Defence Notes
Improbable Defence is transforming synthetic environments through Skyral (Sponsored)
Skyral enables government and industry to develop and adapt synthetic solutions more quickly, efficiently and reliably.
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.
Defence Notes
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
Air Warfare
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
Air Warfare
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
Naval Warfare
South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays
Hyundai and Hanwha recently unveiled advanced frigate and submarine designs while South Korea eyes new export markets and resolves internal rivalries
Paris Air Show 2025 Hide
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![Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025]()
Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025
The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
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![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
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Defence Notes
Banding together to beat ballistic missiles (Sponsored)
The combined, proven capabilities of Raytheon Missiles & Defense radars safeguard security.
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Air Warfare
Combat-proven capabilities: How precision-strike systems are evolving for tomorrow’s battlespace (podcast)
11th June 2025
Combat-tested technology is being reshaped to counter A2/AD threats, reduce reliance on GPS and enable faster, more autonomous targeting in complex environments. In this special podcast, experts explain how the evolving threat landscape is shaping next-generation strike capabilities.
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Air Warfare
Tata to build Rafale fuselages in India as Dassault ramps up global production
6th June 2025
New Hyderabad facility will host the first overseas Rafale fuselage line, as India looks to bolster its aerospace ecosystem and align with long-term AMCA goals.
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Defence Notes
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
4th June 2025
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
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Defence Notes
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
3rd June 2025
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
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Defence Notes
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
2nd June 2025
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
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Defence Notes
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
2nd June 2025
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
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Defence Notes
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
2nd June 2025
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
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Defence Notes
Billions of pounds earmarked for new munitions factories and submarine expansion ahead of UK Strategic Defence Review
2nd June 2025
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review will call for ‘warfighting readiness’ and outline the threats the country will need to face and counter with modern defence equipment and technology.
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Defence Notes
India greenlights $4.7 billion defence spend as post-war tensions simmer
30th May 2025
Precision strikes, drone warfare and shifting regional doctrine mark aftermath of four-day India-Pakistan conflict.
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Naval Warfare
Malaysia signs NSM launcher deal, issues Littoral Combat Ships support LOI and acquires first USV
29th May 2025
As LCS delays persist, RMN re-arms Lekiu-class frigates and embraces unmanned systems amid budget constraints.
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Air Warfare
Macron hints at possible future Rafale deal, following France-Indonesia defence pact
28th May 2025
The Letter of Intent (LoI)discussed deepening the partnership between the two nations and focused on military equipment that included submarines, fighter jets and frigates.
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Defence Notes
QinetiQ reports record growth and announces $2 billion contract but shows loss for FY2025
27th May 2025
QinetiQ has operations in Australia, the UK and the US with the latter including supporting Customs and Border Protection, US Navy aircraft carrier support and work on US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft.
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Air Warfare
FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials
22nd May 2025
Developed by France, Spain and Germany, the European 6th-generation combat air programme is progressing apace with new milestones expected by next year after delays to the programme.
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Defence Notes
US forces’ heads lay out their needs and requirements before Senate committees
22nd May 2025
The new US administration has introduced or outlined plans for substantial change across the Department of Defence (DoD) and its branches. Several branch heads faced up to Senate Committees to outline needs and challenges.
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Defence Notes
A “bolder, more radical” UK Strategic Defence Review will be published within two weeks, says key reviewer
22nd May 2025
The UK Strategic Defence Review, which was anticipated to be published by mid-2025, has been given a more definitive release date by the report’s lead reviewer.
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Naval Warfare
Fincantieri’s Vulcano Class: a new era of versatility and innovation in naval operations
20th May 2025
Logistic support ships (LSS) are essential for sustained naval operations, especially during extended deployments far from home ports.
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Defence Notes
New UK-EU defence pact misses concrete details despite ambitious “first step”
20th May 2025
Given the geopolitical gravity, analysts have said the defence and security agreement established falls short of what is needed for future UK-EU co-operation.
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Defence Notes
Drones, C-UAS and air base investments top the list in $42 billion US-Qatar defence deal
16th May 2025
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems secured a nearly $2 billion deal for MQ-9B uncrewed aerial systems, while Raytheon’s counter-UAS system was secured for $1 billion.
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Defence Notes
Brazilian Congress to review constitution amendment to secure defence budget increase
15th May 2025
An amendment to the Brazilian Constitution currently under discussion would permanently assign 2% of annual GDP to the defence budget, potentially cementing modernisation programmes for the country’s armed forces.
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![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
-
![South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays]()
South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
-
![South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays]()
South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays
