• Air Warfare

  USMC F-35Bs refine expeditionary training in Australia

  9th September 2022

  The USMC conducted distributed operations with F-35B fighters during an exercise in Australia, which saw a base functioning as a hub and another as a spoke.

• Naval Warfare

  Naval Iron Dome completes advanced interception tests

  20th November 2022

  The announcement of further C-Dome tests comes as a commercial ship was struck by an Iranian-made UAV near Oman.

• Land Warfare

  Germany, Netherlands place €1.9 billion order for Caracal airmobile vehicles

  11th July 2023

  Germany and the Netherlands have signed a contract with Rheinmetall for the supply of Caracal airmobile platforms, worth €1.9 billion.

• Digital Battlespace

  How fiction can prepare us for a disruptive digital future – a conversation (podcast)

  5th December 2022

  In this special episode of the Shephard Defence Podcast, Dr. Keith Dear and August Cole discuss how new technologies are radically altering the national security landscape.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing keeps Australian Chinooks flying, and excitedly awaits Apaches

  7th October 2022

  Boeing Defence Australia is heavily involved in helicopter maintenance in Australia, and that will only accelerate when Apaches are introduced.

• Training

  Fireside Chat forum speakers stress need for training acceleration at I/ITSEC 2022

  29th November 2022

  This year's inaugural I/ITSEC Fireside Chat saw senior officers from the US Space Force (USSF) and US Air Force (USAF) highlight the need for speed in matching the pace of training with incoming new technologies.

• Air Warfare

  Undisclosed customer buys Hermes 900 UAS with surveillance payloads

  14th November 2022

  More than 15 customers have selected the Hermes 900 UAS, including Israel, Azerbaijan and Morocco.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems harnesses artificial intelligence for air operations planning

  11th November 2022

  BAE Systems has been award a contract by the United States Air Force to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tool for air operations mission planning in contested environments.

• Land Warfare

  Netherlands orders General Dynamics floating bridges

  24th July 2023

  General Dynamics European Land Systems has received an order from the Royal Netherlands Army for three Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) floating bridge systems.

• Air Warfare

  Turkish F-16 endeavours impaired by Democrats' US Senate control

  15th November 2022

  The Turkish president was confident a Republican-controlled Senate would deliver the country's coveted F-16 deal. With a Democratic Senate confirmed after mid-term elections, Ankara's position to up its fighter jet game seems as doubtful as ever.

• Land Warfare

  Latest security packages announced for Ukraine

  15th November 2022

  Norway and the Netherlands have pledged further support to Ukraine under a British-led effort while additional US missiles and defence system are headed for the invaded country.

• Naval Warfare

  UK faces £100 million bill for frigate refit

  5th July 2023

  The cost of keeping the frigate fleet going poses a challenge for UK RN.

• Air Warfare

  Belgium closes in on advanced US missiles for fighter jets

  9th November 2022

  The proposed AMRAAM sale to Belgium for F-16 and F-35 fleets would significantly improve the NATO ally's ability to meet current and future challenges in the air.

• Naval Warfare

  Amidst a numbers crisis, India to refit an ageing Type 209 submarine

  7th July 2023

  With no apparent progress in place for obtaining new batches of submarines, India is resorting to upgrading its older boats.

• Land Warfare

  £20 million contract advances Challenger 3 missile protection system

  14th July 2023

  A £20 million contract has been awarded to Rafael for Trophy active protection systems to be evaluated on UK Challenger 3 MBTs. Demonstrations and testing are set for 2024.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [France]

  In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Spain

  In December 2018, Spain Air Force took delivery of its first A400M. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Hungary]

  Programme Background The aircraft for Hungary will be specially configured for tactical transport operations, air-to-air refuelling of the service's Saab Gripen C/D fighters, and medical ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Programme Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 [Argentina]

  Programme Background The Chief of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier Gustavo Valverde, announced that a formal request was submitted through the U.S. FMS process for two KC-135R ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-767 JBOT Trainer

  ACME has delivered a Remote Air Refueling Operator trainer to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The trainer supports the KC-767J tanker aircraft that has a remote ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  X-47B UCAS

  The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft, which was developed as part of the USN's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration project. The aircraft ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  MC-X Orca

  At DX Korea 2022, KAI presented an MC-X Orca medium transport aircraft concept model. The twin-engine aircraft is aimed at the Republic of Korea Air Force ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hellenic Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered two F-16C Block 52+ Aircrew Training Devices (ATDs) to the Hellenic Air Force. The trainers enable pilots to hone air-to-air and ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Loitering munitions

  359

  Unveiled in January 2025, the 359 is a surface-to-air (SAM) loitering munition. It is designed to engage targets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers, and other high-altitude surveillance and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Trailers

  M900 Series

  Heil’s M900-series tactical refuellers are designed and built to meet US military performance standards. The M967A2 ground equipment refueller and the M969A3 aircraft refueller are ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  M-346 FMS

  Developed in conjunction with CAE, the M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) can emulate basic fighter manoeuvres, formation flight, in-flight refuelling and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  MB-339C

  The MB-339C is an advanced/lead-in fighter trainer developed based on the MB-339A that made its first flight in August 1976. The latest MB-339C version is ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  CF6-80E1A3

  The CF6-80E engines, developed by GE Aviation, power the newest generation of airliners such as Airbus A330. The engine incorporates a new 96-inch (2.44 meters) ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Transport, Refuelling and Sensor Aircraft Training

  Thales supports air force training needs for multi-mission aircraft in service around the world including A400M, MRTT/Voyager, Boeing Wedgetail, C-130 and KC-135, covering tactical airlift, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Fast Jet Training

  Thales provides a suite of training products for the life-cycle of military fast jet training. These encompass the design, development and establishment of training services ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...