• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems selected for multi-billion-dollar Norway ship order

  1st September 2025

  BAE Systems is leading the construction of eight Type 26 City-class anti-submarine frigates for the UK Royal Navy (RN) with the first of these expected to enter service in 2027. Norway’s selection of the type makes it the fourth to make the choice alongside Australia, Canada and the UK.

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems to further develop modular armoured vehicle

  8th August 2025

  BAE Systems and Kongsberg have received contracts for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC’s) armed Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) variant with the former also outlining future plans for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) it is producing for the US Army.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing’s F-47 expected to fly by 2028, says USAF Chief of Staff

  23rd September 2025

  The sixth-generation aircraft was previously targeted to fly during President Trump’s administration, with this date the first insight into the US Air Force’s plans to field the aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2025: Edge Group eyes international market expansion, unveils new UAVs

  19th November 2025

  The UAV portfolio expansion comes in the wake of the Edge-Anduril joint venture announced ahead of the airshow.

• Defence Notes

  Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners

  5th December 2025

  While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.

• Land Warfare

  Will we see a rise in MBT alternatives in future armoured warfare?

  25th November 2025

  In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of militaries procuring alternative vehicles to the traditional tank. The spread of these vehicles appears to be driven by the ever-increasing cost of MBTs and the changing nature of the modern battlefield.

• Naval Warfare

  What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?

  7th November 2025

  The US arsenal includes amphibious assault and littoral combat ships, cutters, destroyers, landing platform docks, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, drones, ISR aircraft, helicopters and fighters.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Larger vehicles begin to turn to the benefits of rubber tracks

  5th September 2025

  Composite rubber tracks (CRTs) have substantial benefits over conventional steel tracks including reduced damage when travelling on roads and reduced vibration, noise, thermal signature, weight and fuel consumption.

• Land Warfare

  First Czech CV90 MkIV rolled out as part of multi-billion-dollar programme

  29th August 2025

  The Czech Republic CV9030 MkIV has a more powerful 1,000HP engine than the previous variant and an upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission.

• Land Warfare

  Shephard's DSEI 2025 Show News Portal is live

  1st September 2025

  Join Shephard for the latest news from DSEI 2025.

• Land Warfare

  Why modern air defense demands layers: inside Türkiye’s Steel Dome revolution

  22nd September 2025

  From swarming drones to hypersonic missiles, single-layer defenses are no longer enough. Türkiye’s Steel Dome shows the way forward.

• Air Warfare

  Germany approved for possible $1.23 billion AMRAAM acquisition

  26th September 2025

  The potential foreign military sale for up to 400 missiles could be used to enhance Germany’s F-35 programme.

• Air Warfare

  India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals

  15th August 2025

  With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.

• Naval Warfare

  How the Anduril-HHI autonomous ship plan fits in with the US Navy’s MASC programme

  18th November 2025

  The new modular vessel is expected to be developed for both commercial and defence use, with a heavy focus on production speed and mission flexibility.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system

  18th September 2025

  The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - small

  Tempest 50 [USAF]

  Programme Background Contract Award On 18 December 2024, the US DoD announced that the USAF had awarded Firestorm Labs a $100 million Small Business Innovation Research ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Armoured Cavalry Vehicle [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army is currently undergoing a generational transformation. Its organisational structure is being overhauled with a transition away from a geographical focus towards ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  24m Fast Mortar Vessels [Sweden]

  Programme Background In May 2023, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration announced the signing of a contract with Swede Ship Marine to deliver eight 24m Fast Mortar ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Roussen class [Greece]

  The Roussen class fast attack craft missile (FACM) is in service with the Hellenic Navy. The British-design FACMs also known as the Super Vita, has been improved ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Indonesian Navy PC-60M

  Programme Background Local Indonesian shipyard PT Caputra Mitra Sejati has designed and developed a class of fast patrol boats that have been ordered by the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Mobile Tactical Cannon [US]

  Background The US Army began using the M777 in 1995. Since then, it has served as a field artillery piece providing fire support for American ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Patrol Boats procurement (1-20) [Greece]

  Background Requirements In March 2025, the Hellenic Coast Guard published an updated version of its 2021-2027 Procurement Plan. The Plan has a total budget of ...

