• Naval Warfare

  USS Zumwalt undocked after supersonic weapons upgrade

  10th December 2024

  The vessel will be the first in the US fleet to carry the Conventional Prompt Strike capability.

• Training

  Greece join European air transport training programme and C-27J grouping

  5th March 2024

  Greece ordered 12 C-27J transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin in 2002 with an option for a further three. So far, eight have been delivered under the contract and the country has now joined a European grouping to support users.

• Naval Warfare

  Israel buys five Reshef missile ships to bolster its arsenal

  16th December 2024

  The five Reshef corvettes are expected to patrol Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone and critical infrastructure.

• Naval Warfare

  Frigate building in South America – the fleet renewal challenge

  2nd April 2024

  South America has become something of a retirement village warships where the average age of major surface combatants is 40 years, some of which should probably be in a museum. Peru, however, has joined Brazil and Colombia in a group of three countries that have been attempting to modernise their fleets with new frigates and corvettes built in local shipyards.

• 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.

• Naval Warfare

  Admiral Franchetti acknowledges importance of XLUUVs on Orca visit

  9th December 2024

  The US chief of naval operations made the comments on a visit to Boeing’s Orca XLUUV.

• Air Warfare

  India launches homegrown fifth-generation fighter programme despite ongoing advanced fighter engine gap

  12th March 2024

  New Delhi’s plans for the debut of its first AMCA fighter prototype within four and a half years have been marred by the nation’s ongoing struggle to bridge the technological gap in developing advanced fighter jet engines.

• Digital Battlespace

  Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing

  11th April 2024

  The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  SpearUAV awarded contract worth up to $60 million for Viper 300 loitering munition

  16th December 2024

  In addition to this significant contract, SpearUAV announced deals for both offensive systems such as the Viper 300 and Viper 750 systems for naval use along with defensive systems such as Viper I (Interceptor).

• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems thinks littorally with new ship designs

  6th December 2024

  The shape of littoral combat is evolving, but will the Littoral Strike Craft from BAE Systems meet the needs of navies?

• Air Warfare

  First three F-16V fighter jets head to Bahrain

  7th March 2024

  Bahrain, long an operator of F-16s within the Gulf Cooperation Council, will become the first customer to adopt the newest and most advanced configuration of the renowned Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to invest more than $32 billion in shipbuilding in FY2025

  18th March 2024

  The service’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year included the procurement of six battle force ships.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract

  4th April 2024

  DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.

• Land Warfare

  UK establishes mortar barrel production capability

  11th December 2024

  Precision machining company brings production of 60mm, 81mm and 120mm smooth bore mortar barrels back to the UK.

• Digital Battlespace

  First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched

  8th April 2024

  In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [France]

  Background In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Spain

  In December 2018, Spain Air Force took delivery of its first A400M. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and operational ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic Tanker ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Hungary]

  Programme Background The aircraft for Hungary will be specially configured for tactical transport operations, air-to-air refuelling of the service's Saab Gripen C/D fighters, and medical ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-390 [Colombia]

  Background Role and requirements The Colombian KC-390s are going to be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, cargo/troop transport, and air-to-air refuelling. The aircraft will ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y tanker aircraft [USA]

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I Follow-On [India]

  Programme Background The IN currently has eight P-8I aircraft in service, these ordered on 4 January 2009 for $2.1 billion. India inducted its first P-8I ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I (13-18) [India]

  Programme Background India previously bought eight P-8Is from Boeing in 2009 in a direct commercial sale, adding four more in 2016. India inducted its first ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Follow-On (Israel Aid) [U.S.]

  Programme Background In August 2025, Israel approved the acquisition of 2 additional KC-46A aircraft as a follow-on to a 2022 contract for four aircraft. The ...

• Transport

  C-130J [USA]

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and foreign ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 [Argentina]

  Background The Chief of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier Gustavo Valverde, announced that a formal request was submitted through the U.S. FMS process for two KC-135R variant ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-25 Stingray (16-76) [USN]

  Background Initial requirements The programme looked different when it began. In 2013, the USN awarded four Preliminary Design Review (PDR) contracts to Boeing, General Atomics, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-767 JBOT Trainer

  ACME has delivered a Remote Air Refueling Operator trainer to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The trainer supports the KC-767J tanker aircraft that has a remote ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  X-47B UCAS

  The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft, which was developed as part of the USN's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration project. The aircraft ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  MC-X Orca

  At DX Korea 2022, KAI presented an MC-X Orca medium transport aircraft concept model. The twin-engine aircraft is aimed at the Republic of Korea Air Force ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Loitering munitions

  359

  Unveiled in January 2025, the 359 is a surface-to-air (SAM) loitering munition. It is designed to engage targets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers, and other high-altitude surveillance and ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hellenic Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered two F-16C Block 52+ Aircrew Training Devices (ATDs) to the Hellenic Air Force. The trainers enable pilots to hone air-to-air and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Trailers

  M900 Series

  Heil’s M900-series tactical refuellers are designed and built to meet US military performance standards. The M967A2 ground equipment refueller and the M969A3 aircraft refueller are ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  M-346 FMS

  Developed in conjunction with CAE, the M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) can emulate basic fighter manoeuvres, formation flight, in-flight refuelling and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  MB-339C

  The MB-339C is an advanced/lead-in fighter trainer developed based on the MB-339A that made its first flight in August 1976. The latest MB-339C version is ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  CF6-80E1A3

  The CF6-80E engines, developed by GE Aviation, power the newest generation of airliners such as Airbus A330. The engine incorporates a new 96-inch (2.44 meters) ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Transport, Refuelling and Sensor Aircraft Training

  Thales supports air force training needs for multi-mission aircraft in service around the world including A400M, MRTT/Voyager, Boeing Wedgetail, C-130 and KC-135, covering tactical airlift, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Fast Jet Training

  Thales provides a suite of training products for the life-cycle of military fast jet training. These encompass the design, development and establishment of training services ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...