• Naval Warfare

  Russian submarine activity triggers Italian interest in new ASW assets

  26th July 2022

  With increased Russian submarine activity in the Mediterranean, Italy’s defence chief said the country would invest in new air and naval ASW assets.

• Training

  Farnborough 2022: Inzpire offers multi-domain operational training

  22nd July 2022

  UK-based Inzpire performed a concept demonstration overview at the Farnborough International Airshow, showing a virtual training solution that can improve multi-domain C2 operations.

• Naval Warfare

  New French overseas patrol vessels set for 2023 service entry

  4th August 2022

  The first of six POM overseas patrol boats for use in France's Pacific territories has commenced sea trials and is due to enter service in New Caledonia in January 2023.

• Defence Notes

  Western reinforcement helping Ukraine protect itself, UK defence exports director says

  8th August 2022

  Western equipment sent to Ukraine is helping reinforce Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion, the head of the UK's Defence and Security Exports agency told Shephard.

• Naval Warfare

  South Korea to buy MK 54 torpedoes for helicopter use

  18th July 2022

  South Korea will arm its MH-60R helicopters with American lightweight torpedoes.

• Defence Notes

  Accelerated introduction of new military procurement law reflects changed priorities in France

  15th August 2022

  The French government is bringing a new Military Programming Law into force two years ahead of schedule.

• Naval Warfare

  Japan selects JMU as main contractor for new OPVs

  4th July 2022

  Japan is proceeding with a series of a dozen OPVs ideal for use in its southwest region against intruding Chinese vessels.

• Defence Notes

  Irate China goes ballistic after Pelosi visits Taiwan

  7th August 2022

  Taiwan was on high alert while China militarily threatened it to the hilt. Beijing took the opportunity offered by Pelosi's visit to express its ambition to conquer the democratically governed nation.

• Air Warfare

  Malaysian Army tests its MD 530G helicopters

  29th June 2022

  Malaysia is now operating the MD 530G light helicopter, while the first CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft conversion has arrived home.

• Naval Warfare

  Questions raised over Australia’s Guardian ship

  6th July 2022

  Technical faults have been reported in patrol boats being donated by Australia to its Pacific neighbours.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy negotiating Naval Strike Missile purchase

  11th July 2022

  Shephard understands the UK Royal Navy is negotiating a purchase of the Naval Strike Missile to fill a surface lethality gap created by the imminent retirement of the Harpoon Block 1C missile in 2023.

• Defence Helicopter

  Leonardo on verge of securing new Merlin and Wildcat helicopter exports

  5th August 2022

  Leonardo has said that it expects to finalise export contracts for both the AW101 and AW159 helicopters from new customers before the end of 2022.

• Air Warfare

  Farnborough 2022: IAI developing Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier-capable Heron UAS

  20th July 2022

  IAI is exploring the capability of its Heron UAS to fly from aircraft carriers, making the most of its ability to take off and land on short runways.

• Digital Battlespace

  US and Canadian navies to gain planar array antennas for Cooperative Engagement Capability

  11th July 2022

  The Cooperative Engagement Capability will blend data from shipborne, airborne and land-based radars into a common real-time picture for the USN and the Royal Canadian Navy.

• Naval Warfare

  Third Egyptian Gowind-class corvette completes first sea trials

  6th July 2022

  The third Egyptian Gowind-class corvette completed initial sea trials on 5 July

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Intra-Theatre Lift [UK]

  Programme Background  Relationship to the Heavy Lift Challange The Royal Navy (RN) embarked on the Heavy Lift Challenge, now called the Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC), to explore ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Data links

  Data links | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Maritime patrol

  C295 MPAs [India]

  Programme Background In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 ...

• Maritime patrol

  C295 MPA [Angola]

  Programme Background Requirement Angola uses a mix of Dornier Do-28s, A-29s and EMB-312 Tucanos for maritime surveillance duties. The country's dedicated maritime patrol capability was ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Singapore)

  Singapore requires a replacement platform for five Fokker 50 Maritime Enforcer Mk.2 aircraft. The total programme cost for five long-range maritime patrol aircraft is estimated to be ...

• Data links

  Data links | Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Singapore)

  Singapore requires a replacement platform for five Fokker 50 Maritime Enforcer Mk.2 aircraft. The total programme cost for five long-range maritime patrol aircraft is estimated to be ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Singapore)

  Singapore requires a replacement platform for five Fokker 50 Maritime Enforcer Mk.2 aircraft. The total programme cost for five long-range maritime patrol aircraft is estimated to be ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Singapore)

  Singapore requires a replacement platform for five Fokker 50 Maritime Enforcer Mk.2 aircraft. The total programme cost for five long-range maritime patrol aircraft is estimated to be ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Israel Heron Lease

  Programme BackgroundIn February 2018, Greece announced that it would lease seven Heron drones from Israel. The lease contract, worth €35.5 million ($44m), will cover a ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In June 2019, The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed to Shephard that the government has given approval for the service to prepare ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

• Data links

  Data links | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  AR5

  First announced in October 2012, the AR5 is a MALE UAS designed for SAR, surveillance and maritime patrol missions. The AR5 can be flown manually or commanded ...

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

  AR3

  The AR3, or AR3 Net Ray, is an autonomous small-UAS designed to support land-based and maritime missions, including communications support, infrastructure surveillance, ISTAR and pollution monitoring.  Manufactured by Tekever, ...

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

  ARX

  Unveiled at Xponential 2024, the ARX is a fixed-wing drone developed by Tekever.  It features common electronics and software with other Tekever drones. Unlike those ...

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

  AR2 Carcará

  The AR2 Carcará is a hand- or catapult-launched mini-UAV designed to support search and rescue, surveillance and patrol operations in amphibious and maritime environments. It is ...

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

  AR4

  The AR4 is a hand-launched mini-UAS designed for rapid mobile deployment. Manufactured by Tekever, the UAS is suitable for both military and commercial ISTAR applications.  A ...

• Subsystems: hardware

  Maritime Console

  The Discovery Machine Maritime Console can create highly intelligent entities for use in simulated training events. It is designed to work with the USN Joint ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SitaWare Maritime

  Developed by Systematic, SitaWare Maritime is a C4ISR system that emphasises interoperability, the ability to provide a recognised maritime picture, and data-led decision-making aids. According ...

• Maritime patrol

  Cessna Maritime Patrol

  The Cessna 'special mission' Maritime Patrol Aircraft is a variant of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet developed by Textron aviation. Textron has stated the onboard systems, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Torch-X Maritime

  Produced by Elbit Systems, the Torch-X Maritime is a combat management system which combines mature COTS components into an open-architecture C4I suite. Notably, the system ...

• Data links

  Maritime Tactical Data Link

  The Maritime Tactical Data Link (MTDL) is a developmental tactical data link by Hanwha Systems. Offered in 16 configurations, the system is based on the ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ENR

  The NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter is equipped with the European Navy Radar (ENR) developed by Thales in conjunction with Airbus and Leonardo. 

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  ELM-2022ES

  The ELM-2022ES is an airborne maritime surveillance radar designed to accommodate fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft, maritime support helicopters and UAVs. The radar performs mechanical horizontal ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Delta 1200TX

  The Delta 1200TX is a fast patrol craft designed to support the full spectrum of maritime special operations. It is a larger variant of the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM, Data links

  ELK-1894

  The ELK-1894 'on-the-move' SATCOM system, is designed to enable bi-directional wideband communications data links for airborne, maritime and ground vehicular platforms. These data links are ...