• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces

  7th March 2025

  Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.

• Training

  Saab expands footprint in the US

  18th December 2024

  The company will operate in two new locations in the coming years to better support US services.

• Land Warfare

  Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system

  16th September 2025

  The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2024: Saab introduces UAV live training capability

  9th December 2024

  The system can be used to prepare soldiers for both drone offensive operations and CUAS missions.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship

  14th July 2025

  The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.

• Air Warfare

  Saab partners with Helsing to get AI on Gripen E aircraft

  15th November 2024

  Titled ‘Project Beyond’ the AI systems provided by the partnership will work to enhance the Gripen E fighter’s capabilities, automating other tasks and allowing fighter pilots to focus on accomplishing their missions.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister

  24th April 2025

  The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.

• Land Warfare

  US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities

  2nd July 2025

  The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.

• Naval Warfare

  Saab to build Singapore’s MRCV composite superstructure as it seeks portfolio expansion

  5th September 2024

  Saab, who has been looking to expand its presence in Singapore, will build the forward superstructure and the radar mast of the Multi Role Combat Vessel with carbon composite material.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Cambridge Aerospace Skyhammer and Starhammer interceptors make debut

  11th September 2025

  The startup’s solutions have officially emerged from cover since the company’s inception in 2024, with its two interceptors offered as cost-effective air defence solutions to counter cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles.

• Naval Warfare

  Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS

  25th April 2025

  In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.

• Air Warfare

  Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft

  5th March 2025

  The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.

• Land Warfare

  NATO and Europe step up UGV efforts

  18th July 2025

  The effort to develop uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) is heating up with research efforts and exercises improving the speed of the process and the war in Ukraine is working as a proving ground for rapid development and fielding.

• Air Warfare

  Czech Republic extend Gripen lease to bridge until entry of F-35

  3rd June 2025

  The Czech Republic has formally extended its lease of Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft until 2035, allowing for the arrival of the first Lockheed Martin F-35 in 2031 and full operational capability four years later. .

• Air Warfare

  USAF conducts first F-16 Block 70 flight of L3Harris’ Viper Shield

  5th February 2025

  The Viper Shield electronic warfare suite was tested by the US Air Force’s 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, with L3Harris aiming for deliveries of the system to international customers by late 2025.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  GlobalEye (1-3) [UAE]

  Programme Background The GlobalEye is a modification of Bombardier's Global 6000 jet aircraft fitted with the S-band Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar and mission system ...

• OPVs

  OPVs Procurement (1-2) [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the RFI issued in late 2022, the Hellenic Coast Guard is seeking to procure two new OPVs. The vessels are ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 - Montenegro

  The deal between Montenegro and export agency Canadian Commercial Cooperation will see aircraft production take place at Bell’s Mirabel facility before being transited to the ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101-Norway

  AgustaWestland is also providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The LPD tender, although more akin to an LHD, specifies that the quartet of ships must be built within India, although collaboration ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) [Japan]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that GCAP's Japanese, British and Italian components are tracked in separate entries. Programme Timeline 2020: The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of Japan issued ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-X / T-7A Red Hawk [USAF]

  Programme Background Goal The T-X programme aims to acquire a two-seat jet trainer aircraft to replace its Northrop Grumman T-38 Talon. The programme could be worth ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme [UK]

  Programme Background The next-generation platform concept is part of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which sought to deliver a Future Combat Air System ...

• Frigates

  Multi-Role Combat Vessels (1-6) [Singapore]

  Programme Background Requirements Singapore is planning to replace its current ageing Victory-class corvettes, which are due to leave service in 2025, with an equal number of ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Dock [Qatar]

  Programme Background Close to a €4 billion ($4.67 billion) contract was awarded to Fincantieri in June 2016 for the construction of seven surface vessels, including the four ...

• ISR/special mission

  MC-27J - Algeria

  Programme Background Algeria has a long standing ISR aircraft requirement to support its Beech 1900 fleet comprised of six aircraft. The new ISR fleet is ...

• 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 ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background Requirement The requirement was initially reported in 2016 when it was noted as being part of a long-term development plan, however, reports from ...

• Trainer

  T-54A Multi-Engine Training System (METS) (USA)

  Programme Background Multi-Engine Training System is a USN programme to replace the ageing T-44C Pegasus fleet and modernize multi-engine aircraft training. Multi-Engine Training System provides ...

• Fighter - multirole

  H-X Fighter Programme (Finland)

  Programme Background In June 2020, Finnish MoD announced that the Hornet fleet life extension programme is neither cost-effective solution nor sufficient in terms of Finland’s ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  N011M

  The N011M BARS is a hybrid X-band radar system combining passive electronically scanned array technology with mechanical scanning capabilities. The system features dual-band operation (X-band ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Super Kopyo PH

  The Super Kopyo-PH is an ultra-lightweight X-band radar system featuring a phased-array antenna, digital signal and data processors, and a 12-bit analogue/digital converter unit, designed for ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems, Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  HES-21

  HES-21 provides ESM, ELINT and self-defence as a pod. The HES-21 is an integrated system with tactical situational awareness claimed in terms of EOB, as ...

• Land: air defence radar

  MAR

  The Mobile Search Radar (MAR), developed by the Turkish company Aselsan, is a mobile, X-band, short-range 3D search and track radar specifically designed for point ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  N019 Sapfir-29

  The N019 Sapfir-29 is an X-band pulse-Doppler radar developed for the MiG-29 fighter aircraft, featuring a hybrid analogue/digital design with an NII Argon Ts100 digital ...

• Land: air defence radar

  SkyFender ADR

  SkyFender Air Defence Radar (ADR) is a pulse-Doppler radar operating in the X-band that performs signal processing in time and spectral domains to provide target ...

• Land: air defence radar

  X-TAR

  The X-Band Tactical Acquisition Radar (X-TAR) is a fully coherent X-band radar designed for such applications as early warning for MANPADS and guns or tactical ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Zaslon AM

  The Zaslon-AM is a modernized variant of the Zaslon X-band radar family, featuring the Baget-55-06 onboard digital computer replacing the Argon-15A. The system maintains the ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Sea Giraffe 1X

  The Saab Sea Giraffe 1X is a short-range, three-dimensional naval radar variant of the Giraffe 1X. It is designed to be a compact and affordable ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  PS-05/A

  Saab's PS-05/A is an X-band mechanically scanned pulse-Doppler radar used on the Gripen fighter aircraft. The system has undergone four iterations from the original variant, which ...

• Land: air defence radar

  AD26

  The AD26 Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) radar is a fifth-generation 3D tactical air defence system. The AD26 is a lightweight, transportable X-band solid-state ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Zaslon

  The N007 Zaslon was the first phased-array X-band radar to enter service on a fighter aircraft as of Mig-31, featuring a 1.1m diameter antenna and ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Kopyo

  The Kopyo is an X-band multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar developed by Phazotron NIIR as a private venture, featuring digital signal processing and designed for light combat ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Columbus Mk2

  The Columbus Mk2 is a three-dimensional naval and coastal surveillance radar manufactured by Gem Elettronica. According to the manufacturer, it is designed for surveillance and ...

• Sea: naval fire control radar

  AKR-D

  The AKR-D family comprises fire control radar systems designed by Aselsan for naval platforms. They include the Ku-band AKR-D Block-A1 with an instrumented range of ...