• Training

  EU counter-IED exercise begins with 12 countries and 1,000 personnel

  7th November 2023

  Bison Counter 23 will include observers from Sweden, Latvia, Romania and the US, and has followed on from similar exercises in 2013, held in the Netherlands, 2016 (Sweden) and 2021 (Italy).

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall to supply further artillery ammunition to Ukraine via NATO country

  4th December 2023

  The order for tens-of-thousands of shells will be delivered in 2025 and Rheinmetall will also fulfil earlier orders of rounds for Ukraine in 2024.

• Defence Notes

  European Defence Agency report predicts multi-domain operations, new tech and robots to dominate beyond 2040

  24th October 2023

  Future defence forces will face a range of challenges beyond the metal, silicon chips and microprocessors that currently threaten national security and defence.

• Land Warfare

  Swiss Leopards to fill holes left by Ukraine-bound tanks

  30th November 2023

  Switzerland has sold 25 retired Leopard 2 MBTs but only after Germany asserted that the tanks would stay with NATO or EU partners, to respect Swiss policy of neutrality.

• Land Warfare

  EDA's AIDED project showcases autonomous UGV and UAS collaboration

  5th October 2023

  The European Defence Agency's AIDED project concluded with a demonstration of AI-enabled coordination between aerial and ground uncrewed systems for the detection of explosives.

• Air Warfare

  Germany's potential SCAF exit for GCAP unpacked

  3rd November 2023

  The leaked information about Germany leaving the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS/SCAF) project and joining the rival Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) hints at the growing complexities and tensions within the Franco-German partnership.

• Naval Warfare

  Thailand belays submarine deal with China, and eyes a frigate instead

  24th October 2023

  Thailand has virtually given up on its S26T submarine, but will maintain close relations with China through buying a frigate instead.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI: Milrem displays new versions of THeMIS and reveals plans for larger UGV

  15th September 2023

  Milrem Robotics has now supplied more than 100 of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) hybrid UGVs including approximately 15 for service in Ukraine. Lessons learned are continuing to inform the platform’s development, according to the company.

• Defence Notes

  Indian defence purchases from Russia are in trouble

  30th August 2023

  Fearing sanctions, India needs to find an alternative mechanism as it continues to buy defence equipment from Russia.

• Air Warfare

  HYDIS² consortium hypersonic interceptor project proposed for funding by European Comission

  3rd August 2023

  The objective of HYDIS² is to study various interceptor concepts and bring to maturity the associated critical technologies to deliver the best counter-hypersonic and anti-ballistic interception solution.

• Air Warfare

  Tactical advantage – is the best replacement for a C-130 another C-130?

  18th September 2023

  While designs like the Embraer C-390 have chalked up some export successes, Shephard analyses whether a true competitor (or successor) to Lockheed's C-130J currently exists. Or will the Hercules production line simply remain open for decades to come?

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall secures another major contract for artillery ammunition replenishment

  19th July 2023

  Rheinmetall has signed a framework contract worth €1.3 billion for artillery ammunition replenishment, including shells and fuses, to replenish stores of ammunition used in the war in Ukraine.

• Defence Notes

  Over half of NATO members to miss the mark on defence spending

  20th July 2023

  Although the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been driving military expenditure upward worldwide, only 11 out of 30 NATO countries are expected to meet or exceed the 2% mark in 2023.

• Defence Helicopter

  Thales to supply standby flight instruments for Airbus H160M helicopter

  29th June 2023

  The first military application for Thales' third-generation Integrated Electronic Standby Instruments (IESI) will be the Guépard Joint Light Helicopter version of the Airbus H160.

• Air Warfare

  Sweden to buy advanced US air-to-air missiles amid ongoing NATO membership hurdles

  10th July 2023

  The sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to Stockholm underscores the US's commitment to supporting Sweden's security interests as Turkey continues to block its path to NATO membership.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - (Greece)

  Programme Background EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) was announced in early 2022 and the project contract was awarded ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - (Italy)

  Programme Background EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) was announced in early 2022 and the project contract was awarded ...

• OPVs

  OPV P71 (Malta)

  Programme Background Malta is to receive an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) called P71 to complement the P61 OPV. Plans were first announced for a new OPV ...

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

  Class 2 Tactical UAS [Ireland]

  Background EU Tender On 13 March 2024, the Irish Department of Defence released a planning notice on the EU tenders website, confirming that the Irish ...

