• Air Warfare

  Expanded focus – unleashing the potential of commercial SATCOM for defence

  17th June 2025

  In conversation... Intelsat's Ray Lindenmayer talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about the new capabilities advanced commercial SATCOM technologies can provide for military customers, and how industry and government can best work together to achieve maximum effect in orbit.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer

  17th September 2025

  Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed’s deal to triple PAC-3 MSE production opens doors to portfolio boost

  7th January 2026

  The framework agreement with the US Department of Defense would see Lockheed Martin increase production capacity from 600 to 2,000 interceptors per year.

• Land Warfare

  Could the Ajax IFV solve the UK’s Warrior capability gap?

  22nd September 2025

  With the UK facing an imminent capability gap after the retirement of its Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the Ajax IFV appears to be in a prime position to fill that gap.

• Air Warfare

  PGZ and Anduril to work on Polish variant of Barracuda-500M missile

  28th October 2025

  The memorandum of understanding signed also included a wider strategic plan to co-develop autonomous air systems for the Polish Armed Forces.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2025: Leopard 1 offered extra kick with new power pack

  4th September 2025

  The new power pack from Germany’s Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) is about 300kg lighter than the original system, consists of a more modern eight-cylinder diesel developing up to 1,080hp. It is being shown for the first time at DSEI.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability

  13th March 2026

  The proposed $920 million deal would provide Sweden with a step up from its existing tube artillery and align the country with other northern European nations that have selected the HIMARS platform.

• Land Warfare

  German rearmament – three potential scenarios

  5th September 2025

  With the possibility of a massive increase in German defence spending on the horizon, Shephard analyses what such a boost could mean for the Bundeswehr’s procurement of new armoured vehicles.

• Defence Notes

  Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems

  31st October 2025

  Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.

• Naval Warfare

  UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet

  10th March 2026

  The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo

  10th February 2026

  Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.

• Air Warfare

  June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory

  29th June 2026

  June 2026 saw the landmark acquisition of the first fighter-type Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), while the month also hosted Eurosatory, which showcased deep-strike capabilities and production deals with the civilian industry.

• Defence Notes

  Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners

  5th December 2025

  While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.

• Land Warfare

  Getting the most from open-architecture solutions in defence

  1st October 2025

  What are the best practices for maximising the benefits of open-architecture technology for military applications?

• Land Warfare

  How AI and robotics drive innovation in land-based defence

  23rd October 2025

  The future on the frontlines: automation and AI isn’t just about improving efficiency or driving down labour cost - for Pearson Engineering it’s everything.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Project 75 Alpha [India]

  The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of six next-generation nuclear attack submarines. This is not a new plan; it is a long-awaited ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (1-2) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Tornado Replacement (F-35A) [Germany]

  Programme Background In March 2020, it emerged that the German government was considering  30 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to replace 45 nuclear-capable Tornados, although contracts have yet ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  PROSUB - SSN [Brazil]

  Programme Background Following the successful delivery of the four Riachuelo-class SSK, which is due to all enter service between 2020 and 2023, the construction of ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  Khabarovsk  is a special purpose nuclear submarine under construction for the Russian Navy which is thought to be the main launching platform of the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Project 75 Alpha/Project 77 (3-6) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy plans to develop six next-generation nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The project began in 2015 when the NDA government gave ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Second Hand SSNs [Australia]

  Programme Background Timeline In September 2021, it was announced in a trilateral announcement between Australia, the US and the UK that Australia, in a shock ...

• Aircraft carriers

  PANG (Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation) [France]

  Programme background Timeline At Euronaval in 2018, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florance Parly, announced the start of the study phase for the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [United Kingdom]

  Ahead of the NATO meeting held at the Hague at the end of June 2025, the UK announced its intentions to acquire 12 new F-35A ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  UGM-133 Trident II

  The UGM-133 Trident II, also known as the Trident D5, is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed and produced by Lockheed Martin for the United ...

• Bomber

  Tu-160 Blackjack

  The Tu-160 (NATO reporting name Blackjack) is a strategic bomber designed by Tupolev Design Bureau in Russia. The bomber was designed for the Russian Aerospace ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation (PA-Ng)

  The Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation—new generation aircraft carrier (PA-Ng) is intended to replace the Charles de Gaulle in the 2030s/2040s. The programme for the new ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Typhoon Class (Project 941U)

  The Typhoon-class (Project 941U) was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines that were designed and built by the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. ...

• Surface-to-surface missiles

  Iskander-M/E/K

  The Iskander-M (NATO reporting name: SS-26 'Stone') is a short-range ballistic missile. It was the second attempt by Russia to replace the Skud after its ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Invincible Class (SNLE 3G)

  The SNLE 3G SSBNs for the French Navy will replace the existing Triomphant-class SSBNs and provide France with a new at-sea deterrence capability with enhanced sensors and ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Riachuelo Class (SSN)

  As part of the PROSUB project, the Brazilian Navy is acquiring an SSN named SN Álvaro Alberto. The vessel will be built by Itaguaí Construções ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Delta IV (Delfin) Class (Project 667DRM)

  The Delta IV-class submarines were built for the Soviet Union by Severodvinsk Shipyard. They are part of 43 submarines built as a series of designs ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Khabarovsk Class (Project 09851)

  The Khabarovsk (Project 09851) is one of two special-purpose submarines being built for the Russian Navy capable of launching the Poseidon 'Intercontinental Nuclear-Powered Nuclear-Armed Autonomous Torpedo'. The ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Han Class (Type 091)

  The Han class (Type 091) is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) in service with the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Five submarines were built by ...

• 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 ...

• Submarines: nuclear/ballistic missile

  Columbia Class

  The USN’s new Columbia-class SSBN, also known as the SSBN 826-class, is planned to replace the existing Ohio-class boats as the cornerstone of the US ...

• Corvettes

  92m Corvette

  At LIMA 2023, ADSB unveiled a new 92m Corvette design. According to the manufacturer, the new multi-role vessel is low-profile and equipped for a range ...

• Bomber

  B-52H Stratofortress

  The B-52H is the final model of the B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber plane, manufactured by Boeing. The B-52H is currently in service with the US ...