• Land Warfare

  How and why Europe is replenishing tube artillery in the drone warfare era

  21st April 2026

  Modern conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war have exposed gaps in Western artillery, with European militaries increasingly looking to invest in longer-range systems with a focus on logistics and resilience.

• Land Warfare

  Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs

  12th December 2025

  The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.

• Land Warfare

  First gun barrels for British Army howitzers due from Rheinmetall’s new UK factory in 2027

  13th January 2026

  The new Rheinmetall facility will supply barrels for UK RCH 155 howitzers and Challenger 3 tanks while also opening up potential export opportunities, providing a currently absent national capability.

• Land Warfare

  New US$1.4 billion package to boost Canada’s defence capabilities

  30th March 2026

  The Canadian defence department has outlined major investments in ISR solutions, small arms and ammunition production capabilities as the country pushes for greater self-reliance to bolster its forces and its supply chain.

• Land Warfare

  August land forces roundup: movement in British Army vehicle requirement and major contracts land

  28th August 2026

  Hanwha Defense USA made major inroads into the US market this month, landing its first contract in the country, while Germany and The Netherlands signed up for more Boxer CRT30 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles. FNSS also unveiled a new amphibious uncrewed vehicle and Rheinmetall revealed details on a prototype 155mm/60-calibre artillery ordnance.

• Land Warfare

  Do heavy IFV designs make sense on the modern battlefield?

  3rd July 2026

  Even with additional armour, many current-generation infantry fighting vehicles are highly vulnerable to enemy fire in the contemporary operating environment. Are heavier platforms based on tank designs for use in this role the answer?

• Land Warfare

  May land forces roundup: counter-drone systems move up the agenda

  2nd June 2026

  There has been a drive towards uncrewed aerial systems and defeating them in recent weeks, with NATO exercises addressing the danger, new systems unveiled and a new Latvian counter-drone unit stood up following recent incursions.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia drops CV90 plan as it shifts towards uncrewed systems and firepower

  13th April 2026

  The country is scaling back its reliance on heavy battlefield equipment in favour of upgrading existing platforms and investing in firepower, mobility, unmanned systems and situational awareness.

• Land Warfare

  NATO boosts uncrewed usage and shifts on concept of operations based on lessons learned from Ukraine

  12th May 2026

  The war in Ukraine remains a focus of procurement, concepts of operation, tactics and training for NATO countries. The Crystal Arrow Exercise in Latvia, ongoing until 15 May, is a reflection of this.

• Land Warfare

  Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges

  23rd October 2026

  Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.

• Land Warfare

  Could an outdated US Army organic industrial base threaten US readiness?

  19th March 2026

  The US Army’s organic industrial base still uses World War II production methods and technologies, leading to delays and cost overruns and limiting its ability to produce critical ammunition and maintain its ground fleet in operation.

• 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.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale

  13th February 2026

  Shephard sat down with Hanwha Middle East and Africa president Sung Il at World Defense Show 2026 to hear about the company’s plans for the region and how it plans to use local industry success to win deals.

• Land Warfare

  K9 rolls on as Egypt unveils systems, Australia fires and Vietnam and Norway place orders

  4th December 2025

  Hanwha Aerospace’s tracked K9 Thunder 155mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer has had notable success in the market over the past few years in Europe and Asia, with Poland alone ordering 316 systems.

• Land Warfare

  Romania selects Rheinmetall Lynx IFV as local defence manufacturing expands

  8th May 2026

  As part of a multi-billion-dollar vehicle and artillery overhaul, Romania has officially selected the KF41 Lynx IFV to replace its ageing Soviet-based platforms.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  K239 Chunmoo (Batch 1) [Estonia]

  Background Estonia currently operates the HIMARS as its primary MRLS. However, in an effort to expand its capabilities, as well as diversify its supply base, ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Eva [Slovakia]

  Background Slovakia currently operates the Zuzana and Zuzana 2 as its primary SPHs. As part of a wider effort to modernise and expand its armed ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Croatia]

  Background Croatia currently operates the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika, alongside a small number of German PzH 2000s.  Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, multiple ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  K239 Chunmoo (Batch 2) [Estonia]

  Background Estonia currently operates the HIMARS as its primary MRLS. However, in an effort to expand its capabilities, as well as diversify its supply base, ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  K239 Chunmoo [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway previously operated a fleet of 12 M270 MLRS, which were put into storage in 2005 before being donated to Ukraine, via the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Portugal]

  Background The Portuguese army currently operates the M109 Paladin, alongside a number of traditional towed platforms. As part of the wider European trend towards modernising ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Mobile Tactical Cannon - Tracked [USA]

  Background The M109 entered US service in the 1960s. Since then it has served as the US Army's primary self-propelled howitzer (SPH). Over the course ...

