• Defence Notes

  LIMA 2015: Defence minister prioritises security operations in Sabah

  18th March 2015

  Speaking aboard the frigate KD Jebat on the eve of LIMA 2015, Malaysian defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein told Shephard, ‘I am concerned,’ …

• Digital Battlespace

  Harris announces Middle East radio order

  17th March 2015

  Harris Corporation has been awarded a $47 million order to supply wideband radio systems to a Middle East nation, the company announced on 13 March. …

• Digital Battlespace

  NATO AWACS flies with modernised flight deck

  17th March 2015

  Boeing has successfully completed the first flight of a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft with a modernised flight deck and avionics systems, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Euro Hawk sensor nears test flight

  17th March 2015

  More details have emerged about the contract modification issued by the German defence ministry in January which re-started the stalled Euro Hawk programme.  The project, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Netherlands beefs up its Apaches

  17th March 2015

  The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has developed a new set of modifications and operational techniques to turn its AH-64D Apaches into an ISTAR platform …

• Military Logistics

  Hesco tests new flood barrier solution

  17th March 2015

  Hesco’s new Jackbox flood barrier has undergone a second round of testing at the Tees Barrage white-water rafting facility, to test the system’s ability to …

• Digital Battlespace

  Five US Navy E-2D Hawkeyes set for maiden deployment

  17th March 2015

  A total of five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes have been assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Northrop Grumman announced on 12 March. The five …

• Defence Helicopter

  LIMA 2015: Airbus Helicopters selected for Korean LCH, LAH programme

  16th March 2015

  Airbus Helicopters has been selected to team with Korea Aerospace Industries for the development of South Korea’s Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter …

• Military Logistics

  US to modify UK airdrop platform

  16th March 2015

  The US Army is interested in domestically sourcing energy-dissipating airbags for use on the UK’s Medium Stressed Platform (MSP) cargo aerial delivery platform. The airbags …

• Naval Warfare

  LIMA 2015: MMEA receives shot in the arm with donated Australian vessel

  14th March 2015

  The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is a key partner in the LIMA show series, and it puts on dynamic sea-based displays in the waters …

• Land Warfare

  Orbital to continue PGK production for US

  13th March 2015

  Orbital ATK has signed a contract worth $120 million for additional production of the Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) with the US Army for 155mm artillery, …

• Digital Battlespace

  No R&R for RAF ISTAR

  13th March 2015

  There are ‘significant challenges’ operating in contemporary environments, says the UK RAF ISTAR command. The RAF had been looking forward to 12 months of ‘recuperation …

• Defence Helicopter

  Upgraded RAF Pumas begin Afghan deployment

  13th March 2015

  The Royal Air Force’s upgraded Puma HC Mk2 medium helicopter has achieved initial operating capability (IOC), paving the way for three to be deployed to …

• Military Logistics

  SAIC awarded US defence logistics contract

  13th March 2015

  Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has been awarded a logistics support contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the company said on 12 March. …

• Land Warfare

  Taiwan seeks 120 M1A1 Abrams tanks from US

  13th March 2015

  Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) has formally requested 120 second-hand General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) M1A1 Abrams MBTs from the US. This figure is …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  MiG-35 (Russia)

  The MiG-35 is a new-generation derivative of the twin-engine MiG-29 (NATO code-name ‘Fulcrum’) featuring multi-role combat capabilities, significantly reworked airframe and a vastly expanded arsenal ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  M-346 [Egypt]

  Programme Background According to various media reports published throughout 2022, Egypt was expected to sign an agreement covering the production of 20 M-346 training aircraft. ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Modified Ivan Green Class (Project 11711)

  Programme Background The modified Ivan Gren class (Project 11711) large amphibious assault ships (LST) have been designed by Nevskoe Design Bureau for the Russian Navy. Two ships ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Tigr-M

  The Tigr-M is a modified variant of the original Tigr design, which replaced the licence-produced Cummins diesel engine with a Russian-designed YaMZ diesel engine. This ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Mounted (OPF-M) [USMC]

  Programme Background Armed Vehicles In June 2021, Shephard reported that the USMC had selected the HERO-120 for the OPF-M programme. The USMC planned to integrate ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (Project Land 8710 Phase 1A) [Australia]

  On 19 December 2021, Australia launched an RfT (Request for Tender) for the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (LMV-M) requirement under Project Land 8710 Phase 1A. The closing date ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (Project Land 8710 Phase 1A) [Australia]

  On 19 December 2021, Australia launched an RfT (Request for Tender) for the Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (LMV-M) requirement under Project Land 8710 Phase 1A. The closing date ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Mini UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munition [Belgium]

  Background Belgian Drone Expansion In November 2025, the Forces Operations Blog (FOB) reported that the Belgian Land Force would launch various UAV procurement programmes, based ...

• Trainer

  Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)/T-45 Replacement [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy’s (USN) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme is intended to replace the troubled T-45 Goshhawk trainer. The June 2024 RFI includes ...

• OPVs

  Specialised Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel [New Zealand]

  Programme Background Requirements Plans for a new OPV for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) first came about in April 2016. The RNZN wants to ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  M-345 (1-18) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement Italy operated the MB-339 trainer platform since 1982, procuring 137 aircraft in total. These older airframes required replacement, with the Italian Air ...

• Trainer

  M-345 Italy Future Procurement

  Programme Background On 29 Decemeber 2017, Aermacchi's M-345 High Efficiency Trainer (HET) prototype aircraft successfully completed its first flight from Venegono Superiore airfield in Varese, ...

• VBR-MSR Medium Wheeled Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Technical Requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBR-MR programme in early 2020. These outlined a number ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  NavStorm-M

  BAE Systems' NavStorm-M is a gun-hardened, integrated anti-jamming and Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for artillery rounds, bombs, missiles, and uncrewed systems. It was revealed ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  LN-251

  Northrop Grumman's LN-251 is an Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS) solution. It is an integrated navigation system with an embedded 12/24 channel, All-In-View, Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074ED SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4074EB SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS has an enhanced capability for the KN4074E with P(Y) code equivalent DGPS corrections.

• UAS: communication systems

  N-100-6 GPS Antenna

  The N100-6 GPS antenna offers a polarimetric solution for multiple element outputs, and has been designed to provide a significantly reduced size aperture for anti-jam ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ADA Anti-Jamming System

  The ADA is an airborne GNSS anti-jamming solution manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed to protect avionics systems from GPS jamming by using digital ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Common Open Reuse Environment

  The Lockheed Martin Common Open Reuse Environment (CORE) is an integrated glass cockpit and avionics solution that can interact with both civilian and military systems. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-434G/CS

  The PRC-434G/CS personal survival radio is a handheld, lightweight transceiver that is capable of responding to interrogations transmitted by the airborne location system. Short-burst transmissions ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074E

  Produced by Kearfott, the KN-4074E SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on various uncrewed or crewed applications, including fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Subsystems: visual

  EuroSim

  EuroSim is a configurable simulator tool used to support all phases of space and non-space programmes through real-time simulations with a person and/or hardware-in-the-loop, and ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  Lynx

  The Lynx (AN/APY-8) is a synthetic aperture radar manufactured by General Atomics. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for manned and unmanned aircraft. According to ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M-ATV

  The Oshkosh 4x4 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) family of vehicles is designed to provide high levels of protection and mobility in off-road combat environments such ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS

  Kearfott’s KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS system offers a low weight and small-size navigation system for a variety of rotary- and fixed-wing unmanned and manned aircraft ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on a range of manned aircraft applications, fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR.