• Land Warfare

  The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle continues its success as the new variant rolls out

  20th March 2025

  The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is becoming the dominant platform in its class as it replaces most of the massive US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC) fleets of HMMWV 4x4s, colloquially known as the Humvee. Shephard dives deep into the JLTV programme background and analyses the latest variants and contracts, including the controversial production switch to AM General and the continued contracts continuing to head Oshkosh's way.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Hyundai unveils 105mm light SPH and 81mm mortar vehicle for ROK Army

  20th February 2025

  Two elements of the South Korean company Hyundai, WIA Business and Hyundai Rotem Group, have joined forces to develop two highly mobile indirect fire systems, the 105mm Light Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and vehicle-mounted 81mm mortar system.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: MARSS delivers two more protection systems for naval bases in the Middle East

  19th February 2025

  NiDAR, which protects against threats through real-time data fusion, has been designed to provide faster detection, tracking, classification and response to potential threats.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: DroneShield heralds “incredibly strong” start to 2025, as it works to overcome capacity challenges

  18th February 2025

  The Australian counter-UAS software and hardware provider is looking to significantly increase revenue and scale to match its growing sales footprint with customers across the globe.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Hanwha looks to a proven template as it plans further international expansion

  24th February 2025

  Hanwha Aerospace global defense CEO Michael Coulter was appointed to the seat just over two months ago. He sat down with Shephard at last week’s IDEX 2025 to outline his vision for how the company is looking to grow its footprint in the US and Europe.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Rafael increases missile and drone defence capability as threats and demands rise

  21st February 2025

  Rafael president and CEO Yoav Tourgeman, speaking to Shephard at IDEX 2025, has outlined how the company is pushing through air defence programmes in the face of attacks on Israel from rockets, missiles and drones on multiple fronts.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Debutant vehicles announced as companies look for partnerships

  17th February 2025

  The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in UAE capital Abu Dhabi will bring together more than 1,300 exhibitors from more than 65 countries.

• Air Warfare

  Shield AI unveils V-Bat block upgrade

  9th April 2025

  The heavy-fuel engine V-Bat was officially showcased at Sea Air Space, after it was first teased in February 2025.

• Defence Notes

  Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion

  11th February 2025

  The new figure is an increase from US$75.8 billion in 2024 and showcases the country’s focus on its Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing the Kingdom’s dependency on oil.

• Air Warfare

  US approves possible $1.96 billion MQ-9B drone sale for Qatar

  27th March 2025

  Qatar moves one step closer towards acquiring the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, as the Trump administration shows a renewed interest selling the platforms to countries in the Middle East.

• Land Warfare

  Pearson Engineering remote mine-clearance system ploughs on

  10th April 2025

  The Weevil system is built around the Beacon remote control and a Pearson mine-plough. It is being evaluated on a British Army Warrior infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) but could be used for other platforms.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force announces mission designation for Anduril and GA-ASI’s CCA prototypes

  4th March 2025

  The news follows confirmation from GA-ASI that it will fly its CCA prototype this year and signals the next step in the collaborative combat aircraft programme.

• Naval Warfare

  Havelsan boosts command and control in Omani fleet “for 20 years”

  12th February 2025

  A new deal between the Turkish firm and the Royal Navy of Oman would upgrade all the navy’s currently active vessels.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation

  5th March 2025

  Saudi Arabia’s showpiece event for the defence industry will return in 2026 as it attempts to foster global defence collaboration, promote opportunity within the Kingdom and demonstrate technological innovation from across the Middle East.

• Land Warfare

  Extra punch to be added to THeMIS UGV as production set to increase

  29th January 2025

  Milrem Robotics is looking to improve the lethality of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), ramp up production and add an integration with uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  Programme Background At IDEX 2025, two Airbus representatives shared insights into a possible offer from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Data links

  Data links | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | A-400M [United Arab Emirates]

  At IDEX 2025, two representatives from Airbus discussed the details behind a potential bid from the United Arab Emirates for the A-400M aircraft. The A-400M ...

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

  MQ-9B [UAE]

  Programme Background Requirement The programme is required to meet current and future threats faced by the UAE by proving ISR, target acquisition, locating submarines and counter-land and ...

• OPVs

  PPAs Procurement [Indonesia]

  Programme Background Timeline In October 2023, Italian Junior Defence Minister Matteo Perego di Cremnago told Defense News that Italy is in discussions with Indonesia to ...

