• Air Warfare

  US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain

  10th March 2026

  The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.

• Defence Notes

  Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack

  6th January 2026

  Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems selected for multi-billion-dollar Norway ship order

  1st September 2025

  BAE Systems is leading the construction of eight Type 26 City-class anti-submarine frigates for the UK Royal Navy (RN) with the first of these expected to enter service in 2027. Norway’s selection of the type makes it the fourth to make the choice alongside Australia, Canada and the UK.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to invest nearly $12 billion in maritime uncrewed systems and naval munitions in FY2026

  15th July 2025

  Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.

• Defence Notes

  Why the NORAD inventory might be the US and Canada’s Achilles’ heel

  4th November 2025

  Both the US and Canada operate Cold War-era capabilities which cannot defeat today’s and tomorrow’s threats.

• Air Warfare

  France’s Joint Light Helicopter programme advances with H160M flight tests

  28th July 2025

  With three prototypes being built, the H160M is a militarised version of the H160. Once tests conclude, it will be delivered to the French armed forces from late 2028.

• Land Warfare

  Shephard's DSEI 2025 Show News Portal is live

  1st September 2025

  Join Shephard for the latest news from DSEI 2025.

• Land Warfare

  February land forces roundup: ST Engineering and Russia lift the lid on new platforms

  27th February 2026

  This month we saw a major presence from Turkish, Russian and Chinese companies at the World Defense Show with new vehicles from major suppliers, while elsewhere there were evolving mortar programmes and artillery modernisation efforts.

• Naval Warfare

  US military pursues affordable, commercial solutions to enhance maritime ISR

  30th July 2025

  The DIU is seeking low-cost, COTS capabilities and technologies to analyse naval environments and increase the safety for personnel and infrastructure.

• Air Warfare

  PGZ and Anduril to work on Polish variant of Barracuda-500M missile

  28th October 2025

  The memorandum of understanding signed also included a wider strategic plan to co-develop autonomous air systems for the Polish Armed Forces.

• Defence Notes

  Growing a digital backbone: an essential capability for the multi-domain battlespace

  30th March 2026

  Future operational superiority will be defined by the ability to connect systems, data and personnel into a wider network. For armed forces, this creates the need for a digital backbone that integrates and enhances sensors and effectors of all kinds.

• Air Warfare

  How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success

  8th September 2025

  With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Trials completed for new version of Tridon air defence gun

  10th September 2025

  Less than two years ago, Sweden’s BAE Systems Bofors announced it was developing a new 40mm short-range air defence system using internal research and development funding, calling it the Tridon Mk2.

• Defence Notes

  Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan

  11th December 2025

  Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard awards contracts for the construction of up to 150 aids to navigation vessels

  2nd September 2025

  Agreements with Inventech Marine Solutions and North River Boats cover the acquisition of trailerable aids to navigation boats and cutter boats - aids to navigation – small.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Corvettes

  Multirole Corvette Programme [Romania]

  Programme Background Timeline Romania, since 2014. has seen a significant increase in its defence budget, which has allowed for more room to procure modern platforms. In ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Corvettes Procurement Programme (1-3) [Greece]

  The Hellenic Navy have a corvette requirement to replace the ten Elli-class frigates. Greece has joined as a partner of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC), which is ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Corvettes Procurement Programme (1-3) [Greece]

  The Hellenic Navy have a corvette requirement to replace the ten Elli-class frigates. Greece has joined as a partner of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC), which is ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  PROSUB - SSK [Brazil]

  Programme Background The four new Riachuelo-class SSKs for the Brazilian Navy (BN) are based on the Scorpene submarine design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. The ...

• Frigates

  Optional Fourth FDI Frigate [Greece]

  Programme Background Timeline On 28 September 2021, Florence Parly announced that an agreement had been reached, and Naval Group would equip the Hellenic Navy with ...

• OPVs

  Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVS (formerly Patrouilleurs Océanique) [France]

  Background Requirements The programme aims to procure new OPVs that will replace the D'Estienne d'Orves-class and the Flamant-class vessels. The OPVs are intended to be armed with ...

• Minehunters

  Al Jawf Class Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges the replacement of three Al Jawf-class minehunters. Based on the Sandown-class design, the ships entered service in the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project P76 [India]

  Currently, India operates the Kalvari-class P75 Scorpene submarine. A design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. It is also looking to procure further foreign submarines through its ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project P76 [India]

  Currently, India operates the Kalvari-class P75 Scorpene submarine. A design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. It is also looking to procure further foreign submarines through its ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  PROSUB - SSN [Brazil]

  Programme Background Following the successful delivery of the four Riachuelo-class SSK, which is due to all enter service between 2020 and 2023, the construction of ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  SOLO COFM HD & SD Video Downlinks

  DTC offers a number of downlink solutions to support a range of missions, delivering high-resolution video images. There are multiple installation options for fixed-wing, rotary ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  IP Mesh Radios, SOL8SDR

  DTC’s NETNode IP mesh radios are tactical communications and surveillance solutions that are combined in a self-forming, self-healing mesh radio network. NETNode radios use the ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ

  The MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ is a day and night camera designed for detection and surveillance. It is marketed as both a standalone product and as part ...

• Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  Aquila PTZ

  The Aquila PTZ is a low-profile pan-tilt-zoom thermal surveillance system with a three-camera arrangement, comprising thermal imaging and day- and low-light cameras. Designed for use in ...

• CUAS - detectors

  DroneTracker

  The DroneTracker software provides airspace monitoring and management through a browser interface. DroneTracker allows users to configure multiple sensors, active and passive countermeasures and alerts ...

• Military - USVs

  Eclipse Class 11

  The Eclipse Class is a USV designed by Al Meer Marine that can serve as a surveillance platform or patrol craft. 

• Data links

  SOLO COFDM Receivers

  DTC provides a range of SD and HD COFDM receiver products including tactical handheld (NNV HD), briefcase (MIV) and infrastructure (PRORX) systems. There are a ...

• EO/IR systems

  Kestrel Block II

  The Kestrel Aerostat-Based Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Sensor continuously collects and records a 360° view of an expansive area, both day and night, providing real-time and ...

• Medium UGVs

  Gladiator TUGV

  The Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (TUGV) was funded through a USMC programme to develop an armed, armoured UGV. The programme began in the mid-1990s, ...

• Light UGVs

  miniROV

  The miniROV is a six-wheeled EOD/IED disposal system supported by an operator control unit, which is fitted with a 30cm thin-film-transistor LCD screen. The vehicle can operate ...

• Medium UGVs

  Taurus

  Unveiled at Singapore Airshow 2024, the Taurus is a medium UGV from ST Engineering. The multi-role vehicle can be used for surveillance, casualty evacuation, logistics transport and ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  SX-8000

  The SX-8000 is an autonomous C-UAS system developed for protecting the airspace of critical infrastructure and stationary facilities. It is marketed as both a standalone ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  SX-500

  The SX-500 is a compact surveillance radar that is not only capable of detecting targets, but also of calculating their distance, angle, velocity and direction ...

• Medium UGVs

  R-Gator

  The John Deere R-Gator is a multirole COTS system based on the military-standard M-Gator and is designed to augment the warfighter. The R-Gator can be ...

• Military - USVs

  Nav-45

  The NAV-45 is a multi-purpose, modular uncrewed surface vessel (USV) developed by Portugal's Navictus. The vessel is designed for coastal patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ...