• Uncrewed Vehicles

  FCAS demonstrator phase to start in 2017

  17th December 2016

  Senior officials from the UK and France signed an agreement on 16 December that will enable the next phase of the Future Combat Air System …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems rolls out AMPV

  15th December 2016

  The US Army has received its first Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype from manufacturer BAE Systems. BAE Systems will manufacture all five variants of the …

• Land Warfare

  Ajax firing testing begins

  15th December 2016

  The first live firing tests have been carried out for the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK announced on 14 December. The …

• Naval Warfare

  Analysis: Waters rage in South China Sea (Part 2)

  14th December 2016

  In Part 1 of this analysis, Shephard looked in some detail at Chinese and Taiwanese reactions to the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) ruling on …

• Land Warfare

  India funds extra rocket artillery

  12th December 2016

  India invested INR32.3 billion ($475 million) in 36 additional Pinaka Mk I multiple rocket launchers (MRL) and 432 rockets, according to a contract signed on …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: NATO accreditation for JTAC technology (video)

  7th December 2016

  SimCentric Technologies has received NATO acreditiation for its Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) simulation software which utilises VBS 3. Shephard spoke with Adam Easton, CEO …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: VT MÄK selection

  7th December 2016

  CM Labs Simulations has announced that VT MÄK has selected its Vortex Studio Essentials to power high-fidelity vehicle simulation in their new VR-Engage multi-role virtual …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: US Navy training for new platforms (video)

  6th December 2016

  The US Navy is continuing to field new training systems to get solors and other personnel up to speed with new platforms, such as the …

• Military Logistics

  Aging infrastructure challenges fleet readiness

  6th December 2016

  The commander of the US Navy's Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) has outlined a range of challenges casting a shadow over fleet readiness, including an aging …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Projection meets audio advancements in simulation (video)

  5th December 2016

  Projection experts Barco showcased its  exhibit the newest member to its 4K UHD laser phosphor projector family at I/ITSEC in Orlando.  The company also demonstrated its …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Barco unveils the F70

  5th December 2016

  Although seen by Shephard in 2015 in a whisper suite, I/ITSEC 2016 saw Barco unveil its F70 4K projector to the public. The laser phosphor …

• Training

  Armour Simulator Centre opens in Singapore

  3rd December 2016

  The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) opened its new Armour Simulation Centre at Sungei Gedong Camp on 1 December.  Developed with assistance from the Defence Science …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Highlights from the simulation and training industry (video)

  2nd December 2016

  The Shephard team has been at I/ITSEC in Orlando all week covering the simulation and training industry. Beth Maundrill, staff reporter at Shephard Media, and …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Lakota maintainers go virtual

  1st December 2016

  The National Guard is using this year’s I/ITSEC to display a new virtual maintenance trainer (VMT) it has rolled out, which teaches ground maintenance operations …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: ATC and Rockwell Collins in B-52 win

  1st December 2016

  Aviation Training Consulting (ATC) based in Altus, Oklahoma, and Rockwell Collins as its subcontractor, will provide training systems upgrades to the US Air Force’s B-52 training …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Tracked Support Vehicle [Spain]

  Background Requirement Spain has an inventory of ageing M113s in various configurations, at least 20 of which were transferred to Ukraine in 2022. According to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 3) [Spain]

  Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army, including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 1) [Spain]

  Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army, including the BMR-600 6x6, VEC-M1 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 2) [Spain]

  Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army, including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Cheongung Block II [South Korea]

  Background South Korea launched a plan to convert its Cheongung-I systems to the M-SAM Block II configuration. It was announced in July 2025 that it ...

• Main battle tanks

  Al-Khalid-I

  Programme Background Pakistan operates a vast fleet of Chinese and Ukrainian MBTs primarily aimed at deterring regional rivals such as India. In order to build ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Wing Loong I [Eygpt]

  Programme Background SIPRI According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2016, Eygpt ordered around 10 Wing Loong I aircraft from China, which were ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  San Antonio LPD 17 Flight I [USN]

  The LPD 17 Flight I ships are the first flight of the San Antonio-class Landing Platform Docks (LPD). Procured between FY1996 and FY2017, the vessels ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  KSS-III (Boats 1-3) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Timeline The new KSS-III Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho-class submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) are a significant advance on the earlier KSS-II ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Light Forces Enhancement [Canada]

  Background The LFE programme was first launched in 2020 with the intention of providing the Canadian army with new light mobility platforms that could rapidly ...

• Main battle tanks

  Al-Khalid-II

  Programme Background Pakistan operates a vast fleet of Chinese and Ukrainian MBTs primarily aimed at deterring regional rivals such as India. In order to build ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (1-4) [South Korea]

  Background Contracts award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B Batch-II fast attack craft ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (5-8) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW 212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (13-22) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B Batch-II ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  ITAS-TESS

  The Improved Target Acquisition System – Tactical Engagement Simulation System (ITAS-TESS) is a laser-based system designed to conduct simulated weapons engagement during crew and collective ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Field Artillery Training Systems

  The ICE Field Artillery Training Systems for the M109A6 Paladin and M270/M270A1 MLRS provides instrumented real-time data and performance monitoring during training and live-fire missions. ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  MANWORN II DPU

  The MANWORN II Dismounted Player Unit (DPU) is a flexible position location tracking system suitable for individual through brigade-level training. MANWORN II DPU features GPS ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  LETS

  The US Army maintains a large fleet of locomotives and rail vehicles throughout the US to facilitate the movement of equipment and supplies and provides ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  SMODIM

  ICE's Smart Onboard Data Interface Module (SMODIM) integrates with aircraft and ground vehicles to provide collective force-on-force participation and weapons systems training. SMODIM is the ...

• Air: mission management systems

  I-C2F

  The Integrated Command and Control Framework (I-C2F) provides an end-to-end C2 architecture delivering J1-J9 functionality across the joint battlespace. As well as C2 messaging and ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  I-Derby ER

  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed the I-Derby ER missile as an extended-range evolution of the earlier Derby and I-Derby missiles. Building on the proven foundation ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Sub Command

  Sub Command was developed by Sonalysts, released in 2001, and published by Electronic Arts. Sub Command continues the legacy of 688(I) Hunter/Killer. The player takes ...

• Light UGVs

  TMR-I MTF

  The Elektroland TMR-I MTF is the larger of the TMR-I platforms offered by the company at twice the weight of the TMR-I Khan (see separate ...

• Military UAS - small

  Carcará I

  Carcará I is a simple flying-wing UAV developed to meet Brazilian Army specifications for an unmanned platform to provide tactical reconnaissance at platoon level. A ...

• Air: mission management systems

  I-TaCCS

  Integrated Tactical Command and Control Services (I-TaCCS) is a secure, scalable C2 system. Core applications of I-TaCCS are used by several countries, allowing interoperability within ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  SIR-S/I

  The SIR-S/I, manufactured by Leonardo, is a Mode-S secondary surveillance radar. The SIR-S/I is primarily operated for the detection of cooperative targets in air traffic control, ...

• Air: chaff/flare/decoy systems

  BriteCloud

  Leonardo's BriteCloud is a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) expendable active decoy (EAD). The device is designed to disrupt incoming missiles' RF tracking systems and ...

• Military UAS - small

  Skylark I-eVTOL

  The Skylark I-eVTOL is, as its name suggests, an electric-powered VTOL capable development of the Skylark I. Manufactured by Elbit Systems, the drone can be controlled ...