• Defence Notes

  Brazilian Congress to review constitution amendment to secure defence budget increase

  15th May 2025

  An amendment to the Brazilian Constitution currently under discussion would permanently assign 2% of annual GDP to the defence budget, potentially cementing modernisation programmes for the country’s armed forces.

• Naval Warfare

  How the US Government plans to put the US Navy’s shipbuilding programmes back on track

  20th June 2025

  In an attempt to reduce delays in shipbuilding efforts, the US government, lawmakers and the Navy are betting big on further investments in the national defence industry and public shipyards. Reviewing and reformulating ongoing initiatives and business practices will also be form part of the effort.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris selected for South Korea’s airborne early warning programme

  1st October 2025

  L3Harris’ offer of its “Phoenix” aircraft won over Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft for the second phase of South Korea’s early warning requirement.

• Land Warfare

  Arthur radars and more Archer howitzers committed to Ukraine by Sweden

  14th March 2025

  Ukraine has highlighted the need for howitzers and radars as well as artillery and this commitment from Sweden will help to fill that gap and provide medium-distance fire in a defensive role post-war.

• Air Warfare

  Anduril’s YFQ-44A CCA to conduct flight tests by October, confirms USAF

  24th September 2025

  The company is working on making its first flight semi-autonomous and is reportedly closing in on a date for getting the CCA into the air.

• Air Warfare

  UAV manufacturers flock to UK as MoD spends £270 million on Tekever drones for Ukraine

  19th September 2025

  On 15 September 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that Tekever would open the UK’s largest drone production facility in Swindon in 2026. The news follows a recent trend of several other manufacturers that have supplied drones to Ukraine also announcing the opening of UK facilities.

• Land Warfare

  First Czech CV90 MkIV rolled out as part of multi-billion-dollar programme

  29th August 2025

  The Czech Republic CV9030 MkIV has a more powerful 1,000HP engine than the previous variant and an upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission.

• Air Warfare

  GA-ASI takes step towards developing European YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft

  21st July 2025

  The US company will work with its European affiliate company, General Atomics Aerotec Systems (GA-ATS) to support manufacture the YFQ-42A.

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe

  19th August 2025

  An agreement has been signed that will extend Stinger missile system production to Europe with Diehl Defence currently looking at manufacturing locations.

• Defence Notes

  World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026

  24th July 2025

  At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.

• Land Warfare

  Australia inducts new QinetiQ EOD robots and 9mm pistols into service

  8th April 2025

  The new inductions will add significantly to the ADF’s infantry capabilities, especially during in-combat explosive ordnance disposal situations.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028

  10th September 2025

  Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Canadian Navy advances with the construction of its first River-Class destroyer

  17th June 2025

  Scheduled for delivery by 2033, HMCS Fraser will be a major surface component of the Canadian maritime combat power.

• Air Warfare

  MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone

  29th April 2025

  The investment will bring together the Hybrid Drones and MBDA to enable the former to further develop its Hydra 400 UAV, previously showcased by the British Army.

• Digital Battlespace

  AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems

  23rd October 2025

  Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement (USAF- Cancelled)

  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

  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 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | 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

  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

  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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Type 707

  The Type 707 is a new double-hulled fleet tanker for the German Navy. The ships are being procured to start replacing the Type 704 single-hulled ...