• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD

  16th April 2024

  A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Australia to adopt new predatory OWL species

  27th June 2024

  The Australian Defence Force will introduce the One-Way Loitering (OWL) platform by Innovaero, the country’s first long-range loitering munition, to enhance strike capabilities and understanding of loitering munitions.

• Training

  Defender 24: US Army sets sails for largest US exercise in Europe

  5th April 2024

  The Defender 24 Exercise will happen from 4 April – 31 May and is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender 24 exercise.

• Naval Warfare

  Naval Group builds underwater drone demonstrator for France

  31st January 2024

  France has awarded a contract to Naval Group to continue the exploration of autonomous underwater capabilities for the French Navy.

• Naval Warfare

  HMS St Albans returns to service after upgrade

  7th March 2024

  Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 are still in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type 26 frigates, while the other three have been sold to the Chilean Navy and are in service as the Cochrane-class.

• Training

  Hadean introduces new collective training capability at IT2EC

  10th April 2024

  Integration of capabilities of Hadean and 4C has enabled the synchronisation between real-time actions and simulations.

• Digital Battlespace

  The Growing Role of Satellite Communications in Multi-Domain Operations (Studio)

  10th July 2024

  The landscape of military and humanitarian operations is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing necessity for real-time, secure information sharing across multiple domains. As multi-domain operations and information superiority become central to mission success, the role of satellite communications (SATCOM) is evolving to meet these critical demands.

• Naval Warfare

  Babcock wins $707 million HMS Victorious support and upgrade contract

  1st March 2024

  The UK Royal Navy’s Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) provide the UK with its continuous-at-sea deterrent (CASD) coverage and have done so since 1994 when the boats started to replace the Resolution-class submarines. Second of class, HMS Victorious, entered service in 1995.

• Land Warfare

  Reviving coastal protection: The renewed focus on shoreline defence

  15th May 2024

  The sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva has been among a range of incidents and geopolitical developments in recent years that has brought the issue of coastal defence back into the minds of government and defence decision-makers.

• Land Warfare

  How to Enhance C2 with Interoperable Communications

  18th June 2024

  Interoperable, mobile, and scalable networks are needed to meet the requirements of modern warfare

• Naval Warfare

  Aurora Engineering wins Royal Navy support contract

  6th February 2024

  A partnership between QinetiQ, BMT and AtkinsRéalis has been selected to ensure that the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary receive support and service during operations.

• Air Warfare

  Malaysia inks $1.48 billion in support deals for submarines and aircraft

  9th May 2024

  The deals signed ranged from submarine and aircraft support to the purchase of maritime patrol aircraft and anti-tank weapons.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  India’s pursuit of UAVs fuels domestic innovation and industrial growth

  27th June 2024

  In response to escalating border tensions and the need for enhanced surveillance capabilities, the Indian Army is ramping up its drone acquisitions, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern defence strategies.

• Air Warfare

  V-22 Osprey cleared for flight but cause of fatal crash not disclosed

  12th March 2024

  V-22s have been cleared for flight three months after a fatal crash which led to a grounding but processes involved in the clearance mean it will be weeks or even months before full operations return.

• Training

  Announcement: Scott R Gourley takes over as new editor of Shephard’s Decisive Edge Training newsletter

  27th March 2024

  Following the successful launch of its Decisive Edge Training newsletter in 2023, Shephard is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott R Gourley as the next editor of this leading digital publication.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Corvettes

  Multirole Corvette Programme [Romania]

  Programme Background Timeline Romania, since 2014. has seen a significant increase in its defence budget, which has allowed for more room to procure modern platforms. In ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  PROSUB - SSK [Brazil]

  Programme Background The four new Riachuelo-class SSKs for the Brazilian Navy (BN) are based on the Scorpene submarine design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. The ...

• OPVs

  Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVS (former Patrouilleurs Océanique) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The programme aims to procure new OPVs that will replace the D'Estienne d'Orves-class and the Flamant-class vessels. The OPVs are intended to be armed ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Minehunters

  Al Jawf Class Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges the replacement of three Al Jawf-class minehunters. Based on the Sandown-class design, the ships entered service in the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW159 Philippines

  The AW159s arrived in Manila, but transported to Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite for reassembly. Subsequently they will be based there as part of ...

• Frigates

  Maharaja Lela Class [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Timeline The Maharaja Lela-class is being built by Boustead Naval Shipyards to a larger version of the stealthy Gowind 2500 corvette design from the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  SOLO COFM HD & SD Video Downlinks

  DTC offers a number of downlink solutions to support a range of missions, delivering high-resolution video images. There are multiple installation options for fixed-wing, rotary ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ

  The MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ is a day and night camera designed for detection and surveillance. It is marketed as both a standalone product and as part ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  IP Mesh Radios, SOL8SDR

  DTC’s NETNode IP mesh radios are tactical communications and surveillance solutions that are combined in a self-forming, self-healing mesh radio network. NETNode radios use the ...

• Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  Aquila PTZ

  The Aquila PTZ is a low-profile pan-tilt-zoom thermal surveillance system with a three-camera arrangement, comprising thermal imaging and day- and low-light cameras. Designed for use in ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  DroneTracker

  The DroneTracker software provides airspace monitoring and management through a browser interface. DroneTracker allows users to configure multiple sensors, active and passive countermeasures and alerts ...

• Heron

  The Heron is a portable, mid-sized USV that has been built for rapid prototyping. The Heron has a rugged design, and can be transported, deployed ...

• Pride

  Pride is a fixed-wing UAV designed for short-range surveillance and law enforcement applications. The system has an empty weight of 2.5kg. 

• Military - USVs

  Eclipse Class 11

  The Eclipse Class is a USV designed by Al Meer Marine that can serve as a surveillance platform or patrol craft. 

• Data links

  SOLO COFDM Receivers

  DTC provides a range of SD and HD COFDM receiver products including tactical handheld (NNV HD), briefcase (MIV) and infrastructure (PRORX) systems. There are a ...

• EO/IR systems

  Kestrel Block II

  The Kestrel Aerostat-Based Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Sensor continuously collects and records a 360° view of an expansive area, both day and night, providing real-time and ...

• Military UGVs

  Gladiator TUGV

  The Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (TUGV) was funded through a USMC programme to develop an armed, armoured UGV. The programme began in the mid-1990s, ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  SX-8000

  The SX-8000 is an autonomous C-UAS system developed for protecting the airspace of critical infrastructure and stationary facilities. It is marketed as both a standalone ...

• Military UGVs

  miniROV

  The miniROV is a six-wheeled EOD/IED disposal system supported by an operator control unit, which is fitted with a 30cm thin-film-transistor LCD screen. The vehicle can operate ...

• Military UGVs

  Taurus

  Unveiled at Singapore Airshow 2024, the Taurus is a medium UGV from ST Engineering. The multi-role vehicle can be used for surveillance, casualty evacuation, logistics transport and ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  SX-500

  The SX-500 is a compact surveillance radar that is not only capable of detecting targets, but also of calculating their distance, angle, velocity and direction ...