• Defence Notes

  A full year of continuing resolutions would be ‘devastating’ for defence plans, warns US senator

  8th December 2023

  The chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations alerted that a full year of continuing resolutions would force the Pentagon to freeze 330 new programmes including the B-21 stealth bomber, C3BM developments and shipbuilding projects.

• Naval Warfare

  Japan successfully fires electromagnetic railgun

  23rd October 2023

  While other countries have given up on electromagnetic railgun technology Japan remains committed to the ground-breaking concept.

• Naval Warfare

  Aegis weapon system successfully intercepts two short-range ballistic missile targets

  27th October 2023

  The Vigilant Wyvern joint test saw USN Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carl M Levin detect, track, engage and execute missiles fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on Kauai, Hawaii.

• Naval Warfare

  First Heritage-class cutter for US Coast Guard launched

  31st October 2023

  The US Coast Guard (USCG) has placed contracts for four Heritage-class offshore patrol cutters (OPCs), with plans in place to order as many as nine, as part of an effort to replace the service’s Famous Cutter and Reliance classes.

• Naval Warfare

  Is the end in sight for Canada’s painful Joint Support Ship procurement journey?

  1st November 2023

  The launch of the second of two new Joint Support Ships for the Royal Canadian Navy has represented steps forward on a project that has suffered huge delays due to supply chain issues and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Canada's DND.

• Naval Warfare

  AUSA 2023: Steadicopter aims to fly high with new rotary UAVs

  19th October 2023

  Israeli manufacturer Steadicopter presented its new Black Eagle and Golden Eagle rotary unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the first time in the US at AUSA. Shephard spoke with Steadicopter CEO Itai Toren about what makes these Eagles different from other birds in the market.

• Naval Warfare

  HII awarded contract to build UUVs for US Navy Lionfish programme

  12th October 2023

  HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) is to supply nine small UUVs (SUUVs) for the US Navy’s Lionfish programme which could lead to acquisition of as many as 200 platforms with a potential value of $347 million.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE offers Australia guided missile variant of Hunter-class frigate

  7th November 2023

  The Australian Defence Strategic Review has called for a mix of Tier 1 and Tier 2 surface combatants amid speculation that the SEA 5000 Hunter-class frigate project would be cut back to pay for a potential new class of corvette – but BAE has returned fire with a new offering that could change Australian decision-making.

• Training

  Ukrainian Navy participate in Exercise Joint Warrior in UK

  26th October 2023

  The Ukrainian Navy has joined 10 nations involved in a major multinational exercise in waters off Scotland.

• Naval Warfare

  New Exocet variants secure anti-ship missile capability for the future

  16th October 2023

  MBDA and the French Navy have completed the test firing of a new Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missile (AShM) from Aquitaine-class frigate FS Alsace.

• Naval Warfare

  UK welcomes RFA Proteus, the UK’s first dedicated underwater surveillance ship

  11th October 2023

  The UK has commemorated the arrival of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Proteus, the country's first ship dedicated to underwater surveillance, equipped with advanced capabilities and remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) for seabed warfare operations.

• Naval Warfare

  Fourth US Navy TAO replenishment oiler launched despite cost concerns

  31st October 2023

  The fourth John Lewis-class (TAO-205) fleet replenishment oiler for the US Navy was launched in a ceremony at shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO’s San Diego facility on 28 October 2023.

• Naval Warfare

  France advances SSBN and SSN projects

  5th October 2023

  France has advanced its main programmes for new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).

• Defence Notes

  European Defence Agency report predicts multi-domain operations, new tech and robots to dominate beyond 2040

  24th October 2023

  Future defence forces will face a range of challenges beyond the metal, silicon chips and microprocessors that currently threaten national security and defence.

• Naval Warfare

  Greek frigate launch heralds Hellenic Navy modernisation

  11th October 2023

  The launch of the first of three new Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates for Greece on 4 October 2023 at French shipyard Naval Group represents the beginning of a significant recapitalisation of the Hellenic Navy fleet, which is in urgent need of modernisation.

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

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...