• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Second MQ-9B receives special airworthiness certification

  4th December 2018

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA ASI) has received FAA special airworthiness certification in experimental category for its second MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS, the company announced on …

• Training

  Deck landing training for HMS St Albans

  28th November 2018

  The Royal Navy has carried out helicopter deck landing training on Type 23 frigate, HMS St Albans.Wildcat and Merlin helicopters from 814, 815 and 846 …

• Naval Warfare

  Iran leader calls for boosting of naval forces

  28th November 2018

  Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called 28 November for the country to boost its naval forces as a deterrent against its enemies and hailed …

• Training

  Hyundai launches South Korean training ship

  28th November 2018

  Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched an auxiliary training ship for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) at its Ulsan shipyard on 16 November. The $23 …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2018: Show talking points (video)

  30th November 2018

  As this year's I/ITSEC draws to a close, Shephard reflects on the key messages across the show floor and the next steps in technology for the training …

• Land Warfare

  Morocco requests Abrams tank upgrades

  4th December 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of enhancements to Morocco's Abrams tanks, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency …

• Military Logistics

  Rolls-Royce’s generator sets for Type 45

  29th November 2018

  Rolls-Royce will supply 18 MTU Series 4000 diesel generator sets to BAE Systems as part of the Power Improvement Project (PIP) for the Royal Navy's …

• Defence Notes

  EDEX 2018: Egyptian MoD develops new decoys and anti-drone systems

  7th December 2018

  The Egyptian MoD’s research and development (R&D;) unit displayed various new decoys and C-UAS products at EDEX 2018 in Cairo. Several inflatable decoys were showcased, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Indra launches new UAS R&D projects

  5th December 2018

  Indra is launching new research and development projects to meet growing inspection and training requirements for civil UAV operators, the company announced on 29 November. …

• Naval Warfare

  USCG releases RfP for lifeboat life extension

  3rd December 2018

  The US Coast Guard released a request for proposal (RfP) on 21 November for services and supplies for its 47ft motor lifeboat (MLBs) service life …

• Land Warfare

  Allison transmissions for Komondor vehicles

  29th November 2018

  Allison Automatics' 3000 and 4000 Series transmissions have been demonstrated integrated on Gamma Technical's Komondor light-armoured vehicles at the Allison drive track in Szentgotthárd for …

• Land Warfare

  Qatar requests NASMAS from US

  3rd December 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ASTRALiTe demos topo–bathy LiDAR

  26th November 2018

  ASTRALiTe has demonstrated its two-in-one topo-bathy LiDAR system flying on the DJI Matrice 600 Pro UAS during three separate test flight missions. Designed for topographic …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2018: Showing front with AR and VR tech

  27th November 2018

  First-time exhibitor, Frontis' AR and VR platforms are supporting training missions for the South Korean soldier from a mechanic level to field preparation operations, Shephard has learnt. …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2018: US Army downselects for Sub-Compact Weapon programme

  2nd October 2018

  Six contractors have been selected to provide the US Army with sub-compact weapon (SCW) prototypes for testing, as the service looks to acquire a new …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background A video clip released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) disclosed that a deal to acquire the J-10 from China was signed on 25 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Netherlands]

  Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, the ...

• Medium UGVs

  Mission Master (RPV Sprial 2) [UK]

  Background First announced in April 2017 and referred to in early MOD documents as the ‘last mile resupply’ initiative, the British Army is reportedly evaluating ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Germany]

  Programme Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [India]

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems.  A330 Bid In 2015, the IAF has requested to procure six ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

• Main battle tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Medium Range Tactical (MRT) [USMC]

  Background Request for Information (RFI) In February 2026, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued an RFI for solutions for a Medium Range Tactical (MRT) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Slovenia - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background  Slovenia began its procurement of Oshkosh Defence's JLTV 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2018, although a US government FMS contract was not signed until ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  L-39NG Senegal

  The aircraft will feature five hard-points, two external fuel tanks with 350 lt capacity, Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, guided and unguided rockets, single ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper [Spain]

  Programme Background First Contract The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and associated parts, equipment, and logistical ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (MIV) [UK]

  Background History The UK MoD announced in March 2018 that it would re-join the Boxer programme and pursue a sole-source acquisition of the 8x8 vehicle. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CRATOS

  The Clip-On Ruggedized Advanced Thermal Optical Sight (CRATOS) is a miniaturised all-in-one thermal weapon sight designed for handheld, clip-on or stand-alone use. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  HuntIR Mk 2

  The HuntIR Mk 2 thermal weapon and reconnaissance sight is designed for clip-on use on mid- and long-range small arms. The standalone weapon sight has ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  XACT th family

  The XACT thermal weapon sight product family includes: the XACT th64 short/medium-range weapon-mounted or handheld sight; the XACT th65 clip-on marksman sight; and the XACT ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CNVD-T

  The Clip-On Night Vision Device-Thermal (CNVD-T) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight based on the military SU-232/PAS. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  UTCx

  The UTCx (Universal Thermal Clip-on) sight is a universal thermal clip-on to existing weapon sights, currently fielded by the US military and supporting long-range sniper ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PAS-13G(V)1 LWTS

  The AN/PAS-13G(V)1 Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight. The TI capability of the LWTS allows for longwave infrared observation ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TISI-M

  Designed for assault and sharpshooter rifles, SMGs and machine guns, the TISI-M is a lightweight uncooled thermal day and night weapon sight which can be ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PVS-30

  The AN/PVS-30 is a long-range thermal clip-on sniper night sight. The sight is able to extend the range of engagement by up to 1,000m and ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  Lily-L

  The Lily-L clip-on thermal sight for long-range sniper weapons can be mounted on a Picatinny rail in front of a day scope. It is designed for ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MilSight S135 MUNS

  The MilSight S135 Magnum Universal Night Sight (MUNS) AN/PVS-27 is a high-resolution clip-on weapon sight that mounts forward of an existing scope, adding NV capabilities ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  ThermoSight HISS-XLR

  The HISS extended long-range (XLR) clip-on thermal weapon sight allows snipers to detect and recognise man-sized targets at up to 2,000m, offering a 25% increase ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  UBGL

  The single-shot 40mm Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) can be attached to most modern assault weapons using a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system. The breech is swung ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  MUNSTI

  The MUNSTI uncooled thermal imaging clip-on sight is compact and lightweight, designed for use in front of a day optical sight. It is suitable for ...

• Sniper rifles

  Dan.338

  IWI launched the Dan.338, the first of a new family of bolt-action sniper rifles, at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. Chambered for .338 Lapua Mag ammunition, ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TVC 60

  The TVC 60 is a clip-on thermal weapon sight designed to be used in conjunction with a magnified day optic. The shooter relies on the ...