• Air Warfare

  India flight tests ALH with folding rotor blades

  5th July 2022

  HAL's latest efforts with segmented rotor blades could see the Dhruv helicopter return to favour in the Indian Navy.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Baykar ramps up TB2 production capacity, pins faith in Ukraine

  6th September 2022

  The manufacturer of the combat-proven Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV is making new investments to increase production capacity, as it also looks to broaden its collaboration with Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  China flies new naval UAV variant for the first time

  18th August 2022

  China is working on new UAVs for naval use, plus a heavy fuel version of the CH-4 has taken to the air for the first time.

• Air Warfare

  USSOCOM selects Sky Warden for Armed Overwatch production

  2nd August 2022

  USSOCOM has signed a contract worth up to $3 billion with L3Harris and Air Tractor to supply AT-802U Sky Warden turboprops for the Armed Overwatch programme.

• Digital Battlespace

  The technologies that will define the future battlefield (podcast)

  5th August 2022

  In this bonus episode of the Shephard Defence Podcast, we bring you the third episode from the latest series of the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast.

• Defence Notes

  US commits more forces to Europe as NATO members approve new strategic concept

  30th June 2022

  In the face of the biggest crisis in European security for decades, NATO has strengthened its resolve and will expand to include Sweden and Finland.

• Air Warfare

  Indian Navy faces tough decision over carrier fighters

  22nd June 2022

  It is a two-horse race for India's next carrier-borne fighter requirement, but will it go French or American?

• Digital Battlespace

  Ukrainian satellite imaging intelligence gains boost from ICEYE constellation

  19th August 2022

  ICEYE is giving the Ukrainian military access to synthetic aperture radar imaging data from its constellation of 21 satellites.

• Naval Warfare

  India extends defence support to Vietnam

  20th June 2022

  Closer Indian and Vietnam strategic ties were underscored by the handover of a dozen Indian-designed interceptor boats to the Vietnam Border Guard.

• Defence Notes

  Gripen campaign losses leave Saab questioning Swedish government support

  1st September 2022

  A lack of Gripen export orders has left Saab frustrated and longing for additional support from the Swedish government.

• Training

  Starlite Aviation to purchase Vrgineers sims

  8th August 2022

  Starlite Aviation Academy and CHS Tactical will use a reconfigurable trainer solution from Vrgineers to train helicopter and fixed-wing pilots in South Africa.

• Land Warfare

  Can the US meet the international demand for HIMARS?

  9th August 2022

  The performance of the M142 HIMARS in Ukraine has led to increased interest in this platform, but it has also raised questions about the capacity of the US to satisfy international demand in the short term.

• Land Warfare

  Iron Dome keeps making strides in the US

  3rd August 2022

  Following a successful integration with the US Marine Corps, the Iron Dome is one step closer to being fielded by the US Army.

• Defence Notes

  French seek urgent reinforcement for air defence umbrella

  29th June 2022

  France needs a new interim addition to its air defence arsenal, particularly as the Crotale NG SHORAD missile is due for retirement by 2025 — could VL MICA fit the bill?

• Air Warfare

  India faces a crisis in its fighter squadrons

  5th August 2022

  India is facing a crisis with crashes of older fighters, falling squadron numbers and delays in acquisition programmes.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Data links

  Data links | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In June 2019, The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed to Shephard that the government has given approval for the service to prepare ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Data links

  Data links | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia released a RfI in early January 2019 seeking light combat aircraft capable of some air-to-air and full air-to-ground missions. The requirement is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirement Malaysia has long had a requirement known as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) designed to replace the MiG-29 fleet. The MRCA programme ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch III (13-18) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack

  Hawk 200

  The Hawk 200 is a single-seat light attack iteration of the Hawk 100 (see separate entry) and Advanced Jet Trainer or AJT (see separate entry). ...

• Subsystems: software

  SimuSphere HD-9

  SimuSphere HD-9 is an HD visual display solution that can be upgraded to trainers currently integrated with SimuSphere systems or as an option for a ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ESP

  The Electronic Surveillance Payload (ESP) is a lightweight system providing capabilities for Electronic Support Measures(ESM)/ELINT operations. It is designed to operate as a standalone ESM ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SISTELA

  Developed by the Naval Group's Malaysian division, the SISTELA Combat Management System supports diverse naval missions such as surface warfare and air defence. Developed for the ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Sting Ray

  The Sting Ray Mod 1 is an air- and surface-launched, lightweight ASW torpedo. It can be deployed from frigates, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft against ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D TOFT

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) delivered an F/A-18D Tactical Operations Flight Trainer (TOFT) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The TOFT consists ...

• OPVs

  New Generation Patrol Vessel

  LUNAS unveiled the New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) at DSA 2018. The NGPV is intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) New Generation Patrol Vessels ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Tactical UAV

  Unveiled at DSA 2022, the Deftech Tactical UAV is an indigenously developed platform based on the Aldura Mk1. The platform is aimed at the Royal Malaysian ...

• EO/IR systems

  Damocles

  The Damocles is a third-generation targeting pod developed by Thales Group, designed for advanced reconnaissance and laser designation. It is modular, features an eye-safe laser, ...

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

  M Solar-X

  First revealed in August 2020, in February 2024, at its symposium, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) showcased the M Solar-X. This solar-powered fixed-wing drone was ...

• Corvettes

  Laksamana Class

  The Royal Malaysian Navy's Laksamana-class corvettes originated under an order placed with Fincantieri by the Iraqi government, but this was cancelled in the 1980s after ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Anka-3

  The Anka-3 MIUS, or Anka-III, is a developmental low-observable flying wing UCAV from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).  The UCAV has been designed to work alongside Turkey's ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SETIS

  SETIS is Naval Group's integrated combat system designed initially for French Navy's FREMM-frigates. It is currently being used on Naval Group's Gowind-class corvettes. SETIS is ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  J/ALQ-8

  Like Israel, Japan elected to outfit its McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J/DJ combat aircraft with an indigenous self-protection system. This takes the form of Mitsubishi Electric’s J/ALQ-8 ...