Main News Portal

Global defence news, analysis and data insights across air, land, naval and military training. Shephard’s team of expert journalists cover new equipment and technology coverage, capability development, acquisition plans, contract awards and more.

Air Warfare

Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane

The programme first began in 2023 with Bell and Boeing’s concepts progressing to Phase 1B, in which testing has been carried out over the last year.

Air Warfare

National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme

The report discloses that while the capability provided by the F-35 is superior to previous UK aircraft, delays from the UK Ministry of Defence on the programme have significantly impacted the country’s warfighting capabilities.

Air Warfare

France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production

The new ‘Entente Industrielle’ will work on a range of other projects to boost the UK economy and defence industry, including joint development on new high-tech frequency weapons and extended range air-to-air missiles.

Land Warfare

Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles

Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.

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Land Warfare

MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise

11th July 2025

The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
Land Warfare

Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation

10th July 2025

The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
Air Warfare

Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports

10th July 2025

The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
Air Warfare

France pushes for 80% workshare as FCAS programme nears critical development stage

9th July 2025

Tensions on the programme have long simmered, with Airbus and Dassault recently clashing over workshare in June ahead of the Paris Air Show. The sixth-generation fighter programme is due to replace Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon jets beginning in 2040.
Land Warfare

Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells

9th July 2025

Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
Air Warfare

US Air Force conducts climate testing with the T-7A Red Hawk

9th July 2025

The trainer aircraft recently completed the second round of extreme weather trials after enduring icy, windy and sunny conditions.
Land Warfare

Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts

8th July 2025

Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
Air Warfare

US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft

8th July 2025

The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
Naval Warfare

RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser

8th July 2025

The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
Air Warfare

Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production

8th July 2025

The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.
Land Warfare

Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars

8th July 2025

The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
Air Warfare

South Korea considers cancellation of second AH-64E Apache helicopter purchase

8th July 2025

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.
Naval Warfare

US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history

7th July 2025

The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
Land Warfare

US Army’s Precision Strike Missile moves into production phase after test successes

7th July 2025

Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile system and is a planned replanned replacement for MGM-140 Army Tactical Missiles System (ATACMS). It is to be fired from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.
Air Warfare

UK to receive 27 additional F-35 aircraft by end of decade

7th July 2025

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.
Land Warfare

British Army considers purchasing the NEMO 120mm mortar turret for the Patria 6×6

7th July 2025

Babcock is offering the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) 6×6 for one of the elements of the UK Land Mobility Programme (LMP). It would be a replacement for some of the UK’s existing armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) fleets including the FV432 which is now some 70 years old.
Defence Notes

Europe turns to industrial and procurement co-operation with Ukraine as supplies continue

4th July 2025

Equipment has continued to flow into Ukraine from the European Union (EU), NATO and western countries as the war against Russia continues but other types of support with longer-term prospects are appearing.
Land Warfare

Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy

4th July 2025

Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
Land Warfare

Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline

4th July 2025

Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?