• Defence Notes

  Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome

  28th November 2025

  The new multi-layered defence system will harness AI to neutralise airborne threats and protect Europe from Russian aggression.

• 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.

• Naval Warfare

  Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power

  24th December 2025

  As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Likely spending boosts outlined this year turn spotlight on show

  4th September 2025

  A surge in budgeted and planned defence spending across European NATO countries in the past year has come in the face of the war in Ukraine and demands from the Trump administration that the countries take on more of the load. This is likely to be reflected in what can be expected from DSEI.

• Air Warfare

  Australian Government looks inwards to drop Chinese-made DJI drones

  25th August 2025

  Over the next decade the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) says it will invest some A$600 million of approved funding into the development and introduction of a range of airborne, surface and subsurface uncrewed systems.

• Air Warfare

  Australia awards multiple contracts to support counter-drone technologies

  29th July 2025

  Under the multi-stage Project Land 156, Australia’s Department of Defence (DoD) is seeking systems to counter uncrewed aerial systems (CUAS). These contracts are the first in an effort to support technologies relevant to the effort.

• Land Warfare

  Still no clarity on the future of the British Army’s new wheeled artillery system

  13th November 2025

  The UK donated its AS90 155mm/39cal tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine ahead of planned retirement and bought Archer platforms to fill the gap. Eventually RCH 155s were ordered but the procurement effort remains under a cloud.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy outlines next steps of the Aegis modernisation programme

  19th August 2025

  The US Navy intends to enhance the integration and lethality of the Aegis capabilities onboard its cruisers and destroyers.

• Air Warfare

  Anduril’s YFQ-44A CCA to conduct flight tests by October, confirms USAF

  24th September 2025

  The company is working on making its first flight semi-autonomous and is reportedly closing in on a date for getting the CCA into the air.

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe

  19th August 2025

  An agreement has been signed that will extend Stinger missile system production to Europe with Diehl Defence currently looking at manufacturing locations.

• Land Warfare

  US approves more than $650 million in possible Foreign Military Sales to Ukraine

  29th July 2025

  The possible sales focus on maintenance and sustainment for a variety of equipment used by the Ukrainian armed forces, notably air defence equipment, MIM-23 Hawk missiles, M109 howitzers and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

• Land Warfare

  The first of 663 BvS10s delivered to Germany, Sweden and the UK

  18th September 2025

  The vehicles are based on the latest version of the BvS10 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and include variants for troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation, recovery, and command and control. An unarmoured version is being delivered to the US and offered to Canada.

• Land Warfare

  Development of Serbia’s upgraded Pasars-16 air defence system completed but in limbo

  1st October 2025

  The standard Pasars mobile air defence system has been in service with the Serbian Army for several years and was developed by the Serbian Military Technical Institute.

• Naval Warfare

  Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?

  5th January 2026

  The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.

• Land Warfare

  Early prototype of General Dynamics M1E3 main battle tank displayed at Detroit auto show

  16th January 2026

  The first prototype M1E3 main battle tank was handed over to the US Army for testing and evaluation earlier this year, and now a pre-prototype has been unveiled. What have we learned from the vehicle first seen on 14 January?

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Data links

  Data links | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to supplement its ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background 2018 - Issue of RfI The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated that Seoul planned to procure additional aircraft to minimise potential surveillance ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Data links

  Data links | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Zmag SOF Vehicle (Israel)

  Programme Background Originally designed by and marketed by Ido Cohen, the Zmag is part of a family of ATVs aimed at both civilian and military customers. In ...

• Zmag SOF Vehicle (Batch 2) [Israel]

  Programme Background Originally designed by and marketed by Ido Cohen, the Zmag is part of a family of ATVs aimed at both civilian and military customers. In ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Singapore]

  Programme Background Deployed from Changi West airbase, and jointly operated by the RSAF and Republic of Singapore Navy, the ageing Fokker 50 fleet is primarily ...

• Corvettes

  Reshef Class (1-5) [Israel]

  Programme Background Requirements The Israeli Navy is seeking a replacement for its Sa'ar 4 and Sa'ar 4.5-class of fast attack vessels. Dubbed Reshef-class, the new ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background Requirement The requirement was initially reported in 2016 when it was noted as being part of a long-term development plan, however, reports from ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Vector / Scorpion (Selected) [Ukraine]

  Programme Background 500 Systems Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Quantum-Systems has provided many drones to Ukraine. Over 400 units have been provided as aid ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  Global 6500 AEW&C

  Developed by L3Harris Technologies and Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (ELTA), the Global 6500 AEW&C; consists of a conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) mission ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MSR1000I

  The MSR1000I is a very-short-range Monopulse Secondary Radar which acts as an IFF interrogator. Equipped with the Mode 5 standard, it is suitable for man-portable and ...

• Land: coastal surveillance radars, Sea: naval surveillance radar

  IUHDSS

  The Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) is a harbour defence system developed by Israeli manufacturer Elta Systems. It comprises surveillance, observation, surface ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  ELI-3375 counter-IED suite

  The ELI-3375 is a counter-IED and counter-mine suite manufactured by Elta Systems. It is designed for the detection of surface and underground IEDs, mines, and ...

• Land: air defence radar, Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar, Land: coastal surveillance radars

  ELL-8388

  The ELL-8388 is a three-dimensional ESM/ELINT surveillance system manufactured by Elta Systems in Israel. It is designed for tactical and strategic intelligence collection and air ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  ELM-2032

  The ELM-2032 is a multimode airborne fire control radar designed for multi-mission fighters, featuring pulse Doppler capabilities, low sidelobe planar antenna, and programmable signal processing. ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming, Air: Electronic Attack - Pod

  ELL-8222/8212

  ELTA Systems' ELL-8222/8212 is a jamming pod designed to enhance the survivability of large fighter aircraft. The lightweight jammer provides autonomous threat handling based on a ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  ELM-2054

  The ELM-2054 is a lightweight synthetic aperture radar and target indication sensor manufactured by Elta Systems. It is intended for small tactical UAVs and similar ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  EL/L-8427/8 RWJS

  The EL/L-8247/8 is an Integral Self-Protection Suites Radar Warning and Jamming System (RWJS) designed by Elta Systems. It is designed as a compact and cost-effective ...

• Heavy UGVs

  RobDozer

  The RobDozer, or Panda, is an uncrewed ground combat engineering system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ELTA Systems.  The UGV is designed for breaching tasks, ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ELM-2022ML

  The ELM-2022, is a lightweight maritime airborne surveillance radar developed by IAI ELTA. It is intended for manned and unmanned, fixed- or rotary-wing airborne platforms. The system was ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ELM-2022ES

  The ELM-2022 is an AESA maritime patrol radar developed by Elta Systems. The ELM-2022ES is a variant within the 2022 radar family designed for deployment ...

• Land: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ELK-6060

  ELK-6060 is a radio location system designed to address the need of the combat unit to collect on-the-move, real-time intelligence on hostile V/UHF communication transmissions' ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Drone Guard

  The Drone Guard, also designated as ELI-3040, detects low-signature, low-level and low-speed airborne targets and has adapted 3D radars with UAV detection and tracking algorithms, ...

• Corvettes

  Sa'ar 5 (Eilat) Class

  The Eilat (Sa'ar 5) class of multi-mission corvettes are in service with the Israeli Navy built by Ingalls Shipbuilding. The first of three was commissioned ...