Programme Background In the wake of border clashes with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2020, the Indian Army has accelerated several of its ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, MPVs - 4x4

  High Mobility Armoured 4x4 Tactical Vehicles

  Programme Background Requirement The procurement of high-mobility 4x4 armoured vehicles is part of an initiative to replace a diverse fleet of utility vehicles currently in ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Future Destroyers (13DDX) [Japan]

  At CNE 2024, Vice Admiral Shinichi Imayoshi, Director General of Naval Systems at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), revealed that enhancing air defence ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Future Destroyers (13DDX) [Japan]

  At CNE 2024, Vice Admiral Shinichi Imayoshi, Director General of Naval Systems at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), revealed that enhancing air defence ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade [Greece]

  Programme Background 10-Year Purchasing Plan In 2024, Athens drafted the multi-billion 10-year purchasing plan, which included acquiring F-35 jets, three frigates from France under the Hellenic ...

• Maritime patrol

  Sea Sultan [Pakistan]

  Programme Background On 10 January 2020, Pakistan issued a tender for a single unconfigured long-range twin-jet MPA. In October 2020, Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, the PN’s soon-to-retire ...

• Maritime patrol

  Sea Sultan - Forecast (Pakistan)

  Programme Background On 10 January 2020, Pakistan issued a tender for a single unconfigured long-range twin-jet MPA. In October 2020, Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, the PN’s soon-to-retire ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Jais 4x4 (Saudi Arabia)

  Programme Background The Saudi Arabian government is aiming to localise 50% of its investment into defence by 2030 in line with the country's Vision 2030 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Project Hoefyster (South Africa)

  Programme Background History The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) first formulated operational requirements for a new ICV in 1995, but modernisation of South Africa's ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Submarines Procurement (3-4) [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2025, the Hellenic Navy (HN) submarine force consists of four Type 214, four Type 209/1200 and two Type 209/1100. With ...

• Loitering munitions

  N-Raven / IRIX [Greece]

  Programme Background Unveiled during the Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA 2023) exhibition, IRIX is a Greek version of the N-Raven loitering munition developed by Paramount in ...

• Destroyers

  Future Destroyers (13DDX) [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements At CNE 2024, Vice Admiral Shinichi Imayoshi, Director General of Naval Systems at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), revealed that enhancing ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Submarines Procurement (1-2) [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2025, the Hellenic Navy (HN) submarine force consists of four Type 214, four Type 209/1200 and two Type 209/1100. With ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Pacha Kuyuchix (New 8x8 Armoured Vehicle) [Peru - Forecast]

  entry.Programme Background The Peruvian Army is reliant upon a range of ageing 4x4 APCs, including the UR-416, Type 6614 and Type 6616, all of which ...

• ISR/special mission

  Armed Overwatch/Targeting (USA)

  Programme Background The Armed Overwatch programme was revealed in March 2020, during a US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) industry briefing. In June 2021, the USSOCOM awarded a $19.3 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Mbombe 4

  The Mbombe 4 is the 4x4 variant of Paramount's Mbombe family of mine-protected vehicles.  Capable of carrying up to 11 personnel, the Mbombe 4 shares ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Marauder Mk 2

  Paramount Group unveiled the Marauder Mark 2 armoured vehicle in August 2022. The new platform can be configured as an APC or an infantry combat vehicle, and it ...

• Loitering munitions

  N-Raven

  The N-Raven is a loitering munition manufactured by Paramount Group's Paramount Aerospace Systems (PAS). Debuted at IDEX 2021, the platform has since been redesigned.  It has been ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Matador 4x4 APC

  The Matador 4x4 vehicle can be configured as an APC or a light infantry combat vehicle, with the addition of weaponry. It is designed to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Mbombe 6

  The Mbombe 6 is the 6x6 version of the Mbombe family of armoured vehicles developed by South Africa's Paramount Group. In order to drive down ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Al-Masmak/Nyoka Mk 2

  The Al-Masmak ('Fortress' in Arabic) 4x4 mine-protected APC was developed by Saudi Groups in cooperation with IADSA (since acquired by Paramount Group). Saudi Groups unveiled ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Marauder

  The Marauder 4x4 can be configured as a simple troop carrier or as a wheeled combat vehicle by the addition of a heavy machine gun ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  8.5m Guardian

  Made by Paramount Group, the 8.5m Guardian is the smallest in its class. It is designed to be launched from a larger vessel and is ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Maatla 4x4

  Paramount's Maatla 4x4 is a Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) aimed at the African off-road armoured vehicle market. Announced at the African Aerospace and Defence Expo (AAD 2022) in ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Mbombe 8

  Paramount unveiled the 8x8 member of its Mbombe family, the Mbombe 8, at the Kazakhstan Defence Expo on 2 June 2016.  Sharing more than 80% ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Alan-2

  Developed by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering, the Alan-2 is an armoured 4x4 tactical vehicle. It was demonstrated for the first time during the ADEX 2022 exhibition ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  Embraer Lineage 1000 (Sea Sultan)

  The Sea Sultan is the Maritime Patrol version of the Embraer Lineage 1000. The aircraft conducted a wide range of missions, such as ASuW, ASW, ISR, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Vulture

  The Paramount Advanced Technologies Vulture is a fixed-wing TUAV designed for such missions as day/night reconnaissance and surveillance and target acquisition in support of brigade-level ...

• 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, ...

• HAB

  Hesco Bastion has worked on reducing the logistics burden of providing protected accommodation, particularly in the harsh environments experienced by those living in FOBs and ...