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

  Corps of Engineers UAS [Ireland]

  Programme Background EU Competition Notice On 13 August 2024, a competition notice appeared on the EU tendering website stating that the Irish Defence Force invited ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• OPVs

  Second OPV P71 (Malta)

  Programme Background Plans were first announced for two new OPVs in 2016 with funding provided by the European Union. The project came following an announcement ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Plataforma Naval Multifuncional [Portugal]

  Programme Background Requirements In June 2022, the Portuguese Navy released the concept of a multifunctional called Plataforma Naval Multifuncional (PNM). The programme will be carried out using ...

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

  DTIF GUARD (Ireland)

  Programme Background The Problem As stated by the project's website, Ireland is the "softest target in EU for smugglers" due to its 3171km of coastline, ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Group Unmanned Isr DronE (GUIDE) [Netherlands]

  Background Competition On 14 March 2025, the Netherlands announced on the EU tendering website a competition sounding the future procurement of 514 UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, MPVs - 4x4

  High Mobility Armoured 4x4 Tactical Vehicles

  Programme Background Requirement The procurement of high-mobility 4x4 armoured vehicles is part of an initiative to replace a diverse fleet of utility vehicles currently in ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Jump 20 [Denmark]

  Programme Background 2020 Tender In January 2018, Denmark's three main political parties signed the Danish Defence Agreement, a cross-party defence white paper covering the period ...

• Special operations vehicles

  LL-UTV (Contracted)

  Programme Background The LL-UTV is intended to increase the tactical mobility of the German Army's airborne forces and possibly also its SOF. A tender for ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC)/Buques de Protección Marítima (BPM) [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Special operations vehicles

  LL-UTV (Options)

  Programme Background The LL-UTV is intended to increase the tactical mobility of the German Army's airborne forces and possibly also its SOF. A tender for ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  PCD-EU

  The Panoramic Cockpit Display - Electronics Unit (PCD-EU) has been jointly developed by the San Jose-based Lynx Software Technologies and Tampa-based Core Avionics & Industrial ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• Military vehicle engines

  Caterpillar C13

  The Caterpillar C13 is a four stroke, turbocharged 12.7L 6-cylinder diesel engine that was introduced in 2007. It is a heavy duty engine built for ...

• Land: battle management systems

  SAMOC

  In the role of a mobile C2 centre for ground-based air and missile defence operations, the Surface-to-Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC) is designed to provide ...

• Land: battle management systems

  BMC4I

  Battle Management C4I (BMC4I) enables management of missile defence, focusing on strategic and tactical planning, surveillance, air picture production and threat evaluation, as well as ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  Mobile, Manpack and Portable Jammers

  Kintex offers mobile, manpack and portable remote controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) jammers to protect single objects or groups of moving objects, groups of people, ...

• EO/IR systems

  Predator 150 Mk III

  The Predator 150 Mk III is a multi-sensor, three-axis mechanical stabilised optical system from Atmolab.  It has a low-light full HD EO camera, a high-resolution ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  TES MILES Products

  Leidos provides wireless Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) MILES laser-based systems and products for live, scalable combat training range exercises. The MILES components are interoperable and ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Dana-M1 CZ

  The Dana was developed in the 1970s by Konštrukta Trencín to provide the Czechoslovakian government with a locally built alternative to Soviet artillery systems. More ...

• Sea: sonar systems

  Sentinel IDS

  The Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar (IDS) system uses tracking software that combines data from multiple sonars to produce a picture of the underwater environment, providing wide-area ...

• EO/IR systems

  Rex 151E Spatium

  The Rex 151E Spatium is a multi-sensor two-axis EO/IR system. It comprises a high zoom day/low light FHD EO camera, a high-resolution thermal camera and a laser rangefinder.

• EO/IR systems

  TI FLIR 49

  The TI FLIR 49 is a lightweight, multi-purpose, thermal imaging sensor for navigation, surveillance, maritime, search and rescue, and troop transport missions. Features: second-generation focal ...

• Air: NVGs

  NG700+ System

  The Fenn NG700+ System includes a lightweight NVG and a helmet-mounted power pack. Its features include: lightweight design, fast F/1 objective lens, integrated low-level battery ...

• Trainer

  DA20-C1

  The DA20-C1 is a twin-seat trainer aircraft used to screen aviation candidates and prepare them for more advanced USAF flight school programmes. The aircraft is ...

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

  LOTUS

  The LOTUS, Low Observable Tactical Unnamed System, is a tactical UAV especially designed for border patrol ISR operations.  The development of the project is funded by ...