• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Thales pitches new F90 rifle to Germany

  12th September 2017

  Defence manufacturer Thales has set its sight on the European and NATO market for its new F90MBR modular bullpup rifle, with the company already bidding …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2017: European military helicopter review (video)

  8th September 2017

  Across Europe militaries have received a wide range of helicopters to bolster their fleets for different missions this year. Shephard  takes a closer look at orders …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Leading land programmes (video)

  7th September 2017

  With the threat from Russia on the minds of many European nations, the continent is looking at upgrading and bolstering its armoured vehicle capabilities. Of …

• Training

  DSEI 2017: Marathon lets new training robot loose

  13th September 2017

  Australian-based company Marathon Targets has detailed the latest member of its autonomous robotic target range at DSEI. The T10 is a scaled-down version of the …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Saab launches new mortar ammunition

  13th September 2017

  Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland (SBDS), a subsidiary of Saab, has launched a new 120mm mortar ammunition at DSEI this year. Known as 'Thor', the mortar features …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Tracked IFVs remain key focus

  11th September 2017

  Tracked IFVs from both domestic and foreign companies were out in force at this year’s MSPO exhibition, a sign that industry remains focused on a …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  MSPO 2017: Warmate development path planned out

  10th September 2017

  Polish outfit WB Group is putting together a future development plan for its Warmate loitering munition, that will include mixed-platform teaming and alternative payloads. The …

• Naval Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Shipbuilders continue to position for Orka programme

  7th September 2017

  European manufacturers continue to jostle for Poland’s ongoing Orka programme, which will see a new class of three submarines constructed for the Polish Navy. The …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lockheed Martin to build two CH-53K

  5th September 2017

  Lockheed Martin has received a Low Rate Initial Production Lot 1 contract worth $304 million from the US Naval Air Systems Command to build two …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2017: Sea Venom firing well on all cylinders

  7th September 2017

  European missile manufacturer MBDA is continuing its Sea Venom anti-ship missile trials and Shephard has learnt that all firings so far have been successful.  The first …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Patria’s containerised mortar system demo'd

  6th September 2017

  Patria’s New Mortar (Nemo) Container has successfully completed its first test firings on a truck platform.  Announced on 1 September, the technology had been through …

• Defence Notes

  MBDA, Romarm sign MoU

  29th August 2017

  MBDA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Romanian defence group Romarm and its subsidiary Electromecanica Ploiesti to define and present a proposal for …

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2017: New shipbuilding strategy to avoid past mistakes

  6th September 2017

  The UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSbS), announced on 6 September, is aiming to overcome mistakes made in previous naval programmes and reverse the reductions in …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Tank killing Rosomaks unveiled

  6th September 2017

  Two new prototype variants of the Polish Army’s Rosomak vehicle are on display at this year’s MSPO, with both demonstrating a potential future requirement from …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Rafael pushes Trophy in Eastern Europe

  3rd September 2017

  As Russia continues to modernise its land capabilities and pose a potential threat to the region, countries in the Eastern Europe are looking at boosting …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On (NATO)

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S [France]

  Programme Background Following the announcement of the 14-ship contract, the DGA approved the design of the first two standard amphibious landing craft (EDA-S) in October 2019, ...

• Tanks

  New MBT [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• OPVs

  Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  Programme Background Timeline In mid-2017, Sri Lanka was considering purchasing a Gepard 5.1-class (Project 1166.1) frigate from Russia. The delivery was planned based on an ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Tanks

  M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC)/Buques de Protección Marítima (BPM) [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements The 2021-2023 Documento Programmatico Pluriennale (DPP) - a multi-year defence planning document from the Italian MoD - includes a plan to acquire eight "Patrol Ships", ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Second-hand LCS [Greece]

  In January 2024, Tasos Chatzivasileiou revealed that discussions are taking place with the US regarding the potential acquisition of four second-hand Freedom-class LCS. A letter ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Second-hand LCS [Greece]

  In January 2024, Tasos Chatzivasileiou revealed that discussions are taking place with the US regarding the potential acquisition of four second-hand Freedom-class LCS. A letter ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Surplus Maxxpro [Bangladesh - Batch 1]

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: air defence radar

  APIS

  APIS is a passive high-resolution primary radar system developed by Indra. It is the first passive system in the world capable of offering images using ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S

  The Engins de Debarquement Amphibie - Standards (EDA-S) is an amphibious landing craft built by CNIM in partnership with Socarenam, Mauric and CNN MCO. It ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-R

  Four EDA-R (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie-Rapide) fast amphibious landing craft were ordered for the French Navy in 2009 after a 12-month evaluation. They are designed ...

• Patrol boats

  Marine Protector Class

  The Marine Protector-class of coastal patrol boats (CPBs) was ordered in 1996 to replace the USCG's Point-class vessels. Fifty boats were originally ordered, which was ...

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

  LOTUS

  The LOTUS, Low Observable Tactical Unnamed System, is a tactical UAV especially designed for border patrol ISR operations.  The development of the project is funded by ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

  The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a two-person, light scout helicopter with a day/night mast-mounted sight, glass cockpit and four-bladed rotor system. Following the retirement of ...

• Patrol boats

  Reliance Class Cutters

  The Reliance-class cutters, also known as Medium Endurance Cutters, are in service with the US Coast Guard (USGC). They work alongside the Famous-class ships on ...

• Frigates

  Aquitaine Class (FREMM)

  The Aquitaine-class frigates for the French Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata Europea Multi-Missione). For France, the ships ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  AE50R

  The AE50R is an aviation gasoline single rotary engine with an output of 40.4kW. The engine is certified according to European Aviation Safety Agency Part ...

• Frigates

  Bergamini Class (FREMM)

  The Bergamini-class frigates for the Italian Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata europea multi-missione). For Italy, the ...

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

  One 150

  The One 150 is a tactical UAV manufactured by Primoco UAV. The UAV is designed for commercial and military use and can be configured to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Sky-X

  The Sky-X UCAV was conceived for demonstration and research purposes and in 2005 became the first European-designed UAV over 1000 kg and with performance comparable ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Sky Buzzer

  Hensoldt’s Sky Buzzer is a towed anti-radar decoy originally developed by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). The system is designed to protect ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  PULS

  The PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) from Elbit Systems is a modular, truck‑mounted multiple‑launch rocket/missile system developed in Israel to provide flexible long‑range fires ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  MaxxPro

  The International MaxxPro was developed by Navistar for the MRAP programme and the US Army’s Medium Mine Protected Vehicle project. Selected for the MRAP Category ...