• Loitering munitions

  Warmate 3.0 [South Korea]

  Programme Background Korean Reports On 3 September 2024, The Korea Economic Daily, nicknamed Hankyung, reported that the South Korean military was to introduce Polish loitering ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Mobile Tactical Cannon [US]

  Background The US Army began using the M777 in 1995. Since then, it has served as a field artillery piece providing fire support for American ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  K9 Thunder (Batch 1) [Poland]

  Background Poland began utilising the K9 in 2008, when it was selected as the basis for its domestically produced Krab self-propelled gun, with the K9 providing the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar (Batch 2) [Estonia]

  Programme Background Estonia procured its first 12 Caesars in June 2024, with deliveries taking place in 2025. This second contract, awarded in February 2026, mirrors ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Rosomak (Batch 2) [Poland]

  Background Requirement The Polish Army selected Patria's XC-360 Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV) to meet its requirement for a new 8x8 armoured vehicle to replace the ...

• Military UAS - small

  DT46 [France]

  Programme Background Reports Around Eurosatory 2024, multiple defence news outlets, notably Army Recognition and The Defence Post, reported that the French Army had acquired Delair's ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Denmark]

  Programme Background In 2016, the ATMOS was one of two systems shortlisted to meet a requirement from the Danish Army for up to 21 new ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled guns

  Arpan

  The Arpan is a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH), developed by ASFAT. It is a modification of the Panter towed howitzer, developed to provide a ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Morana

  Developed by Excalibur Army, the Morana is a 155mm self-propelled-howitzer capable of hitting targets up to 41km away. The howitzer is mounted on a Tatra Force ...

• Self-propelled guns

  PLZ-05/PLZ-52

  The PLZ-05 is a 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer developed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to supplement and eventually replace its inventory of ...

• Land: battle management systems

  ATLAS

  An interoperable C4I system for artillery missions and resources deployed in the French Army. Commissioned in 2005, ATLAS represents a main element of battlespace digitisation, ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Mounted Artillery Gun (MArG)

  The Mounted Artillery Gun (MArG) is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited. It was first unveiled at Eurosatory 2026.

• Self-propelled guns

  Uran

  The Uran is a 105mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. First unveiled at SAHA 2026, the Uran is intended to provide a mobile fire ...

• Self-propelled guns

  SH3

  The SH3 (also referred to as WMZ322) is a 122 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer introduced by Norinco in 2008. Believed to be an updated version ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Attila

  The Attila is a wheeled 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. Unveiled at SAHA 2026, the Attila is intended to provide Turkey with a ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Gurhan

  The Gurhan is a tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. First unveiled at SAHA 2024, the Gurhan is intended to provide a domestically ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155/GP155A

  The GP155 and its advanced variant, the GP155A, are precision-guided 155 mm artillery projectiles developed by Norinco.

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  XM1122E1 High Explosive Projectile

  The XM1122E1 High Explosive Projectile is a 155mm artillery round being developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. As of May 2025, it was undergoing testing with the US Army.

• Self-propelled guns

  VBM 155

  The Veicolo Blindato Medio (VBM) 155 is a self-propelled howitzer, currently being developed by CIO. The VBM 155 will provide the Italian army's wheeled armoured formations ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Type 99

  The Type 99 is a self-propelled howitzer developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Japan Steel Works to replace the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's ...

• Self-propelled guns

  GCT

  The GCT 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer, also known as the AMX-30 AuF1, was developed as a replacement for the French Army's Mk F3 155 mm self-propelled ...

• Self-propelled guns

  SIGMA

  The SIGMA is the latest self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by Elbit America and Oshkosh Defense. Produced entirely in the US, the SIGMA is intended to ...