• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI: Milrem displays new versions of THeMIS and reveals plans for larger UGV

  15th September 2023

  Milrem Robotics has now supplied more than 100 of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) hybrid UGVs including approximately 15 for service in Ukraine. Lessons learned are continuing to inform the platform’s development, according to the company.

• Land Warfare

  BvS 10 all-terrain weapon platform bares its teeth at DSEI 2023

  14th September 2023

  BAE Systems is touting the high-mobility weapon-carrying capabilities of the BvS 10, showcasing an example of the tracked all-terrain vehicle fitted with Moog's Flexible Mission Platform at DSEI 2023.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: How the P-8 Poseidon has conquered the maritime patrol aircraft market

  6th September 2023

  Shephard Defence Insight analyses the success story of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft that has captured international interest, detailing its variants, operators and unit cost.

• Training

  India completes Light Combat Aircraft NP5 trainer prototype test flight

  23rd August 2023

  In a stride towards bolstering India's indigenous naval aviation capabilities, the Aeronautical Development Agency has successfully completed the maiden flight of LCA Navy trainer prototype aircraft NP5.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Loitering munitions surge: new report reveals astonishing 525% market growth fueled by Russo-Ukrainian conflict

  12th September 2023

  In a seismic shift driven by the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the loitering munitions market is poised for an unprecedented 525% explosion in growth between 2020 and 2024, with annual spending set to exceed $600 million in the coming years, according to a new report.

• Land Warfare

  Indian Army issues RfI for new tracked armoured recovery vehicles

  13th September 2023

  India is looking for a large quantity of new indigenously built armoured recovery vehicles to serve its tank fleet.

• Air Warfare

  Global defence shift: report reveals $32.3 billion in opportunities in armed overwatch/ISR sector amid rising threats and evolving nature of warfare

  13th September 2023

  Amid escalating global tensions and a paradigm shift in warfare, a ground-breaking new market report forecasts a staggering $32.3 billion worth of opportunities in the armed overwatch/ISR sector over the next five years.

• Air Warfare

  Eurofighter Typhoon sales: what a difference a decade makes

  18th September 2023

  In the second week of August, BAE Systems released a statement confirming that 12 of 24 Typhoon Tranche 3 models had now arrived in Qatar. Despite this favourable export news, the aircraft’s industrial future remains somewhat clouded.

• Naval Warfare

  Fleet support vessels are approved for the Indian Navy

  22nd August 2023

  India is set to proceed with the construction of five indigenously built replenishment vessels.

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan reveals first indigenous submarine to much fanfare

  2nd October 2023

  Taiwan has made good progress with its submarine programme, revealing its initial boat in late September.

• Naval Warfare

  India gifts missile corvette to Vietnam amidst deepening ties

  17th July 2023

  Cementing the two countries' defence partnership, India has donated a second-hand warship to Vietnam.

• Land Warfare

  Indian Army seeks ATGMs for BMP-2s and machine guns

  20th July 2023

  The Indian Army is hunting for medium-calibre machine guns, plus anti-tank guided missiles for its fleet of BMP-2 vehicles.

• Air Warfare

  Enhanced India-France defence cooperation will include Rafale M fighters

  16th July 2023

  India has selected the Rafale M as its new carrier-borne fighter, with a contract to be signed later.

• Naval Warfare

  Indian Navy tries again to procure minehunters, but this time it goes futuristic

  4th September 2023

  The Indian Navy is looking to the future with MCMVs that integrate a lot of autonomous technology. Meanwhile, other construction projects, such as ASWSWCs and survey vessels, are proceeding.

• Naval Warfare

  ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Mazagon Dock team up for INS Shankush overhaul

  27th July 2023

  Over the next three years, INS Shankush will be modernised by India's state-owned shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will be responsible for supplying equipment packages.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Follow-On [India]

  Programme background The Indian Air Force has requested the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft. The ask comes shortly after the plane was used successfully ...

