• Defence Notes

  Insight: Canadian intelligence spooks New Zealand

  18th June 2018

  A report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has raised ire in New Zealand over allegations that Wellington is under Beijing’s thumb. The report, …

• Defence Notes

  US sanctions will not impact India-Russia defence ties

  5th June 2018

  India's Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on 5 June that US sanctions on Russia military exports would not impact long-standing ties between New Delhi and …

• Naval Warfare

  Vietnam starts building sub rescue vessel

  7th June 2018

  A keel laying ceremony has recently been held for the Vietnam People’s Navy’s first submarine rescue vessel.  The ceremony for the 4,000t ship took place …

• Special Operations

  Tri-national Special Forces Command announced

  13th June 2018

  Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands are to create a tri-national Special Forces Command. The command will be established under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between …

• Training

  Rockwell Collins receives order from CAE

  7th June 2018

  Rockwell Collins’ Panorama Collimated Display has been selected by CAE for the CC-295 full-flight simulator (FFS) it is supplying for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ECA develops sampler system for ROVs

  8th June 2018

  ECA Group has developed a 1000m depth rated core sampler recovery system for light duty ROVs, the company announced on 6 June. The system, mounted …

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2018: Talking tanks and more (video)

  10th June 2018

  Ahead of Eurosatory 2018 the Shephard Media team take a look at some of the equipment present at the outdoor display.  Grant Turnbull, land warfare …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe 2018: Avantix previews new COMINT system (video)

  6th June 2018

  Avantix, a French EW systems specialist, has unveiled Flashhawk, a new communications intelligence system designed for integration on UAVs and light aircraft. The podded solution is …

• Naval Warfare

  Carrier criticisms lead US Navy troubles

  7th June 2018

  The second in class of the Gerald R Ford nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), is likely to exceed its $11.4 billion cost estimate. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Indra, Elettronica developing EuroDIRQM

  12th June 2018

  Indra has partnered with Elettronica Group to develop a next generation Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL)-based Direct Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system for rotary and fixed wing …

• Defence Helicopter

  Klimov to develop new rotorcraft engine

  12th June 2018

  Russian engine-maker Klimov has revealed details on its new research and development programme undertaken within the frame of the so-called Advanced Helicopter Engine (AHE) initiative. …

• Defence Notes

  Eurosatory 2018: European defence spending keeps on rising (video)

  5th June 2018

  Since 2014 average European defence spending has risen year-on-year, now accounting for 20% of total global military expenditure. The most dramatic increase in spending emanated …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Wave Glider for oceanographic study

  12th June 2018

  Liquid Robotics’ Wave Glider USV has been selected as the sensor platform for an advanced scientific research project in the remote regions of the Arctic …

• Defence Notes

  NATO rejects Qatar membership ambition

  6th June 2018

  NATO on 6 June declined an overture by Qatar to join the Western military defence alliance, saying membership was reserved to the US and Europe. …

• Military Logistics

  QinetiQ agrees EMALS contract

  7th June 2018

  QinetiQ North America (QNA) has agreed a contract to deliver control hardware and software for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting …

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 ...