• Naval Warfare

  US Navy at full stretch

  20th September 2017

  US Navy readiness has once again come under scrutiny and action is needed to address challenges including persistent maintenance and training, according to a report. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Burkina Faso orders Mi-171Sh helicopters

  18th September 2017

  The air force of Burkina Faso has placed an order for the procurement of two Russian Helicopters Mi-171Sh, Rostec announced at the end of August …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2017: JLTV upgunned and uparmoured

  28th September 2017

  As the first US Army units prepare to take delivery of the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), manufacturer Oshkosh and Israeli company Rafael have …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Argus Soldier System open to operators (video)

  13th September 2017

  Rheinmetall Canada is displaying its Argus Soldier System at DSEI 2017. The Canadian armed forces will receive 4,000 systems in total. The lightweight, modular and …

• Naval Warfare

  OPV for Cyprus Navy launched

  20th September 2017

  Israel Shipyards has launched a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Cyprus Navy, the company announced on 18 September. The OPV was launched at …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AeroVironment delivers M1/M2/M5-compatible UAS

  22nd September 2017

  AeroVironment has integrated new M1/M2/M5 radio frequencies into its family of small UAS, enabling users to securely conform to the Department of Defense’s (DoD's) new …

• Land Warfare

  Konstrukta to produce Mjölner barrels

  18th September 2017

  BAE Systems has contracted Slovakia-based Konstrukta-Defence to produce barrels for the Swedish Army’s Mjölner mortar system. Konstrukta will manufacture 84 120mm barrels to be modified …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2017: US Army contracts for Abrams Trophy fielding

  29th September 2017

  The US Army is preparing for initial fielding of the Trophy active protection system (APS) on the M1A2 Abrams tank, with contracts now being placed …

• Special Operations

  DSEI 2017: USMC special ops look for new UAS

  14th September 2017

  The US Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) will be looking to trial a group two UAV in the near future, Shephard  has learnt. MARSOC …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2017: Atech showcases the Arkhe

  15th September 2017

  Atech, a Brazilian company of Embraer Group, took the opportunity to showcase its Arkhe family of products and services for the first time in the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Qinetiq shows new Titan configuration

  13th September 2017

  Qinetiq North America (QNA) showcased its Titan UGV equipped with a RGP protection unit and ISR sensor suite for the first time at DSEI. The …

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2017: What to expect (video)

  11th September 2017

  Shephard editor Grant Turnbull talks about the positive economic tone at DSEI 2017 compared with previous shows that were fixated on diminishing budgets. This edition of …

• Defence Helicopter

  MLASS wings supporting MH-60M

  20th September 2017

  Unitech Composites has delivered the first production shipset of multi-station lightweight armament support structure (MLASS) wings for utilisation on the US Army’s MH-60M, following the …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2017: Raytheon to improve Shadow capability

  15th September 2017

  A new collaboration between the Royal Air Force and Raytheon UK will improve aspects of the Shadow surveillance aircraft, including an incremental upgrade of the …

• Training

  Boeing taps Triumph for T-X offer

  19th September 2017

  Boeing has selected Triumph Group as a major supplier for its T-X US Air Force training jet offer, the company announced on 15 September. Under …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-390 [Poland]

  During LAAD 2025, Brazilian Minister of Defence José Múcio revealed ongoing negotiations with Poland regarding a potential purchase of the C-390. Currently, Poland operates the ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-390 [Poland]

  During LAAD 2025, Brazilian Minister of Defence José Múcio revealed ongoing negotiations with Poland regarding a potential purchase of the C-390. Currently, Poland operates the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-390 [Poland]

  During LAAD 2025, Brazilian Minister of Defence José Múcio revealed ongoing negotiations with Poland regarding a potential purchase of the C-390. Currently, Poland operates the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | A-29 Super Tucano [Panama]

  On 11 March 2025, the Panamanian government announced the procurement of six new aircraft, including four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The purchase was authorised by ...

