• Air Warfare

  Saudi Arabia “considering its options” with potential 100 Kaan jet acquisition

  8th January 2025

  Despite local media reports, an analyst has suggested that the country could be using these discussions as a way to gain bargaining power to bolster its bid to join the Global Combat Air Programme.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey moves one step closer towards Eurofighter Typhoon purchase

  17th October 2024

  Germany, the last country in the programme’s consortium to agree to any potential sale, has now softened its objections as the go-ahead for technical talks has been given.

• Defence Notes

  Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion

  11th February 2025

  The new figure is an increase from US$75.8 billion in 2024 and showcases the country’s focus on its Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing the Kingdom’s dependency on oil.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey begins steel-cutting on MUGEM and MiLDEN vessels

  3rd January 2025

  The MUGEM, TF-2000 and MiLDEN programmes all aim to boost Turkey’s domestic shipbuilding prowess and its fleet.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey scales back F-16 deal while US shifts position on F-35s, minister claims

  28th November 2024

  Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler gave updates on the country’s F-16 and Eurofighter acquisitions in Parliament, while signalling the US could reinstate Turkey into its F-35 programme.

• Air Warfare

  Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2025)

  10th February 2025

  The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet remains in the limelight more than 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and details everything you need to know about the aircraft in 2025.

• Air Warfare

  Croatia to purchase six Bayraktar TB2 drones in $95 million deal

  18th November 2024

  The drones will be used to cover radio coverage in Croatia in both stationary and mobile configurations, according to Croatia’s Minister of Defence, and will be equipped with an initial set of weapons.

• Land Warfare

  Romania signs for 1,059 Otokar Cobra II vehicles

  28th November 2024

  The deal was signed after Otokar became the last bidder standing. The first 278 vehicles will be manufactured in Turkey and the rest built in Romania.

• Land Warfare

  First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year

  19th November 2024

  Turkey has experienced losses of tanks in Syria including Leopards to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). A new active protection system (APS) will reduce the likelihood of such attacks being effective.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts

  14th February 2025

  Companies such as the Eurofighter consortium and Embraer, await potential orders from the Middle East, while countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE work to add mass, modernise and replace ageing aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey’s first commercial-built special operations submarine passes pressure hull test

  24th October 2024

  It is hoped the building of the STM500 might stimulate international sales.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Shifting sands – the Middle East’s defence landscape in flux (video)

  13th February 2025

  As Western influence wanes, Middle Eastern countries are leveraging defence modernisation to assert regional dominance, while global players such as China and Turkey seize new market opportunities. Sam Hart, Senior Land Analyst at Shephard Group, offers insights into how these developments are reshaping the region’s defence landscape.

• Naval Warfare

  Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile

  18th February 2025

  The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.

• Land Warfare

  Otokar inches towards Romania deal in major boost for the company

  8th October 2024

  The possible procurement of vehicles by Romania would build on the existing commercial presence which Otokar has in the country.

• Air Warfare

  USAF tests Harpoon missile integration on F-16 aircraft

  4th March 2025

  The integration of the Harpoon missile on the Lockheed Martin fighter worked to showcase the rapid speed at which a ‘gateway system’ integration can add new capabilities to aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Akinci [Libya]

  Programme Background 2022 Reports In October 2022, various Libyan media outlets reported that the country was eyeing a possible procurement from Baykar, possibly the Akinici ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Libya]

  Programme Background Acquired & Lost In 2019 and 2020, the Government of National Accord (GNA) used TB2 units against the Libyanian National Army (LNA). Al Marsad ...

• ISR/special mission

  C-208B ISR [Tunisia]

  Programme Background Requirement The acquisition of the C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft is part of Tunisia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ISR capabilities in response ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter [Turkiye]

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey had already paid $1.4 billion into the programme, while its defence industry has ploughed significant sums into ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Reis Class (1-6) [Turkey]

  Programme Background Turkey is taking delivery of six Reis-class Type 214TN diesel-electric attack (SSK) submarines from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The new boats ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Programme Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Rwanda]

  Programme Background Media Links In October 2021, online reports emerged linking Rwanda with Baykar's TB2 drone. It was reported that the RFF's ongoing experience conducting military ...

• Fighter - multirole

  TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Geopolitical factors have spurred aircraft development in Türkiye. With its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project following the Russian S-400 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

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

• Trainer

  KT-1T - Turkey

  In 2007, Turkey bought 40 KT-1 aircraft under a $400 million deal that puts average unit cost estimate around $10 million per platform.The first five ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  Bayraktar Mini

  The Bayraktar Mini UAS is used for short-range ISR applications and can be deployed in harsh environments. It is hand launched and is powered by ...

• Trainer

  SF-260

  The SF-260 is a piston-engined or turboprop-powered screener/primary trainer that made its first flight in July 1964. It is a single-engine, low-mounted, cantilever-wing aircraft with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ACV-15

  The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the generic designation for a tracked, diesel engine powered, heavy armoured platform in the 13-15 tons class, capable of ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  Su-24

  The Su-24 (NATO reporting name Fencer) is a fighter-bomber aircraft designed to meet Soviet Air Force requirements to replace the Yak-28. Its variants include tactical ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Kirpi I/Kirpi II

  The Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) selected BMC's 350-16 Z Kirpi (Hedgehog) 4x4 MRAP vehicle to meet its requirements following a competitive evaluation and ordered ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  Brimstone

  MBDA developed the Brimstone missile to provide an air-to-surface missile to equip UK RAF Tornados. The Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) semi-active laser and the millimetre-wave, ...

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

  Kargu

  The Kargu, or Kargu-2, is a quadcopter loitering munition and UAS manufactured by Turkish company STM. The platform is designed for asymmetric warfare or anti-terrorist ...

• Tanks

  Upgraded M60

  IMI's Upgraded M60, originally known as the Sabra, is rooted in the company's experience upgrading M48 and M60 MBTs to the Magach standard for the Israel ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Dana-M1 CZ

  The Dana was developed in the 1970s by Konštrukta Trencín to provide the Czechoslovakian government with a locally built alternative to Soviet artillery systems. More ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-5A/B Freedom Fighter

  The F-5A (single-seat)/B (twin-seat) is a supersonic fighter aircraft developed by Northrop originally to meet the USN's requirement for a light jet to operate from ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16

  The Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16 is an interceptor craft designed by Yonca Onuk JV. A number of units are currently on active duty ...

• Frigates

  Koni Class (Project 1159)

  Koni (Project 1159) frigates, as well as serving with the USSR, were sold to Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, East Germany, Libya and Yugoslavia. All have been ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Puma 4x4

  The Puma family of 4x4 and 6x6 light armoured vehicles was developed by CIO to meet the requirements of the Italian Army. The first prototype ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PW127F turboprop

  The Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127F turboprop was certified in 1996 and powers ATR 72 and ATR 42 aircraft which are used as maritime patrol aircraft ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  Anadolu Class LHD

  The Anadolu class consists of one Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) being built for the Turkish Navy, TCG Anadolu. The vessel was commissioned in April 2023. The contract ...