• Air Warfare

  PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq

  27th September 2023

  China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.

• Air Warfare

  MARSS reveals plans for new counter-drone UAV and roadmap for Interceptor

  13th September 2023

  MARSS expects to begin testing its Interceptor Medium Range (MR) UAS against Class 2 UAVs later this year in Cornwall UK and has revealed details on the Interceptor Short Range (SR) UAS with soldier-carried deployment system.

• Naval Warfare

  Indian Navy tries again to procure minehunters, but this time it goes futuristic

  4th September 2023

  The Indian Navy is looking to the future with MCMVs that integrate a lot of autonomous technology. Meanwhile, other construction projects, such as ASWSWCs and survey vessels, are proceeding.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems to design next-gen SeaSparrow missile launch system

  7th July 2023

  BAE Systems has been awarded a $37 million contract to develop the Next Generation Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Launch System (NGELS), providing the USN and allied countries with an enhanced ship self-defence capability.

• Naval Warfare

  Canada advances second attempt at submarine support

  9th August 2023

  As the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) fleet of four Victoria-class submarines transitions to a new operational profile and maintenance cycle a new support regime for the boats is planned.

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Safran and MTU join forces to power next-gen European rotorcraft

  21st June 2023

  Safran and MTU have agreed to partner up to develop a new European helicopter engine, in anticipation of European Defence Fund support for such an initiative.

• Defence Notes

  How the Pentagon is using quantum technology to improve its military capabilities

  29th August 2023

  The US DoD has been conducting several initiatives in the area of quantum science, the study of the smallest possible units of matter and energy, and intends to deepen the efforts in FY2024 as it watches China make advances in defence.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: How rising tensions have fuelled the Type 26 frigate's development

  12th September 2023

  Slated to enter service in the late 2020s, the Type 26 frigate addresses the pressing need for enhanced ASW capabilities, particularly in light of heightened tensions with Russia. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the design and its equipment fit.

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman delivers components for Arctic satellite broadband mission

  8th August 2023

  Northrop Grumman has delivered major components and begun pre-launch preparations for the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), a crucial effort in delivering protected satellite communications to the challenging northern polar region.

• Land Warfare

  Nurol adds loitering munition launch option to tactical armoured vehicles

  28th July 2023

  Nurol Makina's latest TWAV, the NMS-Light 4x4, was shown at IDEF 2023 with launchers for the locally developed Spira ILGAR smart loitering munition.

• Defence Notes

  Pentagon bets on advanced autonomous solutions to match Chinese military capabilities

  14th September 2023

  The US DoD recently disclosed details of the Replicator initiative to field thousands of uncrewed systems in two years across multiple domains.

• Air Warfare

  Saab receives new missile pylon for testing and evaluation on Gripen E

  20th July 2023

  Saab has taken delivery of MELP5 hardware for test-firing Meteor missiles on the Gripen E fighter aircraft.

• Defence Notes

  Pentagon to strengthen cyber networks of US partners and allies

  18th September 2023

  The recently released 2023 Cyber Strategy states that the US will build the capacity and capability of allies and partners in cyberspace and expand avenues of potential cyber cooperation.

• Defence Notes

  US lawmakers to fund nearly $12 billion multi-year contracts for weapons

  3rd August 2023

  Authorisation of the US Senate Committee on Appropriations to progress with long-term acquisitions acquisition would benefit eight programmes.

• Digital Battlespace

  Orbiting the Future: How New Satellite Technologies are Revolutionising Global Communications

  26th September 2023

  With the satellite industry at a pivotal juncture, Intelsat is investing in advanced technologies like 5G and optical communications, striving to enhance worldwide connectivity and address emerging governmental needs.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 212CD (1-4) [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway selected TKMS as the shipbuilder for its new class of Type 212CD submarines to replace the six Ula-class SSKs currently in service. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Second Hand Submarine Procurement [Argentina]

  Programme Background Argentina is seeking to rebuild its submarine force, as ARA Salta and ARA Santa Cruz are no longer operational. In the short term, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Flute MLRS

  The Flute Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a self-propelled missile system that can be armed with up to eight unguided S-8 rockets (Flute-80) or ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Ula Class

  The Ula-class conventional attack submarines (SSK) was a joint project between Norway and Germany, with some sections made in Norway, but assembled in Germany, equipped ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 14/15

  SERO 14/15 periscopes were developed on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement. Used in Norwegian ULA plus German and Italian Type ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer

  The Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer expands the Action Speed Tactical Trainer’s sonar capability with new sonar simulations to create a dedicated ASW trainer. Various ...

• Major networking projects

  Missile Defence

  In 2010, NATO rolled out an initial capability to protect alliance forces against missile threats and is now examining options for protecting territory and populations. ...

• Major networking projects

  AGS

  NATO is acquiring an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a picture of the situation on the ground in areas of interest. ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces. 

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Type 212CD

  Norway is to get four new Type 212CD ‘common design’ submarines to replace the existing Ula-class SSKs after it selected German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Sea: procedural training, Sea: tactical training

  Submarine Training Systems

  Thales has delivered submarine training systems to nations around the world, including Submarine Control Simulators and Machinery Control Trainers, with example deployments being the UK ...

• Major networking projects

  Air and Missile Defence

  NATO Air and Missile Defence comprises all measures aimed at monitoring and reacting to potential air threats in NATO airspace, as well as countering hostile ...

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

  Granat-1

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) – the largest Russian manufacturing company that produces a wide range of precision weapons – includes at least ...

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

  Granat-4 (Rubezh-20)

  The Granat-series UAS by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash Unmanned Systems) includes at least six tactical variants: the Granat-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6. A popular ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Argus Elite

  The Argus Elite is a rotary-wing micro UAS manufactured Alliance Solutions Group (ASG). Its EO/IR cameras and hazardous material sensors allow it to capture positional, chemical, ...

• Air: mission management systems

  DSAR

  Data Storage and Retrieval (DSAR) provides the capability for storing, managing and disseminating joint ISR and operational C2 data and information. It can support cross-community ...