• Land Warfare

  FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands

  24th September 2026

  FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.

• Land Warfare

  Northrop Grumman pushing ahead with smaller Integrated Battle Command System

  8th September 2026

  Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Polish forces and is being introduced to US forces, with further development underway on the original platform as well as a smaller, more mobile system.

• Land Warfare

  Battle management C2 systems are driving the next phase of integrated air defence

  11th June 2026

  Battlefield and wider air defence C2 systems integrating a range of agnostic sensors have risen in prominence, from Turkey’s Aselsan developing Steel Dome to Northrop Grumman providing its own system to Poland and the US Army.

• Land Warfare

  UK’s ground-based air defence effort remains in assessment phase after third industry day

  7th September 2026

  The UK’s plan to introduce a new air defence capability into the British Army will cover short and medium-range defence as well as counter-uncrewed aerial system systems. Timelines are not yet laid out but industry is making plans.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: Advanced fire control systems to the fore as industry powers digital solutions

  12th June 2026

  BAE Systems is presenting its Next Generation Indirect Fire Control System at Eurosatory 2026. It is designed to connect large calibre guns with wider sensor and effector networks to provide targeting information more quickly.

• Land Warfare

  Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans

  27th July 2026

  The first ground launch of the SM-2 could offer Canberra a path to expand its missile defence capability by adapting systems already fielded across the ADF.

• Air Warfare

  Canada targets 2028 operational debut for AIM-9X and AIM-120D missiles

  18th August 2026

  The missile programmes form part of a broader effort to strengthen Canadian air-combat readiness as the RCAF transitions from the CF-188 to the F-35A and rebuilds its operational weapons stocks.

• Land Warfare

  How joint ventures are expanding Rheinmetall's munitions portfolio (video)

  5th August 2026

  Roman Köhne, CEO of Rheinmetall's Weapon and Ammunition Division, discusses the company's announcements at Eurosatory 2026, including developments in defence technology, precision systems, industrial partnerships and future capability programmes.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: GDELS and Thales combine proven tech to create reduced-risk CUAS

  19th June 2026

  Both Thales and GDELS shone a spotlight on their uncrewed and counter-drone efforts at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting the integration of mature technologies with stable C2 systems that are open to agnostic additions and expansion.

• Air Warfare

  With a wave of upgrades, the MQ-9B is ready for high-tech warfare

  1st July 2026

  The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly — threats range from stealthy cruise missiles to coordinated drone swarms. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is meeting these challenges head-on with a series of transformative upgrades to its MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and maritime SeaGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft.

• Land Warfare

  US Army pursues commercial routes to modernise cannon and mortar manufacturing

  16th October 2026

  Watervliet Arsenal’s digital manufacturing push opens opportunities for industry as the US Army modernises cannon production and its wider Organic Industrial Base.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand

  7th October 2026

  Less than two months after winning a contract from the US Army for six prototype K9 mobile howitzers, Hanwha Defense USA has received an order for another three. The company will show a platform at AUSA 2026.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2026 preview: uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature

  6th October 2026

  The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition takes place in Washington, DC from 12 to 14 October. Shephard takes a look at what might be in store at the 2026 show, with uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems and platforms under the spotlight.

• Land Warfare

  “No single technology is enough”: why an integrated approach to uncrewed warfare is essential

  16th July 2026

  In Conversation… Ahmet Akyol, CEO of ASELSAN, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about how the rapid evolution of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) is transforming the battlespace, with militaries focused on both deploying these platforms to maximum effect and developing the defensive systems needed to counter them.

• Air Warfare

  Could CUAS demand open a new market for armed trainer aircraft?

  6th July 2026

  As affordable counter-drone solutions become a military priority, repurposing training aircraft could emerge as a credible option to prepare for emergency scenarios.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  M1135 Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Programme Background According to the DSCA's notification to Congress, the acquisition of 50 M1135 Strykers was intended to allow the Iraqi government to identify harmful ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) [US Army]

  Background  Requirements The purpose of the CSIRP is to repackage and integrate modular CBRN sensors onto uncrewed systems to provide increased situational awareness on the ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MALE UAVs [Thailand]

  Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events such ...

