• Land Warfare

  Axe swings on US Army procurements

  6th May 2025

  The US Army was undergoing a large refresh of its land vehicles but this seems to have come to a whiplash stop. Procurements have been reduced, legacy vehicles and systems are on the chopping block and even the number of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) is under threat.

• Air Warfare

  “Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform

  14th July 2025

  US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has promised to usher in a new era of “military drone dominance”.

• Defence Notes

  What will next-gen counter-UAS capabilities for the US look like?

  21st November 2025

  Future US counter-uncrewed aerial system solutions are likely to require a flexible, multi-layered approach to tackle a broad spectrum of new threats as they emerge.

• Land Warfare

  Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)

  11th December 2025

  A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.

• Land Warfare

  "The next industrial revolution": Pearson Engineering embraces autonomy and robotics

  1st September 2025

  In Conversation: Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Pearson Engineering group chief executive officer Ian Bell about how the company is turning to new technologies to provide critical protection and mobility for troops on the front line.

• Land Warfare

  HIMARS arrive in Hawaii as first multinational launch in Australia takes place

  18th July 2025

  The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher is in high demand with Lockheed Martin doubling speed of manufacture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As orders are racked up in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region is seeing the increasing presence of the system.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Debutant vehicles announced as companies look for partnerships

  17th February 2025

  The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in UAE capital Abu Dhabi will bring together more than 1,300 exhibitors from more than 65 countries.

• Land Warfare

  What does the future hold for North Korean troops in Ukraine?

  3rd February 2025

  Various questions remain unanswered regarding the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine.

• Naval Warfare

  Half of Australia’s first Hunter frigate is now in fabrication

  29th September 2025

  BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s Andy Coxall gave Shephard a progress update on its HMAS Hunter frigate, while addressing concerns over the cost difference between Australia’s programme and Norway’s.

• Defence Notes

  How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence

  25th September 2025

  The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2025: Uzbekistan sets out AFV credentials with family of new designs

  21st February 2025

  Uzbekistan's Havztez Defense rolled out a new family of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) at IDEX 2025, offering another national alternative in an already crowded market.

• Land Warfare

  Unlocking the potential of Light Forces in modern warfare (Studio)

  4th December 2025

  The Ukraine conflict has highlighted the strategic importance of “Light Forces” – rapidly deployable dispersed units, able to conduct an expanding range of mission sets. What technologies and equipment are needed to ensure their success in combat?

• Air Warfare

  Portuguese Embraer programmes progress as company works on opportunities

  21st July 2025

  Embraer has notched up substantial wins this year with Sweden ordering C-390s, Lithuania selecting it and Portugal ordering more as the company pushes to expand roles for the aircraft. Embraer’s A-29 has also had wins in the same period with the aircraft ordered by an African country and Paraguay ordering more.

• Naval Warfare

  Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates

  27th June 2025

  The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.

• Naval Warfare

  Euroatlas brings Greyshark AUV to Asia for its maiden visit

  9th May 2025

  Euroatlas displayed its Greyshark autonomous underwater vehicle outside Europe for the first time, highlighting variant specifications and development progress at IMDEX 2025.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  K239 Chunmoo (Batch 1) [Estonia]

  Background Estonia currently operates the HIMARS as its primary MRLS. However, in an effort to expand its capabilities, as well as diversify its supply base, ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Croatia]

  Background Croatia currently operates the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika, alongside a small number of German PzH 2000s.  Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, multiple ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  K239 Chunmoo [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway previously operated a fleet of 12 M270 MLRS, which were put into storage in 2005 before being donated to Ukraine, via the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Warmate 3.0 [South Korea]

  Programme Background Korean Reports On 3 September 2024, The Korea Economic Daily, nicknamed Hankyung, reported that the South Korean military was to introduce Polish loitering ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Pandur II (Second Batch)

  Since the first two Pandur IIs were delivered at the end of 2019, this forecast anticipates that the majority of the value of this programme ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  K9 Thunder (Batch 1) [Poland]

  Programme Background Poland began utilising the K9 in 2008, when it was selected as the basis for its domestically produced Krab self-propelled gun, with the K9 providing ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 2) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Estonia procured its first 12 Caesars in June 2024, with deliveries taking place in 2025. This second contract, awarded in February 2026, mirrors ...