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

  Seeker 400 - Second Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

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

  Vector / Scorpion (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]

  Programme Background German Enablement Initiative On 18 April 2024, Quantum-Systems announced that German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industry Alexander Kamyshin had opened the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Rabdan 8x8 IFV (UAE)

  In addition to the standard IFV variant, the Rabdan will also be delivered in APC, command and control, ambulance, mortar carrier, repair and recovery configurations. ...

• MPVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Iraq Federal Police 4x4 Patrol Vehicle

  The failure of this Iraqi Federal Police requirement for an additional 300 vehicles to translate into a contract may be related to issues encountered with ...

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

  Vector / Scorpion [Romania]

  Programme Background On 14 May 2024, Quantum Systems secured a contract valued at €18.4 million ($19.7 million) to supply its Vector drone to the Romanian MoD. ...

• Maritime patrol

  Challenger 650 ISR - UAE

  Programme Background In February 2019 at IDEX, the UAE announced that it will procure a new special mission aircraft with an option for the second ...

• Loitering munitions

  RW-24 [Serbia]

  Programme Background During his visit to IDEX 2023, Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia's president, met with UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and announced that his ...

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

  Vector / Scorpion (Selected) [Ukraine]

  Programme Background 500 Systems Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Quantum-Systems has provided many drones to Ukraine. Over 400 units have been provided as aid ...

• Loitering munitions

  Hunter Family [UAE]

  Programme Background IDEX Contract Announcement On 21 February 2023, EDGE announced that its subsidiary, HALCON, had been awarded an AED 1.1 billion ($272.29 million) contract to supply ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Bars-6

  Bogdan publicly unveiled the 7t Bars-6 (Panther) 4x4 light APC at IDEX 2015, and in July 2016, the company introduced an upgraded version ready for ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Sarsar-2

  Unveiled at IDEX 2015, MIC's Sarsar-2 APC is based on the KIA 1.2t 4x4 chassis, which the Sudanese company is licensed to produce. The company ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Enigma

  Unveiled in 2015, the Enigma is an 8x8 armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle is 8.3m long and 2.8m wide. It has a height of 2.39m ...

• Military vehicle engines

  TCD 2015

  The TCD 2015 is a modern water-cooled four stroke diesel V-engine that is currently integrated on the RG41 armoured vehicle.

• Land: RWS

  AU-220M

  The AU-220M unmanned turret, developed by TsNII Burevestnik, a subsidiary of Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), mounts a dual-feed 57mm automatic cannon and a PKTM 7.62mm coaxial machine ...

• Military - USVs

  B-7

  The B-7 is a USV designed by Al Marakeb that has been in development since 2009. Designed for coastal defence, the B-7 is able to monitor ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Phantom

  The Phantom is a 4x4 APC that was developed in the UAE and publicly unveiled at the IDEX exhibition in 2015. It features a five-door ...

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

  Patriot R2

  The new-generation Patriot R2 UAS is used for military and civil/commercial applications and provides reconnaissance support. It was designed in response to fighting that occurred ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, Mine-protected vehicles

  Fiona

  The Fiona is a 6x6 MRAP armoured vehicle based on the underpinnings of the KrAZ-6322 all-wheel-drive off-road cargo truck. Publicly unveiled for the first time ...

• Deployable/static missile systems

  Oerlikon Laser Gun

  Rheinmetall showcased the applications for its High Energy Laser (HEL) guns for the first time at IDEX 2015 in Abu Dhabi. The Oerlikon Laser Gun ...

• Pistols

  APX

  Designed specifically for the military market, Beretta unveiled its modular APX pistol at the IDEX 2015 show and offered it for the US Army's Modular ...

• Special operations vehicles

  Ajban LRSOV

  The Ajban Long-Range Special Operations Vehicle (LRSOV) is an open-top 4x4 long-range reconnaissance vehicle based on Nimr's Ajban multipurpose vehicle. The LRSOV seats four crew ...

• Naval guns

  Sea deFNder

  The Sea deFNder is a maritime Remote Weapons System (RWS) designed for naval and coast guard forces in surveillance, anti-terrorism,  anti-piracy, or maritime traffic interception ...

• Tanks

  K21-105 Light Tank

  At IDEX 2013, Doosan and John Cockerill Defense presented the K21-105 Light Tank concept which integrates the Cockerill 105mm-armed XC-8 turret on the Doosan K21 ...

• Self-propelled mortars

  Cobra

  Cobra is a turntable-mounted 120mm smoothbore mortar system which can be mounted in a suitable tracked or wheeled APC and fires through the open roof ...