• Land Warfare

  Trans-European iMUGS2 uncrewed systems programme set for three-day exercise in 2028

  11th August 2026

  The next stage of the Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) programme, dubbed iMUGS2, was launched in November 2025. Three major demonstrations are planned before the end of 2028.

• Naval Warfare

  How the Belgium-Netherlands MCM programme is reshaping naval mine warfare

  27th July 2026

  As the Belgian-Dutch replacement mine countermeasure programme progresses, it is becoming clear that motherships will be integral to future MCM operations. Seven years on from the programme’s inception, the impact of its forward-looking approach can be seen through the procurement strategies of its Western allies today.

• Air Warfare

  UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for UK air power?

  30th June 2026

  The DIP sees £8.6 billion earmarked for the Global Combat Air Programme, with heavy emphasis on uncrewed systems procurement and a national CCA programme, despite pushed forward helicopter retirements and questions over what shape future ISR capabilities could take.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems’ UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly

  26th June 2026

  The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.

• Air Warfare

  Optimism remains for GCAP and FCAS future despite programme stumbling blocks

  22nd May 2026

  Both sixth-generation combat aircraft programmes are still awaiting major key decisions from respective governments with regards to funding or future direction, but industry and governmental officials remain optimistic of progress going forward.

• Naval Warfare

  AUKUS advance on UUVs contrasts with Virginia-class compromise

  3rd June 2026

  The AUKUS partnership is accelerating uncrewed undersea capability while its submarine arm inches forward, and Australia’s decision to settle for three in-service Virginia-class boats raises questions about industrial risk, dependency and whether Pillar II may deliver meaningful capability long before Pillar I can.

• Defence Notes

  UK’s latest defence robotics and autonomy competition looks to break new ground

  14th July 2026

  The UK Ministry of Defence is backing early-stage, high-risk autonomy concepts that could redefine how military systems are developed and deployed.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Post-Gripen strategy takes shape as Sweden accelerates current fleet

  22nd July 2026

  Major General Jonas Wikman said Sweden had accelerated procurement of Taurus missiles and Gripen E capability as its air force adjusts to NATO membership and rethinks its future combat air strategy.

• Land Warfare

  Self-propelled howitzers are driving the European artillery renaissance

  21st July 2026

  After decades of force reductions as artillery was deprioritised, Europe is now undergoing an artillery renaissance as governments across the continent scramble to invest in new capabilities in response to the war in Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress

  29th June 2026

  This month’s land forces highlights were dominated by the eventful Eurosatory exhibition, particularly in the area of tanks, while separately the JLTV programme took another twist and Canada opted for HIMARS.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Leonardo chief balances praise and caution over Germany joining GCAP

  22nd July 2026

  Lorenzo Mariani’s Farnborough remarks on the prospect of Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme struck a cautious tone, as he welcomed Canada’s arrival as the programme’s first observer nation.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine and NATO look to industry to boost capability plans

  5th June 2026

  The Ukraine-Russia war has highlighted the force-multiplying capability of innovation and adaptation of industry and individual companies. NATO is attempting to introduce this flexibility while Ukraine is accelerating these efforts and looking for industrial support.

• Defence Notes

  Eurosatory 2026: Iran’s attacks on UAE have “accelerated” Edge’s plans, says company

  25th June 2026

  The UAE’s Edge has undergone massive changes since it was formed in 2019, from acquisitions to partnerships, and has now set up a European division in Paris.

• Land Warfare

  UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?

  30th June 2026

  The UK’s Defence Investment Plan splurges big for future air and naval programmes, including new hybrid ships, but there are fewer big-ticket items for British Army vehicles. Shephard’s Damian Kemp looks at the much delayed plan.

• Land Warfare

  Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?

  20th May 2026

  As uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions evolve, it is increasingly necessary for counter-uncrewed solutions to keep pace in order to protect not only military facilities and platforms but also dismounted troops.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background A video clip released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) disclosed that a deal to acquire the J-10 from China was signed on 25 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Netherlands]

  Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, the ...

• Medium UGVs

  Mission Master (RPV Sprial 2) [UK]

  Background First announced in April 2017 and referred to in early MOD documents as the ‘last mile resupply’ initiative, the British Army is reportedly evaluating ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Germany]

  Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, the ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [India]

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems.  A330 Bid In 2015, the IAF has requested to procure six ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

• Main battle tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Medium Range Tactical (MRT) [USMC]

  Background Request for Information (RFI) In February 2026, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued an RFI for solutions for a Medium Range Tactical (MRT) ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Slovenia - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background  Slovenia began its procurement of Oshkosh Defence's JLTV 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2018, although a US government FMS contract was not signed until ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System [US]

  Background The US Marine Corps' (USMC) Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System (L-MADIS) supports deployed Marine Expeditionary Units with non-kinetic C-UAS capabilities and a shoulder-fired surface-to-air weapon for ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  L-39NG Senegal

  The aircraft will feature five hard-points, two external fuel tanks with 350 lt capacity, Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, guided and unguided rockets, single ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper [Spain]

  Programme Background First Contract The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and associated parts, equipment, and logistical ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CRATOS

  The Clip-On Ruggedized Advanced Thermal Optical Sight (CRATOS) is a miniaturised all-in-one thermal weapon sight designed for handheld, clip-on or stand-alone use. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  HuntIR Mk 2

  The HuntIR Mk 2 thermal weapon and reconnaissance sight is designed for clip-on use on mid- and long-range small arms. The standalone weapon sight has ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  XACT th family

  The XACT thermal weapon sight product family includes: the XACT th64 short/medium-range weapon-mounted or handheld sight; the XACT th65 clip-on marksman sight; and the XACT ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CNVD-T

  The Clip-On Night Vision Device-Thermal (CNVD-T) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight based on the military SU-232/PAS. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  UTCx

  The UTCx (Universal Thermal Clip-on) sight is a universal thermal clip-on to existing weapon sights, currently fielded by the US military and supporting long-range sniper ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PAS-13G(V)1 LWTS

  The AN/PAS-13G(V)1 Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight. The TI capability of the LWTS allows for longwave infrared observation ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TISI-M

  Designed for assault and sharpshooter rifles, SMGs and machine guns, the TISI-M is a lightweight uncooled thermal day and night weapon sight which can be ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PVS-30

  The AN/PVS-30 is a long-range thermal clip-on sniper night sight. The sight is able to extend the range of engagement by up to 1,000m and ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  Lily-L

  The Lily-L clip-on thermal sight for long-range sniper weapons can be mounted on a Picatinny rail in front of a day scope. It is designed for ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MilSight S135 MUNS

  The MilSight S135 Magnum Universal Night Sight (MUNS) AN/PVS-27 is a high-resolution clip-on weapon sight that mounts forward of an existing scope, adding NV capabilities ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  ThermoSight HISS-XLR

  The HISS extended long-range (XLR) clip-on thermal weapon sight allows snipers to detect and recognise man-sized targets at up to 2,000m, offering a 25% increase ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  UBGL

  The single-shot 40mm Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) can be attached to most modern assault weapons using a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system. The breech is swung ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  MUNSTI

  The MUNSTI uncooled thermal imaging clip-on sight is compact and lightweight, designed for use in front of a day optical sight. It is suitable for ...

• Sniper rifles

  Dan.338

  IWI launched the Dan.338, the first of a new family of bolt-action sniper rifles, at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. Chambered for .338 Lapua Mag ammunition, ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TVC 60

  The TVC 60 is a clip-on thermal weapon sight designed to be used in conjunction with a magnified day optic. The shooter relies on the ...