• Training

  US marines and sailors arrive in Australia for new MRF-Darwin rotation

  2nd April 2024

  About 2,000 US marines and sailors will participate in the defence exercise with Australian forces in the Northern Territory. The current MRF-D 24.3 rotation will conclude in October and last for six months.

• Air Warfare

  Safran continues to support UK Merlin helicopters

  4th April 2024

  The new engine support contract could be extended until 2040 to match the AW101 Merlin helicopter’s retirement date.

• Training

  ST Engineering Antycip launches new simulator programme

  13th March 2024

  The company has promised that its MyIG simulator programme will provide unmatched realism and adaptability for diverse training scenarios.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard plans a $1.1 billion investment in shipbuilding in FY2025

  4th April 2024

  The service has requested funds to procure and build new vessels, as well as modernise its current fleet.

• Land Warfare

  Need to operate with NATO?

  18th June 2024

  As the organisation deploys SitaWare Headquarters, how can you improve interoperability and multidomain situational awareness?

• Land Warfare

  US Army completes truck airdrop test

  4th April 2024

  The US Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) consists of 17 models including cargo, tractor, van, wrecker, tanker and dump truck variants. The FMTV can also be produced unarmoured, with no ITAR restrictions, for international militaries.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed beats out Northrop on $17 billion US missile contract

  16th April 2024

  The Next Generation Interceptor and accompanying radars will play a key role in protecting the US against long-range ballistic missile threats.

• Air Warfare

  Bell Textron opens new laboratory to support bid for US Army’s FLRAA

  14th March 2024

  In December 2022, the US Army awarded an initial $1.3 billion contract to Bell Textron for US Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), choosing to proceed with its V-280 Valor bid, and the new site will support this programme.

• Air Warfare

  Indian Navy commissions first MH-60R Seahawk squadron

  8th March 2024

  The MH-60R Seahawk helicopters will bring improved functionalities to the Indian Navy and bolster its ability to address diverse maritime challenges.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Red Cat looks to partnerships to expand Teal 2’s wings

  3rd May 2024

  Teal 2 UAV producer Red Cat has unveiled its strategic partnerships and advancements in drone technology in anticipation of the US Army’s decision on the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme.

• Training

  Announcement: Scott R Gourley takes over as new editor of Shephard’s Decisive Edge Training newsletter

  27th March 2024

  Following the successful launch of its Decisive Edge Training newsletter in 2023, Shephard is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott R Gourley as the next editor of this leading digital publication.

• Naval Warfare

  Is Australia’s plan for the surface fleet viable?

  21st February 2024

  Australia’s long-awaited Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review has recommended significant changes to the future make-up of the country’s surface fleet. It has received sharp criticism from some experts who claim the recommendations have not gone far enough, while others have described it as an attempt to run before being able to walk.

• Training

  Trilateral autonomous undersea warfare exercise tightens the bonds of AUKUS

  10th November 2023

  The Integrated Battle Problem 23-3 exercise brought together Australian, UK and US naval forces test to autonomous undersea warfare capabilities.

• Digital Battlespace

  SitaWare Headquarters C4ISR system selected for Italian Army

  27th February 2024

  SitaWare Headquarters, a C4ISR solution for tactical communication, interoperability, collaborative planning and situational awareness across the battlespace, has been in service with multiple nations worldwide.

• Land Warfare

  Latvia makes its largest defence investment in air defence system

  13th December 2023

  Latvia and Estonia have committed to purchasing Diehl IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence systems with the system set to provide a substantial boost to Latvia’s air defence capabilities.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement (USAF- Cancelled)

  Programme Background The modification and Treaty Certification works include Digital Visual Imaging System kits, design and development for mission system integration (structural design, interphone communications systems, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (1-2) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Tornado Replacement (F-35A) [Germany]

  Programme Background In March 2020, it emerged that the German government was considering  30 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to replace 45 nuclear-capable Tornados, although contracts have yet ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  PROSUB - SSN [Brazil]

  Programme Background Following the successful delivery of the four Riachuelo-class SSK, which is due to all enter service between 2020 and 2023, the construction of ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  Khabarovsk  is a special purpose nuclear submarine under construction for the Russian Navy which is thought to be the main launching platform of the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (3-6) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Second Hand SSNs [Australia]

  Programme Background Timeline In September 2021, it was announced in a trilateral announcement between Australia, the US and the UK that Australia, in a shock ...

• Aircraft carriers

  PANG (Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation) [France]

  Programme Background Timeline At Euronaval in 2018, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florance Parly, announced the start of the study phase for the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  UGM-133 Trident II

  The UGM-133 Trident II, also known as the Trident D5, is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed and produced by Lockheed Martin for the United ...

• Bomber

  Tu-160 Blackjack

  The Tu-160 (NATO reporting name Blackjack) is a strategic bomber designed by Tupolev Design Bureau in Russia. The bomber was designed for the Russian Aerospace ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation (PA-Ng)

  The Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation—new generation aircraft carrier (PA-Ng) is intended to replace the Charles de Gaulle in the 2030s/2040s. The programme for the new ...

• Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

  Typhoon Class (Project 941U)

  The Typhoon-class (Project 941U) was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines that were designed and built by the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. ...

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Iskander-M/E/K

  The Iskander-M (NATO reporting name: SS-26 'Stone') is a short-range ballistic missile. It was the second attempt by Russia to replace the Skud after its ...

• Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

  SNLE 3G

  The SNLE 3G SSBNs for the French Navy will replace the existing Triomphant-class SSBNs and provide France with a new at-sea deterrence capability with enhanced sensors and ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Riachuelo Class (SSN)

  As part of the PROSUB project, the Brazilian Navy is acquiring an SSN named SN Álvaro Alberto. The vessel will be built by Itaguaí Construções ...

• Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

  Delta IV (Delfin) Class (Project 667DRM)

  The Delta IV-class submarines were built for the Soviet Union by Severodvinsk Shipyard. They are part of 43 submarines built as a series of designs ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  The Khabarovsk (Project 09851) is one of two special-purpose submarines being built for the Russian Navy capable of launching the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered Nuclear-Armed Autonomous Torpedo'. The ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Han Class (Type 091)

  The Han class (Type 091) is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) in service with the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Five submarines were built by ...

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

  Granat-1

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) – the largest Russian manufacturing company that produces a wide range of precision weapons – includes at least ...

• Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

  Columbia Class

  The USN’s new Columbia-class SSBN, also known as the SSBN 826-class, is planned to replace the existing Ohio-class boats as the cornerstone of the US ...

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

  Granat-4 (Rubezh-20)

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) includes at least six tactical variants: the Granat-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6. A popular ...

• Corvettes

  92m Corvette

  At LIMA 2023, ADSB unveiled a new 92m Corvette design. According to the manufacturer, the new multi-role vessel is low-profile and equipped for a range ...

• Bomber

  B-52H Stratofortress

  The B-52H is the final model of the B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber plane, manufactured by Boeing. The B-52H is currently in service with the US ...