• Air Warfare

  NATO membership’s ripple effect: Transforming Nordic air forces

  3rd April 2024

  As Sweden and Finland embrace their newfound NATO membership, alignment with alliance requirements and regional interests could herald the dawn of a reinvigorated Nordic Air Force with enhanced defence capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2024: Stay ahead of developments with our Show Portal

  16th February 2024

  Shephard will provide updates on the latest news, announcements and launches throughout the Singapore Airshow 2024.

• Land Warfare

  NATO orders RBS 70 surface-to-air missiles

  22nd December 2023

  The RBS 70 missile was produced to meet the requirements of the Swedish Army’s short-range air defence needs. The missile was the first weapon of its type to employ laser beam-riding guidance instead of the IR homing guidance system.

• Defence Notes

  Sweden commits US$684.7 million in equipment and funds to Ukraine

  20th February 2024

  Sweden has announced another package of support for Ukraine, following hot on the heels of Canada’s additional support announced this week and last week’s support from the UK and the EU.

• Training

  Saab awarded contract for T-7A aft section, while US Air Force tests ejection seat

  29th January 2024

  Saab has secured a contract from Boeing to manufacture vital components for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet amid ongoing ejection seat tests and undisclosed delivery timelines.

• Air Warfare

  Czech Republic seals $6.6 billion F-35 deal amid Gripen lease uncertainty

  1st February 2024

  The Czech Republic has solidified its defence stance with a historic F-35 procurement deal, yet unresolved talks have hinted at lingering considerations over potential Gripen lease extensions.

• Air Warfare

  Canada invests in CF-18 Hornet fighter sustainment

  8th March 2024

  Canada’s decision to sustain its CF-18 fighter fleet reflected its commitment to modernising air defence capabilities amid challenges highlighted by a critical report commissioned by the Department of National Defence and released last year, casting doubt on its ability to fulfil NATO obligations.

• Land Warfare

  Support and commitments continue for Ukraine

  1st May 2024

  Billions of dollars and many tons of equipment have been sent to help Ukraine’s fight against Russia over the past two years with funds and material continuing to be committed as a frontline stalemate drags on.

• Land Warfare

  Reviving coastal protection: The renewed focus on shoreline defence

  15th May 2024

  The sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva has been among a range of incidents and geopolitical developments in recent years that has brought the issue of coastal defence back into the minds of government and defence decision-makers.

• Land Warfare

  Lithuania joins Sweden in plan to purchase air defence system

  2nd January 2024

  Lithuania has signed an agreement to join Sweden’s short-range air-defence procurement and discussed Sweden’s future involvement in operations when the Nordic country joins NATO and possible demining operations in Ukraine.

• Naval Warfare

  Netherlands selects Barracuda submarine as Australia looks on

  20th March 2024

  With the Netherlands selecting the Barracuda design for its new Orka-class submarines, it will give Australia a chance to see what it could have had after it cancelled its conventional submarine (SSK) project based on Barracuda, opting instead for a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN).

• Land Warfare

  Saab to support South Korea’s Arthur weapon locating system

  29th November 2023

  Saab will provide support and spare parts for South Korea’s Arthur weapons locating systems. Arthur has been in service with South Korea since 2009 and the country has been the largest operator of the system.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: Saab GlobalEye could be jointly operated by Scandinavian countries

  14th November 2023

  Saab has revealed ongoing discussion in expanding collaboration among Scandinavian nations, highlighting the aspiration for Sweden, Finland and Denmark to share common GlobalEye AEW&C platforms.

• Air Warfare

  Exclusive: Germany ventures deeper into aircraft jamming capabilities within luWES programme

  15th February 2024

  Germany's luWES programme has advanced with investigations into incorporating jamming capabilities into various aircraft types, including business jets, UAVs and other platforms.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: Lacroix displays improved soft-kill vehicle protection system in Riyadh

  5th February 2024

  The Lacroix S-KAPS (Soft-Kill Advanced Protection System) has been designed to protect against laser-guided weapons and provide all-round surveillance.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  GlobalEye (Sweden)

  Programme Background Between 2021-25, the Swedish government plans to increase their spending on national defence by more than 40%, it announced in early 2021. In ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 2) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Third Batch) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS 39E/F Gripen (Brazil)

  In 2016, Gripen’s Project and Development Center was opened in Sao Paulo to allow Sweedish and Brazillian engineers to work together in the Gripen development ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 1) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• AEW&C

  GlobalEye (4-5) [UAE]

  Programme Background The United Arab Emirates Air Force is taking delivery of three GlobalEye (known also as Global 6000) aircraft from Saab. The UAE signed a contract ...

