• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: KAI showcases vision for crewed and uncrewed hybrid fighter formation

  23rd July 2026

  As Korea Aerospace Industries sets out its two-tiered, crewed-and-uncrewed hybrid future air formation, Defence Insight analyses how much it could cost to fulfil the ambition.

• Air Warfare

  How the evolving MQ-9B is opening new markets for GA-ASI

  20th July 2026

  With $12 billion in deals already signed and several major procurements on the horizon, the evolution of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B could lead to additional deals for the popular aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  US Army resumes Apache flights as cause of fatal Texas crash remains undisclosed

  25th August 2026

  The rapid return to training leaves international AH-64 operators without a public explanation of whether the Fort Hood accident involved a potentially shared technical or maintenance risk.

• Air Warfare

  British Army’s Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system

  20th May 2026

  The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.

• Defence Notes

  How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces

  3rd September 2026

  Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.

• Land Warfare

  “Creating a decision advantage”: how C-UAS is evolving to reduce the operator burden

  1st September 2026

  In Conversation… Speaking to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan, Dr Brian Shand, Director – Advanced Concepts & Technology at L3Harris, explains how, as operators face growing numbers of low-cost drones, C-UAS providers must focus on reducing operator workload, transforming fragmented sensor data into effective decision-making.

• Air Warfare

  Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story

  5th May 2026

  The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx fighting vehicles set for first taste of combat in Ukraine

  14th January 2026

  A June 2024 agreement with Ukraine for Rheinmetall to provide 10 KF41s along with the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the country has moved a step closer, with the factory now built and a contract signed.

• Air Warfare

  Denmark air focus: $2.64 billion UAV market blends US imports with Nordic cooperation

  14th April 2026

  While Denmark appears to be more committed to UAVs than most of its Nordic neighbours, its procurement efforts are likely to be split between American-made systems for its larger requirements and Nordic partnerships for smaller platforms.

• Air Warfare

  Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon

  31st August 2026

  Sweden is an outlier as a smaller nation with its own indigenous fighter aircraft and airborne early warning platform and is now looking at how local company Saab Aerospace can meet the plans for a collaborative combat aircraft.

• Land Warfare

  The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026

  8th January 2026

  2025 was a busy year for the land domain and 2026 looks set to be just as big. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill analyses some of the major trends we are likely to see in the year ahead.

• Air Warfare

  How the UK’s New Medium Helicopter award strengthens AW149’s European prospects

  17th July 2026

  The UK advanced its long-delayed New Medium Helicopter programme in March with a £1 billion order for 23 Leonardo AW149s. While the deal could provide a foundation for further UK and European export orders, funding pressures and previous delays continue to cloud the programme’s future.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare

  17th April 2026

  The 2026 Integrated Investment Program allocates up to A$130 billion for undersea warfare, committing the Royal Australian Navy to nuclear-powered submarines, autonomous platforms and an expanded surface combatant fleet over the next decade.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Saab eyes “share” in future fighter market, targets 2027 CCA demo flight

  5th February 2026

  The Swedish government is expected to make a decision on the next steps of the Future Fighter System Concept programme by 2030, with the current second phase focusing on technology knowledge expansion and demonstration flights.

• Air Warfare

  April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans

  29th April 2026

  Countries releasing their spending budgets over the past month have placed an emphasis on advancing next-generation crewed programmes as well as upgrades and expansion plans for air combat and aerial refuelling capabilities.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Procurement [Slovakia]

  Programme Background Earlier in April 2018, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS deal of 14 F-16V aircraft for an ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background First Contract The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC [Philippines]

  Programme Background Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  Background Timeline In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx [Hungary]

  Programme Background Since 2017, the Hungarian MoD has invested considerable funds into the modernisation of Hungary's Armed Forces. Under its Zrínyi 2026 development plan, the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]

  Background Ukraine first expressed an interest in acquiring the KF41 Lynx in 2023.  This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rheinmetall ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  SkyRanger 30 [Hungary]