• Military - USVs

  Type 92 uncrewed underwater sense platform [UK]

  Background Requirements The Type 92 USVs will be required to complement the Royal Navy's existing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets in the Type 31 and Type ...

• Patrol boats

  Fast Patrol Vessels (1-8) [India]

  Programme Background On 28 March 2022, the Indian MoD signed a contract worth INR 4.73 billion ($62.1 million) with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the procurement ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC) (1-31) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy is seeking replacements for a large proportion of its 19 46-49m-long waterjet-powered fast attack craft, several of which are approaching ...

• Patrol boats

  Fast Response Cutters (68-77) [USCG]

  Background Timeline As reported by Shephard in July 2025, the US Coast Guard (USCG) will receive around $25 billion to cover the acquisition of new capabilities ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  UK supplied Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) [Ukraine]

  Background It was first reported in late September 2020 that the UK could provide eight Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine. The platform has been in ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Magnar 1950-class high speed patrol boats (1-7) [Greece]

  Background Requirements As part of a wider programme to upgrade the capabilities of the Hellenic Coast Guard, it set out to procure five plus an ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch I (1-16) [South Korea]

  The Patrol Killer Experimental-B (PKX-B) class fast attack craft are also commonly referred to as the Chamsuri II-class or Patrol-boat Killer Medium Rocket (PKMR). They ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  INTeACT

  Developed by BAE Systems, INTeACT is a next-generation combat management system for surface vessels with a dedicated software development kit (SDK). Notably, it includes AI-powered ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - small

  Tempest 50

  The Tempest 50 is an American loitering munition and UAV from Firestorm Labs. Uniquely, 50 units of the UAV a month can be produced from ...

• UAS: communication systems

  Helix Mesh Rider

  Helix Mesh Rider is a SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) optimised mesh radio designed for uncrewed systems. Notably, it supports six frequency bands in a ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Subsystems: software

  Vortex Simulation

  Vortex Simulation is a software platform for simulating tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles, speciality vehicles and non-tactical vehicles. Vortex lets training systems developers and engineers ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Sky Mantis 2

  Unveiled in March 2024, the Sky Mantis 2 is a mini rotary-wing drone manufactured by Evolve Dynamics.  Based on end-user feedback, the drone is an ...

• Data links

  QNT

  The QUINT Networking Technology (QNT) programme is intended to develop robust, affordable, miniature networked data link technologies suitable for use on weapons and by tactical ...

• Air: mission management systems

  RAFES

  Germany’s NBC defence C2 system, known as RAFES, is integrated into the overall FüInfoSys Heer army C2 system, adding NBC-specific functions to the standard mapping, ...

• Air: aerial targets

  BQM-34 Firebee

  The BQM-34 Firebee is an uncrewed aerial target system that the USAF and USN have used for more than 50 years. The primary mission of ...

• Military UAS - small

  Commander 3XL

  Described by the manufacturer, Draganfly, as the Swiss Army knife of drones, the Commander 3XL is a rotary-wing, multi-purpose UAV. The Commander 3 XL Hybrid is ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  Bofors 40mm 3P

  The Bofors 40mm 3P (Pre-fragmented, Programmable, proximity-fused) is a multi-purpose medium calibre round designed for the Bofors 40 Mk4, a gun system manufactured by BAE Systems ...

• Naval guns

  Mk 38 Mod 2/3

  The Mk 38 Machine Gun System is a stabilised self-defence weapon system intended for ships' self-defence capabilities in all weather conditions, day or night. Installed ...

• EW test systems

  FAST

  Functional And Stray voltage Tester (FAST) is a handheld armament pre-flight tester that functions as a flightline tester. It is used to perform ‘O’-level armament ...

• Trainer

  Hawk

  The BAE Systems Hawk trainer aircraft first flew in 1974, with the original Hawk T1 (designated Hawk 50 for export) entering service two years later ...

• Frigates

  Adaptable Strike Frigate

  The Adaptable Strike Frigate (ASF) is a frigate design developed by BAE Systems Naval Ships. Marketed as a platform characterised by strong modularity, the ship ...