• Main battle tanks

  T-90S Licensed Production

  The HVF is expected to be able to produce 120 T-90S each year, suggesting deliveries under this contract will be completed by 2023. Due to ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Ka-226T- Air Force [India]

  Programme Background India had operated a diverse and antiquated fleet of helicopters to support its high-altitude operations along contested borders with China and Pakistan. Reducing ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9B (Tri-Service) [India]

  Background Inception & The Indian Navy In 2016, reports suggested India was looking to acquire the MQ-9A Reaper. The two parties developed this requirement, and in June 2017, ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (India)

  Programme Background On 25 February 2020, a letter of acceptance for 24 MH-60Rs, worth approximately $2.12 billion, was signed by India and the US in Delhi. ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Ka-226T - Army [India]

  Programme Background India had operated a diverse and antiquated fleet of helicopters to support its high-altitude operations along contested borders with China and Pakistan. Reducing ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Eurodrone (Forecast) [India]

  Programme Background India's Application As announced by a joint statement around the 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) on 25 October 2024, Germany accepted India's application to join ...

• Transport

  C295 [India]

  Programme Background India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved the Indian Air Force bid for the supply and production of 56 C295 transport aircraft to replace ...

• Military UAS - mini

  SpyLite [Chile]

  Methodology Quantity required According to the Drone Center, India acquired 600 SpyLite aircraft in 2018-2019. Due to the economic differences between India and Chile, Defence Insight ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Indian-Made MALE UAV [India]

  Background Requirements As of late 2023, the Indian tri-service plan reportedly included the acquisition of 155 indigenously produced MALE UAVs alongside 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics (GA-ASI), ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Next Generation Destroyers [India]

  India has begun developing its Next Generation Destroyers programme, also known as Project 18. The project for the Indian Navy is expected to replace the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Next Generation Destroyers [India]

  India has begun developing its Next Generation Destroyers programme, also known as Project 18. The project for the Indian Navy is expected to replace the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Data links

  Data links | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  SPOT V3

  The SPOT V3 is a fixed-wing UAV developed by the Indian firm CDSpace Robotics. Designed for ISR tasks, the platform is VTOL capable and meets ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Vikramaditya Class

  INS Vikramaditya is India’s only functional aircraft carriers following the retirement of INS Viraat in 2016. India bought the ex-Russian carrier and upgraded it to ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Netra 5

  Launched at Aero India 2025, the Netra 5 is a rotary-wing UAV manufactured by ideaForge. It can host a 900g EO/IR camera and drop a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Abhimanyu

  The Abhimanyu is a concept UAV from NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT). Its development has been partly funded by the Indian MoD's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Vijayastra

  Unveiled at Advantage Vidarbha 2026, the Vijayastra is a MALE fixed-wing UAV from Solar Group.  Featuring a twin-boom tail configuration, the UAV has a single engine and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Yeti

  Unveiled at Aero India 2025, the Yeti is a concept cargo-carrying UAV take-off from small areas at up to 6.5km altitudes. Its payload can be configured ...

• AEW&C, ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  EMB-145 (R-99)

  The Embraer EMB-145 is a modified version of the ERJ-145 regional jet. The aircraft, available in both AEW&C; and Maritime Patrol configurations is in service ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Super Dvora Mk 1/Mk 2

  The Israeli Navy has operated the Super Dvora-class fast attack craft since 1989. Vessels are also in service with Eritrea (four boats), India (three boats), ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Zolt

  The Zolt is a concept UAV showcased by ideaForge at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. The UAV, intended for ISR missions, has anti-jamming communications, AI-enabled ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS (Vikrant-Class)

  The Combat Management System abroad INS Vikrant is developed by TATA Power's Strategic Engineering Division, the Indian MoD's Weapon and Electonic System Engineering Establishment and ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  HF SDR

  Bharat Electronics Limited's High-Frequency Software-Defined Radio (HF SDR) was unveiled at the Aero India 2023 exhibition. The transceiver operates in the HF band and features ...

• Sonobuoys

  AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR

  The AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR is made by Ultra Maritime in the USA, it is marketed at international users of the MH-60 and P-8A.

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  Kopyo-21I

  The Kopyo-21I is a multi-mode radar manufactured by Phazotron NIIR in Russia. It is described by the manufacturer as a fourth-plus generation radar, designed to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Switch V2

  The Switch V2 was commercially launched at Aero India 2025; it is a fixed-wing, VTOL-capable ISR and mapping drone from ideaForge.  Compared to the original ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  9M311

  The 9M311 (NATO: SA-19) is a supersonic surface-to-air missile developed by Russia. It is a two-stage command-guided missile fitted with a 9kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead with ...