• Corvettes, Frigates

  Luleå Class [Sweden]

  Programme Background Requirements The Swedish Navy currently operates a total of five Visby-class corvettes and two older Gävle-class corvettes, which first entered service in the late 1980s. ...

• AEW&C

  Saab 340 AEW [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirement Purported as a response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Polish Air Force is understood to have a requirement for a ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Horizon 2 - Multirole Fighter Programme [Philippines]

  Programme Background Requirement The Philippines wants a fighter able to perform score missions such as air-to-air combat, air-to-ground tasks and reconnaissance, including over water. It ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Blekinge Class (1-2) [Sweden]

  Programme Background Timeline A contract worth SEK7.6 billion ($872m) for two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) was awarded to Saab Kockums in ...

• Corvettes

  Visby Class Replacement Programme

  Programme Background The current Visby class corvettes had a staggered entry into service with the first entering service in 2002, the second pair in 2009 and the last ...

• 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 ...

• Trainer

  MFI-395 Super Mushshak

  The TAF deliveries will mark the first NATO customer operating the platform. The deal is believed to be worth more than $50 million. According to the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria plans to replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  ITAS-TESS

  The Improved Target Acquisition System – Tactical Engagement Simulation System (ITAS-TESS) is a laser-based system designed to conduct simulated weapons engagement during crew and collective ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Field Artillery Training Systems

  The ICE Field Artillery Training Systems for the M109A6 Paladin and M270/M270A1 MLRS provides instrumented real-time data and performance monitoring during training and live-fire missions. ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  LETS

  The US Army maintains a large fleet of locomotives and rail vehicles throughout the US to facilitate the movement of equipment and supplies and provides ...

• Trainer

  Saab 105/SK60

  The Saab 105 is a high-wing, twin-engine jet trainer/light attack aircraft developed by Saab in the 1960s. The platform entered service with the Swedish Air ...

• AEW&C

  Saab 340 AEW

  The Saab 340 AEW is an aerial early warning aircraft based on the Saab 340 airliner. It is designated as S-100B Argus in Swedish service. ...

• AEW&C

  Saab 2000 Erieye

  The Saab 2000 Erieye is an aerial early warning aircraft developed based on the Saab 2000 regional aircraft. It is fitted with an Erieye PS-890 ...

• Combat Search and Rescue

  Saab 340B+ / SAR-200

  The Saab 340B+, known also as SAR-200, is a search and rescue aircraft based on the Saab 340 regional airliner.  It is powered by two CT7-9B turboprop ...

• Transport

  Saab 340B transport

  The Saab 340B transport variant was developed to meet Swedish Air Force requirements to replace its King Air B200 transport aircraft. Production of the original ...

• Military - USVs

  Enforcer III

  Enforcer III is an autonomous variant of Saab's widely-used and highly-produced CB90 Combat Boat.

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  MANWORN II DPU

  The MANWORN II Dismounted Player Unit (DPU) is a flexible position location tracking system suitable for individual through brigade-level training. MANWORN II DPU features GPS ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  SMODIM

  ICE's Smart Onboard Data Interface Module (SMODIM) integrates with aircraft and ground vehicles to provide collective force-on-force participation and weapons systems training. SMODIM is the ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar, Land: indirect fire location radar

  Arthur

  The Artillery Hunting Radar (Arthur) was designed to be the weapon-locating element within a counter-battery system at brigade or division level. Arthur is capable of ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  RBS 70 missile

  The RBS 70 missile was produced to meet the requirements of the Swedish Army's short-range air defence needs. The missile is unique in being the ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Vixen-1000E

  The Vixen 1000E is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar designed for fighter and interceptor aircraft, incorporating a roll-repositionable antenna with a ±100º field ...