• Air Warfare

  France’s VSR700 maritime drone flies in operational configuration at sea

  15th May 2023

  Airbus Helicopters and the French armament agency DGA have tested the VSR700 maritime rotary-wing UAS in an operational configuration from a ship at sea for the first time.

• Digital Battlespace

  Comtech wins $30 million contract for next-gen Troposcatter systems

  17th July 2023

  Comtech has secured a $30 million contract to provide its next-generation Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) to Fairwinds Technologies, enhancing US Army tactical communications capabilities and JADC2 operations.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Bayraktar TB2 UAV living up to expectations?

  15th September 2023

  Sold to well over 20 countries and combat-proven in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Bayraktar TB2 has been an export success for its Turkish manufacturer. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the aircraft's design and capabilities and reviews in depth who is buying it and why.

• Air Warfare

  Germany's potential SCAF exit for GCAP unpacked

  3rd November 2023

  The leaked information about Germany leaving the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS/SCAF) project and joining the rival Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) hints at the growing complexities and tensions within the Franco-German partnership.

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin unveils plans to develop new class of 500kW laser weapon

  31st July 2023

  Lockheed Martin will scale its technology to a 500kW-class laser under a new contract, aiming to optimize efficiency and size while increasing power for high-powered directed energy weapon systems.

• Naval Warfare

  ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Mazagon Dock team up for INS Shankush overhaul

  27th July 2023

  Over the next three years, INS Shankush will be modernised by India's state-owned shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will be responsible for supplying equipment packages.

• Naval Warfare

  Italian Navy overcomes delays in PPA ship deliveries

  29th September 2023

  Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the third of seven Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA) Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Italian Navy during a ceremony on 27 September.

• Digital Battlespace

  The Global Quest for Seamless Communication: Bridging the Communication Gap (Studio)

  7th September 2023

  The evolution of the global satellite communications industry highlights the importance of interoperability, connectivity, and technological advancements to address modern warfare challenges and ensure resilient coalition operations.

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE Systems Australia secures deal to maintain RAAF's E-7A Wedgetail aircraft fleet

  19th July 2023

  BAE Systems Australia has secured a two-year contract extension to sustain the electronic warfare systems of the RAAF's E-7A Wedgetail aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Greece faces reduced buy of ex-Dutch mine countermeasure vessels after Ukraine donations

  16th August 2023

  The Hellenic defence procurement agency GDDIA has reconfirmed its interest in procuring mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) from the Netherlands despite only three now being available.

• Training

  Quantum3D introduces latest platform support for flight simulator

  18th August 2023

  Quantum3D has launched the latest iteration of its mixed reality (MR) flight simulator solution featuring motion platform, seamless calibration and alignment wizard.

• Naval Warfare

  Anschütz showcases mine countermeasure system for Indonesian Navy at IMDEX

  2nd May 2023

  Anschütz is showcasing a mine countermeasure (MCM) suite designed and developed for the Indonesian Navy at IMDEX Asia 2023 in Singapore.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Australian companies launch rockets from Funnel Web robot, point to Ukraine potential

  7th September 2023

  Australian companies Black Sky Aerospace and Funnel Web Systems showcased a demonstration of rocket-firing from a UGV at Poland's MSPO, specifically pointing to potential in the war in Ukraine as a scenario where they could be used.

• Land Warfare

  Russian Army to boost wheeled artillery forces with series of major contracts

  4th September 2023

  During the Army-2023 event in August, a series of major contracts were inked between the Burevestnik company and the Russian Ministry of Defence, aimed at pushing new wheeled artillery systems into service.

• Naval Warfare

  Anzac-class frigate to test-fire Sea Ceptor in New Zealand's first naval missile launch in seven years

  15th August 2023

  HMNZS Te Mana is conduct a five-month deployment to test all the new equipment it received during the recent Frigate Systems Upgrade (FSU) project, including a first missile firing since 2016.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Minehunters

  Kormoran II Class MCM (4-6) [Poland]

  Programme Background Timeline As of March 2022, the Kormoran II-class consists of six minehunters for the Polish Navy. However, as of June 2022, only one vessel has been ...

