• Defence Notes

  Latvia amends legislation to improve readiness of armed forces

  13th May 2020

  Latvia is set to enhance the readiness of its armed forces, after government minister approved legislative amendments that will implement a comprehensive national defence system …

• Land Warfare

  France and Germany sign new MGCS agreement

  29th April 2020

  France and Germany have signed two new agreements for the development of a new innovative Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), to be led by the …

• Land Warfare

  Innovation underpins MGCS initiative

  6th May 2020

  The Franco-German effort to develop the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) aims to improve the mobility and protection of their MBT fleet and to incorporate …

• Land Warfare

  Innovation underpins MGCS initiative

  6th May 2020

  The Franco-German effort to develop the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) aims to improve the mobility and protection of their MBT fleet and to incorporate …

• Land Warfare

  Lithuania to receive Protector RWS

  14th April 2020

  Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace announced on 14 April that it has received an FMS contract to deliver its Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to the …

• Training

  Leonardo to supply Spanish PC-21 trainer avionics

  9th April 2020

  Leonardo has received an order for its airborne communications, cockpit control panels and other avionics from Pilatus Aircraft, the company reported on 9 April. The …

• Digital Battlespace

  Saab hails X-band AESA trial

  24th April 2020

  Saab completed the first flight trial of its new X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) fighter radar on 8 April. The company stated on 24 …

• Naval Warfare

  FREMM-derived design wins out in USN FFG(X) programme

  1st May 2020

  The decision by the USN on 30 April to award the contract for the build up to ten of the future FFG(X) guided missile frigates …

• Air Warfare

  Loitering munition finds in Libya highlight export control gaps

  24th April 2020

  Israel may have to tighten its defence equipment export controls, after evidence emerged that Turkey has provided one of the sides in the Libyan civil …

• Defence Notes

  Sweden seeks to support security in Mali

  27th March 2020

  Sweden’s Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist has expressed interest in sending Swedish Armed Forces Special Forces to assist with operations in the Sahel region of West …

• Defence Notes

  European militaries continue to fight COVID-19

  13th March 2020

  EU Battlegroup (EUBG) 2020-2 has cancelled planned training exercises as the continent grapples with the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The European 2020 exercise was …

• Land Warfare

  Doubt shrouds Czech IFV procurement programme

  2nd April 2020

  The Czech Republic might delay or even cancel its programme to procure 210 new IFVs, which the country’s armed forces require urgently if they are to …

• Training

  Inzpire delivers in Estonia

  24th March 2020

  Following two EW courses previously delivered on behalf of the European Defence Agency, UK-based Inzpire has just completed a further two-week EW course held at …

• Defence Notes

  Germany admits ‘not all talks’ are over on Tornado replacement

  31st March 2020

  The coronavirus crisis has prevented the German Ministry of Defence from concluding discussions on the fate of its Tornado replacement acquisition, despite a report that …

• Air Warfare

  Germany shows tentative interest in Apache

  27th March 2020

  Shephard understands that the German federal government has asked its US counterpart for information about the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Over the years, Boeing …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On (NATO)

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S [France]

  Programme Background Following the announcement of the 14-ship contract, the DGA approved the design of the first two standard amphibious landing craft (EDA-S) in October 2019, ...

• Tanks

  M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• Tanks

  New MBT [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• OPVs

  Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  Programme Background Timeline In mid-2017, Sri Lanka was considering purchasing a Gepard 5.1-class (Project 1166.1) frigate from Russia. The delivery was planned based on an ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements The 2021-2023 Documento Programmatico Pluriennale (DPP) - a multi-year defence planning document from the Italian MoD - includes a plan to acquire eight "Patrol Ships", ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Surplus Maxxpro (Bangladesh - First Batch)

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S

  The Engins de Debarquement Amphibie - Standards (EDA-S) is an amphibious landing craft built by CNIM in partnership with Socarenam, Mauric and CNN MCO. It ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-R

  Four EDA-R (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie-Rapide) fast amphibious landing craft were ordered for the French Navy in 2009 after a 12-month evaluation. They are designed ...

• Patrol boats

  Marine Protector Class

  The Marine Protector-class of coastal patrol boats (CPBs) was ordered in 1996 to replace the USCG's Point-class vessels. Fifty boats were originally ordered, which was ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  LOTUS

  The LOTUS, Low Observable Tactical Unnamed System, is a tactical UAV especially designed for border patrol ISR operations.  The development of the project is funded by ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ENR

  The NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter is equipped with the European Navy Radar (ENR) developed by Thales in conjunction with Airbus and Leonardo. 

• Frigates

  Aquitaine Class (FREMM)

  The Aquitaine-class frigates for the French Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata Europea Multi-Missione). For France, the ships ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  AE50R

  The AE50R is an aviation gasoline single rotary engine with an output of 40.4kW. The engine is certified according to European Aviation Safety Agency Part ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

  The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a two-person, light scout helicopter with a day/night mast-mounted sight, glass cockpit and four-bladed rotor system. Following the retirement of ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  One 150

  The One 150 is a tactical UAV manufactured by Primoco UAV. The UAV is designed for commercial and military use and can be configured to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Sky-X

  The Sky-X UCAV was conceived for demonstration and research purposes and in 2005 became the first European-designed UAV over 1000 kg and with performance comparable ...

• Patrol boats

  Reliance Class Cutters

  The Reliance-class cutters, also known as Medium Endurance Cutters, are in service with the US Coast Guard (USGC). They work alongside the Famous-class ships on ...

• Frigates

  Bergamini Class (FREMM)

  The Bergamini-class frigates for the Italian Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata europea multi-missione). For Italy, the ...

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

  AVE-C/D

  The AVE-C/D is a flight control system UAV demonstrator (AVE-C) and stealth UAV demonstrator (AVE-D), forming part of the R&D; programme initiated by the French ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Eagle IV

  The General Dynamics European Land Systems Eagle IV is a family of wheeled APCs in use by NATO member states. It is available in 4x4 ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces.