• 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 …

• Naval Warfare

  Thai navy commissions six patrol boats

  3rd December 2016

  The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) formally received six M21 patrol boats into service on 30 November. These will help replace ten aging patrol boats acquired …

• Training

  Kratos achieves milestone for BQM-177A

  2nd December 2016

  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has completed the final development programme milestone for the BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) programme, the company announced on 29 …

• Naval Warfare

  Fifth Project 22160 patrol ship laid down

  2nd December 2016

  Russia’s Zelenodolsk-based A.M. Gorky shipbuilding company reported on 25 November the lay down of the fifth Project 22160 modular patrol ship for the Russian Navy. …

• Training

  Canada extends WES support contract

  2nd December 2016

  The Canadian government has extended its weapon effects simulation (WES) system in-service support contract with Cubic Defense. The contract option was announced on 25 November …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ACTUV demonstrator continues testing

  2nd December 2016

  Leidos is set to begin operational testing of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) technology demonstration vessel. The company is developing the 132ft …

• Defence Notes

  US approves JASSM-ER sale to Poland

  2nd December 2016

  The US has approved a foreign military sale to Poland valued at $200 million for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER), the Defense Security …

• 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 …

• Digital Battlespace

  Rockwell Collins tests HMS bid radio

  2nd December 2016

  Rockwell Collins has completed qualification testing on the AN/PRC-162 for the US Army’s Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit (HMS) programme. The programme will now …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Northrop Grumman details Tern progress

  2nd December 2016

  Northrop Grumman has cleared two milestones for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) programme, the company announced on …

• Land Warfare

  Russia to get 3rd gen anti-tank missile

  2nd December 2016

  Russia’s military design bureaus are completing the design of a third generation of anti-tank missile system. According to recent statements of Lieutenant-General Mikhail Matveevsky, chief …

• Training

  Israel's M-346 training centre complete

  2nd December 2016

  The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF’s) Ground Based Training System (GBTS) centre for the M-346 Lavi trainer aircraft is now complete. Elbit Systems, team lead for …

• 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: Fundamental changes ahead for defence in Europe (video)

  1st December 2016

  Shephard spoke with Simon Williams, chairman defence and security at Clarion Events, about some of the differences between the US and European market ahead of …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: A solution to the readiness crisis?

  1st December 2016

  For years militaries around the world have been on a quest to properly quantify readiness and what it means for the effectiveness of a force …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH [France]

  Background In 2001, the French government made its first purchase of 34 NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters, followed by a second order in 2013 for an ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) programme [France]

  Background The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has elected to bring the launch of the French Armed Forces’ HIL programme forward to 2021. The ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - mini

  Micro & Mini Drones (France)

  Programme Background RequirementOn 23 April 2021, an RfP was published by the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) to supply around 500 micro and nano drones for the ...

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  Mistral SHORAD [Romania]

  Background Romania signed a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans of the French Republic within the "European Joint Acquisition of Mistral ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two OPV 60. Both ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two OPV 60. Both ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | French MALE UAVs [France]

  Given the importance of UAVs in the Russo-Ukrainian War, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces decided it needed a French-made MALE UAV comparable to ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | French MALE UAVs [France]

  Given the importance of UAVs in the Russo-Ukrainian War, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces decided it needed a French-made MALE UAV comparable to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300 [France]

  Programme Background Plans to Purchase At Eurosatory 2022, Col. Arnaud Goujon, the French Army's chief of plans, told the media that the French Army was ...

• OPVs

  OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  Programme Background Timeline During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 (Special Forces) [France]

  Background In French service, advanced H225M Caracals with aerial refuelling capabilities are used by SOF units of the French Air Force (FAF) and French Army. ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (13-15) [France]

  Background In June 2020, The French government has pledged to buy new military heavy-lift helicopters and accelerate plans for naval drone, ISTAR and tanker aircraft programmes ...

• OPVs

  OPV 58 S [Senegal]

  Programme Background Senegal ordered three OPV 58 S patrol vessels on 17 November 2019. A procurement contract was signed between the Ministry of Armed Forces ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri: Short-range loitering munition (Contracted) [France]

  Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated at a press conference in May 2022 that the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri: Short-range loitering munition (Uncontracted) [France]

  Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated at a press conference in May 2022 that the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  Boreades

  Boreades is a modular anti-UAV system developed by CS. This suite combines multi-sensors and multi-effectors in order to enable the detection, identification and neutralisation of rogue ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  UAS 100

  The UAS 100 is an autonomous, three-engined platform, modular UAS manufactured by Thales in partnership with Issoire Aviation, Hionos and with the support of the ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Vespa-15

  The Vespa-15 is a first-person view (FPV) rotary-wing UAV manufactured by a Ukrainian company.  In May 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine announced it ...

• OPVs

  OPV 60

  The OPV 60 is designed to conduct surveillance missions in coastal and EEZ waters. The ship can be armed with a 40mm naval gun and ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Tundra 2

  The Tundra 2 is a rotary-wing UAV from Hexadrone. It is described as a new, modular, plug-and-play, and multi-trade drone. Hexadrone's website states that the French Armed ...

• EO/IR systems

  Euroflir 350

  The Euroflir 350 is an out-of-production gyro-stabilised optronic system. According to Safran, it is effective at long ranges, can track mobile targets, designate important areas for ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH

  Developed as a multinational programme between France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, the European NH90 was designed to meet NATO requirements for multirole capability from ...

• Military UAS - small

  Lanner

  Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024, the Lenner is a modified variant of the Pengion C VTOL drone, specifically modified to meet the SDTL (Light Tactical Drone System) program ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole, Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  H160M

  Airbus is developing the H160M to meet the requirements of the French military for the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, or HIL) programme. It ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  O-NYX

  The Thales O-NYX is a Ultra-Compact Night Vision Goggle used by the French armed forces. They have an enlarged field of vision to 51° compared ...

• Pistols

  Glock Pistol

  The Glock family of pistols have been in widespread service since the Glock 17 was selected for Austrian military and police service in 1982. The company's ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  TDS-FA/-TA/-H

  Thales’ TDS family is comprised of Radar Warning Receivers (RWRs) designed to equip a range of fixed-wing aircraft. The product series includes the TDS-FA designed ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Mistral 2

  MISTRAL is a man-portable, fully digital, heat-seeking missile designed to meet the requirements of all branches of the armed forces to defend against air threats. ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 4x4, Trucks and utility vehicles - 6x6, Trucks and utility vehicles - 8x8

  Kerax Family

  The Kerax family consists of off-road trucks available in 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 configurations, designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces while utilizing ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Trapper VT4

  A militarised version of the commercial Ford Everest 4x4 sports utility vehicle, the Trapper VT4 light all-terrain vehicle has been selected as the French Army's ...