• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2018: Show round up

  10th October 2018

  As the curtain closes on AUSA 2018, Shephard's land editor Grant Turnbull discusses the main news from across the show, including the US Army's continued …

• Defence Notes

  China and Thailand military ties grow

  3rd September 2018

  When the Thai military took power in Bangkok in May 2014, China took full advantage of downgraded Western ties by cosying up with Thailand’s former …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IAI develops autonomous IED detection system

  12th October 2018

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed the development of an autonomous improvised explosive device (IED) detection and neutralisation system, the company announced on 8 October. …

• Land Warfare

  Land Forces 2018: EOS launches lightweight RWS

  4th September 2018

  Australian company EOS launched its new lightweight R150 RWS on opening day at Land Forces 2018 in Adelaide, with production expected to commence before the …

• Special Operations

  GD-OTS delivers A-GMV 1.1 vehicles to US Army

  17th October 2018

  General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has delivered the first Army-Ground Mobility Vehicles (A-GMV 1.1) to the US Army, the company announced on 10 October. …

• Special Operations

  NSW looks to close quarters combat

  30th August 2018

  The US Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) has released a solicitation to enhance the close quarter combat (CQC) capabilities of operators in the area of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  RCN puts tracking systems to the test

  19th October 2018

  The Royal Canadian Navy is using the Snyper micro UAS as part of work to test the effectiveness of its naval tracking systems, the navy …

• Defence Helicopter

  Brazilian Army receives 33rd H225M

  16th October 2018

  Helibras has delivered the 33rd H225M military helicopter for the Brazilian Army's H-XBR programme, the company announced on 9 October. The H-XBR programme was signed …

• Land Warfare

  GDELS awards contract to Ray Service

  11th October 2018

  General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has awarded a contract to Ray Service to support its bid for the Czech Republic’s infantry fighting vehicle programme, …

• Training

  Barco develops new simulation projector

  16th October 2018

  Barco has introduced the FL40 simulation projector to meet advanced image quality requirements for the simulation training sector, the company announced on 11 October. The …

• Naval Warfare

  Nine becomes four as Brazilian Navy makes Tamandaré corvette selections

  17th October 2018

  The Brazilian Navy has selected four out of a possible nine contenders for the Tamandaré class corvette project, the service announced on 15 October. All …

• Military Logistics

  AUSA 2018: BAE Systems offers glimpse at possible M88A3

  12th October 2018

  BAE Systems unveiled a concept design for a possible 'A3' upgrade to the M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle at this year's AUSA event in Washington DC.  The …

• Land Warfare

  Avibras delivers ASTROS vehicles to Brazil

  16th October 2018

  Avibras has delivered the third batch of ASTROS vehicles to the Brazilian Army, the company announced on 11 October. The Brazilian Army has now received …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DOF Subsea selects Sonardyne navigation technology

  12th October 2018

  Sonardyne’s acoustic and inertial navigation technology has been selected by DOF Subsea to support its deepwater operations with three ROV vessels off the coast of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army issues MX-10D contract to L3

  11th October 2018

  L3 Technologies has received an IDIQ contract worth up to $454 million from the US Army for its next-generation Wescam MX-10D sensor suite, the company …

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 ...

• 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) ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...