• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to invest nearly $12 billion in maritime uncrewed systems and naval munitions in FY2026

  15th July 2025

  Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.

• Air Warfare

  UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity

  19th May 2026

  The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.

• Air Warfare

  Raytheon completes first test for ground-launched StormBreaker

  25th September 2025

  The new variant was designed and tested in a little under two months, Raytheon said. The precision-strike weapon, as with the air-launched variant, is designed to be used in GPS-contested areas.

• Land Warfare

  FNSS adds punch to Pars to increase appeal

  23rd September 2025

  FNSS’s Pars family of vehicles is looking to capitalise on export growth as it increases the punch of its 4×4 Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicle (WACV).

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds

  5th August 2025

  Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  The shift away from Chinese drone technology presents supplier opportunities

  20th May 2026

  As countries increasingly move away from Chinese drone manufacturing and focus on domestic production and collaboration, Europe and the US are well-placed to step in – although cost remains a crucial consideration.

• Land Warfare

  EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward

  28th October 2025

  EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.

• Naval Warfare

  Australian navy commissions two additional Austal-built patrol boats

  15th May 2025

  Despite bolstering its patrol fleet with new Evolved Cape-class vessels, the Royal Australian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel programme remains mired in delays, indecision and criticism over underwhelming capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  The potential impact of US tariffs on the F-35A

  20th October 2025

  The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs have raised questions on the desirability and feasibility of the F-35A for key US allies including Canada and Switzerland. With combined orders amounting to 126 units, both nations undertook reviews of their ongoing fighter programmes.

• Air Warfare

  Italy orders two G550 electronic attack aircraft under $300 million deal

  22nd July 2025

  Known as the EA-37B Compass Call Standoff Jamming aircraft, L3Harris in partnership with BAE Systems was awarded U$300 million to modify the Gulfstream aircraft for Italy.

• Air Warfare

  MQ-28A Ghost Bat: Australia’s drone charts the future of loyal wingman UAVs

  6th October 2025

  Boeing Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat stands as the oldest “loyal wingman” currently in development, with potential European opportunity on the horizon for the uncrewed aerial vehicle.

• Air Warfare

  The growing importance of the Blue UAS Cleared List

  21st October 2025

  Inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Cleared List is set to become ever more crucial for uncrewed aerial vehicle manufacturers due to the access it gives to the US market, which is set to expand significantly over the next 10 years.

• Land Warfare

  What does Germany’s new tank joint venture mean for MGCS?

  16th July 2025

  Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show 2025: Parrot’s new microdrone ANAFI UKR breaks cover

  23rd June 2025

  While the Paris Air Show marked the first time the ANAFI UKR has been publicly shown, the ISR drone has been in use with various armed forces for the last eight months, Parrot told Shephard.

• Naval Warfare

  Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win

  22nd August 2025

  A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Explorer Class / T-AGOS Surtass Ships (1-5) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing TAGOS ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Explorer Class / T-AGOS Surtass Ships (1-5) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing TAGOS ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) [USN]

  Programme background Timeline Austal USA is building all the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards for the use ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | T-AGOS Surtass Ships (6-7) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | T-AGOS Surtass Ships (6-7) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 [USN]

  Programme Background Timeline The US Navy LCU 1700 amphibious landing craft are being procured to replace the ageing LCU 1610 class, which has an average ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Navajo Class (T-ATS) [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy (USN) are replacing the ageing three remaining T-ATF 166 class tugboats and two remaining T-ARS 50 class ships with ...

• OPVs

  Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC 5 - 15) [USCG]

  Programme Background Timeline The Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) programme began in 2014 when the Coast Guard awarded $64 million in design contracts to Eastern. Bolliger ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Explorer Class / T-AGOS Surtass Ships (1-5) [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS) ships focus on gathering underwater acoustical data to support the mission of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | T-AGOS Surtass Ships (1-5) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing TAGOS ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | T-AGOS Surtass Ships (1-5) [USN]

  The US Navy, through the T-AGOS(X) programme, is looking to procure seven new Ocean Surveillance Ships. The new vessels are intended to replace five ageing TAGOS ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Medium Landing Ship (11-33) [USMC]

  Programme Background Requirements As part of the US Marine Corps' future force structure, it is developing a new platform under the Medium Lading Ship programme ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  T-AGOS Surtass Ships (6-7) [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS) ships focus on gathering underwater acoustical data to support the mission of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  LXX Procurement/Buques Nodriza [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements In December 2024, the Spanish Navy released the "Armada 2050" plan, a strategic document that details the development and the long-term vision ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Spearhead Class EPF

  The Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) (formerly the Joint High-Speed Vessel – JHSV, redesignated in September 2015) can transport troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Navajo Class

  The Navajo-class is the USN's new class of towing, salvage, and rescue ships to replace the current T-ATF 166 and T-ARS 50 class ships. This ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCU 1700

  In 2018, Swiftships was awarded a contract for the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700, which will replace the 32 ageing LCU 1610 class. The contract contains ...

• Frigates

  Independence Class (LCS)

  The USN’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was originally envisaged to be 50 ships, which would provide a coastal platform that would take over from ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Explorer Class (T-AGOS)

  The T-AGOS or Explorer-class vessels are ocean surveillance vessels being built for the US Navy (USN) by Austal USA. They are designed to support the ...

• Military - USVs

  Overlord Uncrewed Surface Vessel

  The Overlord Uncrewed Surface Vessels (OUSV) are a fleet of US Navy (USN) Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) consisting of four vessels under a programme named ...

• OPVs

  Heritage Class

  The Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) is under construction for the USCG to bridge the capability gap between the National Security Cutter, which patrols the ...

• Military - USVs

  Surveyor

  Surveyor is a long-endurance, Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) built by Saildrone in the US. Surveyor is designed for military and commercial purposes. Its primary mission ...

• Patrol boats

  Cape Class

  The Cape-class patrol boat was contracted to Australian company Austal in 2011 as a replacement for the Australian Customs and Border Protection fleet of Bay-class ...

• OPVs

  Offshore Patrol 83

  Australian company Austal unveiled its proposed design for the Philippine Navy's OPV  requirement at Pacific 2019. The affordable steel hull design also features an aluminium ...

• Patrol boats

  Guardian Class

  The Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boats are being manufactured under the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement project by the Australian shipbuilding company Austal. The project is aimed ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (LMV-M)

  The Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LVM-M) is a medium landing craft design jointly developed by Birdon and Incat Crowther. The design has been selected ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Vantage 55

  The Vantage 55 is a Large Optionally-crewed Surface Vessel (LOSV) designed by Australian manufacturer Austal. It is designed as a modular vessel that can be ...

• OPVs

  OPV 60/Lethal Cape Class

  During the Indo-Pacific 2022, Austal unveiled the new OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) 60 design. Austal offers the platform in three different configurations: Patrol, Surveillance and ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  Caimen 500

  Developed by BMT, the Caimen 500 is designed to deliver heavy rolling and cargo payload directly to a beach, hard standing or port. The design ...