• Defence Notes

  NATO estimates most members will not reach 2% of GDP defence spending target in 2022

  13th July 2022

  Although two-thirds of NATO member states will not reach 2% of the GDP in defence spending in 2022, almost 80% of the countries (23 nations) earmarked more than 20% of their defence budgets to equipment and modernisation.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy decommissions two more Trafalgar-class submarines

  23rd May 2022

  The UK RN officially decommissioned the Trafalgar-class submarines HMS Trenchant and HMS Talent at Devonport Naval Base on 20 May, leaving HMS Triumph as the …

• Digital Battlespace

  How the Five Eyes militaries are discovering the power of the network (podcast)

  8th July 2022

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

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall sells Skyguard 3 systems to international customer

  5th July 2022

  An unnamed customer will receive Oerlikon Skyguard 3 air defence systems by 2024.

• Digital Battlespace

  Farnborough 2022: Horizon hails sales of airborne SIGINT systems and awaits landmark UK space launch

  18th July 2022

  UK-based Horizon Technologies hails sales of its BlackFish and FlyingFish solutions to 'numerous' customers, and the company is preparing to launch its Amber CubeSat for maritime SIGINT.

• Digital Battlespace

  DSA 2022: Network-centric project on track in Malaysia

  31st March 2022

  Despite some COVID-related disruption, the Phase 1B (1) of the Network Centric Operations programme for the Malaysian Armed Forces is on track.

• Land Warfare

  Brazil poised to release RfP for armoured vehicles

  17th June 2022

  The Brazilian Army is looking to acquire 98 new 8x8 medium wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicles under the VBC Cav-MSR programme, with an RfP due out by the end of this month.

• Training

  IT2EC 2022: NATO and UK MoD deploy in numbers to Europe

  29th April 2022

  NATO exercises planned for this summer reflect a heightened posture and the need to send a message to Moscow — but are they sustainable?

• Air Warfare

  France receives the first batch of refurbished MICA missiles

  1st July 2022

  Refurbishing the missiles will keep them in service until 2030 with the French Navy and the Air and Space Force.

• Land Warfare

  US military assistance to Ukraine approaches $10 billion

  11th August 2022

  The DoD has announced a $1 billion security aid package for Ukraine, bringing its total donations to almost $10 billion.

• Defence Notes

  Eurosatory 2022: Avon Protection eyes data integration into CBRN equipment

  17th June 2022

  Users of CBRN protective equipment are increasingly looking to integrate and display mission-critical data.

• Air Warfare

  DSA 2022: TAI affirms commitment to Malaysia even if bids fail

  30th March 2022

  Even if it is unsuccessful in bids for MALE UAV and light combat/trainer aircraft programmes, Turkish Aerospace (TAI) executives confirmed to Shephard that the company aims to build ‘long-term relationships’ in Malaysia.

• Training

  UK and Japan to strengthen ties with naval training

  23rd June 2022

  As the Royal Navy increases its presence in the Pacific and threats grow across the world, Japan and the UK believe closer cooperation is necessary to promote maritime order.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2022: Excalibur Army introduces Morana Howitzer

  14th June 2022

  The new system features a 155 mm gun with a 52 calibre barrel, a remote-controlled weapon station and a 12.7 mm machine gun for self-protection.

• Training

  Is the British Army training for the right fight? (Opinion)

  22nd July 2022

  Analysts and experts will scrutinise the conflict in Ukraine for years to come, but the past few months have certainly been enough to highlight some of the gaps in the British Army’s capabilities. Are the lessons learned in the east being applied correctly?

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: 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 ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Sting Ray Mod 1

  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 ...

• 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, ...

• 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 - 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 ...

• 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: 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 ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Pod

  SAP-518

  KNIRTT’s SAP-518 is a pod-mounted electronic warfare system which is designed to outfit the Sukhoi Su-30 series of combat aircraft. When deployed with onboard the Su-30 ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Bö 105 FFS

  Aircraft-specific simulation for the MBB Bö 105, supplied to the Indonesian Army and Royal Netherlands Air Force. Features: actual aircraft cockpit, Doppler radar, NVG-capable visual ...