• Defence Notes

  MDM 2017: Commandant highlights new fighting concept

  21st September 2017

  The Commandant of the US Marine Corps, Gen Robert Neller, used the venue of Modern Day Marine 2017 to highlight the service’s new Littoral Operations …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2017: New COMINT for Watchkeeper

  13th September 2017

  Qinetiq’s AS3 COMINT system is ready to be utilised on the Watchkeeper UAV and development of the system for use on other UAVs is continuing, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Polaris proposes MRZR for SMET

  26th September 2017

  Polaris will throw its hat into the ring for the US Army’s Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) programme with an optionally-manned MRZR. The offering, known Team …

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2017: Joint Forces Command fosters ‘miltech’ industry

  13th September 2017

  The head of Joint Forces Command (JFC) has laid out an ambition for his command to become the ‘information command’ as he continues efforts to …

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2017: MoD puts innovation and exportability at centre of procurement

  15th September 2017

  Innovation and exportability will be placed at the forefront of UK procurement policy as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) looks to simplify its procurement process. …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: BAE shows off new CV90 turret (video)

  19th September 2017

  BAE Systems showcased its CV90 IFV at DSEI in London equipped with its latest generation E30 turret which includes a Spike LR missile launcher system, a 30mm …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: That's a wrap (video)

  15th September 2017

  DSEI 2017 brought news from the land, sea and air domains. Shephard's Land Warfare Editor, Grant Turnbull, reviews some of the highlights of the week. 

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Unmanned skies over Europe (video)

  6th September 2017

  UAV programmes in Europe are dominated by France and the UK with work continuing on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) design between the two nations.  The …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2017: JLTV upgunned and uparmoured

  28th September 2017

  As the first US Army units prepare to take delivery of the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), manufacturer Oshkosh and Israeli company Rafael have …

• Digital Battlespace

  Saab wins Sweden telecommunications work

  20th September 2017

  Saab has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Material Administration for maintenance of the Swedish armed forces' telecommunications net for 2017-2018, the company announced …

• Land Warfare

  Saab, NDMA sign Carl-Gustaf deal

  15th September 2017

  Saab and the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) have signed a framework contract for delivery of ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon system, Saab announced …

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Supacat riding the waves (video)

  15th September 2017

  Supacat unveiled its high performance SC12 RIB at DSEI 2017 and demonstrated its capabilities on the River Thames in London during the show. Supacat has …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Harris reveals robot technology (video)

  14th September 2017

  At DSEI 2017 the UK’s Ministry of Defence awarded Harris Corporation a contract worth up to £55 million (US$70 million) to provide its T7 Robotic …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy at full stretch

  20th September 2017

  US Navy readiness has once again come under scrutiny and action is needed to address challenges including persistent maintenance and training, according to a report. …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2017: Rockwell Collins with force (video)

  14th September 2017

  At DSEI 2017, Rockwell Collins has announced its mission computer for Airbus Helicopters' HForce programme, which modifies the company’s civil platforms to allow for military …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  DELI [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Speaking to Shephard at SAHA Expo 2022, a spokesperson stated that the platform was expected to enter into service with the Turkish Armed ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [UK]

  Background Rumours In mid-October 2022, Mustafa Varank, Turkey’s minister of industry, revealed to CNN Turk that the UK was interested in Turkish armed drones. The ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) (Tranche 2) / Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) [USA]

  Background The Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) programme The RPUAS programme will provide the battalion and below-ground manoeuvre elements within the US Army with an organic, ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Micro UAV [Argentina]

  Background Tender The EA and MoD in April 2021 announced Public Tender 0090/2021 (UOC: 84/135), which saw the General Directorate of Material begin the process of ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Air Force)

  Programme Background The Indian Army was originally granted co-ownership of the 22 Apaches by the Indian MoD. However, the IAF refused to cede them to ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Ground Master 403 Radar [Egypt]

  Background In 2020, Egypt ordered four of France-based Thales Ground Master 403 radars, the mobile member of their GM400 radar family.  At least one of the ...

