• Naval Warfare

  Italy finally funds naval missile projects

  17th November 2023

  The Italian MoD’s multi-year programme documents (DPP) detailing its current and planned acquisition projects has provided new details of funding for its 2023–25 naval missile programmes.

• Naval Warfare

  French Navy frigate gap closes as La Fayette-class upgrade programme nears completion

  17th October 2023

  The modernisation programme for three of the French Navy’s five La Fayette-class frigates will ensure the service maintains a minimum force of 15 frigates and destroyers ahead of the introduction of the new new Admiral Ronarc’h-class (FDI) frigates.

• Air Warfare

  Clear skies ahead: Royal Air Force Typhoons to receive advanced radar and EW upgrade

  5th July 2023

  The ECRS Mk2 radar brings advanced electronic warfare capabilities and potential weapon integration opportunities to the Royal Air Force's multi-mission fighter.

• Naval Warfare

  MBDA, Italian Navy detail development of Teseo Mk2/E missile

  8th June 2023

  The new missile, which incorporates land-attack capabilities, is the latest evolution of the Otomat/Teseo anti-ship weapon family and is set to replace the legacy Mk2/A version in service with the Italian Navy.

• Air Warfare

  Enhanced India-France defence cooperation will include Rafale M fighters

  16th July 2023

  India has selected the Rafale M as its new carrier-borne fighter, with a contract to be signed later.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: Gowind 2500 corvette enjoys strong export business despite Romanian rejection

  5th September 2023

  France's Naval Group's Gowind 2500 corvette, designed for multiple naval missions, has gained popularity worldwide. Shephard Defence Insight provides detailed analysis of its export contracts, armament and technical specifications.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: What does the future hold for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft?

  11th September 2023

  The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A has been adopted by Middle Eastern air forces as well as the European partner nations. Shephard Defence Insight analyses its next-generation radar, cockpit technology and future upgrade plans.

• Naval Warfare

  UPDATED: Damen and Thales to deliver ASW frigates for Belgium and Netherlands

  5th July 2023

  Damen and Thales have signed contracts to design, build, and deliver four new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates for Belgium and the Netherlands.

• Naval Warfare

  SOF Week 2023: US special forces kick off search for new multi-role watercraft

  11th May 2023

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has kickstarted initial planning for a second-generation Combatant Craft Medium (CCM), according to service officials.

• Naval Warfare

  Defence AI company Helsing envisions benefits for ASW, amplifying sensor capabilities

  24th July 2023

  According to defence AI company Helsing, the technology could improve how navies conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: How rising tensions have fuelled the Type 26 frigate's development

  12th September 2023

  Slated to enter service in the late 2020s, the Type 26 frigate addresses the pressing need for enhanced ASW capabilities, particularly in light of heightened tensions with Russia. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the design and its equipment fit.

• Air Warfare

  Leonardo delivers first ECRS Mk2 radar prototype for RAF Typhoon fleet

  21st April 2023

  The new European Common Radar System Mk2 features a multi-functional array that can perform traditional radar functions and EW tasks as well.

• Air Warfare

  India tightens American ties with Reaper and fighter engine procurements

  26th June 2023

  India has been mulling Reapers for years, and it will probably take another two years before a deal is sealed.

• Air Warfare

  Indian clearance for AMCA prototypes draws closer

  21st April 2023

  India's AMCA fighter programme inches forward - awaited is approval to produce prototypes.

• Air Warfare

  New $156 million deal to advance UK aircrew training

  8th June 2023

  The initiative under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) will equip Royal Navy observers and Royal Air Force weapon system officers with the skills to operate advanced aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Reconnaissance Drone (Ukraine Aid) [Belgium]

  Programme Background Aid Package On Friday, 15 March 2024, Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced the country's latest aid package to Ukraine to help the country ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Reconnaissance Drone (Ukraine Aid) [Belgium]

  In March 2023, Ludivine Dedonder, the Belgian Defence Minister, announced that the country, alongside other Benelux nations, was planning to acquire reconnaissance drones to be ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Reconnaissance Drone (Ukraine Aid) [Belgium]

