• Digital Battlespace

  The Growing Role of Satellite Communications in Multi-Domain Operations (Studio)

  10th July 2024

  The landscape of military and humanitarian operations is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing necessity for real-time, secure information sharing across multiple domains. As multi-domain operations and information superiority become central to mission success, the role of satellite communications (SATCOM) is evolving to meet these critical demands.

• Land Warfare

  Four issues the armoured vehicle industry needs to tackle

  18th June 2024

  As evident at Eurosatory 2024, the procurement of armoured vehicles is progressing, but some projects have stalled or been abandoned due to the fluid geopolitical and conflict landscape. Buyers, manufacturers and operators have been reassessing their needs, desires and capabilities amid tightening budgets and escalating demands.

• Defence Notes

  US Congress prepares $4 billion package to fund Iron Dome and Arrow 3 for Israel

  8th July 2024

  US representatives plan to allocate resources from the FY2025 defence and foreign operations budget to support the improvement of Jerusalem’s missile-defence architecture.

• Naval Warfare

  UAE Coast Guard orders 10 OPVs for $434 million

  20th May 2024

  A deal to supply 10 P51MR-class 51m offshore patrol vessels to the UAE Coast Guard was proceeded by the signing of an Abu Dhabi-based JV between Fincantieri and EDGE.

• Air Warfare

  Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE

  25th April 2024

  The arrival of the latest GlobalEye marked the fourth AEW&C aircraft delivery to the UAE in just four years.

• Air Warfare

  Why the USAF's Sentinel ICBM faces multiple challenges

  31st July 2024

  Although it has survived the Nunn-McCurdy Review, the Sentinel ICBM programme must get Congressional support and extra resources to progress.

• Training

  VRAI wins UK MoD Pathfinder contract for MLRS simulator

  30th April 2024

  Newcastle-based training tech firm has secured a contract to create a cutting-edge simulator for the M270 Multi Launch Rocket System.

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin wins contract for more Precision Strike Missiles

  7th March 2024

  In November 2023, Lockheed Martin announced it had successfully completed a production qualification flight test of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The company has received an order for more missiles.

• Air Warfare

  Poland secures mega missile order for $3.5 billion on 25th NATO anniversary

  13th March 2024

  Poland's military modernisation agenda has continued with the approval of multibillion-dollar missile agreements, as the country attempts to demonstrate its commitment to defence amid regional tensions.

• Air Warfare

  How the US decision to divert Patriot and NASAMS deliveries to Ukraine will impact NATO countries

  24th June 2024

  Short-term shipments of US-made missiles will be delayed and a new delivery schedule is yet to be defined.

• Naval Warfare

  Naval artificial intelligence demonstrated in new applications in Paris

  9th July 2024

  The prevalence of AI-enabled solutions from startups and major defence company at this year’s Eurosatory highlighted both the potential benefits and trust-related challenges associated with its adoption.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Eurodrone offers boost to European defence industry

  15th June 2024

  Joint European project to create MALE UAV has led to major job generation and offered a significant supply chain boost to the continent’s defence industry.

• Defence Notes

  In depth: US and China’s complex arms race over Taiwan

  28th June 2024

  The US and China have been engaging in a complex game of mutual deterrence over Taiwan in a race that features a bewildering range of different equipment.

• Training

  Announcement: Scott R Gourley takes over as new editor of Shephard’s Decisive Edge Training newsletter

  27th March 2024

  Following the successful launch of its Decisive Edge Training newsletter in 2023, Shephard is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott R Gourley as the next editor of this leading digital publication.

• Training

  US Air Force fires warning as China attempts to recruit US airmen

  20th February 2024

  US Air Force authorities have warned that Beijing has been trying to contract experienced US personnel to fill PRC training gaps in tactics, techniques and procedures.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 212CD (1-4) [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway selected TKMS as the shipbuilder for its new class of Type 212CD submarines to replace the six Ula-class SSKs currently in service. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Second Hand Submarine Procurement [Argentina]

  Programme Background Argentina is seeking to rebuild its submarine force, as ARA Salta and ARA Santa Cruz are no longer operational. In the short term, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Flute MLRS

  The Flute Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a self-propelled missile system that can be armed with up to eight unguided S-8 rockets (Flute-80) or ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Ula Class

  The Ula-class conventional attack submarines (SSK) was a joint project between Norway and Germany, with some sections made in Norway, but assembled in Germany, equipped ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 14/15

  SERO 14/15 periscopes were developed on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement. Used in Norwegian ULA plus German and Italian Type ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer

  The Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer expands the Action Speed Tactical Trainer’s sonar capability with new sonar simulations to create a dedicated ASW trainer. Various ...

• Major networking projects

  Missile Defence

  In 2010, NATO rolled out an initial capability to protect alliance forces against missile threats and is now examining options for protecting territory and populations. ...

• Major networking projects

  AGS

  NATO is acquiring an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a picture of the situation on the ground in areas of interest. ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces. 

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 212CD

  Norway is to get four new Type 212CD ‘common design’ submarines to replace the existing Ula-class SSKs after it selected German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Sea: procedural training, Sea: tactical training

  Submarine Training Systems

  Thales has delivered submarine training systems to nations around the world, including Submarine Control Simulators and Machinery Control Trainers, with example deployments being the UK ...

• Major networking projects

  Air and Missile Defence

  NATO Air and Missile Defence comprises all measures aimed at monitoring and reacting to potential air threats in NATO airspace, as well as countering hostile ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Granat-1

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) – the largest Russian manufacturing company that produces a wide range of precision weapons – includes at least ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Granat-4 (Rubezh-20)

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) includes at least six tactical variants: the Granat-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6. A popular ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Argus Elite

  The Argus Elite is a rotary-wing micro UAS manufactured Alliance Solutions Group (ASG). Its EO/IR cameras and hazardous material sensors allow it to capture positional, chemical, ...

• Air: mission management systems

  DSAR

  Data Storage and Retrieval (DSAR) provides the capability for storing, managing and disseminating joint ISR and operational C2 data and information. It can support cross-community ...