• Defence Notes

  New UK cabinet faces old defence budget troubles

  28th October 2022

  Pressure on the UK government is not easing despite a new Prime Minister taking office. There are plenty of questions as to how Rishi Sunak and his chancellor are planning to sustain defence spending amidst growing economic troubles.

• Defence Notes

  PLA ‘sand castles’ in the South China Sea have vulnerabilities (Opinion)

  10th November 2022

  China has a formidable-looking set of military bases on reclaimed reefs in the Spratly and Paracel Islands, but it could be that they have feet of clay/sand.

• Digital Battlespace

  Euronaval 2022: AI with Cyclope accelerates maritime target identification and tracking, says HGH

  18th October 2022

  The combination of AI and video analytics should enable more rapid target detection.

• Naval Warfare

  UK selects Harland & Wolff, Navantia and BMT team for support ships

  16th November 2022

  New ships will take shape in Belfast once again following a decision by the UK MoD to choose Team Resolute to build the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's (RFA's) Fleet Solid Support ships.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Air Force admits more work needed on acceptance of AI-piloted aircraft

  12th October 2022

  While the USAF and industry push the boundaries on autonomous aircraft, the air force has still not fully defined what it wants and how the reliability of these next-generation aircraft will be proven.

• Land Warfare

  US Army OMFV programme may lose priority status as strategy shifts to Indo-Pacific

  16th November 2022

  The OMFV may not remain a priority for the Pentagon as the National Defense Strategy 2022 puts emphasis on the Indo-Pacific theatre, where advanced ground capabilities are not crucial.

• Land Warfare

  NATO members and Finland to embark on European Sky Shield Initiative

  14th October 2022

  The European Sky Shield Initiative would allow all participating nations to jointly develop an air and missile defence system using interoperable solutions.

• Land Warfare

  Optionally crewed ASCOD variant demonstrates minefield clearance capabilities

  13th October 2022

  The developers of the ASCOD Autonomous Platform say it opens up remote and autonomous operations in a secure environment.

• Naval Warfare

  How the USS Gerald R Ford's new tech is proving the critics wrong

  18th November 2022

  USS Gerald R Ford is the largest, most expensive and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built and has successfully deployed a raft of new technologies on its first operational deployment.

• Defence Notes

  UK reveals Russian Su-27 launched missile near RAF Rivet Joint

  20th October 2022

  Incident involving a Russian Su-27 and RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint not thought to be a 'deliberate escalation' on the part of Moscow.

• Land Warfare

  Cambodia receives numerous free vehicles from China

  13th October 2022

  China has donated more than 100 vehicles of all different types as military aid to Cambodia.

• Defence Notes

  Integrated Review needs to be revisited in every aspect, says Ellwood

  20th September 2022

  MP and Chair of the Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood told Shephard the UK's 2021 Integrated Review needed to be revisited in 'every aspect' as the world has changed fundamentally.

• Naval Warfare

  Black Sea drone attack reaffirms threat to naval vessels

  2nd November 2022

  A naval expert tells Shephard the Ukrainian attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet assets, as reported, fits into a long tradition of weaker navies seeking to find ways to counter more powerful opponents.

• Land Warfare

  Can the US Army field a more lethal, mobile force for the 2030s?

  27th October 2022

  The US Army is emphasising autonomous systems, connectivity, firepower and sustainability to advance its combat capabilities by the 2030s.

• Defence Notes

  AUSA 2022: General Micro Systems introduces new modular open distributed computing architecture products

  10th October 2022

  Centralised computing systems are giving way to more modular and scalable architectures, according to General Micro Systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 2) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 3) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VCR (Batch 1) [Spain]

  Programme Background Purpose The VCR programme is to replace several legacy wheeled and tracked vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army including the BMR-600 6x6, ...

• Main battle tanks

  Al-Khalid-I

  Programme Background Pakistan operates a vast fleet of Chinese and Ukrainian MBTs primarily aimed at deterring regional rivals such as India. In order to build ...

