• Air Warfare

  How the UK’s New Medium Helicopter award strengthens AW149’s European prospects

  17th July 2026

  The UK advanced its long-delayed New Medium Helicopter programme in March with a £1 billion order for 23 Leonardo AW149s. While the deal could provide a foundation for further UK and European export orders, funding pressures and previous delays continue to cloud the programme’s future.

• Air Warfare

  Anduril awarded latest OPF-L contract with around $155.2 million still up for grabs

  20th January 2026

  As the US Marine Corps continues to push loitering munitions as a core battlefield tool, Shephard looks at how the latest contract award factors into future potential purchases.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare

  17th April 2026

  The 2026 Integrated Investment Program allocates up to A$130 billion for undersea warfare, committing the Royal Australian Navy to nuclear-powered submarines, autonomous platforms and an expanded surface combatant fleet over the next decade.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing’s MQ-28A targets key 2028 date as Block II ground tests begin

  4th February 2026

  The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is the most mature CCA platform currently under development, with Boeing looking to accelerate its timelines and development of the aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Air forces review: Combat aircraft missile milestones hit as tanker and transport orders climb

  28th May 2026

  As countries look to improve their combat aircraft capabilities, May has highlighted strong demand from European countries for aerial refuelling platforms as industry pushes forward next-generation missile test updates for eventual UK combat aircraft integration.

• Air Warfare

  US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain

  10th March 2026

  The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.

• Air Warfare

  December drone digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production

  30th December 2025

  One of the key trends seen in December has been the rise in indigenous investment within the UAV market, particularly across certain countries, with Germany, Australia and the US focusing on their commitments to sovereign development.

• Naval Warfare

  European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026

  6th February 2026

  France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.

• Air Warfare

  Peru’s air combat modernisation effort opens up $2.5 billion market opportunity

  22nd May 2026

  The latest purchase of F-16V combat aircraft comes as the country presses ahead with its long-held plans to modernise its air combat capabilities and invest in the replacement of ageing Russian aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Brazil’s naval ambitions now firmly anchored in Europe

  6th May 2026

  With the Tamandaré frigate commissioned and a second batch under negotiation, Brazil is leveraging European partnerships to position itself as South America’s premier maritime power without surrendering industrial sovereignty.

• Air Warfare

  July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough

  30th July 2026

  Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.

• Naval Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: Red Cat eyes South American market for USV-led EEZ surveillance

  18th June 2026

  Success with the US Army’s Black Widow programme may have strengthened Red Cat’s international position, but executives believe the next growth opportunity lies in uncrewed surface vessels.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: APAC countries explore fleet upgrade and expansion opportunities

  22nd January 2026

  Ahead of the Singapore Airshow 2026, opportunities for defence firms to upgrade or replace ageing aircraft remain strong, with tactical transport, combat aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft at the top of potential procurement lists.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement

  2nd April 2026

  As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.

• Air Warfare

  South Korea air focus: $16.64 billion in as-yet-unawarded contracts up for grabs

  4th November 2025

  South Korea’s military air market is the 12th largest in the world when it comes to unawarded procurement programmes, with an estimated US$7.50 billion potentially set to be awarded over the next decade.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Tracked Support Vehicle [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirement Spain has an inventory of ageing M113s in various configurations, at least 20 of which were transferred to Ukraine in 2022. According ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Offshore Patrol Vessels (3-4) [Uruguay]

  In December 2021, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou revealed that the Navy wants to acquire two ships for about $100 million. The procurement of two ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Offshore Patrol Vessels (3-4) [Uruguay]

  In December 2021, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou revealed that the Navy wants to acquire two ships for about $100 million. The procurement of two ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Light Forces Enhancement [Canada]

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

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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, ...

• 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 ...

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/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 ...