• Naval Warfare

  German-Filippino defence collaboration agreement edges closer in South China Sea

  6th August 2024

  The countries have agreed to have a collaboration plan in place by the end of 2024.

• Naval Warfare

  Austal to build two more landing craft for US Navy

  6th August 2024

  This contract modification brings the total number of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) currently scheduled or under construction for US Navy (USN) by Austal USA to five.

• Land Warfare

  Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)

  6th March 2025

  Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: How India’s Tri-Service MQ-9B $4 billion deal was awarded

  22nd October 2024

  After lengthy negotiations, the Indian Ministry of Defence has now signed a US$4 billion contract with the US Government to procure 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics, marking India as the largest customer of this UAV model.

• Air Warfare

  Malaysia inks $1.48 billion in support deals for submarines and aircraft

  9th May 2024

  The deals signed ranged from submarine and aircraft support to the purchase of maritime patrol aircraft and anti-tank weapons.

• Training

  Vietnam receives first batch of L-39NG jets and awaits US trainers

  30th August 2024

  The 12 L-39NGs jet trainers ordered by Vietnam will replace the country’s fleet of L-39C Albatros jets.

• Land Warfare

  Brazil orders 420 Iveco Light Multirole Vehicles

  10th July 2024

  Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) introduced the 4x4 Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) in 2001 and more than 4,000 LMV1s have been sold to 15 different countries, including Italy, which ordered more than 2,000 under the local designation Lince.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Shark Robotics showcases its Colossus firefighting UGV at Eurosatory 2024

  19th June 2024

  Shark Robotics’ Colossus is an uncrewed ground vehicle developed with the Paris Fire Brigade, capable of carrying heavy payloads, operating in extreme temperatures, and featuring remote and future AI-based autonomous control.

• Naval Warfare

  US Congress plans to invest more than $650 million on integrating the PAC-3 MSE onto US Navy vessels

  12th August 2024

  Congress has recommended an additional US$105 million for the initiative in FY2025 as it aims to accelerate the effort.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2024 preview: Vehicles to take centre stage as competitions heat up

  3rd October 2024

  The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition, the largest defence trade show in the US, returns on 14 October presenting one of the few chances for companies to publicly put their platforms to an audience of US decision-makers. Shephard takes a look at what’s in store for 2024.

• Land Warfare

  How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence

  23rd July 2024

  Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Romania approved for $340 million Sidewinder purchase

  15th May 2024

  The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile (AAM). The heat-seeking AIM-9X Block 1 Sidewinder, the most widely used AAM on US and allied fighter aircraft, can also be mounted on helicopters.

• Naval Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: BAE Systems to demonstrate USV system at Defense Services Asia

  6th February 2024

  Nautomate, an autonomous control system for uncrewed marine vehicles, can provide assured mission delivery in complex, congested and contested environments. The system will be demonstrated on a United Engineering Systems P38 boat at DSA in Malaysia in May 2024.

• Naval Warfare

  Lawmakers plan to provide US Navy with multi-year procurement authority for US Marine Corps’ CH-53K

  4th June 2024

  The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) proposal for FY2025 authorised the service to enter into multi-year acquisition contracts from the next fiscal year.

• Land Warfare

  Long-range strike: US announces European hypersonic missile deployment

  8th August 2024

  The US plans to deploy a suite of long-range precision strike missiles, including developmental hypersonics, to counter the advanced precision strike systems of Russia and China. It will form part of the US Army’s Multi Domain Task Force (MDTF) to enhance European long-range fires capabilities and include SM-6 air defence, Tomahawk cruise missiles and HIMARS batteries.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia already operates a fleet of 20 AV4 Lipan Bara 4x4 vehicles delivered between 2016 and 2017, 18 of which are assigned to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, 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). ...

• Special Operations Vehicles [Malaysia]

  Forecast Methodology Malaysia's SOV tender calls for a vehicle that 'is capable of conducting special operations deep in enemy-held territory' and 'capable of manoeuvring in hostile ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Submarines Procurement [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements In 2015, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) issued the so-called 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which envisioned the service to be standardised ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch IV (11-13) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [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 ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch III (8-10) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ships that ...

• 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 ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship Programme (6-7) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements At DSA 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) unveiled the RMN 15 to 5 Transformation Program Realignment.  The original 15 to 5 plan ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (Additional Units) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background First Three Drones Following years of exploring MALE UAVs and a few failed efforts, the RMAF clarified it wanted to acquire the three ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy currently operates two ageing logistics ships that are not equipped to carry out amphibious missions and operate beyond their intended design ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy currently operates two ageing logistics ships that are not equipped to carry out amphibious missions and operate beyond their intended design ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch II (7-12) [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

• Military - USVs

  High-Speed Intercept Boat

  Poly Technologies displayed its High-Speed Intercept Boat at DSA in Malaysia in 2016. 

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530G

  The MD 530G is the newest addition to the MD Helicopters line of light scout attack platforms. It has increased-capacity landing gear and a mission-configurable ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Condor

  At the DSA 2016 exhibition in Malaysia, DRB-HICOM DefTech displayed a prototype of an upgraded Malaysian Army Condor 4x4 APC. Thyssen-Henschel (now part of RMMV) ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-DSA

  M-DSA is the next step in the sensor modernisation of the M-TADS/PNVS system. Upgraded capabilities support more rapid target identification and coordination, as well as ...

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

  SR-10 VTOL

  Deftech showcased the SR-10 VTOL at DSA 2022. It has been locally designed in Malaysia to conduct aerial mapping, surveillance and line inspection missions. The hand-launched platform is powered ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  CW-100

  The CW-100 is a small VTOL capable UAV manufactured byChengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) in collaboration with Malvus Sense. Displayed at DSA 2022, it is ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Black Fox 6x6

  Doosan’s Black Fox family of 6x6 and 8x8 AFVs was developed to compete for a Republic of Korea Army requirement. Although not selected for the ...

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

  CW-007

  The CW-007 VTOL UAS is part of the Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) series and is the smallest of the fleet.  It is primarily ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Guardian

  IAG's Guardian 4x4 armoured personnel carrier has been designed to carry up to ten fully equipped personnel and their support equipment. While the vehicle is ...

• 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

  M-TADS/PNVS

  The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) is the EO fire control system that US Army AH-64D/E Apache helicopter pilots use for ...

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

  CW-15

  The CW-15 is a mini VTOL capable UAV manufactured by Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV). Belonging to the CW series, the CW-15 is electrically powered ...

• Loitering munitions

  Todak

  Unveiled at DSA 2024, the Todak is a loitering munition from Mindmatics. The catapult-launched platform is powered by a Li-ion 25.2V battery, and it is ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MALE UAV

  As its name suggests, the MALE UAV is a male-class drone. It has been developed by Indo-Pacific Communication & Defence (IPCD) and certified by the Ministry of ...

• 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 ...