• Defence Notes

  India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict

  4th March 2026

  The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.

• Land Warfare

  India’s drone industry ambitions accelerate with Xtend technology transfer deal

  16th April 2026

  The localised production of interceptor and tactical drones further strengthens India-Israel industrial alignment and could position India for future cooperation opportunities.

• Land Warfare

  Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows

  12th January 2026

  Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.

• Land Warfare

  Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry

  3rd April 2026

  Recent conflicts have created a surge in interceptor demand worldwide while exposing potential supply chain challenges, positioning India as a cost-effective partner and scalable supplier.

• Defence Notes

  Industrial capacity under scrutiny as US approves further $8.6 billion Middle East arms sale

  7th May 2026

  The fast-tracked emergency approvals come as the conflict in the Middle East stretches out into its third month, after Iranian attacks depleted US allies’ missile stockpiles and testing air defence systems.

• Defence Notes

  Elbit Systems awarded $2.3 billion contract as results soar

  18th November 2025

  The company’s order backlog as of 30 September totalled $25.2 billion and more than a third of this is scheduled to be fulfilled before the end of 2026.

• Land Warfare

  Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year

  5th January 2026

  December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.

• Land Warfare

  Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (Podcast)

  26th January 2026

  A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.

• Land Warfare

  Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance

  1st May 2026

  Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.

• Land Warfare

  UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3

  23rd January 2026

  In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.

• 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.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system

  15th October 2025

  The Elta 6631 has been developed using the experience of the Israel Defense Forces in route proving, and can be customised for various customers and circumstances.

• Land Warfare

  Elbit bets on local content for US howitzer bid as it faces off against popular systems

  30th December 2025

  The Israeli company hopes that producing its Sigma artillery system wholly in the US will help it win a key US Army contract, but it will be up against the popular CAESAR Mk II wheeled weapon and the K9 tracked.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2025: IAI looks to home country’s recent experiences to meet Golden Dome demands

  14th October 2025

  Israel has developed a multi-layered defence system over a number of decades to defeat a range of air threats. The system was recently put to the test against larger and more sophisticated missiles than it has previously had to face.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale

  13th February 2026

  Shephard sat down with Hanwha Middle East and Africa president Sung Il at World Defense Show 2026 to hear about the company’s plans for the region and how it plans to use local industry success to win deals.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Israel is forecasted to procure an additional 25 F-35I Adir to bring the total number of the fleet to 75 aircraft by 2030. This will ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Reshef Class (1-5) [Israel]

  The Israeli Navy is looking to replace the Sa'ar 4 and 4.5 fast-attack vessels with a new corvette design. In 2018, Israel Shipyards unveiled a ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Reshef Class (1-5) [Israel]

  The Israeli Navy is looking to replace the Sa'ar 4 and 4.5 fast-attack vessels with a new corvette design. In 2018, Israel Shipyards unveiled a ...

• Corvettes

  Reshef Class (1-5) [Israel]

  Programme Background Requirements The Israeli Navy is seeking a replacement for its Sa'ar 4 and Sa'ar 4.5-class of fast attack vessels. Dubbed Reshef-class, the new ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Israeli Navy]

  Programme Background MADEX 2023 At MADEX 2023, IAI displayed the Mini-Harpy, dubbed the Green Dragon, loitering munition in a 12-system launcher mounted to an Israel ...

• Corvettes

  Sa'ar 6 Class (Israel)

  Programme Background Timeline A new class of corvettes is in the process of being constructed for the Israeli Navy to replace the Sa'ar 5 class, ...

• Main battle tanks

  Merkava Mk3 [Cyprus]

  Programme Background Following the announced donation of 41 T-80U/UK tanks to Ukraine, Cyprus is actively seeking a replacement MBT for its Armed Forces. Cyprus offered ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Eitan 8x8 [Israel]

  Programme Background Due to the provisions of the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) system, there is a chance that the Eitan could be mass produced ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache [Israel]

  Programme Background IDF Ground Forces Command was urging the Israeli MoD to request the acquisition of up to 40 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Programme Background On 15 February 2015, Israel signed an FMS deal to procure 33 F-35A (F-35I Adir) fighter aircraft with an option of 17. Israel ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Israel]

  Programme Background Israel first procured the JLTV in November 2023, when it ordered 75 vehicles from Oshkosh. Before this, Israel primarily operated a fleet of ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  Shehab

  The Shehab is a Palestinian loitering munition that carries a 5kg explosive payload. According to Hamas' militant wing, the platform is indigenously produced. However, the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Stunner

  Developed by Rafael and Raytheon for the David's Sling air-defence weapon system, Stunner is a hit-to-kill interceptor to defeat various air threats, including asymmetric, short-range, ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Shaldag MK V

  The Shaldag Mk V is a multi-mission fast patrol boat designed to serve as both a naval and border police vessel. It is a variant of ...

• Corvettes

  Themistocles Corvette

  The Themistocles Corvette, also referred to as the Eastern Mediterranean Patrol Corvette, is a new design bringing about next-generation operational capabilities. It is a multipurpose ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Arrow 2

  Arrow 2 is designed to intercept and destroy incoming Tactic Ballistic Missiles that are detected, tracked and identified by the Arrow Weapon System sensors. The ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  EL/M-2248 MF-STAR

  The EL/M-2248 Multi-Function Surveillance Track and Guidance Radar (MF-STAR) is a three-dimensional solid-state naval radar manufactured by Elta in Israel. According to the manufacturer, it ...

• OPVs

  OPV 58

  The Israel Shipyards OPV 58 is based on the former Sa'ar 4 fast attack craft of the Israeli Navy. The Hellenic Coast Guard ordered three ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16I Sufa

  The F-16I Sufa ('Storm' in Hebrew) is a Block 52+ D (dual-seat) variant of the Fighting Falcon, which Lockheed Martin produced for Israel. It is ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Arrow 4

  IAI’s Arrow 4 is being developed as the newest member of the Arrow family of air defence systems. Unlike the Arrow 3, which can intercept targets ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Popeye

  The Popeye is an Israeli-designed standoff cruise missile designed to provide long-range bombers and other aircraft with a conventional precision strike capability. Initiated by Rafael ...

• AEW&C

  Global 550 CAEW

  The G550 CAEW aircraft is a Gulfstream G550 adapted for AEW&C;, EW and ISTAR missions in Australia, Israel, Italy, Singapore and the US. The base platform is ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  OPV 45

  The OPV 45 design was launched at IMDEX Asia in Singapore in May 2019. It is designed to be a low-cost multirole vessel that sits between ...

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

  Forpost (series)

  The Forpost was a variant of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Searcher Mk II produced under license in Russia until 2016. Following US pressure, Israel refused to ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Tzofit Training Centre

  In June 2009, Elbit inaugurated the Beechcraft King Air B200 Tzofit Training Centre for IDF pilots. Elbit Systems serves as the project’s prime contractor, while ...