• Naval Warfare

  India to speed up acquisition of further aircraft carrier

  28th September 2023

  India's first domestically built aircraft carrier was massively late by six years, but the country thinks it can do better with the next ship.

• Training

  Australia dives deep with $2 billion AUKUS submarine training investment

  12th December 2023

  The US has given the green light to a potential contract with Australia aimed at bolstering the AUKUS trilateral agreement by enhancing Royal Australian Navy training.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Leidos to manage US Navy uncrewed surface vessels under $95 million deal

  22nd August 2023

  Leidos has won a $95 million contract from the USN to manage and maintain the Overlord and Medium USVs, an effort which will accelerate the integration of autonomous vessel capabilities.

• 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.

• Naval Warfare

  Poland signs $1.5 billion contract for coastal defence missiles

  7th September 2023

  Kongsberg has been awarded a contract worth NOK16 billion ($1.49 billion) from the Polish Ministry of National Defence for delivery of four Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System (CDS) squadrons.

• Naval Warfare

  Canada unveils connector barges for shore access of its naval fleet

  15th November 2023

  The Royal Canadian Navy’s Sea-to-Shore Connector project has been designed to allow ship-borne vehicles, troops and equipment to be delivered ashore more rapidly.

• Naval Warfare

  European procurement agency signs deal to progress the first phase of the European Patrol Corvette project

  25th October 2023

  The Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC) contract aims to provide the initial design of a next generation class of naval vessel, the European Patrol Corvette (EPC).

• Training

  Elbit UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer delivers nearly 5,000 training hours

  21st September 2023

  Elbit Systems UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) has officially achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC).

• Naval Warfare

  Canada takes delivery of fourth Arctic patrol vessel ahead of schedule

  1st September 2023

  Irving Shipbuilding has delivered the fourth Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

• 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.

• Air Warfare

  Dassault grabs $5.5 billion French contract for 42 Rafale fighter

  15th January 2024

  France recently announced a $5.5 billion contract with Dassault Aviation for the procurement of 42 Rafale F4 standard fighter jets as global demand for the platform remains high.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IAI's BlueWhale uncrewed submarine to join NATO’s Dynamic Messenger exercise

  28th September 2023

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announces that its autonomous BlueWhale uncrewed submarine will participate in the NATO Dynamic Messenger exercise, in an effort to demonstrate its capabilities in the maritime sector.

• Air Warfare

  India to strengthen China and Pakistan borders with final S-400 SAM system deliveries

  7th November 2023

  India's full acquisition of its S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems has been fast approaching its final stages, as officials from India and Russia prepare work on finalising the delivery schedule for the last two squadrons.

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Has the Royal Navy cut back its support vessel fleet too far?

  11th September 2023

  This second in Shephard’s three-part series examining the state of the UK RN analyses the fleet of support ships. These important vessels sustain naval forces at sea for long durations and at vast distances, but cuts to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's fleet have left crucial ships retired or sold, prompting concerns for future missions.

• Naval Warfare

  The Philippines has ended its flirtation with China – so what next for the country’s navy?

  11th September 2023

  For decades, largely as a result of historical ties, the US was the only Western country with a strong interest in the Philippines and its navy. Over the past year, other nations have turned their attention to the archipelago. The question is why now? And what is the impact of this shift on the Philippine Navy?

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Frigates

  Constellation Class - FFG(X) (1-10)

  Programme Background The FFG (X) programme was first announced with a Request for Information (RFI) released by the US Navy in July 2017 with a ...

