• Defence Notes

  Elbit Systems awarded $2.3 billion contract as results soar

  18th November 2025

  The company’s order backlog as of 30 September totalled $25.2 billion and more than a third of this is scheduled to be fulfilled before the end of 2026.

• Land Warfare

  Beyond Survivability: How Active Protection Systems Are Empowering Commanders (Podcast)

  20th August 2025

  As threats diversify and intensify, APS are proving essential not just for vehicle protection but also for enhancing operational freedom, effectiveness and mission success in contested environments.

• Defence Notes

  India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict

  4th March 2026

  The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.

• Air Warfare

  Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned

  24th April 2026

  After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.

• Naval Warfare

  As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging

  28th April 2026

  Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.

• Land Warfare

  Rafael to unveil new Iron Beam laser director at Paris Air Show

  4th June 2025

  Israel has a substantial air defence system which includes Iron Dome and David’s Sling but laser systems will allow lower cost intercepts for short ranges against smaller threats.

• Land Warfare

  Iran lifts lid on its anti-tank missiles used in the field against Israel

  1st October 2025

  Iran’s anti-tank guided weapons (ATGWs) are generally lesser known but systems were put on display at the Partner 2025 exhibition in Serbia late last month, many of which are based on US weapons.

• Land Warfare

  Israel brings down drones using a laser, claiming operational first

  29th May 2025

  The announced successful deployment of a prototype laser foreshadows Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ plans to begin rolling out versions of its Iron Beam laser, beginning later this year.

• Air Warfare

  Combat-proven capabilities: How precision-strike systems are evolving for tomorrow’s battlespace (Podcast)

  11th June 2025

  Combat-tested technology is being reshaped to counter A2/AD threats, reduce reliance on GPS and enable faster, more autonomous targeting in complex environments. In this special podcast, experts explain how the evolving threat landscape is shaping next-generation strike capabilities.

• Naval Warfare

  Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (Podcast)

  29th May 2025

  In an era of swarming drones, proliferating missiles and saturation attacks, naval air defence must combine cutting-edge effectiveness with low cost per intercept. Israel’s Rafael is applying its long expertise to help navies adapt to emerging threats, while looking to a future of laser technology – and beyond.

• Naval Warfare

  Singapore christens first Victory-class multi-role combat vessel

  21st October 2025

  The new mothership’s modular design ensures it meets the navy’s needs for future situations in both war and peace.

• Land Warfare

  Why cost-effective flexible networks are the key to C-UAS success

  18th May 2026

  The widespread use of drones and loitering munitions in current conflicts has tilted the balance in favour of the attacking force, both operationally and economically. EOS’s Dr Andreas Schwer tackles the question of what kind of C-UAS defences are needed to protect battlefield forces, and even entire countries.

• Land Warfare

  Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year

  5th January 2026

  December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin demonstrates Spike and is selected for next stage of US Army requirement

  28th August 2025

  The Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile is used by several countries as an air-launched weapon but the recent trials were ground-launched from a vehicle and involved three shots.

• Naval Warfare

  Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain

  27th November 2025

  Sweden decided last year that it wanted a significantly larger warship for its Luleå Class programme than originally planned, with three likely contenders that could potentially deliver within the country’s tight schedule.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Spike Firefly [Vietnam]

  Background Reported Deal In February 2026, media outlets such as The Defence Post and Intelligence Online reported that Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense had signed a ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Vilkas) (Batch 2) [Lithuania]

  Programme Background  Lithuania's Boxers are manufactured by the ARTEC production lines in Germany and the Netherlands. KMW is responsible for producing 56 of the vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Vilkas) (Batch 3) [Lithuania]

  Programme Background  Lithuania's Boxers are manufactured by the ARTEC production lines in Germany and the Netherlands. KMW is responsible for producing 56 of the vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Vilkas) (Batch 1) [Lithuania]

  Programme Background Lithuania's Boxers are manufactured by the ARTEC production lines in Germany and the Netherlands. KMW is responsible for producing 56 of the vehicles ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  New IFV [Greece]

  Programme Background Current Greek Capabilities The majority of Greece's IFV fleet is comprised of BMP-1s. Greece acquired 501 BMP-1s from Germany between 1993 and 1994. ...

