• Uncrewed Vehicles

  FLIR acquires Aria assets

  4th October 2019

  FLIR Systems has acquired the intellectual property and a number of the operating assets of Aria Insights. Aria – previously known as CyPhy - developed …

• Naval Warfare

  Iranian tanker incident worsens regional maritime security situation

  11th October 2019

  An incident involving an Iranian oil tanker near the port city of Jeddah, initially described as having been caused by missiles fired by Saudi Arabia, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Kratos wins jet target work

  3rd October 2019

  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ Unmanned Systems Division has received a $5 million contract for mission system integration and test tactical jet target drone work …

• Defence Notes

  GA-EMS contracted for hypersonic weapons work

  3rd October 2019

  General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been awarded a contract by the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to further the development of …

• Special Operations

  Pacific 2019: Australia brews up smooth new Whiskey

  8th October 2019

  A start-up New South Wales-based company, The Whiskey Project, used the Pacific International Maritime Exhibition in Sydney to launch what it calls its next-generation Whiskey …

• Digital Battlespace

  Podcast: Five Eyes Connectivity - Tactical data links

  26th September 2019

  Welcome to Shephard Studio’s special series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat.  Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more. In the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US, UK demo last mile resupply capabilities

  26th September 2019

  The US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center and the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have joined forces to develop autonomous last-mile resupply capabilities. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Thales receives order for H-60 dome sonars

  26th September 2019

  Thales Defense and Security has received an order for dome sonars in support of the H-60 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system. The order, worth up …

• Digital Battlespace

  GPS OCX completes development phase

  2nd October 2019

  Raytheon has announced that its GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System (GPS OCX) has completed full software and hardware development and entered into the system integration …

• Land Warfare

  SAIC to deliver ARV prototype

  30th September 2019

  Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) is to deliver an Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) technology demonstrator to the Office of Naval Research and the US Marine …

• Military Logistics

  First Global 6000 delivered to German Air Force

  23rd September 2019

  Bombardier has delivered the first Global 6000 jet to the German Air Force, the company announced on 17 September.This is the first of three jets …

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan upgrades old submarine ahead of new-build project

  2nd October 2019

  The Republic of China Navy (ROCN) showed its submarine ROCS Hai Shih to media at a Keelung naval base in late September after a significant …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems awarded vehicle support work

  25th September 2019

  BAE Systems Land and Armaments has been awarded a vehicle support modification by the US Army, the Department of Defense announced on 24 September. The …

• Defence Helicopter

  Combat Rescue Helicopter gains Milestone C

  25th September 2019

  The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a Milestone C decision for the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) programme, clearing the way for low …

• Defence Helicopter

  US DoD orders APKWS II

  26th September 2019

  BAE Systems has received an IDIQ contract from US Naval Air Systems Command for the procurement of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II, the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Landing Platform Docks [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan (SNEP II) which, so far, has seen the procurement ...

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

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [UAE]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

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

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [Qatar]

  Background Saudi Arabia Speaking to Breaking Defense at the Dubai Airshow 2025, GA-ASI President David Alexander stated that Saudi Arabia was working to sign a procurement ...

• Frigates

  Frigates Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges to enhance its combat capabilities and to replace older vessels. Riyadh has recently embarked on major naval ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Surion Marine Attack Helicopter [South Korea]

  Programme Background The ROKMC has planned to obtain 24 attack helicopters for the first time. When bidding opened in January 2019, there were five contenders: Bell ...

• Loitering munitions

  HERO-120 [Argentina]

  Programme Background Initial Purchase As reported by Janes, on 27 December 2022, the Argentine MoD announced it had signed a contract with Israeli MoD's Directorate ...

• Loitering munitions

  HERO-30 [Argentina]

  Programme Background Initial Purchase As reported by Janes, on 27 December 2022, the Argentine MoD announced it had signed a contract with Israeli MoD's Directorate ...

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

  Hermes 900 [Brazil]

  Programme Background First Batch (2014) In 2014, Elbit reported supplying the Hermes 900 to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The drone is called the RQ-900 in ...

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

  Akinci [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Erdogan Visit On 17 July 2023,  President Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Jeddah for the first stop of his Gulf tour. The following day, ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  Programme Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Morocco]

  Programme Background In November 2021, Haaretz reported that a $22 million drone sale between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Morocco had occurred. That publication and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Uncontracted) [Romania]

  Programme Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Heavy Lift Helicopter [Philippines]

  Programme Background Procurement from Russia In November 2021, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that a contract had been signed to acquire 16 Mi-171 heavy ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300 [Australia]

  Programme Background Contract Award & Delivery On 8 July 2024, the Australian Government announced its soldiers would be equipped with Switchblade 300 following an acquisition ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  Samoom

  Unveiled at the World Defence Show 2022, the Samoon is a Saudi Arabian UCAV manufactured by Intra Defence Technologies.  It is powered by Belgian ULPower Aero ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Cockerill i-X

  The Cockerill i-X is a wheeled armoured vehicle designed as a light armoured platform with a modular turret for intercepting enemy forces. John Cockerill Defense unveiled the new ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  2800 ASW Patrol Boat

  The 2800 ASW Patrol Boat, developed by Couach, is a vessel designed for ASW operations. Unveiled at the 2022 World Defence Show, the vessel can be ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Mulhim

  Developed by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Mulhim is a developmental Battle Management System designed for brigade-level and below formations. First unveiled in 2022, it ...

• UAS: communication systems

  SkyARX Ku-18

  CTech SkyARX Ku-18 is a lightweight, SATCOM-on-the-move terminal designed for air applications. The Ku-band terminal supports the secure transmission of full-motion video, data, and mission-critical ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8N

  The PT-8D is an IR system from Overwatch Imaging. It is fitted with multiple HD thermal cameras and has been designed to conduct missions at dusk ...

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

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8D

  Marketed as a cost-effective solution, the PT-8D is a wide-area search and ISR payload from Overwatch Imaging. It features an RGB colour camera and a ...

• Air: Displays

  LAD2008DA

  Produced by Psion DSP, LAD2008DA is a 20"x8" Large Area Display for full-glass cockpit applications. It was showcased during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show and the 2023 ...

• Land: RWS

  TEBER-II 30/40

  The Teber II-30/40 is a remote-controlled turret developed by Turkish manufacturer FNSS. This RCT is designed to fit tracked or wheeled armour vehicle programs. FNSS ...

• EO/IR systems

  PT-8DN

  The PT-8DN is a versatile day-night payload from Overwatch Imaging.  It has dual RGB sensors of different focal lengths and an HD LWIR sensor. It also ...

• Air: Displays

  RDU-4208 LAD

  ScioTeq RDU-4208 is a 20"x8" Large-Area Display. It features a fully redundant, high-resolution screen with multitouch support. Unveiled in 2022, it was also demonstrated in ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  D-Tiger

  Thai Defense Industry (TDI) unveiled its D-Tiger 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle at Defense & Security 2022 in Bangkok. The D-Tiger is aimed at export sales, with ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Pars Alpha 8x8

  Unveiled at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, the Pars Alpha is the latest 8x8 Armoured Vehicle from Turkish manufacturer FNSS. Featuring improvements on ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Varan Aircraft Carrier

  At the Army 2022 defence exposition, Nevsky Design Bureau unveiled a new model for its light carrier design Varan. Varan is a non-nuclear powered ship capable ...