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

  Wing Loong I [Eygpt]

  Programme Background SIPRI According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2016, Eygpt ordered around 10 Wing Loong I aircraft from China, which were ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  San Antonio LPD 17 Flight I [USN]

  The LPD 17 Flight I ships are the first flight of the San Antonio-class Landing Platform Docks (LPD). Procured between FY1996 and FY2017, the vessels ...

• Main battle tanks

  Arjun Mark-II

  Programme Background While original plans envisioned the production of up to 250 Arjun Mk IIs, the programme's many delays have prompted the Indian Army to ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Light Forces Enhancement [Canada]

  Programme Background The LFE programme was first launched in 2020 with the intention of providing the Canadian army with new light mobility platforms that could ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  KSS-III (Boats 1-3) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Timeline The new KSS-III Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho-class submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) are a significant advance on the earlier KSS-II ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  New Exploration and Escort Helicopter (NEES) (Phase II) [Italy]

  Programme Background Phase I In 2017, the Italian government signed a contract with Leonardo to replace its fleet of AW129 Mangusta attack helicopters with the ...

• Main battle tanks

  Al-Khalid-II

  Programme Background Pakistan operates a vast fleet of Chinese and Ukrainian MBTs primarily aimed at deterring regional rivals such as India. In order to build ...

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

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (1-4) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B Batch-II fast attack ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (5-8) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW 212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (13-22) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B Batch-II ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  ITAS-TESS

  The Improved Target Acquisition System – Tactical Engagement Simulation System (ITAS-TESS) is a laser-based system designed to conduct simulated weapons engagement during crew and collective ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Field Artillery Training Systems

  The ICE Field Artillery Training Systems for the M109A6 Paladin and M270/M270A1 MLRS provides instrumented real-time data and performance monitoring during training and live-fire missions. ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  MANWORN II DPU

  The MANWORN II Dismounted Player Unit (DPU) is a flexible position location tracking system suitable for individual through brigade-level training. MANWORN II DPU features GPS ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  LETS

  The US Army maintains a large fleet of locomotives and rail vehicles throughout the US to facilitate the movement of equipment and supplies and provides ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  SMODIM

  ICE's Smart Onboard Data Interface Module (SMODIM) integrates with aircraft and ground vehicles to provide collective force-on-force participation and weapons systems training. SMODIM is the ...

• Air: mission management systems

  I-C2F

  The Integrated Command and Control Framework (I-C2F) provides an end-to-end C2 architecture delivering J1-J9 functionality across the joint battlespace. As well as C2 messaging and ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  I-Derby ER

  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed the I-Derby ER missile as an extended-range evolution of the earlier Derby and I-Derby missiles. Building on the proven foundation ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Sub Command

  Sub Command was developed by Sonalysts, released in 2001, and published by Electronic Arts. Sub Command continues the legacy of 688(I) Hunter/Killer. The player takes ...

• Light UGVs

  TMR-I MTF

  The Elektroland TMR-I MTF is the larger of the TMR-I platforms offered by the company at twice the weight of the TMR-I Khan (see separate ...

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

  Carcará I

  Carcará I is a simple flying-wing UAV developed to meet Brazilian Army specifications for an unmanned platform to provide tactical reconnaissance at platoon level. A ...

• Air: mission management systems

  I-TaCCS

  Integrated Tactical Command and Control Services (I-TaCCS) is a secure, scalable C2 system. Core applications of I-TaCCS are used by several countries, allowing interoperability within ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  SIR-S/I

  The SIR-S/I, manufactured by Leonardo, is a Mode-S secondary surveillance radar. The SIR-S/I is primarily operated for the detection of cooperative targets in air traffic control, ...

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

  Skylark I-eVTOL

  The Skylark I-eVTOL is, as its name suggests, an electric-powered VTOL capable development of the Skylark I. Manufactured by Elbit Systems, the drone can be controlled ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  BriteCloud

  Leonardo's BriteCloud is a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) expendable active decoy (EAD). The device is designed to disrupt incoming missiles' RF tracking systems and ...