  Background Hungary is developing a Lynx KF41-based Skyranger 30 mobile air-defence vehicle. The programme forms part of the European Sky Shield Initiative and the vehicle ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  IFV Replacement [Romania]

  Programme background In service as a chassis since 1982 and in its current form since 1991, the Romanian MLI-84M tracked IFV is expected to go ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Armoured Cavalry Vehicle [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army is currently undergoing a generational transformation. Its organisational structure is being overhauled with a transition away from a geographical focus towards ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  EBRC Jaguar [Belgium]

  Background Requirements In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  New IFV [Greece]

  Programme Background Current Greek Capabilities The majority of Greece's IFV fleet is comprised of BMP-1s. Greece acquired 501 BMP-1s from Germany between 1993 and 1994. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Pizarro Replacement [Spain]

  Background Spain currently operates a fleet of 225 Pizzaro IFVs. The Pizarro is a derivative of the ASCOD, with another variant called the Ulan in ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - mini

  Force Protection Drone Systems [Poland]

  Background Force Protection In November 2024, the Polish Defence Ministry's Armaments Agency signed a PLN 499 million (US$127.6 million) agreement with WB Group for 12 Force Protection drone ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) [Italy]

  Background The Italian Army has identified a requirement for new tracked IFVs to equip its armoured and mechanised brigades. These new vehicles will replace 200 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX AR

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX AR is a multi-channel SDR designed for operation in airborne platforms, including helicopters, transport aircraft and fighter jets. The MANET-capable radio allows ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX Manpack

  Elbit Systems E-LynX Manpack is a multi-band VHF/UHF radio system. The MANET-capable radio features GPS-independent synchronisation, advanced security features and support for multiple waveforms.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX MP Vehicular

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX MP (7200MP-VD55) is a dual-channel vehicular SDR that supports VHF, UHF and L-Band transmissions. The radio features VOIP and analogue interface support, Blue ...

• UAS: communication systems

  E-LynX LX

  Produced by Elbit Systems, the E-LynX LX is a lightweight communication system designed for uncrewed applications in particular. It provides video, audio and data communications ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 (E-LynX HH)

  Part of the E-LynX family, the field-proven MCTR-7200 is a tactical software-defined radio with software communications architecture, an intuitive user interface and multiple configuration options. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 MIPR

  Part of the E-LynX family, the MCTR-7200 Military IP Radio (MIPR) is a tactical networking IP data radio that delivers high-speed broadband data communication to ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-4090

  The Barrett PRC-4090 is a software-defined radio that offers secure e-mail, data transfer and voice connectivity within an HF network. Notably, it can connect to ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PNR-1000

  Part of the E-LynX family, the PNR-1000 IP radio supports up to 64-member ad-hoc networking including full-duplex voice conferencing, data and video simultaneously. As the newest generation ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/ARC-174

  Rockwell Collins AN/ARC-174 is an HF radio system primarily used in military helicopters. Amongst its several customers, the radio set was notably chosen for the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  SOVERON AR

  Developed by Rohde&Schwarz;, SOVERON AR is an airborne SDR that is in use with both fixed and rotary wing platforms. Notably, the radio adheres to ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  BNET-V

  BNET-V is a MANET Software-Defined Radio for vehicles. Designed by Rafael, the multiband radio has a modular architecture and offers compatibility with several legacy systems.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Next Generation Survivor Radio

  The Next Generation Survivor Radio (NGSR) is a software-defined radio being developed by General Dynamics Mission Systems. It is expected to enter into service after June 2026.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCR1025

  Reutech's LANDSEC MCR1025 is an HF manpack radio system in service with the South African National Defence Force. Notably, it supports Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  CNHF1

  Produced by KNL, the CNHF1 is a software-defined HF radio system with cognitive radio capabilities. Capable of receiving the entire HF spectrum, it provides secure, ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Sentry Mesh 6161

  The Sentry Mesh 6161-L is a software-defined radio produced by Domo Tactical Communications and Codan Communications. Unveiled in 2023, the L-band radio is marketed at soldier ...