• Land Warfare

  Israeli MoD awards IMCO Group with sub-systems contract for Namer 1500 APCs

  9th November 2023

  IMCO Group to provide IDF with logistic support and maintenance services as part of multi-million-dollar deal.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2023 - US Army seeks additional funds to supply ammunition to Israel

  9th October 2023

  The US Army is currently in the process of determining what it can supply to the Israeli Defence Forces but is waiting for guidance from Israel on what that country needs.

• Defence Notes

  US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025

  12th March 2024

  The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing gives F-15EX new lease of life with EW and weapons upgrade

  13th November 2023

  Boeing has expressed confidence in the F-15EX's appeal to both existing F-15 operators and potential new customers at the Dubai Airshow 2023.

• Air Warfare

  How are modern small tactical unmanned aerial systems reshaping the landscape of warfare?

  12th December 2023

  Discover Aeronautics' Role in Redefining Tactical Warfare Through Innovative UAV Solutions

• Air Warfare

  US to boost Iraqi forces and Peshmerga air defence against Iran-backed threats

  19th December 2023

  In response to persistent missile and drone attacks predominantly carried out by Iran and its allied militias, the US has embarked on a strategic initiative to bolster Iraqi forces' air defence capabilities.

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky lands $2.7 billion contract for CH-53K helicopters, eight for Israel and 27 for USMC

  25th August 2023

  The USN has awarded Sikorsky a $2.7 billion contract for the production and delivery of 35 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, split between the USMC and Israel, with deliveries expected to start in 2026.

• Land Warfare

  Leopard MBT: Alpha beast finally gets to work after a long slumber (updated 2024)

  14th May 2024

  Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.

• Defence Notes

  World Defense Show 2024: The show’s second iteration adapts to a changing world

  13th February 2024

  Saudi Arabia’s welcomed the return of the World Defense Show with the event’s heavy focus on vehicles and CUS systems reflecting ongoing conflicts and the priorities of many national programmes.

• Land Warfare

  Four issues the armoured vehicle industry needs to tackle

  18th June 2024

  As evident at Eurosatory 2024, the procurement of armoured vehicles is progressing, but some projects have stalled or been abandoned due to the fluid geopolitical and conflict landscape. Buyers, manufacturers and operators have been reassessing their needs, desires and capabilities amid tightening budgets and escalating demands.

• Air Warfare

  Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2024)

  3rd January 2024

  The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet is still in the limelight over 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the aircraft in the 2020s.

• Air Warfare

  Germany set to have Arrow missile defence system in place by 2030

  17th August 2023

  The US government has approved the sale of Israel’s Arrow Weapon System (AWS) missile defence capability to Germany with the first units expected to arrive in late 2025 and operational service expected from 2030.

• Defence Notes

  Pentagon will run out of funds to support Ukraine over the coming week

  10th November 2023

  The US Department of Defense has implored Congress to approve the national security supplemental request in order to continue to meet Kyiv's battlefield needs.

• Air Warfare

  Croatia officially receives first Dassault Rafale fighter jet

  3rd October 2023

  The official handover of the first Dassault Rafale B jet is a key development in a deal involving 12 aircraft for Croatia. This marks the start of a transition from Croatia's Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters and legacy aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: How the MQ-9 Reaper UAS came to rule the skies

  10th November 2023

  Ahead of the 2023 edition of the Dubai Airshow, Shephard looks at the GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper UAS, its role in shaping modern conflict dynamics, and its deployment for surveillance and precision strike throughout the Middle East.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Data links

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

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• 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 ...

• Corvettes

  Reshef Class [Israel]

  Programme Background Requirements The Israeli Navy is seeking a replacement for its Sa'ar 4 and Sa'ar 4.5-class of fast attack vessels. Dubbed Reshef-class, the new ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Israeli Navy]

  Programme Background MADEX 2023 At MADEX 2023, IAI displayed the Mini-Harpy, dubbed the Green Dragon, loitering munition in a 12-system launcher mounted to an Israel ...

• Corvettes

  Sa'ar 6 Class (Israel)

  Programme Background Timeline A new class of corvettes is in the process of being constructed for the Israeli Navy to replace the Sa'ar 5 class, ...

• Tanks

  Merkava Mk3 (Cyprus)

  Programme Background Following the announced donation of 41 T-80U/UK tanks to Ukraine, Cyprus is actively seeking a replacement MBT for its Armed Forces. Cyprus offered ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Eitan 8x8 (Israel)

  Due to the provisions of the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) system, there is a chance that the Eitan could be mass produced in the ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• 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 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  On 3 March 2022, the US State Department announced that it had approved a potential sale of eight KC-46A tanker aircraft and related equipment to Israel for ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  On 3 March 2022, the US State Department announced that it had approved a potential sale of eight KC-46A tanker aircraft and related equipment to Israel for ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• OPVs

  Israel Shipyards OPV

  The Israel Shipyards OPV design is a 400t-500t vessel designed for naval security operations. The 500t version can equip a light marine helicopter (up to five ...

• Loitering munitions

  Shehab

  The Shehab is a Palestinian loitering munition that carries a 5kg explosive payload. According to Hamas' militant wing, the platform is indigenously produced. However, the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Shaldag MK V

  The Shaldag Mk V is a multi-mission fast patrol boat designed to serve as both a naval and border police vessel. It is a variant of ...

• Corvettes

  Themistocles Corvette

  The Themistocles Corvette, also referred to as the Eastern Mediterranean Patrol Corvette, is a new design bringing about next-generation operational capabilities. It is a multipurpose ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16I Sufa

  The F-16I Sufa ('Storm' in Hebrew) is a Block 52+ D (dual-seat) variant of the Fighting Falcon, which Lockheed Martin produced for Israel. It is ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  AGM-142A/Popeye

  The Popeye I, or AGM-142 Have Nap as it is known in the US, is a family of ASMs developed in Israel. 

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Tzofit Training Centre

  In June 2009, Elbit inaugurated the Beechcraft King Air B200 Tzofit Training Centre for IDF pilots. Elbit Systems serves as the project’s prime contractor, while ...

• AEW&C

  Global 550 CAEW

  The G550 CAEW aircraft is a Gulfstream G550 adapted for AEW&C;, EW and ISTAR missions in Australia, Israel, Italy, Singapore and the US. The base platform is ...

• Loitering munitions

  Zouari

  The Zouari, or Al-Zawari, is a catapult launched loitering munition.  Reportedly, an Iranian platform, the drone was utilised by Palestine against Israel in October 2023. 

• Corvettes

  Sa'ar S-72/72 Class

  The Sa'ar S-72/72 is another variant of Israel Shipyards' popular Sa'ar-class fast-attack vessels. Marketed as the most advanced and cost-effective missile corvette available, the class ...

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

  RA-01

  The RA-01 is an Israeli stealth UAV with an extended fuselage and a large flying wing configuration. The designation of the drone suggests it could ...

• Land: RWS

  Pitbull

  General Robotics developed the lightweight Pitbull family of remote weapons station for use on aerial, land and naval crewed or uncrewed platforms. Armed with a single ...

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  RGW 90 WB

  The RGW 90 WB (Wall Breacher), a member of the RGW 90 family, is optimised to knock through masonry and building walls. The warhead has ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Apus Quadcopter Platform (AQP)

  The Apus Quadcopter Platform (AQP) is a scalable rotary-wing UAV developed by the Israel Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D;) and Aerotor ...