• Land Warfare

  Western Europe is looking to refresh its APC/IFV fleets with potential $41 billion spend

  4th December 2025

  As militaries across Western Europe continue to modernise their capabilities, there are some major potential opportunities in the requirement for armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options

  18th December 2025

  The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.

• Land Warfare

  Supacat and KNDS join forces for British Army vehicle programme

  17th November 2025

  The Land Mobility Programme is the biggest UK opportunity for the next few decades if it all falls into place. Companies have been filling their dance cards as milestones approach in the hope they are not the mirages of the past.

• Land Warfare

  Germany set to order 75 more Leopard 2A8s after 12 months of wins for the platform

  20th November 2025

  Leopard 2 variants have been introduced in 15 European countries and are in use across 23 nations worldwide, with 301 Leopard 2A8s alone having now been ordered.

• Defence Notes

  Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners

  5th December 2025

  While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.

• Land Warfare

  Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles

  19th December 2025

  The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.

• Land Warfare

  KF41 Lynx finds a path but hurdles remain

  11th November 2025

  The Lynx is typically configured as an IFV operated by a crew of three and with space for up to eight dismounts in the rear troop compartment. The platform is being delivered to Hungary, has been contracted for Italy and will soon be in Ukrainian hands in small numbers.

• Land Warfare

  Czech Republic set to order RBS 70 NG systems as CAESAR howitzers begin production

  2nd June 2025

  The Czech Government is to approve the purchase of a fleet of vehicle mounted integrated air defence systems as the country invests to overhaul its equipment. Spending includes two dozen F-35As, CAESAR howitzers and refurbished Leopard tanks.

• Land Warfare

  Active vehicle protection comes to the forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist secure contracts

  16th February 2026

  Experience on the battlefield is accelerating the adoption of active protection systems as technologies continue to evolve to reflect shifting global defence needs.

• Land Warfare

  Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows

  26th June 2025

  Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.

• Defence Notes

  Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat

  20th March 2026

  Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.

• Defence Notes

  Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026

  16th October 2025

  The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.

• Land Warfare

  CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in

  2nd February 2026

  The Common Armoured Vehicle System is continuing to rack up orders as the British Army looks likely to become an operator of the vehicle, while Italy and Ireland are also contenders.

• Land Warfare

  Land forces review: British Army vehicle programme stalls and company results land

  26th November 2025

  In the first monthly review of land forces stories, the Shephard team looks back to evaluate the major news events that have impacted the sector. The UK’s Land Mobility Programme was notable but another setback occurred when a market industry day was scrapped.

• Land Warfare

  Spain to invest billions of dollars on howitzers and other vehicles as it looks to select new tanks

  16th July 2025

  The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus

  While there has been no direct confirmation that Nexter has sold the Titus to Saudi Arabia, it has been confirmed that Nexter has delivered CAESAR ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Denmark]

  Programme Background In 2016, the ATMOS was one of two systems shortlisted to meet a requirement from the Danish Army for up to 21 new ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 1) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Prior to procuring Caesar, Estonia was in the process of acquiring the K9 Thunder as well.  In June 2024, Estonia announced that it would ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Lithuania]

  Programme Background In June 2022, Lithuania awarded KNDS France a contract for 18 Caesar SPHs. This came in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 2) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Estonia procured its first 12 Caesars in June 2024, with deliveries taking place in 2025. This second contract, awarded in February 2026, mirrors ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Wheeled artillery vehicle (VAR) [Argentina]

  Programme Background Argentina currently operates a small fleet of SPHs, split between 24 AMX Mk F3s and 18 VCAs. Both platforms have now exceeded their ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background The Czech government first announced its intention to purchase the Nexter TITUS platform in 2015.  However, a contract did not materialise until July ...

• Self-propelled guns

  M109 Paladin Replacement [Latvia]

  Programme Background Latvia acquired 47 Paladins in the M109A5Oe configuration from 2017 to 2018. These vehicles, purchased second-hand from Austria, had been upgraded to this configuration ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

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

  DT46 [France]

  Programme Background Reports Around Eurosatory 2024, multiple defence news outlets, notably Army Recognition and The Defence Post, reported that the French Army had acquired Delair's ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval [Croatia]

  Programme Background Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many European countries have been modernising their armed forces.  Croatia is no exception ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  VBMR-L Serval (Batch 2) [France]

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• Main battle tanks

  Leclerc XLR [UAE]

  Programme Background Having retired its fleet of AMX-30s in 2021, the UAE relies on its ageing Leclerc MBT fleet to equip its armoured units. Delivered ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI (Qatar)

  Programme Background The VBCI-2 was selected in preference to a competing offer comprising Patria's AMV 8x8 equipped with a Lockheed Martin turret. However, at the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS (Batch 1) [Brazil]

  Programme background Brazil first began looking for a replacement for its Paladins in 2016. The technical requirements for the new platform were first published in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar 6x6 MkII + 8x8

  Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) is a self-propelled 155mm/52cal artillery mounted available on either a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis. The configuration was chosen to provide ...

• Towed guns

  Trajan

  Nexter unveiled the Trajan 155 mm/52 calibre towed gun at IDEX 2013. Trajan was developed for the export market, with the first potential customer being ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  CAESAR

  The Computer Aided Evaluation System for Air Defence Rating (CAESAR) was designed for air defence mission planning and provides a means to train commanders and ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ATLAS

  An interoperable C4I system for artillery missions and resources deployed in the French Army. Commissioned in 2005, ATLAS represents a main element of battlespace digitisation, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI-2

  Nexter unveiled the VBCI-2 IFV, the latest evolution of its 8x8 VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, at DSEI 2015 in London. Using company funds, Nexter has built ...

• Caesar Trauma Patient Simulator

  Caesar is claimed to be one of the most realistic and physiologically advanced trauma patient simulators available. The mannequin, which represents a 1.93m, 68kg soldier, ...

• Main battle tanks

  EMBT

  KNDS (KMW + NEXTER Defense Systems) presented its first joint product, the EMBT (European Main Battle Tank) demonstrator, at the June 2018 Eurosatory defence exhibition. The EMBT mounts ...

• Land: RWS

  ARX 20

  The ARX 20 was developed by Nexter to meet demand for a vehicle-mounted RWS that offers more firepower than an RWS armed with a 12.7mm ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Helic³om

  Helic³om is a fully digital, integrated C3 and mission management system designed to provide crew with data communications and accurate, real-time tactical pictures. The modular ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Aravis

  Nexter unveiled its 12.5t Aravis at Eurosatory 2008, and in April 2009, the company received a launch order for 15 vehicles to equip French Army ...

• Naval guns

  Narwhal

  Narwhal is a 20mm, remotely operated naval gun turret by Nexter Systems. It utilises Nexter Systems' M621/M693 cannons, also deployed on helicopters. Narwhal can be ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  TITUS

  Nexter Systems unveiled the Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System (TITUS) 6x6 modular armoured vehicle at DSEI 2013. TITUS was developed for the export market ...

• Medium UGVs

  Ultro

  Nexter Robotic's Ultro is a 4x4 multi-mission tactical robot designed as a multi-role platform UGV.  100% electric and capable of silent running, the Ultro is ...

• Self-propelled guns

  RapidFire

  Thales unveiled the RapidFire, intended to protect both mobile forces and key assets/fixed points, at the Eurosatory 2012 exhibition. The system is designed to exploit ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  155MM LU 211

  German company KNDS-Nexter's 155MM LU 211 is a long-ranged medium calibre artillery shell designed to neutralise and supress the enemy.  It can engage targets at ...