• Military UAS - small

  ScanEagle [Czechia]

  Programme Background Earmarked The ACR took delivery of ten ScanEagle systems (100 UAVs), which were received as a donation from the US in 2015. In ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Sovereign UAS Challenge [Australia]

  Background Chinese Drones Banned As reported by Shephard in August 2023, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) previously used commercial UAS from companies such as DJI ...

• Military UAS - small

  Domestically developed UAV [Mexican Army]

  Background Domestic development In 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced initiatives for the Army and Navy to independently develop UAV prototypes, as part of a broader ...

• Military UAS - small

  HUSAR (2023 Order) [Germany]

  Programme Background First Order In 2015, the German Army launched the HUSAR programme to identify a replacement for its Airbus Defence & Space KZO and ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [Libya]

  Programme Background 2022 Reports In October 2022, various Libyan media outlets reported that the country was eyeing a possible procurement from Baykar, possibly the Akinici ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  TUAS [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Tender & Requirments The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) issued a tender in May 2020 to provide a new Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS). ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Wizjer [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirements In its Technical Modernisation Programme 2013-2022, the Polish Ministry of National Defense (MND) identified the need for several new types of UAVs ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A) that will provide logistics and ground units with their ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement [USA]

  Programme Background The modification and Treaty Certification works include Digital Visual Imaging System kits, design and development for mission system integration (structural design, interphone communications systems, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - small

  Skylark 3

  The Skylark 3 is a small UAS manufactured by Elbit Systems. It is designed for both dismounted and vehicle-based operations.  It can perform a range of ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  M12 Monitor

  The Saxon Remote Systems M12 Monitor UAV is a commercial and military system designed to perform a range of roles such as surveillance, pipeline inspection ...

• Military UAS - small, Military UAS - tactical

  Resolute Eagle

  The Resolute Eagle is a tactical Group 3 UAS with fuselage and underwing payload bays, which is able to carry multiple sensors. The UAS has been ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  SICX-10E

  The SICX-10E is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military and civil roles, including tactical ISR, bomb damage assessment, homeland security, aerial surveillance, ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  SICX-25

  The SICX-25 is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military, commercial and civil missions, including tactical ISTAR, bomb damage assessment, civil air surveillance, ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  30 June

  Developed by the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production, the 30 June is a MALE fixed-wing UAV designed for reconnaissance missions.  Additionally, it features an electromagnetic system and ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Wulung

  The Wulung is an Indonesian tactical UAV. First displayed at the Indo Defence Expo and Forum in November 2014, the aircraft entered mass production in May ...

• EO/IR systems

  Skybox

  The Skybox allows gimballed camera systems developed for small UAVs to be integrated on the nose of manned helicopters. It accommodates cameras such as DJI’s ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Yagu

  Plasan unveiled the Yagu 4x4 at the March 2018 Expo Seguridad event. It is based on the Arctic Cat Wildcat 4 1000 commercial all-terrain vehicle. The ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  StratoAirNet

  The StratoAirNet is a lightweight MALE UAV that is solar-powered and designed for commercial and military applications. It can accommodate multiple payloads weighing up to ...

• Air: mission management systems

  TM-100 Map and Video Management system

  Trakka Systems introduced a new TM-100 Map and Video Management system at HAI Heli-Expo 2017 in Dallas. The augmented reality mapping system with metadata video and audio ...

• EO/IR systems

  Geodetic photomapping and monitoring payload and blind zone cameras

  Heliatica unveiled a geodetic mapping and monitoring payload with Geoscan at Heli-Expo 2017. The system is designed to fit two Sony DSC-RX1 (24MP resolution) cameras ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  EJ-30

  Produced by Industrial Complex Engineering Robots in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production, the EJ-30 is a MALE UAV with visual similarity to the ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Dragonfish (Series)

  The Dragonfish is a series of mini fixed-wing tiltrotor UAVs from Autel Robotics. The series consists of the Lite, Standard and Pro dragonfish, with the ...

• OPVs

  Shachi Class (Project 21)

  Project 21 (P-21) Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs)  was intended to enhance the maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities of the Indian Navy. The design of ...