• Defence Notes

  Opinion: India produces hugely expensive light fighter in just 35 years

  8th August 2018

  Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter has for years made headlines for its high cost, but there is in fact another fighter programme challenging it in terms …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IAI develops hybrid robotic system

  14th June 2018

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed a hybrid ground and air robotic system that combines both land and aerial capabilities, the company announced on 10 …

• Naval Warfare

  UDT 2018: US Mk 48 torpedo upgrade in sight

  20th June 2018

  A contract award for a technological insertion upgrade into the US Navy’s Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo is imminent. Defence sources have told Shephard that an …

• Naval Warfare

  Peene-Werft shipyard set to launch new OPV

  6th August 2018

  The Peene-Werft Shipyard in Wolgast, Germany, is close to launching the first of a new class of 60m OPV for an unnamed customer that is …

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2018: Northrop Grumman poised for next generation lethality (video)

  14th June 2018

  Shephard spoke with Jeff Janey, VP of strategy at Northrop Grumman's armament systems division - formerly Orbital ATK - at Eurosatory 2018 about the future …

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia to select new tactical vehicle by year end

  6th August 2018

  The Slovakian Ministry of Defence has kicked off a new phase of testing in its search for a new all-terrain tactical vehicle, with the country …

• Digital Battlespace

  Raytheon opens radar development facility

  9th August 2018

  Raytheon has opened a new radar development facility at its Andover, Massachusetts-based site, the company announced on 6 August. The new $72 million, 30,000sq ft …

• Special Operations

  Raytheon ELCAN positions for SOF need

  8th June 2018

  Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies is moving forward on iterative prototypes for a new digital fire control system. The prototype design integrates an optical sight with …

• Digital Battlespace

  Attain receives DISA contract

  9th August 2018

  Attain has been selected by the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) for a contract with its Compartmented Enterprise Services Organization Program Management Office, the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  FLIR launches Black Hornet 3 nano-UAV

  11th June 2018

  FLIR Systems has launched the Black Hornet 3 nano-UAV for militaries, government agencies and first responders, the company announced on 5 June. The next generation …

• Special Operations

  SOF looks to small UAS

  9th August 2018

  USSOCOM has requested industry information for a spectrum of small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) following a sources sought announcement issued on August 7.  The announcement was …

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2018: Israeli firms display armoured vehicle concepts

  20th June 2018

  Two Israeli companies, Carmor Integrated Vehicle Solutions and Plasan, highlighted their new high mobility armoured vehicle concepts at Eurosatory 2018. Carmor unveiled the initial prototype of …

• Land Warfare

  Colt progresses on Canada's new GPMG

  22nd June 2018

  Colt Canada is in the process of finalising production and testing of low-rate versions of the C6A1 FLEX for the Canadian Army’s replacement General Purpose …

• Training

  Alion receives TSC IV contract

  8th August 2018

  Alion Science and Technology has received a Training Systems Contract (TSC) IV for training systems, services and content to support the Naval Air Warfare Center …

• Military Logistics

  Lockheed delivers final upgraded C-5M

  9th August 2018

  Lockheed Martin has delivered the 52nd and final modernised C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft to the US Air Force, the company announced on 6 August. …

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 ...