• Defence Notes

  Malaysia’s military acquisition mayhem and malfeasance (Opinion)

  15th June 2023

  Malaysia has succeeded in producing some prime examples of unsuccessful military procurements and corruption. Unfortunately, it is the Malaysian Armed Forces that bears the consequences.

• Training

  US Air Force jet trainer upgrade prevents obsolescence and improves availability

  24th March 2023

  Contractor Field Aerospace has completed work on the Avionics Modification Program for the USAF's T-1 Jayhawk fleet to address obsolescence issues, increase aircraft availability and decrease sustainment costs.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Bayraktar TB2 UAV living up to expectations?

  15th September 2023

  Sold to well over 20 countries and combat-proven in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Bayraktar TB2 has been an export success for its Turkish manufacturer. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the aircraft's design and capabilities and reviews in depth who is buying it and why.

• Air Warfare

  Aeralis partners with Japanese aircraft manufacturer at DSEI Japan

  15th March 2023

  Initial cooperation between Aeralis and ShinMaywa will begin imminently.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed Martin prepares first F-16 Block 70 fighters for Bahrain

  14th March 2023

  The delivery of the latest configuration of the F-16 Fighter jet will strengthen US-Bahrain ties, will significantly enhance the Gulf country's air capabilities and has the potential to further increase demand for the jet in the region.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems highlights need to invest in skills and infrastructure to de-risk next-gen combat aircraft programme

  19th April 2023

  BAE Systems has won a contract extension worth £656m from the UK MoD to develop the concept and technology for the next generation combat aircraft, part of the Tempest project, but will need to ensure it has the right niche skills and digital and physical infrastructure to successfully deliver.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Nexter extends UAE partnership to tank fleet upgrade

  23rd February 2023

  The French company has signed an agreement with International Golden Group to collaborate on modernisation of the UAE Army's Leclerc tank fleet.

• Defence Notes

  Why cybersecurity must be a priority for Latin American militaries

  21st March 2023

  The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.

• Defence Notes

  IDEX 2023: All the news from the show floor (podcast)

  27th February 2023

  This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat about the big news stories from IDEX in Abu Dhabi.

• Defence Notes

  What is preventing the German defence industry from accelerating production?

  2nd May 2023

  Although Germany has announced investments in its manufacturing capacities and reduced regulatory barriers, there are still challenges to be overcome.

• Defence Notes

  UK and France target 2030 for future cruise missile, seek commonality on future fighter weapons

  15th March 2023

  The UK and France aim to deliver a new cruise missile in 2030 as part of the MBDA-led Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) project.

• Land Warfare

  Brazilian Army moves to secure border regions with SISFRON surveillance network

  6th April 2023

  The service has received various items of equipment in 2022 including ground vehicles, ships, optronics and communication systems.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Lacroix tightens UAE bonds with joint venture agreement

  1st March 2023

  Lacroix forged an agreement for UAE manufacturing at the Emirati show and showcased its latest vehicle self-protection system.

• Air Warfare

  Iraq emerges as customer for Turkish Aselpod airborne targeting system

  21st March 2023

  An Iraqi Air Force Aero L-159 light attack jet has been photographed fitted with an Aselsan Aselpod targeting system, suggesting that Iraq is the export customer announced in by the company in autumn 2022.

• Naval Warfare

  DriX USV to take part in Middle East naval exercise

  6th March 2023

  IMX 23 is set to be one of the largest uncrewed naval exercises conducted in the Middle East this year.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  WanderB or ThunderB [Colombia]

  Programme Background Expodefensa 2019 During Colombia's Expodefensa 2019 exhibition, BlueBird Aero Systems displayed its ThunderB VTOL small UAV. Reportedly, the Colombian Army requested information on ...

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

  MQ-9B [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Biggest Intenrational Deal Speaking to defence media outlets at IDEX 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that the company was in the early stages of working on ...

• 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 ...

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

  Category 3 UCAV [Brazil]

  Background Notice On 19 March 2025, the Brazilian Army General Staff (EME) published a notice to survey the national and international market for the supply of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Altius 600M & Altius 700M (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background Anduril On 6 March 2025, the UK MoD and John Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence, announced a package to help counter Russia's aggression against ...

• 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 ...

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

  Wing Loong I [Eygpt]

  Programme Background SIPRI According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2016, Eygpt ordered around 10 Wing Loong I aircraft from China, which were ...

• 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 ...

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 ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 4x4, Trucks and utility vehicles - 6x6

  7000-MV MTV

  The Navistar 7000 series is a range of military heavy-lift vehicles developed by Navistar Defense, based on the Navistar International WorkStar truck chassis. This series ...

• 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. 

• MPVs - 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  UXG-300

  The UXG-300 is a two-axis high-speed gyro-stabilised gimbal manufactured by UAVision and designed by BCB International. It features continuous 360-degree pan rotation and -105° to ...

• 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 ...

• Military - USVs

  Sea Serpent

  The three-metre Sea Serpent is the smallest member of the Eclipse USV family that Al Seer Marine and 5G International are jointly developing for surveillance ...