• Frigates

  MKS 180 Programme (5-6) [Germany]

  Programme Background Requirements The MKS 180 frigate programme for the Federal German Navy reflects the desire for the German government to become more engaged on ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Data links

  Data links | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Maritime patrol

  C295 MPAs [India]

  Programme Background In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) [USA]

  The Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) programme seeks to develop and acquire a family of systems, including crewed and uncrewed aircraft, to replace rotary life aircraft ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) [USA]

  The Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) programme seeks to develop and acquire a family of systems, including crewed and uncrewed aircraft, to replace rotary life aircraft ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (Saudi Arabia)

  The sale is aimed at improving Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems, provide the capability to identify, engage ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  AW119 Koala-Portugal

  The order includes options for a further two aircraft. The helicopters will be deployed in a range of missions, including training, MEDEVAC, troop transport and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat [Romania]

  Programme Background Modernisation According to HotNews, a Romanian news outlet reporting on 25 February 2025, the Romanian MoD announced to journalists that it would focus on ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) [UK]

  The Royal Navy's (RN) Uncrewed Aerial Systems Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC), or Heavy Lift Challenge, is a developmental programme exploring cargo-carrying uncrewed technology and new acquisition approaches.  Phase ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Sea: navigation radar

  FAR-3000

  The FAR-3000 is Furuno's chart radar used to provide situational awareness and navigation safety. It has been developed mainly as a commercial radar, but New ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Protecteur Class JSS

  The Canadian government announced on 2 June 2013 the selection of the Berlin-class design, proposed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Canada, to meet the Royal Canadian Navy’s ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Scorpene Class

  The Chilean Scorpene-class were procured from the consortium composed of Naval Group and Navantia in the late 1990s. The submarines, which were delivered between 2005 and ...

• 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 ...

• Patrol boats

  Warrior Class (Stan Patrol 6211)

  Under Project Biro, the South African Navy is acquiring three new multi-mission inshore patrol vessels. The project is expected to run for approximately seven years, ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Gotland Class

  Three Gotland-class (A19) conventional attack submarines are in service with the Swedish Navy. All three boats have completed an extensive mid-life upgrade. The submarines now ...

• Data links

  Multimedia Com HDLP

  HDLP is a software object providing data link layer services for HF radio data communications. It has been designed for insertion as the data link ...

• Subsystems: hardware

  Maritime Console

  The Discovery Machine Maritime Console can create highly intelligent entities for use in simulated training events. It is designed to work with the USN Joint ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SitaWare Maritime

  Developed by Systematic, SitaWare Maritime is a C4ISR system that emphasises interoperability, the ability to provide a recognised maritime picture, and data-led decision-making aids. According ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar, Sea: navigation radar

  SharpEye

  The SharpEye radar is a multi-band combined naval navigation and surveillance radar manufactured by Kelvin Hughes (now under Hensoldt UK). It is marketed towards navies, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  AeroForce 380

  The AeroForce 380 is a MALE fixed-wing drone. Based on the Milkor 380, it is tailored for maritime surveillance and Coast Guard missions. It can ...

• Maritime patrol

  Cessna Maritime Patrol

  The Cessna 'special mission' Maritime Patrol Aircraft is a variant of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet developed by Textron aviation. Textron has stated the onboard systems, ...

• EO/IR systems

  Tornado-ER

  The Tornado-ER is an EO panoramic scanning and automatic maritime target detection system that can automatically detect a range of land and maritime targets, including ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ELM-2022ES

  The ELM-2022 is an AESA maritime patrol radar developed by Elta Systems. The ELM-2022ES is a variant within the 2022 radar family designed for deployment ...