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

  DT46 [France]

  Programme Background Reports Around Eurosatory 2024, multiple defence news outlets, notably Army Recognition and The Defence Post, reported that the French Army had acquired Delair's ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Denmark]

  Programme Background In 2016, the ATMOS was one of two systems shortlisted to meet a requirement from the Danish Army for up to 21 new ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  CH-47D Replacement [Thailand]

  Programme Background The RTA divested its six Boeing CH-47D Chinooks after failing to sell the 25-year-old aircraft on the second-hand market. Thailand found Chinook maintenance ...

• Self-propelled guns

  K9 Thunder (Batch 2) [Poland]

  Programme Background Poland began utilising the K9 in 2008, when it was selected as the basis for its domestically produced Krab self-propelled gun, with the K9 providing ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Rosomak [Poland - Fifth Batch]

  Programme Background The Polish Army selected the Rosomak 8x8 armoured vehicle (a version of Patria's Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV) 8x8 produced under licence by Rosomak) ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus

  While there has been no direct confirmation that Nexter has sold the Titus to Saudi Arabia, it has been confirmed that Nexter has delivered CAESAR ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  4x4 Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle [Poland]

  Programme Background The Polish Army wants to replace legacy Soviet equipment procured during the Cold War with new NATO-standard platforms to enhance its interoperability with ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled guns

  Arpan

  The Arpan is a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH), developed by ASFAT. It is a modification of the Panter towed howitzer, developed to provide a ...

• Self-propelled guns

  PLZ-05/PLZ-52

  The PLZ-05 is a 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer developed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to supplement and eventually replace its inventory of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Morana

  Developed by Excalibur Army, the Morana is a 155mm self-propelled-howitzer capable of hitting targets up to 41km away. The howitzer is mounted on a Tatra Force ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Uran

  The Urun is a 105mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. First unveiled at SAHA 2026, the Urun is intended to provide a mobile fire ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ATLAS

  An interoperable C4I system for artillery missions and resources deployed in the French Army. Commissioned in 2005, ATLAS represents a main element of battlespace digitisation, ...

• Self-propelled guns

  SH3

  The SH3 (also referred to as WMZ322) is a 122 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer introduced by Norinco in 2008. Believed to be an updated version ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Attila

  The Attila is a wheeled 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. Unveiled at SAHA 2026, the Attila is intended to provide Turkey with a ...

• Self-propelled guns

  GCT

  The GCT 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer was developed as a replacement for the French Army's Mk F3 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. Unlike the open-topped ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Gurhan

  The Gurhan is a tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. First unveiled at SAHA 2024, the Gurhan is intended to provide a domestically ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Type 99

  The Type 99 is a self-propelled howitzer developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Japan Steel Works to replace the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155/GP155A

  The GP155 and its advanced variant, the GP155A, are precision-guided 155 mm artillery projectiles developed by Norinco.

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  XM1122E1 High Explosive Projectile

  The XM1122E1 High Explosive Projectile is a 155mm artillery round being developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. As of May 2025, it was undergoing testing with the US Army.

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  XM1113 High Explosive, Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP)

  The XM1113 High Explosive, Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) is a 155mm artillery shell being developed by General Dynamics Ordnance Systems for the US Army.

• Self-propelled guns

  Type 89/PLZ-89

  Developed during the 1980s to meet a requirement from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) for a fully-enclosed 122 mm tracked self-propelled gun, the Type ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  CTL-181

  Produced by Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the CTL-181 is a 6x6 armoured tactical vehicle designed for the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA uses the CTL-181 ...