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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

Paris Air Show 2025: Milkor and Hanwha partner to integrate the latter’s SAR payload into the Milkor 380

Hanwha Systems and Milkor announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Paris Air Show to integrate the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system into the Milkor 380 drone.

Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: A400M production moved forward as development plans outlined

It is more than a decade since the Airbus A400M tactical lift aircraft entered service. More than 130 aircraft are in service around the world with nine countries, while another order has been made by Indonesia. The company is now looking to lower operational costs and increase the number of potential missions.

Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: Boeing confirms “very early infancy” C-17 Globemaster III production restart discussions as European market opportunity looms

The discussion of the C-17 comes off the back of Boeing’s focus on a growing European demand for defence equipment amid a growing threat on the continent.

Land Warfare

Bids in for Canadian Bv206 replacement

If all goes to plan, initial delivery of the selected vehicle could take place in 2029/2030 with final delivery in 2031/2032. The Bv206 were supplied to Canada many years ago and are in urgent need of replacement. More than 11,000 Bv206 were built for worldwide sale.

More Stories

Air Warfare

Expanded focus – unleashing the potential of commercial SATCOM for defence

17th June 2025

In conversation... Intelsat's Ray Lindenmayer talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about the new capabilities advanced commercial SATCOM technologies can provide for military customers, and how industry and government can best work together to achieve maximum effect in orbit.
Air Warfare

BAE explores AI enhancements for Eurofighter Typhoon pilots

17th June 2025

BAE is working with Swedish developer Avioniq to trial AI decision-making aids intended to protect the fighter jet against missiles and other beyond-visual-range threats.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI and Saab partner on AEW MQ-9B capability, demo to fly by 2026

17th June 2025

The AEW capabilities are seen to slot into Saab’s wider AEW offering as a complementary extension to its portfolio, while augmenting the MQ-9B’s own range of uncrewed aircraft.
Air Warfare

US lawmakers signal F-35 investment commitment of $10.7 billion in FY2026

17th June 2025

Although it remains unclear how the US DoD has advanced in fixing issues with the F-35 programme, the multi-billion dollar fund has been included in the FY2026 defence bill.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: Teaming success for E-7 and MQ-28 as Ghost Bat targets Europe

17th June 2025

Boeing has announced the successful flight trial of a MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aerial system (UAS) teaming with an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft against an airborne target.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV

16th June 2025

The air-launched PELE has been designed to extend the sensing capabilities of the MQ-9B and its user service through various payloads.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus assembles first SIRTAP prototype, with a maiden flight planned by year's end

16th June 2025

Airbus has completed the assembly of the first SIRTAP prototype, ahead of a ground test campaign that will culminate in the system's maiden flight by the end of 2025. The MALE drone is destined for delivery to Spain in 2027 and will also be operated by Colombia.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition

16th June 2025

Portugal was the second country to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft for its air force, originally signing for five aircraft in 2019. This order marks the first time an operator has signed an additional order for the C-390.
Naval Warfare

Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar

16th June 2025

Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
Land Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: MBDA bets on carmaker to help make new one-way effector

16th June 2025

The One-Way Effector (OWE) is a ground-launched missile or drome designed to act as a swarm to overwhelm air defence systems. It was displayed for the first time in Paris this week.
Air Warfare

Paris Air Show 2025: Lockheed says TR-3 upgrade “closing in” on completion

16th June 2025

The TR-3 configured F-35 aircraft have rolled off production lines since July 2024, but are still not yet combat capable and are still awaiting final sign-off for the software upgrade.
Air Warfare

Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment

16th June 2025

Spain has made clear its intent to acquire a range of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including those that will form part of its wider VAMTAC programme, announced in June 2025.
Air Warfare

Further funding allocated for Eurofighter Typhoon ECRS Mk2 radar programme

16th June 2025

The latest tranche of funding from the UK government comes ahead of the radar's integration into Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from 2028.
Air Warfare

M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force

13th June 2025

The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
Land Warfare

UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward

13th June 2025

The new artillery and howitzer factory pre-dates the emphasis on this capability from this month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The first joint industry-government meeting outlined in the review took place this week.
Naval Warfare

South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs

13th June 2025

HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
Defence Notes

Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide

12th June 2025

The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
Air Warfare

Belgium’s F-35A order progresses at it awaits first jet delivery by late 2025

12th June 2025

The first aircraft delivery timeline confirmation comes as Belgium weighs up an additional F-3A buy from Lockheed Martin.
Air Warfare

Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance

12th June 2025

New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.