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Finland's insistence on practical flight trials to prove the capability of the aircraft bidding for its HX fighter requirement could prove a salutary lesson for other defence programmes.
Features include:
Gloves off?
The global MALE UAV market has evolved into an effective three-way contest between US, Israeli and Chinese suppliers. As the technology reaches its fifth generation, Shephard analyses how cost, capability and export controls are impacting on who buys what from whom.
Home advantage
While most Asian nations still rely on imported combat aircraft, an increasing number are looking to go it alone with indigenous design and production.
Other features include:
Cloud formation
As the UK-led Team Tempest and Franco-German Future Combat Air System projects ramp up, Shephard assesses how industry is preparing to bring such advanced concepts as combat clouds and remote carriers to life.
Staying on top
Ageing fleets in many nations and a heightened regional threat environment could lead to an increase in naval helicopter procurement in Asia-Pacific. Shephard Defence Insight breaks down the numbers.
Changing planes
The transition of a pilot from a potentially ‘dated’ aircraft to a next-generation platform with state-of-the-art capabilities brings with it a range of benefits and occasional challenges. Shephard spoke to US military aviators to get a feel for the process.
Strike action
Modern air defence networks are presenting an increasingly complex set of obstacles that missile designers must overcome to ensure that a target is hit.
Ironing it out
Development problems have plagued tactical and strategic transport aircraft from meeting operators’ expectations, but as models continue to earn their stripes, signs are strong that capabilities can be improved.
Staying on air
Facing the prospect of operations in heavily jammed environments, Western militaries are re-examining their airborne communications needs.
The likely scrapping of Boeing’s Apache helicopter comes after a huge budget cut approved by the South Korean National Assembly. The helicopter procurement had already been reconsidered by the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier in the year.
The number of aircraft was stated by UK Defence Secretary John Healey during a Defence Committee hearing. It follows on from the UK’s decision to purchase F-35A aircraft to boost its nuclear deterrence, although hurdles and questions about the order still remain.
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
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