• Air Warfare

  F-35B delivery date slips to 2026, UK MoD confirms

  26th November 2025

  The UK was originally set to receive all remaining aircraft by the end of 2025, although the MoD had previously forecast that deliveries could be delayed until April 2026.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes

  19th February 2026

  As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.

• Air Warfare

  Saab Gripen E/F: the multirole fighter that’s seeing a resurgence (updated 2026)

  14th April 2026

  The single-engine multirole fighter jet is seeing heightened demand with a sizeable orderbook and expanding export potential, as Shephard summarises the aircraft’s latest orders and developments.

• Air Warfare

  Colombia inks $3.6 billion deal for 17 Gripen E/F aircraft

  17th November 2025

  The deal for the aircraft makes Colombia the fourth country to order the type with deliveries scheduled between 2026 to 2032.

• Air Warfare

  Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays

  9th March 2026

  The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Boeing cements partnership to pitch T-7 Red Hawk for UK trainer requirement

  22nd July 2026

  BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab have signed a teaming agreement to advance their partnership on a next-generation pilot training offer for the UK, based on the T-7 Red Hawk.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2025: Boeing emphasises uncrewed teaming capability plans for F-15EX

  17th November 2025

  The F-15EX is being promoted by the manufacturer as an ideal platform to pair with uncrewed systems.

• Air Warfare

  US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies

  20th March 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has taken the lion’s share of this round, with the US supporting its F-16 fleet and signing off on possible sales for more AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles and a counter-drone system.

• Air Warfare

  Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?

  22nd April 2026

  While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.

• Air Warfare

  Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2026)

  28th January 2026

  The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet remains in the limelight more than 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and details everything you need to know about the aircraft in 2026.

• Air Warfare

  Peru’s air combat modernisation effort opens up $2.5 billion market opportunity

  22nd May 2026

  The latest purchase of F-16V combat aircraft comes as the country presses ahead with its long-held plans to modernise its air combat capabilities and invest in the replacement of ageing Russian aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Does the increase in US firepower in the Middle East indicate another Iran strike?

  27th January 2026

  The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.

• Air Warfare

  Air forces review: Combat aircraft missile milestones hit as tanker and transport orders climb

  28th May 2026

  As countries look to improve their combat aircraft capabilities, May has highlighted strong demand from European countries for aerial refuelling platforms as industry pushes forward next-generation missile test updates for eventual UK combat aircraft integration.

• Air Warfare

  What does the FY2027 US budget signal for the country’s future airpower plans?

  16th April 2026

  The record-breaking defence budget request focuses on bolstering some core next-generation aircraft programmes across each domain, although questions remain on the US's commitment to some key defence programmes.

• Air Warfare

  What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?

  9th March 2026

  The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  Programme Background The German newspaper Spiegel published a report on 20 October 2025 claiming that German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking to acquire 15 additional F-35A ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  The German newspaper Spiegel published a report in October 2025 citing a confidential report submitted to the Bundestag requesting approval for the procurement of an additional 15 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  GH-4200

  L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15J/DJ

  The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

  The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is an integrated defence system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for the F-15, F-15K and F-15E ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15 Eagle

  The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-135

  The AN/ALQ-135, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is a mounted active jamming system carried on the F-15C and F-15 E combat aircrafts. The system is a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

  The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

• Guided munitions

  Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

  The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed for the USAF and USN that converts unguided bombs into all-weather ‘smart’ munitions. JDAM-equipped ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALQ-128(V)

  Raytheon’s AN/ALQ-128(V) is a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) which equips the F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle series combat aircraft. The system's original manufacturer was ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7020-1-D-01

  The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

  The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7010-1-D-01

  The 7010-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 35mm F/1.2. It supports multiple detectors with a pitch from 15-50µm and is designed for general ...