• Naval Warfare

  First Type 26 frigate begins float-off

  28th November 2022

  The float-off of the first Type 26 frigate comes shortly after the UK MoD placed a long-awaited order for five further frigates, bringing the total contracted to eight.

• Air Warfare

  India looks closer to home to upgrade Su-30MKI fleet

  19th October 2022

  With Russia under sanctions because of its warlike ways, India must find an alternative solution to upgrade its Su-30 fighters.

• Naval Warfare

  UK inks long-awaited contract for extra Type 26 frigates

  15th November 2022

  Against the backdrop of the G20 summit in Indonesia, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has greenlit a contract to build five more frigates for the UK Royal Navy (RN).

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2022: Preliminary design review for Canadian Surface Combatant nears the finish line

  24th October 2022

  The Canadian Surface Combatant project aims to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates with a single ship type.

• Defence Notes

  Dragonfire illuminates the way forward for UK laser weapons

  9th November 2022

  With its Dragonfire high-energy laser programme the UK is part of a growing club of nations focused on taking directed energy weapons from science fiction to operations.

• Land Warfare

  Honeywell enhances vehicle situational awareness

  18th October 2022

  The Honeywell 360 Display is a wearable, stereoscopic, mixed-reality head-mounted display that uses a series of sensors and exterior cameras.

• Digital Battlespace

  How anti-jam technology is helping provide resilience for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (Sponsored)

  27th September 2022

  Accurate position information is crucial for many military and commercial applications. Global Navigation Satellite Systems is the most common source for position in land, airborne and marine applications within manned and unmanned vehicles, guided munitions, and many other platforms around the world.

• Digital Battlespace

  AUSA 2022: Systel introduces Kite-Strike II fully rugged AI mission computer

  11th October 2022

  The SWaP-optimised Kite-Strike II can be used in AI-powered autonomous platforms or with sensor ingest/data fusions and vehicle/force protection systems.

• Training

  QinetiQ ramps up special mission aircraft efforts across the globe

  12th October 2022

  The second DA62 multi-purpose aircraft will support training services QinetiQ is providing from its German base, while the acquisition of Air Affairs Australia will enhance the company's Asia-Pacific efforts.

• Land Warfare

  British Army’s Icarus programme reaches new phase

  3rd October 2022

  With an investment boost of £15 million, the British Army will continue to develop future capabilities for a modular, flexible active protection system (APS).

• Defence Notes

  Israel's Rafael buys UK defence firm Pearson Engineering in strategic expansion

  28th September 2022

  The acquisition of Pearson Engineering by Israeli firm Rafael could see UK manufacturing of the Trophy active protection system for the Challenger 3 MBT — but how well does the deal sit with the UK government's defence industrial strategy?

• Training

  Inzpire and RAF to run major tactical interoperability exercise

  29th September 2022

  This year's Exercise Cobra Warrior was the largest exercise in UK airspace for two years and saw the participation of 80 aircraft from international allies.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DARPA aims for first trials of NOMARS vessel in 2024

  25th August 2022

  DARPA aims to begin trialling the first No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) in late 2024, the agency told Shephard following its 22 August announcement that it would build, test and demonstrate the first vessel.

• 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.

• Defence Notes

  Ultra takeover comes under national security scrutiny

  27th June 2022

  The UK government is still likely to approve the takeover of Ultra by a private equity-owned firm, but its decision to launch a consultation into the deal reflects concerns that UK defence industrial sovereignty may be eroded.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Skeldar V-200 (ASW) [Canada]

  Programme Background Contract Award At Euronaval 2022, Shephard reported that UMS Skeldar and Ultra had been awarded a Phase 2 contract on 19 October to provide ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Military UAS - small

  Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirement & Objective The RN identified a requirement to acquire an RPAS to transport cargo and supplies between ships and personnel. When mature, it ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  ISTAR UAS project [Canada]

  Programme Background Objective The Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) main significant UAV project is the RCN Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Unmanned Aircraft System (RCN ...

• Trainer

  T-54A Multi-Engine Training System (METS) (USA)

  Programme Background Multi-Engine Training System is a USN programme to replace the ageing T-44C Pegasus fleet and modernize multi-engine aircraft training. Multi-Engine Training System provides ...

• Maritime patrol

  Sea Sultan [Pakistan]

  Programme Background On 10 January 2020, Pakistan issued a tender for a single unconfigured long-range twin-jet MPA. In October 2020, Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, the PN’s soon-to-retire ...