  In March 2023, Ludivine Dedonder, the Belgian Defence Minister, announced that the country, alongside other Benelux nations, was planning to acquire reconnaissance drones to be ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Romania Piranha V

  Programme Background The Romanian government has committed to raising defence spending to enable the country's armed forces to shed its Soviet-era equipment and to ensure ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA (India)

  Programme Background The Indian Navy was supposed to procure 50 Tejas LCAs, also known as the LCA-N. However, in 2017 the navy decided to abandon ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Ajban Series (Algeria)

  Programme Background Algeria is believed to operate at least four variants of the Ajban platform: the standard Nimr Ajban fitted with either a Norinco UW1 ...

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

  Small Reconnaissance Drones [Lithuania]

  Programme Background Planned Purchases On 14 September 2022, the Lithuanian MoD announced in a short statement on Twitter, now X, that it had begun organising ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Caracal 4x4 Light Air Assault (Netherlands - Forecast)

  Programme Background As part of its Defence-wide Replacement Programme of Wheeled Vehicles (DVOW), the Dutch Army initiated the 12kN AASLT Air Assault Vehicle procurement programme ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Spain - Second Batch)

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Spain - Third Batch)

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Corvettes

  FCX20

  The FCX20 has been revealed in 2022 Fincantieri's new FCX Naval Series. The FCX20 resembles a corvette-sized vessel with combat capabilities in all warfare domains (AAW, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Athena MK2

  Produced by Leonardo, Athnena MK2 is a combat management system used by the Italian Navy. The suite has a surface variant (MK2/E) and a more advanced ...

• Anti-ship missiles

  Teseo Mk2/E

  The Teseo Mk2/E, which incorporates land-attack capabilities, is the latest evolution of the Otomat/Teseo anti-ship weapon family and is set to replace the legacy Mk2/A ...

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

  TSA Fantom MK2

  The TSA Fantom Mk2 is a small, in-development fixed-wing drone from Thunderstrike. It has two variants: the TSA Fantom Mk2 FW and the TSA Fantom ...

• OPVs

  Musherib Class (FCX07)

  Fincantieri is building two OPVs for the Qatari Emiri Navy as part of a larger seven-vessel €4 billion ($4.67 billion) contract involving four corvettes and one ...

• 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 ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles, Special operations vehicles

  HMT Extenda Mk2

  Unveiled at DSEI 2019, the High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Extenda Mk2 is an open-topped armoured vehicle designed to support SOF. Like the original Extenda, the ...

• EO/IR systems

  TMEO Mk2

  The TMEO Mk2 is an EO tracking system developed by Rheinmetall. According to the manufacturer, it can be integrated easily with a wide range of fire control ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Fortress Mk2

  Unveiled in June 2020, Arquus' Fortress Mk2 is the second variant of its Fortress Armoured Personnel Carrier. Offering STANAG Level 3 protection whilst retaining a low ...

• Land: manned turrets

  UT30 MK2/MT30

  Leveraging its experience producing the UT30 turret for armoured vehicles, Elbit developed the UT30 MK2, which is available in an unmanned (UT30 MK2) and a ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Ajban Mk2

  The Ajban Mk2 is an evolution of Nimr's Ajban 440A 4x4 armoured vehicle platform that builds upon technology developed for the Ajban 447A prototype. Designed ...

• Land: RWS

  R400S-Mk2

  The R400S-Mk2 is a stabilised RWS that can be fitted to wheeled or tracked vehicles.  Developed to mount the Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems M230LF lightweight ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Hafeet Mk2

  The Hafeet Mk2 is an evolution of Nimr's first-generation Hafeet family of multirole 6x6 armoured vehicles.  Designed to provide greater payload, protection, mobility and modularity ...

• Air: NVGs

  Hela Mk2

  The Hela Mk2 is an NVG for helicopter and transport aircraft pilots, featuring a wide-aperture objective lens. Constant resolution of the image is kept even ...

• Data links

  Link Y Mk2

  Thales Link Y Mk2 is used to securely exchange tactical data and orders via a self-managing, adaptive radio network between multiple military platforms. Designed for ...