Defence Notes

Read the latest general defence news and company announcements from our team of expert journalists and analysts, giving you the 'so what' behind the latest headlines.

Naval Warfare

US lacks clear plan to meet amphibious ship requirements. marine corps chief says

Speaking to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee during a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the USN and USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen David Berger said there was 'no plan' for the US to meet its statutory minimum requirements for amphibious warships.

Air Warfare

NATO air forces need to focus on air superiority and ‘realistic’ training

At the RUSI Combat Air Conference 2023, experts and senior air force personnel openly talked about the lessons air forces learned from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. NATO air arms must focus on SEAD/DEAD missions, stockpiling ammunition and air superiority.

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Naval Warfare

US Navy solicits Raytheon and Lockheed for carrier-suitable hypersonic weapon

29th March 2023

The USN has awarded two contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defence and Lockheed Martin for initial development of a carrier-suitable long-range, high-speed weapon known as Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO).
Air Warfare

Australia receives an additional Growler and considers BBJ replacement

29th March 2023

The RAAF has returned its Growler fleet to full strength, plus replacements are also needed for two 737 BBJ aircraft used for VVIP transportation.
Naval Warfare

Cairo adds more American ships to its fleet

27th March 2023

The Egyptian Navy recently has taken delivery of three former USN Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships.
Digital Battlespace

EU Commission invites tenders for new satellite constellation with military applications

27th March 2023

The European Commission has launched an invitation tender for a contract to implement the EU satellite constellation dubbed IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite).
Naval Warfare

Malta takes delivery of new flagship

24th March 2023

At a ceremony in Valetta, Italy's Cantiere Navale Vittoria delivered the new flagship of the Maltese armed forces.
Naval Warfare

Textron nets contract to develop mine countermeasure system that doesn't need towing

24th March 2023

Removing the need to tow an array would allow mine countermeasure USVs to access previously hard-to-reach areas.
Naval Warfare

Japan commissions its second Taigei-class submarine

23rd March 2023

Japan has inducted its second Taigei-class submarine, amidst plans to boost counterstrike capabilities with new, longer-range missiles.
Air Warfare

Australian firm selected for US hypersonic test vehicle requirement

23rd March 2023

Hypersonix Launch Systems will provide flight vehicles for testing under a US Defense Innovation Unit hypersonic programme.
Defence Notes

How the Pentagon will use private capital to fund critical capabilities

23rd March 2023

The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
Air Warfare

Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency

22nd March 2023

Singapore could potentially deploy F-35Bs from its Joint Multi-Mission Ship to overcome airfield dependency and improve air defence as part of its apparent new security strategy.
Defence Notes

HAL is major beneficiary of latest Indian procurement approvals

22nd March 2023

India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
Naval Warfare

The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts

22nd March 2023

In early March, the Biden administration submitted a proposal to Congress that would see the US DoD funded to the tune of $842 billion, around a quarter of which will go to the US Navy.
Defence Notes

Why cybersecurity must be a priority for Latin American militaries

21st March 2023

The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
Defence Notes

MBDA navigates supply chain pressures amidst increased demand for armaments

21st March 2023

MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Naval Warfare

Are Australia’s SSN ambitions ‘sub-optimal’? (Opinion)

20th March 2023

Some describe Australia's SSN plans as marking the country's coming of age, but there are still too many questions whether it will work out the way planners imagine.
Defence Notes

Why UK defence still faces an uncertain future and difficult decisions

17th March 2023

Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
Defence Notes

What's the deal with defence procurement? (podcast)

17th March 2023

This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Naval Warfare

South Korea approves naval minesweeper programme

17th March 2023

A new class of minesweeper has been approved for the ROK Navy, while another Daegu-class frigate has been commissioned.
Digital Battlespace

Northrop Grumman hones US Space Force satellite design in virtual environment

16th March 2023

The company has applied its Highly Immersive Virtual Environment technology to the design process of polar overwatch satellites ordered by the US Space Force.