• Maritime patrol

  Sea Sultan - Forecast (Pakistan)

  Programme Background On 10 January 2020, Pakistan issued a tender for a single unconfigured long-range twin-jet MPA. In October 2020, Adm Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, the PN’s soon-to-retire ...

• Minehunters

  New Generation Minehunters/Offshore (NGM/A) (1-4) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements In July 2019, the Italian Navy published an updated version of its 2019-2034 Strategic Planning, outlining the future composition of its fleets ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft Procurement [Italy]

  Programme Background In an appearance before the Italian parliament’s Foreign and Defence Affairs Committee on 14 July 2022, Italian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Adm ...

• Minehunters

  New Generation Minehunters/Coastal (NGM/C) (6-8) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements Four vessels were planned to be NGM/A, a new ocean-going MCMV, and eight NGM/C minehunters, a new coastal MCMV. These will replace ...

• Minehunters

  New Generation Minehunters/Coastal (NGM/C) (1-5) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements Four vessels were planned to be NGM/A, a new ocean-going MCMV, while a further eight NGM/C minehunters, a new coastal MCMV. These will ...

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

  Aksungur [Turkish Navy]

  Programme Background First Flight & Contract Award The platform's maiden flight was completed on 20 March 2019, and it was first publicly shown at IDEF ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  AGMV 1.1

  Programme Background The US Army has been seeking a lightweight, air-droppable, high mobility vehicle since as early as 2014, when it initiated its Ultra Light ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (4-15) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  eLRV [US]

  Programme Background Purpose The US Army unveiled a new concept for a more deployable IBCT structure at AUSA in October 2014. Built around three main types ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: sonar systems

  TMS 2000

  The TMS 2000 was developed by Thales. It is a sonobuoy processing system designed to be used by a helicopter or Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). 

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  C-27J Next Generation MPA

  Developed by Leonardo, the C-27J MPA is the Maritime Patrol version of the C-27J NG transport aircraft. While retaining the key characteristics of the transport ...

• Air: sonar systems, Sea: sonar systems

  ASELBUOY

  ASELBUOY is a NATO A-size passive directional sonobuoy deployed from aircraft and surface ships.  It can operate in 30 m and 150 m depths, providing ...

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

  Ultra

  The Ultra UAV, or HCMC, is a fixed-wing twin-engined cargo-carrying platform manufactured by Windracers. The platform is mainly aimed at the commercial market and has conducted trials ...

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

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• EO/IR systems

  POP Ultra

  The POPUltra is a dual-axis, gyro-stabilized, fully digital payload designed for airborne applications. It integrates advanced sensors into a compact Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), offering ...

• Land: air defence radar

  ELM-2090U

  IAI-ELTA's ELM-2090U UHF Ultra is a land-based long-range early warning radar designed to autonomously detect and simultaneously track Ballistic Missiles (BMs), satellites and airborne targets ...

• Weapon-mounted lights

  X-Series WeaponLights

  X-Series WeaponLights feature an LED emitter focused by a Total Internal Reflection lens to produce a tight beam with extended reach and significant surround light ...

• Weapon sights for day use

  3-12x54 PM II Ultra Bright

  The 3-12x54 PM II Ultra Bright is the first scope within Schmidt & Bender's new PM II Ultra Bright line. With a transmission of 96%, ...

• Data links

  AN/ARQ-59

  The AN/ARQ-59, also known as CDL Hawklink, is an airborne data link which provides C2 and sensor data transfer functions, among others. Manufactured by L3Harris, ...

• Weapon sights for day use

  4-16x56 PM II Ultra Bright

  The 4-16x56 PM II Ultra Bright is the second scope within Schmidt & Bender's new PM II Ultra Bright line. With a transmission of 96%, ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Helius

  Unveiled in March 2025, Helius is a coaxial micro rotary-wing UAV from Ascent Aerosystems.  It features field-swappable, rechargeable batteries, 4G and LTE connectivity, AI-enabled obstacle avoidance, ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  ULTRA-HUD

  Elbit Systems' ULTRA-HUD is a low-profile solution designed for modern cockpits with Large Area Displays in mind. It is suitable for trainer jets and other ...

• Data links

  AN/USQ-167 CDLS

  The AN/USQ-167 Communications Data Link System (CDLS) is the first USN CDL system to support standard CDL interfaces to enable network-centric warfare. It is a ...

• Maritime patrol

  Falcon

  Following previous MPAs in Dassault's Falcon family, a variant based on the Falcon 900 was launched in 2005. The MPA has a 360° radar in ...