• Land Warfare

  US approves sale of Assault Amphibious Vehicles to Romania

  28th July 2023

  The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 16 Assault Amphibious Vehicles and related equipment to Romania, enhancing Romania's defence capabilities and the NATO alliance.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  USAF successfully flies Angry Kitten jamming pod on MQ-9 UAV

  24th July 2023

  The USAF has integrated the Angry Kitten ALQ-167 EW countermeasure pod onto a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 UAV.

• Training

  US Navy T-45 Goshawk trainers to receive digital head-up display

  13th July 2023

  Mercury Systems has received a five-year contract worth $83 million from the Naval Air Systems Command to deliver high-definition, digital head-up display (HUD) systems for the T-45 Goshawk training aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: Gowind 2500 corvette enjoys strong export business despite Romanian rejection

  5th September 2023

  France's Naval Group's Gowind 2500 corvette, designed for multiple naval missions, has gained popularity worldwide. Shephard Defence Insight provides detailed analysis of its export contracts, armament and technical specifications.

• Land Warfare

  Supacat and NP Aerospace deliver lightweight recovery vehicles to British Army

  28th July 2023

  Supacat and NP Aerospace have this week delivered lightweight recovery vehicles to the British Army as part of the PMETS contract, addressing the off-road recovery needs of high mobility transport vehicles.

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design

  2nd June 2023

  Sikorsky has yet to reveal its production plans for its UK New Medium Helicopter contender while industry anxiously anticipate the release of critical acquisition targets. The company also continues the exploration of its X helicopter concept for the international market.

• Air Warfare

  Rheinmetall breaks ground on F-35 fuselage plant

  1st August 2023

  The Rheinmetall F-35A factory is set to produce at least 400 fighter jet fuselages for Germany and other NATO operators.

• Training

  French Navy conducts first anti-drone training exercise

  3rd July 2023

  France's Naval Action Force (FAN) has conducted a dedicated exercise to train ship crews, marine riflemen and fast jet pilots in countering asymmetric drone threats.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy F/A-18s return to the Hornets' nest for Block III upgrades

  26th July 2023

  Boeing's Super Hornet Block III modernisation programme promises to significantly extend the jet's service life, while also introducing advanced capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force continues to invest in eVTOL capabilities

  1st August 2023

  Under the latest investment, Archer Aviation will supply up to six Midnight eVTOL aircraft to the USAF, designed for short-distance trips and capable of carrying four passengers and a pilot.

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing to produce 21 more Apache helicopters for US Army and international customer

  24th July 2023

  Boeing has received a contract modification to produce an additional 21 AH-64E Apache helicopters for the US Army and an international customer, bringing the total to 205.

• Defence Helicopter

  ITP Aero tests NH90 engines with sustainable fuel

  26th July 2023

  ITP Aero has successfully completed engine testing using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the NH90 helicopter's GE CT7-8F5 engines, marking a significant step in reducing emissions.

• Naval Warfare

  Thales nets £169 million contract for Dreadnought submarine masts

  13th July 2023

  Thales has been awarded a £169 million ($220 million) contract for the UK RN's future Dreadnought submarines Integrated Combat System Mast.

• Digital Battlespace

  Insitu reveals next-generation sensor demo at US Army exercise

  4th July 2023

  Insitu Pacific showcased advanced sensors on board its Integrator UAS during the US Army's Project Convergence 2022.

• Special Operations

  UPDATED: Romania orders Polaris DAGOR special operations vehicles

  12th July 2023

  Polaris has been awarded a contract to provide 50 of its DAGOR ultralight tactical vehicles to Romania, joining other NATO countries such as Canada, the UK and US as operators.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Canada]

  Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services are ...

• Trainer

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Canada]

  Background Requirement The new procurement will result in one contract covering all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101-Norway

  AgustaWestland is also providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance ...

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

  V-SHORAD [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army's future GBAD system "will provide tactical air defence protection to friendly forces and vital installations during expeditionary and domestic operations against ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300/600 [Canada]

  Background Contract award In February 2025, the Canadian government finalised a $67-million deal with AeroVironment (AV) to acquire the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 to equip ...

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

  Uplift SHORAD UOR [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army's future GBAD system "will provide tactical air defence protection to friendly forces and vital installations during expeditionary and domestic operations against the ...

• 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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15EX (2020) [USA]

  Programme Background The F-15EX is based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering munitions [Canada]

  Background Switchblade acquisition In February 2025, the Canadian government finalised a $67 million deal with AeroVironment (AV) to acquire the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Inkas M1 MRAP (Batch 2) [Canada]

  Background In 2026, Canada acquired 10 Inkas M1 MRAPs. The M1 was developed by Inkas to provide a domestic Canadian armoured 4x4 capability.  Shephard understands ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Background Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with next-generation surface ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) [Canada]

  Background Programme inception The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Target Acquisition System (JUSTAS) project was established to procure a UAS for the ...

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

  RBS-70 NG [Canada]

  Background In February 2024 Canada announced its intention to urgently procure the RBS-70 NG short-range air defence system (SHORAD).  Saab was awarded a $227 million ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (Ukraine Aid) [Canada]

  Background The ACSV will meet the Canadian Army's requirement for a new armoured vehicle with greater mobility, operating range, protection and operational versatility than the ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  Background In 2010, the USAF announced the replacement of the HH-60G with a new Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH), and in 2012, the request for proposals ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Trainer

  Phenom 100

  Phenom 100 is a very light jet originally developed for single owner-pilot operation but later gained popularity as a jet trainer aircraft. The platform first ...

• Trainer

  T-6A/B Texan II

  The T-6 Texan II is a single-engine trainer aircraft, which was developed from the Pilatus PC-9 to meet the training requirements of USAF and USN ...

• EW test systems

  EWITR

  The EW Instrumented Training Range (EWITR) provides threat radar simulators and master control stations for aircrew training in tactics development using modelling and simulation, and ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-38C Talon

  FlightSafety supports nearly 40 T-38 training devices as part of its contract for logistics support for the T-38. The T-38C is a converted T-38A/B that ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  HATS

  In October 2014, the Australian government approved a A$700 million (US$530 million) contract award to Boeing Defence Australia, teamed with Thales Australia, to provide the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  USN T-44C Training Services

  In late 2013, CAE USA received a contract to provide the USN with comprehensive T-44C aircrew training services at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. CAE USA ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 (T-54A)

  The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin-engine turboprop which the USN has selected as part of the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) programme. Ten aircraft were ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  HITS-A

  Collins Aerospace is the prime contractor designing and developing the first integrated aircrew training systems for the E-2D, leading the Hawkeye Integrated Training System for ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  RCAF CC-130J Training Services

  CAE is the prime contractor for the Operational Training Systems Provider (OTSP) programme to support the 17-strong CC-130J fleet in RCAF service. The first OTSP ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Tiger Aircrew Training

  Thales provides Tiger aircrew training solutions for the armed forces in Australia, France and Germany. Thales is currently upgrading the systems under the Tiger aircrew training ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  US Army Flight School XXI OFT/RCTD

  L3Harris Technologies is a major subcontractor to CSC on the US Army’s Flight School XXI (FSXXI) programme. L3Harris Technologies has built or is under contract ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  NVTS/NVGTS

  The Night Vision Training System (NVTS) combines academic instruction with interactive demonstrations to optimise a pilot's ability to see at night without the use of ...