• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Kongsberg Maritime unveils new Mission Bay Handling System

  14th September 2023

  Kongsberg Maritime unveiled its new Mission Bay Handling System at DSEI 2023 and has signed a contract to supply Kamewa waterjets for 17 Jurmo-class landing craft for the Finnish Navy.

• Naval Warfare

  How serious a threat is North Korea's nuclear-armed navy?

  8th September 2023

  As well as splurging on ballistic weapons, North Korea has been developing submarines and surface combatants capable of firing nuclear-tipped missiles. Largely based on outdated designs, do they nonetheless pose a serious regional threat?

• Defence Notes

  US to increase investment in deterrence in the Indo-Pacific theatre

  18th August 2023

  The Senate Committee on Appropriations recently proposed an additional $534 million above the $9.1 billion requested in Pentagon’s FY2024 budget proposal to be invested in military capacities in the region.

• Digital Battlespace

  US Army awards MAG Aerospace and L3Harris contract for enhanced ISR aircraft

  24th August 2023

  The US Army has selected MAG Aerospace and L3Harris to deliver two enhanced ISR aircraft for the Army’s Theater-Level, High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR-Radar (ATHENA-R) programme, providing high-altitude intelligence capabilities to meet global requirements.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop Grumman demonstrates deep-sensing platform at EDGE 23

  29th August 2023

  Northrop Grumman successfully showcased its Deep-Sensing and Targeting (DSaT) platform at the US Army's Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event 2023 (EDGE 23) event.

• Air Warfare

  MARSS reveals plans for new counter-drone UAV and roadmap for Interceptor

  13th September 2023

  MARSS expects to begin testing its Interceptor Medium Range (MR) UAS against Class 2 UAVs later this year in Cornwall UK and has revealed details on the Interceptor Short Range (SR) UAS with soldier-carried deployment system.

• Air Warfare

  Saudi Arabia's bid to join GCAP: divisions, financial clout and geopolitical stakes

  17th August 2023

  Saudi Arabia could only bring money to GCAP at this stage as it has 'no aircraft industry, let alone a technological base, so involving [it] as a prime partner generates considerable risk and potential delays', experts tell Shephard.

• 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.

• Air Warfare

  China and Iran look beyond Russian market for UAS and precision weapon exports

  6th September 2023

  Chinese and Iranian firms unveiled new UAS and smart munitions at Army-2023, claiming they reflected lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and were attracting international interest.

• Digital Battlespace

  Orbiting the Future: How New Satellite Technologies are Revolutionising Global Communications

  26th September 2023

  With the satellite industry at a pivotal juncture, Intelsat is investing in advanced technologies like 5G and optical communications, striving to enhance worldwide connectivity and address emerging governmental needs.

• Land Warfare

  Poland's HOMAR-K MLRS completes mobility trials as deliveries near

  4th August 2023

  The HOMAR-K, a Polish version of Hanwha's K239 Chunmoo MLRS, successfully completed its mobility tests at a state-run proving ground in South Korea in late July.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: How rising tensions have fuelled the Type 26 frigate's development

  12th September 2023

  Slated to enter service in the late 2020s, the Type 26 frigate addresses the pressing need for enhanced ASW capabilities, particularly in light of heightened tensions with Russia. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the design and its equipment fit.

• Digital Battlespace

  US awards $1.5 billion in deals for Transport Layer satellites

  22nd August 2023

  The US Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin contracts to build and operate the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) - Beta satellite constellation which will provide global communications access and encrypted connectivity.

• Air Warfare

  Shield AI successfully demonstrates autonomous teaming with V-BAT UAS

  31st August 2023

  Shield AI has completed an autonomous teaming demonstration using three V-BAT UAS, showcasing their Hivemind AI pilot and paving the way for deployable teaming capabilities in GPS-denied environments.

• Naval Warfare

  Indian Navy tries again to procure minehunters, but this time it goes futuristic

  4th September 2023

  The Indian Navy is looking to the future with MCMVs that integrate a lot of autonomous technology. Meanwhile, other construction projects, such as ASWSWCs and survey vessels, are proceeding.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Additional Type 212CD (5-6) [Norway]

  As of 2023, the Royal Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. The submarines are expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multifunction Modular Ships Procurement [Lithuania]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, which are considered to be important elements in the NATO ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Baltic Joint Naval Procurement [Latvia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, regarding them as important elements in the NATO alliance — ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Baltic Joint Naval Procurement [Latvia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies, regarding them as important elements in the NATO alliance — ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 212CD (1-4) [Norway]

  Programme Background Norway selected TKMS as the shipbuilder for its new class of Type 212CD submarines to replace the six Ula-class SSKs currently in service. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Smaller Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Larger Vessels Procurement [Estonia]

  The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia plan to continue developing their respective navies. They regard them as important elements in the NATO alliance, ...

• Destroyers

  Hobart Class (Sea 4000)

  Programme Background The Hobart-class consists of three air warfare destroyers (AWDs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ships replaced the Adelaide-class frigates. Built by a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Flute MLRS

  The Flute Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a self-propelled missile system that can be armed with up to eight unguided S-8 rockets (Flute-80) or ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Ula Class

  The Ula-class conventional attack submarines (SSK) was a joint project between Norway and Germany, with some sections made in Norway, but assembled in Germany, equipped ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 14/15

  SERO 14/15 periscopes were developed on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement. Used in Norwegian ULA plus German and Italian Type ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer

  The Proteus ASW and Sonar Trainer expands the Action Speed Tactical Trainer’s sonar capability with new sonar simulations to create a dedicated ASW trainer. Various ...

• Major networking projects

  Missile Defence

  In 2010, NATO rolled out an initial capability to protect alliance forces against missile threats and is now examining options for protecting territory and populations. ...

• Major networking projects

  AGS

  NATO is acquiring an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a picture of the situation on the ground in areas of interest. ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces. 

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 212CD

  Norway is to get six new Type 212CD ‘common design’ submarines to replace the existing Ula-class SSKs after it selected German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Sea: procedural training, Sea: tactical training

  Submarine Training Systems

  Thales has delivered submarine training systems to nations around the world, including Submarine Control Simulators and Machinery Control Trainers, with example deployments being the UK ...

• 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 ...

• Major networking projects

  Air and Missile Defence

  NATO Air and Missile Defence comprises all measures aimed at monitoring and reacting to potential air threats in NATO airspace, as well as countering hostile ...

• 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 ...

• Air: mission management systems

  DSAR

  Data Storage and Retrieval (DSAR) provides the capability for storing, managing and disseminating joint ISR and operational C2 data and information. It can support cross-community ...

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

  Argus Elite

  The Argus Elite is a rotary-wing micro UAS manufactured Alliance Solutions Group (ASG). Its EO/IR cameras and hazardous material sensors allow it to capture positional, chemical, ...