• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design

  2nd June 2023

  Sikorsky has yet to reveal its production plans for its UK New Medium Helicopter contender while industry anxiously anticipate the release of critical acquisition targets. The company also continues the exploration of its X helicopter concept for the international market.

• Land Warfare

  Argentina moves ahead with projects to modernise its armoured vehicle fleet

  14th July 2023

  While the country is advancing negotiations with Brazil to procure 6x6 Guarani vehicles, it conducted demonstrations with the second prototype of the modernised TAM MBT.

• Training

  Pentagon sees Ukrainian F-16s as 'long-term' solution, emphasises training needs

  24th May 2023

  The US has affirmed its intention to support training of Ukrainian crews to operate the F-16 fighter jet following last week's decision to allow transfer of the aircraft.

• 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

  Montenegro extends defence export agreement with Israel

  18th May 2023

  Elbit Systems is to supply 120mm mortar systems and training services to Montenegro under the Balkan republic's third government-to-government defence agreement with Israel.

• Air Warfare

  Raytheon upgrades KAI FA-50 combat aircraft with PhantomStrike radar

  16th May 2023

  Raytheon is to integrate its PhantomStrike fire control radar on the KAI FA-50 light attack aircraft.

• 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.

• Training

  Royal Air Force pilots to train in Italy to address UK aircrew pipeline issues

  17th May 2023

  In a bid to mitigate disruption to fast jet training, the Royal Air Force will begin using the International Flight Training School in Italy.

• Air Warfare

  Meeting the needs of tactical forces with innovative UAS for mission success (Sponsored)

  31st May 2023

  With the growing global trend towards the use of UAS, Aeronautics is uniquely positioned as one of the leading companies in the world in that field

• Air Warfare

  Canada to quadruple aerial tanker fleet with nine CC-330 Husky multi-role aircraft

  26th July 2023

  The significant expansion of strategic air-to-air refuelling capability is set to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' operational reach and enhance its ability to support more missions, with specific focus on the High North.

• Training

  IT2EC 2023: Western forces now have trained over 86,000 Ukrainians - what lessons have been learned?

  24th April 2023

  New doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures are reducing casualty rates as Ukrainian forces move towards a more Western outlook.

• Training

  Podcast: The evolving landscape of military simulation and training technologies

  25th April 2023

  This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, we explore the evolution of military simulation and training technologies, including advancements in cloud computing, networked training, and the increasing use of simulation in response to changing military demands.

• Training

  Sweden green-lights Gripen training for Ukraine, no jets offered

  26th May 2023

  Sweden and Ukraine still need to agree on formal details before training on the Swedish combat aircraft can begin, but Stockholm said the planned move does not mean Gripens will be given to Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  Brazil refuses to sell Guarani APCs to Ukraine

  7th July 2023

  Despite Brasilia having been seeking ways to raise exports of defence systems and solutions, the National Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Kyiv’s request.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia, Latvia kick off joint procurement of Iris-T air defence missiles

  24th May 2023

  Estonia and Latvia have selected the Diehl IRIS-T as their preferred solution for the joint procurement of a medium-range air defence system.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (7-8) Optional

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (1-6)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• OPVs

  Teresa Magbanua Class [Philippines]

  Programme Background The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a contract for two 94m multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) in February 2020 to be built by ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Germany

  Germany originally said it would but 60 A400Ms, but when the program was re-baselined in 2010 reduced its planed off take to 53, with the ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (9-16)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | NRE+ (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico) [Portugal]

  Portugal urges to replace NRP Bérrio, a fleet support tanker which was decommissioned in 2020. In December 2023, during an interview with Portuguese media, the Chief ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | NRE+ (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico) [Portugal]

  Portugal urges to replace NRP Bérrio, a fleet support tanker which was decommissioned in 2020. In December 2023, during an interview with Portuguese media, the Chief ...

• Data links

  Data links | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Drones (Ukraine Aid) [Norway]

  Programme Background Drones and Air Defence On 3 September 2024, the Norwegian government announced that "Ukraine will get more drones donated to their frontline, and more air ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW149 - Egypt

  In 2019, Egypt ordered 24 AW-149s and eight AW-189s. The contract was not officially reported, but eventually, the sale was recorded in the Italian Ministry ...

• Loitering munitions

  Orbiter 1K [Undisclosed]

  Programme Background As reported by Shephard, Aeronautics secured a $40 million contract from an undisclosed international customer for the Orbiter 1k.  Forecast Methodology Unit Cost ...

• 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 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Riptide Mk II

  At Oceanology International 2018, Riptide Autonomous Solutions presented its second-generation micro-UUV – the Mk II. The Riptide Mk II UUV has a maximum speed of ...

• Military - USVs

  C-Worker 15

  C-Worker 15 is a large uncrewed surface vessel (USV) built by L-3 Harris designed specifically for towing payloads and deploying Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).

• Data links

  GNOMAD International

  Global Network On the Move – Active Distribution (GNOMAD) is an exportable SATCOM on-the-move system supplying a mobile network for military and government vehicles. The ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  AMX International

  The AMX International is a ground attack aircraft manufactured by AMX International, a consortium of Italy's Leonardo (Alenia and Aermacchi) and Brazil's Embraer, the latter ...

• International Modeling and Simulation

  Alion supports international customers with M&S strategies that include requirements and strategic planning; establishment of national simulation centres; Emergency Management and Crisis Response Emergency Operations ...

• Cannons

  40 CTAS

  CTA International has developed the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (40 CTAS) for integration into armoured vehicles for either new build or systems upgrades. ...

• EO/IR systems

  UltraFORCE 380-HDc

  The UltraFORCE 380-HDc is an EO/IR system from Teledyne FLIR. Unveiled at Farnborough International Airshow in 2024, it is an International Traffic in Arms Regulations-free (ITAR-free) version ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Simulator (HUET)

  The Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer (HUET) facility is designed and built by Meteksan Defence based on international standards and OPITO criteria (an international organization defining qualification ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Training Support and Services

  Diehl provides professional services to international customers with regard to ACMI systems, including analysis and presentation of mission data. Air force specialists support forces with ...

• Pistols

  STX

  In 2014, Detonics introduced the 9mm STX and in June 2015 announced that it had signed an agreement with STI International to produce the pistol. 

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  HMAV

  Mildef International Technologies publicly unveiled the prototype High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) 4x4 at an event in Sepang in February 2021.  Designed to meet UN ...

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

  Nighthawk

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China displayed its new Nighthawk UAV at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in November 2012. Nighthawk is designed for tactical ...

• Major networking projects

  SITCEN

  The Situation Centre (SITCEN) is the central agency for providing situational awareness within NATO HQ. It is responsible for receiving, exchanging and disseminating political, economic ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  ARSS

  Relied upon by US as well as international paramilitary and government agencies, Telephonics’ Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) uses pulse-Doppler technology, providing wide-area ground surveillance ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Synaps-H

  The Synaps-H, a multi-band V/UHF handheld terminal, is designed for platoon and squad leaders. Capable of performing ground-ground, ground-air, special forces and border surveillance missions, ...