• Military UAS - small

  Tactical-Level Armed Drone [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Micro/Nano Drone Swarms [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - small

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - HALE

  High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Loitering munitions

  KB-5E [Thailand]

  Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events, such ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Heavy Weapons Infantry Carrier) [Germany]

  Background The German Army is believed to require a total of 43 Boxer Heavy Weapons Infantry Carriers to equip its Division 2027. 36 of these ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  IAR-99 Replacement (Romania)

  On 29 August 2017, Leonardo announced that the IAR-99 trainer technology demonstrator (TD) will be fitted with company's Vixen 500E AESA radar. The Vixen 500E AESA ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (Heavy Weapons Infantry Carrier) [Germany]

  Background Whilst Germany already has a number of Boxer APCs in service, the rationale behind the purchase of Australian Boxers was to replace its legacy ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Cheongwang [South Korea]

  Background South Korea will produce the Laser-Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I (Cheongwang) for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The laser weapons will be deployed and ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Project Dragonfire [UK]

  Background The UK Government's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has been working with MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ to develop a LASER Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) called ...

• Corvettes

  Gowind Class 2500 (Optional two) [Egypt]

  Programme Background The Egyptian Navy is nearing the completion of their class of Gowind 2500 corvettes. These were ordered in 2014 from the French shipbuilder ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Less Than Lethal Weapon Simulators

  Meggitt produces wireless simulators for the X26 Taser and chemical spray less-lethal weapons. These accessories are supported with specialised courseware.

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Hwasong-6

  The Hwasong-6 is a North Korean tactical ballistic missile based on the Hwasong-5, which itself is based on the Soviet R-17 Elbrus. Its NATO reporting ...

• Land: air defence radar

  JY-27

  The JY-27 is a Chinese long-range surveillance radar manufactured by ECRIEE. It was developed to provide early warning information and detect low-observable air targets. It ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  Rychag-AVM

  KRET’s Rychag-AVM radio frequency jammer is designed to perform electronic attack against hostile communications and radar systems. The Rychag-AVM ensemble is mounted onboard dedicated Mil ...

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Fateh-110

  The Fateh-110 is a short-range ballistic missile produced in Iran with help from China.

• Land: counter-IED simulators

  Large IED Trainer

  The Large IED Trainer can be integrated into a number of training scenarios including convoy roadside bombs, vehicle-borne IEDs, artillery/mortar impact, vehicle search and/or destruction, ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Reveal D&I

  Reveal D&I; is a real-time gas detection and identification chemical imaging software for hyperspectral data. This software allows the real-time detection of a large portfolio ...

• Guided munitions

  KAB-500/1500

  The KAB-500 and KAB-1500 were Soviet electro-optical TV-guided bombs that were part of the KAB family. It is thought that this family of weapons were ...

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Weapons Technology

  Laser Shot designs, engineers and fabricates simulated recoil weapons, drop-in recoil conversion kits, inert training weapons and laser inserts. The company offers individual and crew-served simulated ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Hyper-Cam

  The Hyper-Cam is a passive IR hyperspectral imaging system that combines high spatial and spectral resolution. It provides real-time radiometrically calibrated data for gas and ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  HD-IR

  HD-IR high-resolution cameras have high sensitivity for surveillance and airborne mapping applications. The camera features a four-position filter wheel, 1.3MP spatial resolution and an IP67-certified ...

• Trainer

  T-4

  Developed by Kawasaki, the T-4 is an intermediate jet trainer successor to the T-33A and Fuji T-1A/B. Its first flight was performed on 29 July ...

• Heavy UGVs

  Uran-9

  The Uran-9 is a Russian UGV designed to support troops operating in urban environments. Equipped with EO/IR sensors and typically armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  Bright Onyx Chemical Sensor

  Active multi-spectral chemical sensor operating in the 5µm region. The Bright Onyx sensor must operate at UAV airspeeds and ranges with detection sensitivities of 10ppmm ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  102VR Grif-100

  The 102VR Grif-100 UAS is designed for EO and radiation terrain reconnaissance missions and radio-electronic countermeasures against enemy interference. It can be used for search ...