• Fighter - electronic warfare

  Jamming and Escort Electronic Attack Aircraft (luWES) [Germany]

  Programme Background According to earlier reports, Berlin had earlier decided to procure 15 EA-18G Growlers over the Eurofighter Typhoon ECR concept, which is expected to be ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 2) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 3) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Testing Loitering Munitions [Germany]

  Background Three Tested Models In April 2023, Germany reportedly ordered three different loitering munition systems to assess further their suitability for use by the German Armed ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 1) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Project Land 400 Phase 3 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement: 2015 RfI The Land 400 Phase 3 programme will procure a new tracked IFV to replace the Australian Army's legacy fleet of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Maritime Launched Effects (MLE) [US]

  Background Origin The loitering munition effort dates back to at least 2018 and was previously called Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE). The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer [Slovenia]

  Programme Background Requirement As part of its broader military modernisation plans outlined in its Medium-Term Defense Plan 2018-2023, the Slovenian MoD identified a requirement for ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Hunter IFV [Singapore]

  Programme Background Development of the Hunter began in 2006 and was assisted by Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). At least five variants of the platform ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  Project Land 2097 Phase 4 [Australia]

  Programme Background According to the RfI, under Project Land 2097 Phase 4, the selected helicopter must comprise a commercial or military off-the-shelf solution that is ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  Spark

  The Spark is a fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Aeronautics. Little is known about the drone, other than that, in September ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  I-Derby

  The I-Derby is an advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It builds upon the capabilities of the original Derby missile ...

• Anti-ship missiles

  Sea Breaker

  Sea Breaker is a precision-guided, long-range, autonomous missile system manufactured by Rafael. Debuted at DSEI 2021, the platform delivers pinpoint strikes from stand-off ranges up to 300km ...

• EO/IR systems

  LITENING

  The LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod is an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system designed to detect, acquire, identify, and track targets over extended ranges.  It supports diverse mission ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  SkySonic

  The SkySonic is an advanced hypersonic missile interceptor developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Unveiled in June 2023, it is designed to counter the ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Tamir

  Tamir is a short-range, surface-to-air missile developed for Israel's Iron Dome air defence system. Each missile firing unit, carried on 8x8 heavy-duty trucks, consists of ...

• Land: Defensive Systems - Gunshot Detection / Hostile Fire Indicator

  SpotLite P

  The SpotLite-P is a portable EO muzzle flash detection and positioning system developed by Rafael. It is based on previous Rafael flash detection and hostile ...

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  Spike SR

  Part of Rafael's Spike missile family, the fire-and-forget, man-portable Spike Short Range (SR) EO-guided missile system has operational capabilities in all weather conditions. Although the ...

• Naval guns

  Typhoon 25mm Naval Gun System

  Typhoon is a medium-calibre naval gun system developed and produced by Israeli Rafael. It was initially launched in 1997 (the Mk-23 version). Today, there are ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Spike Firefly

  Spike FireFly is a loitering munition developed jointly by Rafael and the Israeli MoD. It is designated as Maoz by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), and has ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Drone Dome

  Drone Dome is a counter-UAS system manufactured by Rafael. It is designed to provide detection, identification, classification, neutralisation, and interception against aerial threats such as ...

• Multipurpose missiles

  Spike ER

  The Spike ER is a fourth-generation, multipurpose missile fitted with EO charge-coupled device/imaging IR sensors for operation during the day, night and in adverse weather. ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  BNET-V

  BNET-V is a MANET Software-Defined Radio for vehicles. Designed by Rafael, the multiband radio has a modular architecture and offers compatibility with several legacy systems.

• Loitering munitions

  L-Spike 4X

  The L-Spike 4X is a loitering munition first displayed by Rafael US at AUSA 2025.  iI will be offered with two primary warhead configurations: Tandem HEAT ...

• Military - USVs

  Protector

  The Protector, having been in use since 2004, was the first USV to enter operational service. It is manufactured by Rafael and designed for coastal ...