• Naval Warfare

  Insight: How rising tensions have fuelled the Type 26 frigate's development

  12th September 2023

  Slated to enter service in the late 2020s, the Type 26 frigate addresses the pressing need for enhanced ASW capabilities, particularly in light of heightened tensions with Russia. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the design and its equipment fit.

• Air Warfare

  Belgium joins FCAS programme at Paris Air Show 2023

  20th June 2023

  Belgium announced on 19 June that it will join the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme as an observer, despite Dassault Aviation's reservations.

• Land Warfare

  L3Harris T7™ and T4™: Unrivaled EOD Capability Meets Proven Reliability

  11th September 2023

  All over the globe, unprecedented world events are increasingly introducing new, evolving sources of conflict and complex threats into the modern battlefield.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy's next-generation high-speed missile might not be hypersonic

  8th August 2023

  Concepts for new missiles for the US Navy (USN) are being finalised under the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Weapon (HALO) programme.

• Air Warfare

  Canada to quadruple aerial tanker fleet with nine CC-330 Husky multi-role aircraft

  26th July 2023

  The significant expansion of strategic air-to-air refuelling capability is set to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' operational reach and enhance its ability to support more missions, with specific focus on the High North.

• Air Warfare

  Chinese balloon affair prompts lawmakers' push on Pentagon to improve air and sea detection

  7th August 2023

  The US Senate Committee on Appropriations has proposed an additional $293.5 million for new and upgraded radars plus communications equipment to protect the US homeland.

• Land Warfare

  Hanwha's Redback selected as preferred solution for Land 400 Phase 3 IFV

  27th July 2023

  Hanwha Defense Australia has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the Land 400 Phase 3 programme, providing 129 Redback IFVs to the Australian Army. The vehicles will be delivered at an accelerated rate with the first in 2027 and last expected before the end of 2028.

• Naval Warfare

  Uruguay looks to Spain for new OPVs

  20th July 2023

  The Uruguayan Navy may finally receive two new offshore patrol vessels to revamp its ageing surface fleet.

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell signs Czech AH-1Z and UH-1Y support deal

  7th July 2023

  Czech signs deal to support new Bell-Textron helicopters and commits older helicopters as donations to Ukraine.

• Training

  Battle of the primes: Race to secure British Army's $1 billion collective training programme intensifies

  27th July 2023

  With the release of requirement date approaching in the high-stake competition, leading consortia vie for the opportunity to transform the British Army's training capabilities with the prestigious $1 billion Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP).

• Land Warfare

  German Army to field Australian-made Boxer vehicles in export reversal

  12th July 2023

  Germany, the designer and builder of the Boxer, will turn to Australia for new 8x8 vehicles. Meanwhile, Hanwha continues to march forward with Australia's AS9 155mm SPHs.

• Air Warfare

  Turkiye’s strong desire to buy F-16 from US persists, defying previous statements

  1st June 2023

  Turkiye's renewed interest in the long-gestating F-16 deal, despite geopolitical hurdles and a potential ban on adding indigenous weapons, highlights the significance of this strategic acquisition for Ankara's military capabilities.

• Digital Battlespace

  Australia greenlights Land 200 Phase 3 Battlefield Command System

  14th July 2023

  The pursuit of a battlefield management system is back on the table for the Australian Army.

• Air Warfare

  Enhanced India-France defence cooperation will include Rafale M fighters

  16th July 2023

  India has selected the Rafale M as its new carrier-borne fighter, with a contract to be signed later.

• Air Warfare

  Indonesia invests in Mirages to plug a fighter shortfall

  16th June 2023

  Indonesia's air force goes back in time to acquire ex-French, ex-Qatari Mirage fighter jets.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  Programme Background The German newspaper Spiegel published a report on 20 October 2025 claiming that German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking to acquire 15 additional F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A Add-On [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Programme Background On 15 February 2015, Israel signed an FMS deal to procure 33 F-35A (F-35I Adir) fighter aircraft with an option of 17. Israel ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B Follow-On [UK]

  The Royal Air Force is planning to acquire 90 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters from 2026, in addition to the 48 aircraft which London had ordered for delivery ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B Follow-On [UK]

  The Royal Air Force is planning to acquire 90 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters from 2026, in addition to the 48 aircraft which London had ordered for delivery ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  GH-4200

  L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15J/DJ

  The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

  The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is an integrated defence system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for the F-15, F-15K and F-15E ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15 Eagle

  The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-135

  The AN/ALQ-135, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is a mounted active jamming system carried on the F-15C and F-15 E combat aircrafts. The system is a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

  The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALQ-128(V)

  Raytheon’s AN/ALQ-128(V) is a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) which equips the F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle series combat aircraft. The system's original manufacturer was ...

• Guided munitions

  Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

  The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed for the USAF and USN that converts unguided bombs into all-weather ‘smart’ munitions. JDAM-equipped ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7020-1-D-01

  The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

  The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7010-1-D-01

  The 7010-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 35mm F/1.2. It supports multiple detectors with a pitch from 15-50µm and is designed for general ...