• Data links

  Data links | A-29 Super Tucano [Panama]

  On 11 March 2025, the Panamanian government announced the procurement of six new aircraft, including four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The purchase was authorised by ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | A-29 Super Tucano [Panama]

  On 11 March 2025, the Panamanian government announced the procurement of six new aircraft, including four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The purchase was authorised by ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | A-29 Super Tucano [Panama]

  On 11 March 2025, the Panamanian government announced the procurement of six new aircraft, including four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The purchase was authorised by ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | A-29 Super Tucano [Panama]

  On 11 March 2025, the Panamanian government announced the procurement of six new aircraft, including four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The purchase was authorised by ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Poland]

  Programme Background Reports of a possible purchase of the C-390 by Poland began circulating in June 2024 after a Polish journalist revealed that Embraer executives ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  VBC Fuz Armoured Infantry Combat Vehicle [Brazil]

  Programme Background Technical Requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBC Fuz in early 2020. These outline ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Programme Background Requirements Sweden has five C-130H aircraft (designated Tp-84) and one KC-130H. Two C-130Es bought in the 1960s have retired, but the six H ...

• Loitering munitions

  Warmate [Ukraine]

  Programme Background Ukraine placed an order for an undisclosed number of Warmate systems in 2017. Shepherd believes units acquired in this order later were utilised ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Pistols

  Jericho Pistol 941

  Designed for military and law enforcement users, the Jericho Pistol 941 is available in 9mm, .40 S&W; and .45 ACP calibres and in standard, short ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Guará WS

  Avibras is marketing the 4x4 Guará WS light armoured vehicle, a further development of its 4x4 AV-VB4 RE Guará prototype. Developed in cooperation with the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Nauru 100D

  The Nauru 100D is a mini fixed-wing UAV from Xmobots. Unveiled at the 2025 LAAD Defence & Security tradeshow, the aircraft is VTOL capable and features a SIS031 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  V-RAPTOR

  Unveiled at LAAD 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, the V-RAPTOR is a tactical police armoured vehicle from domestic manufacturer Combat Armor Defense do Brasil.

• Land: manned turrets

  TORC30

  The TORC30 is a stabilised unmanned turret armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM 30mm cannon being developed by Ares, an Elbit subsidiary, and the Brazilian Army’s ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Armadillo TA-2

  The Armadillo TA-2 is an automatic or manned rocket launcher system designed to be fully retracted inside a 4x4 light vehicle.The concept, which was being ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-390/C-390 Millennium

  The KC-390 is a high-wing, twin-turbofan, T-tail design intended to meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for a tanker/transport aircraft. Developed and ...

• EW test systems, Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  CAST-easy

  RUAG unveiled the Countermeasure Advanced System Test Equipment (CAST-easy) in 2017 earmarking it for the Panavia Tornado series of combat aircraft. The 2017 announcement stated ...

• Naval guns, Land: RWS

  DragonFire

  Dragonfire is a new laser weapon system built for the UK MoD, receiving £30 million of funding in early 2017. The design of the gun ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Drone Deterrence System

  First unveiled at the LIMA 2017 exhibition by Mitsubishi Electric, the Drone Deterrence System began to be developed in 2014 and made its first sale in ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Fletcher

  Arnold Defense, which has produced more than 1.1 million 2.75in/70mm rocket launchers for airborne applications since 1961, unveiled the Fletcher 2.75in/70mm Weapon System at the September ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Albion Class

  The two Albion-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, were built for the UK Royal Navy to replace the older 1960s vintage ...

• Minehunters

  Kormoran II Class

  Three Kormoran II-class minehunters were budgeted for the Polish Navy in 2011, and a contract was placed for a prototype in 2013, with the first ...

• OPVs

  La Confiance Class (PLG)

  The La Confiance-class, also known as the Guyanese Light Patrol Vessel (PLG), in service with the French Navy, was designed by Bureau Mauric and built ...