• Air Warfare

  Anduril and GA-ASI propel forward in US Air Force CCA programme’s next phase

  25th April 2024

  Anduril and GA-ASI have raced ahead in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, securing contracts with the US Air Force to build production representative flight test platforms.

• Land Warfare

  USMC narrows down field for light loitering munition requirement

  15th April 2024

  The US Marine Corps selected a team of UVision and Mistral to meet a requirement for Organic Precision Fires Mounted (OPF-M) loitering munition in 2021. It has now awarded contracts for the soldier carried light (OPF-L) version after the success of similar systems in Ukraine highlighted the potential for such weapons.

• Digital Battlespace

  British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces

  22nd April 2024

  The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.

• Land Warfare

  Japan beefs up ground force with new armoured vehicles

  22nd March 2024

  The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) has been modernising its combat vehicle fleet to deter threats from nearby China, Russia and North Korea.

• Land Warfare

  Reviving coastal protection: The renewed focus on shoreline defence

  15th May 2024

  The sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva has been among a range of incidents and geopolitical developments in recent years that has brought the issue of coastal defence back into the minds of government and defence decision-makers.

• Land Warfare

  British Army to overhaul dismounted close combat capabilities

  11th April 2024

  The future of the British Army’s DCC capabilities will include replacement equipment for female personnel and a new procurement framework.

• Training

  Announcement: Scott R Gourley takes over as new editor of Shephard’s Decisive Edge Training newsletter

  27th March 2024

  Following the successful launch of its Decisive Edge Training newsletter in 2023, Shephard is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott R Gourley as the next editor of this leading digital publication.

• Naval Warfare

  Third generation of Remus 100 family UUV unveiled

  13th March 2024

  The latest iteration is built on 600 UUVs to 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. Nine countries operate the Remus 100 and the Remus 300 is in service with the USN.

• Training

  Saab wins three-year extension to British Army live training contract

  9th April 2024

  Instrumented Live Training (ILT-D) is an appended precision laser based tactical engagement system for vehicles, armoured platforms, heavy weapon systems and anti-tank weapons used in force-on-force exercises as part of collective training.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy orders 17 new Super Hornets

  25th March 2024

  New contract awarded to Boeing will see the delivery of 17 new F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighters and critical technical data.

• Air Warfare

  NATO’s E-3A fleet more important than ever, says force commander

  18th April 2024

  NATO’s E-3A fleet will have been in service for more than half a century by the time of their expected retirement but a boost to the capability and conflict elsewhere have highlighted their importance.

• Air Warfare

  First USMC Bell AH-1Z goes in for power upgrade

  29th March 2024

  The Bell Textron AH-1Z Viper, an attack helicopter designed to operate and destroy targets in extreme environments, achieved IOC in February 2011.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus could miss out as India’s air refueller saga drags on

  26th April 2024

  Amid heightened demand for aerial refuelling capabilities in India, Airbus Defence faces a potential setback in securing defence contracts in the country due to escalating costs and concerns over trust.

• Training

  ST Engineering Antycip launches new simulator programme

  13th March 2024

  The company has promised that its MyIG simulator programme will provide unmatched realism and adaptability for diverse training scenarios.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing starts construction on first final assembly facility outside North America

  27th March 2024

  The site will manufacture the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the first combat aircraft manufactured, engineered and designed in Australia in more than 50 years.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement [USA]

  Programme Background The modification and Treaty Certification works include Digital Visual Imaging System kits, design and development for mission system integration (structural design, interphone communications systems, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (1-2) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Tornado Replacement (F-35A) [Germany]

  Programme Background In March 2020, it emerged that the German government was considering  30 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to replace 45 nuclear-capable Tornados, although contracts have yet ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  PROSUB - SSN [Brazil]

  Programme Background Following the successful delivery of the four Riachuelo-class SSK, which is due to all enter service between 2020 and 2023, the construction of ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  Khabarovsk  is a special purpose nuclear submarine under construction for the Russian Navy which is thought to be the main launching platform of the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (3-6) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Second Hand SSNs [Australia]

  Programme Background Timeline In September 2021, it was announced in a trilateral announcement between Australia, the US and the UK that Australia, in a shock ...

• Aircraft carriers

  PANG (Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation) [France]

  Programme background Timeline At Euronaval in 2018, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florance Parly, announced the start of the study phase for the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  UGM-133 Trident II

  The UGM-133 Trident II, also known as the Trident D5, is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed and produced by Lockheed Martin for the United ...

• Bomber

  Tu-160 Blackjack

  The Tu-160 (NATO reporting name Blackjack) is a strategic bomber designed by Tupolev Design Bureau in Russia. The bomber was designed for the Russian Aerospace ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation (PA-Ng)

  The Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation—new generation aircraft carrier (PA-Ng) is intended to replace the Charles de Gaulle in the 2030s/2040s. The programme for the new ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Typhoon Class (Project 941U)

  The Typhoon-class (Project 941U) was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines that were designed and built by the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. ...

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Iskander-M/E/K

  The Iskander-M (NATO reporting name: SS-26 'Stone') is a short-range ballistic missile. It was the second attempt by Russia to replace the Skud after its ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Invincible Class (SNLE 3G)

  The SNLE 3G SSBNs for the French Navy will replace the existing Triomphant-class SSBNs and provide France with a new at-sea deterrence capability with enhanced sensors and ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Riachuelo Class (SSN)

  As part of the PROSUB project, the Brazilian Navy is acquiring an SSN named SN Álvaro Alberto. The vessel will be built by Itaguaí Construções ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Delta IV (Delfin) Class (Project 667DRM)

  The Delta IV-class submarines were built for the Soviet Union by Severodvinsk Shipyard. They are part of 43 submarines built as a series of designs ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  The Khabarovsk (Project 09851) is one of two special-purpose submarines being built for the Russian Navy capable of launching the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered Nuclear-Armed Autonomous Torpedo'. The ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Han Class (Type 091)

  The Han class (Type 091) is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) in service with the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Five submarines were built by ...

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

  Granat-1

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) – the largest Russian manufacturing company that produces a wide range of precision weapons – includes at least ...

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

  Granat-4 (Rubezh-20)

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) includes at least six tactical variants: the Granat-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6. A popular ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Columbia Class

  The USN’s new Columbia-class SSBN, also known as the SSBN 826-class, is planned to replace the existing Ohio-class boats as the cornerstone of the US ...

• Corvettes

  92m Corvette

  At LIMA 2023, ADSB unveiled a new 92m Corvette design. According to the manufacturer, the new multi-role vessel is low-profile and equipped for a range ...

• Bomber

  B-52H Stratofortress

  The B-52H is the final model of the B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber plane, manufactured by Boeing. The B-52H is currently in service with the US ...