• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India

  18th June 2025

  Turgis Gaillard and Bharat Forge have signed an MoU to offer the Aarok, produced in India, to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The UAV could satisfy the country’s desire for an indigenous MALE UAV, offering an alternative to the TAPAS BH-201 that has had a rocky development.

• Air Warfare

  India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms

  29th August 2025

  India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.

• 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.

• 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.

• Air Warfare

  India readies private sector push as AMCA moves towards 2028 prototype

  17th July 2025

  India’s stealth fighter ambitions gain fresh momentum as HAL opens the door to private sector involvement in AMCA Mk1A structural assembly, with strategic support growing for next-gen propulsion and sensor technologies.

• Air Warfare

  Russian fighter jet exportability threatened by sanctions, says think tank

  13th November 2025

  The think tank realised its report just days before the Dubai Airshow, where the Su-57E Russian fighter jet and Yak-130M trainer and light attack aircraft will make their Middle Eastern debuts.

• Land Warfare

  British Army’s Project Stokes 120mm mortar bids due in March 2026

  18th February 2026

  Project Stokes could see a new 120mm mortar capability enter British service, with domestic production and international partnerships central to competing bids.

• Air Warfare

  India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance

  28th April 2025

  Inter-governmental agreement signed as final assembly line plans inch closer.

• Air Warfare

  The growing importance of the Blue UAS Cleared List

  21st October 2025

  Inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Cleared List is set to become ever more crucial for uncrewed aerial vehicle manufacturers due to the access it gives to the US market, which is set to expand significantly over the next 10 years.

• Air Warfare

  How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success

  8th September 2025

  With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.

• Land Warfare

  K9 rolls on as Egypt unveils systems, Australia fires and Vietnam and Norway place orders

  4th December 2025

  Hanwha Aerospace’s tracked K9 Thunder 155mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer has had notable success in the market over the past few years in Europe and Asia, with Poland alone ordering 316 systems.

• Land Warfare

  Will we see a rise in MBT alternatives in future armoured warfare?

  25th November 2025

  In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of militaries procuring alternative vehicles to the traditional tank. The spread of these vehicles appears to be driven by the ever-increasing cost of MBTs and the changing nature of the modern battlefield.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Rafael highlights tailored effector solutions for different operational needs

  10th February 2026

  Shephard spoke with Rafael’s CEO about the company’s effector offerings as well as his perspective on one-way attack drones.

• Air Warfare

  Saudi Arabia air report: The world’s fourth-largest UAV market seeks to strengthen domestic industry

  17th February 2026

  With $9.18 billion in uncontracted programmes — including a potential multi-billion-dollar MQ-9B deal — Saudi Arabia’s UAV sector is poised for significant further growth and industrial expansion.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: APAC countries explore fleet upgrade and expansion opportunities

  22nd January 2026

  Ahead of the Singapore Airshow 2026, opportunities for defence firms to upgrade or replace ageing aircraft remain strong, with tactical transport, combat aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft at the top of potential procurement lists.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 - fixed-wing, 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 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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), ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Frigates

  Talwar Class (Project 11356)

  India’s Talwar-class (Project 11356) frigates for the Indian Navy have been built in Russia based on the old Soviet Navy’s Krivak-class frigates and delivered to ...