• Destroyers

  Next-Generation Large Surface Combatants (LSC) - DDG(X) [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy (USN) is acknowledging a need to move away from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer design, which is slowly outgrowing. Flight III ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Tier 2 Frigates Procurement [Australia]

  The February 2024 Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review recommends that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquire at least seven, and optimally 11, Tier 2 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Tier 2 Frigates Procurement [Australia]

  The February 2024 Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review recommends that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquire at least seven, and optimally 11, Tier 2 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project SEA 3000 [Australia]

  The February 2024 Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review recommends that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquire at least seven, and optimally 11, Tier 2 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project SEA 3000 [Australia]

  The February 2024 Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review recommends that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquire at least seven, and optimally 11, Tier 2 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3) [Belgium]

  The Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are undertaking a joint Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project to replace their existing M-class Karel Doorman-class ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3) [Belgium]

  The Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are undertaking a joint Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project to replace their existing M-class Karel Doorman-class ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Luleå Class [Sweden]

  According to the Swedish Defence White Paper for the 2021-2025 period, the Navy will need to replace the existing two ageing Gävle-class corvettes with new surface ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Luleå Class [Sweden]

  According to the Swedish Defence White Paper for the 2021-2025 period, the Navy will need to replace the existing two ageing Gävle-class corvettes with new surface ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - small

  Maritime Drones (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background October 2024 In October 2024, the UK Government announced £120 million ($152 million) of funding for Ukraine’s Navy and maritime capabilities, which will fund uncrewed surface ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3) [Netherlands]

  The Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are undertaking a joint Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project to replace their existing M-class Karel Doorman-class ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3) [Netherlands]

  The Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are undertaking a joint Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project to replace their existing M-class Karel Doorman-class ...

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

  Project Vixen [UK]

  Programme Background Project Goal The Royal Navy uses Leonardo crewed Merlin (AW101) helicopters fitted with CROWSNEST pods to provide airborne early warning capabilities for carriers. An early ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3-4) [Netherlands]

  The Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) are undertaking a joint Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project to replace their existing M-class Karel Doorman-class ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Ship-launched torpedoes

  UMGT-1 torpedo

  The UMGT-1 is a Soviet-designed universal small-sized homing torpedo with a 400 mm caliber, developed for engaging both surface ships and submarines. Its compact size ...

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

  Ghost

  Developed to be versatile, Ghost is a manoeuvrable, rotary-wing mini-UAV designed for performing ISR missions in urban warfare, observation stakeout missions and covert special operations ...

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

  Loki

  Loki is a Ukrainian mini fixed-wing drone designed by the National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industries (NAUDI). The drone is launched from a pneumatic launcher ...

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

  Thor

  Thor is a Ukrainian fixed-wing small drone manufactured by the National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industries (NAUDI). Powered by a lithium polymer or lithium-ion battery, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SCOMBA

  SCOMBA is a combat management system developed by Navantia for the Spanish Navy. It has been in service with the Spanish Navy since 2010 across ...

• Military - USVs

  Bluebottle

  Bluebottle is a persistent, autonomous, uncrewed surface vessel from Ocius Technology in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

• Sea: procedural training

  IMAT

  DAS supports the development and deployment of the Interactive Multisensor Analysis Training (IMAT) system for the US Navy, used at navy schoolhouse and training centres, ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Sea Giraffe 4A

  The Sea Giraffe 4A is a medium-to-long-range surveillance radar produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab. The radar is designed to provide automatic and simultaneous air and ...

• Military - USVs

  Marlin

  Marlin is a Turkish uncrewed surface vessel (USV) equipped with electronic warfare and other equipment that has been used on exercises with the Turkish Navy.

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-47

  President Donald Trump announced that the F-47 is the next American fighter. The programme, which started in 2014, is part of the U.S. Air Force's Next ...

• Military - USVs

  Sentinel - Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT)

  Sentinel is an autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV) built from the decommissioned HMAS Maitland , a former Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Armidale-class Patrol Boat.

• Sea: procedural training

  SEWTT

  The Surface Electronic Warfare Team Trainer (SEWTT) is a software application developed by EWA GSI as a next-generation tactical training application for US Navy surface ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Surface Scout

  Surface Scout is an X-band, medium-range surveillance radar with a range of up to 44km. It covers 20° of elevation and has a beam width ...

• Corvettes

  Shadhinota Class (Type C13B/Type 056)

  The Shadhinota-class comprises four Type C13B corvettes built by China's Wuchang Shipbuilding Industrial Group for the Bangladesh Navy. Designed to conduct anti-air warfare and ASuW ...