• Air Warfare

  May drone digest: American loitering munition spending continues to drive market growth

  29th May 2026

  Loitering munition procurement has accelerated throughout May 2026 as militaries continue to prioritise the capability. The US has led this activity by advancing swarm-drone concepts, downselecting more drones for the Army’s LASSO programme, and awarding procurement contracts for various systems.

• Naval Warfare

  Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation

  10th October 2025

  Satellite navigation is increasingly critical for global maritime defence, and Low Earth Orbit satellites are rapidly overtaking the traditional and more widely used Medium Earth Orbit option as they are less susceptible to jamming or spoofing.

• Defence Notes

  DARPA, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman join forces to improve missile production

  27th May 2026

  Working together with DARPA in the Burn n’ Go programme, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are supporting the development of a common, single-use solid rocket motor design to equip diverse weapon systems.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals

  2nd September 2025

  The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has a crunch time coming up as it looks to refresh its fleet before 2040, and prepares to begin operating Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, although it is at the back of a long ordering queue. A key part of any solution is looking at what neighbouring Australia is buying.

• Air Warfare

  Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service

  15th September 2025

  The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint

  12th September 2025

  At DSEI 2025, James Gray, Managing Director and CEO of Raytheon UK (part of RTX), outlines the company’s century-long presence in the UK and its evolving role across defence, aerospace, cyber, and training domains.

• Defence Notes

  High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?

  20th January 2026

  Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.

• Air Warfare

  April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans

  29th April 2026

  Countries releasing their spending budgets over the past month have placed an emphasis on advancing next-generation crewed programmes as well as upgrades and expansion plans for air combat and aerial refuelling capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Poland air focus: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans

  19th December 2025

  With a rising defence budget and equipment list, Poland’s air market is set to grow as the country continues to modernise its transport and helicopter fleets while seeking out uncrewed aerial vehicles and loitering munitions.

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon unveils land version of the Next Generation Jammer

  20th April 2026

  The ground-based NGJ is designed to work as an “invisible shield” to protect land structures and assets. Shephard spoke with Raytheon to find out more.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to invest nearly $12 billion in maritime uncrewed systems and naval munitions in FY2026

  15th July 2025

  Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.

• Naval Warfare

  South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch

  24th October 2025

  Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.

• Naval Warfare

  Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice

  13th October 2025

  If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard announces $350 million investment in robotics and autonomous systems

  26th September 2025

  The USCG will use part of this funding to acquire SkyDio X10D short-range uncrewed aircraft systems, VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles and Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility and mini-SPUR robots.

• Defence Notes

  Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)

  12th September 2025

  Shephard's Alix Valenti interviewed Project Kuiper's Don Brown at DSEI 2025, discussing the company's innovative approach to sovereignty of space communications systems, which focuses on being able to control the network rather than ownership of satellite constellations.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Corvettes

  Multirole Corvette Programme [Romania]

  Programme Background Timeline Romania, since 2014. has seen a significant increase in its defence budget, which has allowed for more room to procure modern platforms. In ...

• 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 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  PROSUB - SSK [Brazil]

  Programme Background The four new Riachuelo-class SSKs for the Brazilian Navy (BN) are based on the Scorpene submarine design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. The ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Corvettes Procurement Programme (1-3) [Greece]

  The Hellenic Navy have a corvette requirement to replace the ten Elli-class frigates. Greece has joined as a partner of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC), which is ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Corvettes Procurement Programme (1-3) [Greece]

  The Hellenic Navy have a corvette requirement to replace the ten Elli-class frigates. Greece has joined as a partner of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC), which is ...

• Frigates

  Optional Fourth FDI Frigate [Greece]

  Programme Background Timeline On 28 September 2021, Florence Parly announced that an agreement had been reached, and Naval Group would equip the Hellenic Navy with ...

• OPVs

  Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVS (former Patrouilleurs Océanique) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The programme aims to procure new OPVs that will replace the D'Estienne d'Orves-class and the Flamant-class vessels. The OPVs are intended to be armed ...

• Minehunters

  Al Jawf Class Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges the replacement of three Al Jawf-class minehunters. Based on the Sandown-class design, the ships entered service in the ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Walrus Replacement Program (WRES) (1-4) [Netherlands]

  Programme Background Timeline The initial plan under the Walrus Replacement Programme (WRES) was to have new vessels in service by 2025. However, this date was ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project P76 [India]

  Currently, India operates the Kalvari-class P75 Scorpene submarine. A design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. It is also looking to procure further foreign submarines through its ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project P76 [India]

  Currently, India operates the Kalvari-class P75 Scorpene submarine. A design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. It is also looking to procure further foreign submarines through its ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  SOLO COFM HD & SD Video Downlinks

  DTC offers a number of downlink solutions to support a range of missions, delivering high-resolution video images. There are multiple installation options for fixed-wing, rotary ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  IP Mesh Radios, SOL8SDR

  DTC’s NETNode IP mesh radios are tactical communications and surveillance solutions that are combined in a self-forming, self-healing mesh radio network. NETNode radios use the ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ

  The MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ is a day and night camera designed for detection and surveillance. It is marketed as both a standalone product and as part ...

• Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  Aquila PTZ

  The Aquila PTZ is a low-profile pan-tilt-zoom thermal surveillance system with a three-camera arrangement, comprising thermal imaging and day- and low-light cameras. Designed for use in ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  DroneTracker

  The DroneTracker software provides airspace monitoring and management through a browser interface. DroneTracker allows users to configure multiple sensors, active and passive countermeasures and alerts ...

• Military - USVs

  Eclipse Class 11

  The Eclipse Class is a USV designed by Al Meer Marine that can serve as a surveillance platform or patrol craft. 

• Data links

  SOLO COFDM Receivers

  DTC provides a range of SD and HD COFDM receiver products including tactical handheld (NNV HD), briefcase (MIV) and infrastructure (PRORX) systems. There are a ...

• EO/IR systems

  Kestrel Block II

  The Kestrel Aerostat-Based Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Sensor continuously collects and records a 360° view of an expansive area, both day and night, providing real-time and ...

• Medium UGVs

  Gladiator TUGV

  The Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (TUGV) was funded through a USMC programme to develop an armed, armoured UGV. The programme began in the mid-1990s, ...

• Light UGVs

  miniROV

  The miniROV is a six-wheeled EOD/IED disposal system supported by an operator control unit, which is fitted with a 30cm thin-film-transistor LCD screen. The vehicle can operate ...

• Medium UGVs

  Taurus

  Unveiled at Singapore Airshow 2024, the Taurus is a medium UGV from ST Engineering. The multi-role vehicle can be used for surveillance, casualty evacuation, logistics transport and ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  SX-8000

  The SX-8000 is an autonomous C-UAS system developed for protecting the airspace of critical infrastructure and stationary facilities. It is marketed as both a standalone ...

• Medium UGVs

  R-Gator

  The John Deere R-Gator is a multirole COTS system based on the military-standard M-Gator and is designed to augment the warfighter. The R-Gator can be ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  SX-500

  The SX-500 is a compact surveillance radar that is not only capable of detecting targets, but also of calculating their distance, angle, velocity and direction ...

• Military - USVs

  Nav-45

  The NAV-45 is a multi-purpose, modular uncrewed surface vessel (USV) developed by Portugal's Navictus. The vessel is designed for coastal patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ...