• Defence Notes

  EDEX 2018: Egypt eyes JF-17 Thunder Block 3s

  5th December 2018

  The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is currently reviewing the progress of the PAC/Chengdu JF-17 Thunder.  At EDEX 2018 in Cairo, Shephard has learnt that representatives …

• Military Logistics

  Kongsberg, Patria to acquire AIM Norway

  20th December 2018

  Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has entered into an agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence for the purchase of Aerospace Industrial Maintenance Norway (AIM …

• Land Warfare

  Philippines selects SPYDER for GBAD

  2nd January 2019

  The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is believed to have selected Rafael’s Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) system for its ground-based air defence requirement under Horizon …

• Defence Helicopter

  German Bundeswehr orders H145 helicopters

  19th December 2018

  Airbus Helicopters has received an order to supply seven H145 helicopters for SAR services in Germany, the company announced on 13 December. The contract, awarded …

• Digital Battlespace

  AOC 2018: Next Generation Jammer-Low Band eyes new ground target sets

  26th November 2018

  The US Navy’s new multi-billion dollar airborne electronic warfare programme - the Next Generation Jammer-Low Band - will give the US military the ability to …

• Naval Warfare

  Sea Venom firing latest in series of UK-France missile developments

  17th December 2018

  As work continues on the joint UK-France programme to develop a next-generation cruise and anti-ship missile system, the smaller but equally crucial Sea Venom has …

• Digital Battlespace

  Leonardo sets its sights on E-scan radar prototype testing

  6th December 2018

  The newest electronically scanning radar, Grifo-E, developed by manufacturer Leonardo, is set to undergo a series of prototype tests by the end of 2019. The company …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM seeks enhanced SRSE capabilities

  5th December 2018

  The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking enhanced stand-off capabilities for operators conducing Special Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Exploitation (SRSE) operations, according to new request …

• Defence Helicopter

  Chilean seagull programme to squawk in 2019

  21st December 2018

  A tender for new light helicopters for the Chilean Navy is expected in March 2019 with the release of a RfP. Up to five helicopters …

• Training

  Robinson R44s delivered to Poland

  20th December 2018

  Robinson Helicopter has delivered two R44 Raven II helicopters to its distributor, PHU Polinar of Poland. PHU Polinar handed the aircraft over to the Polish …

• Training

  NZ receives full complement of King Air trainers

  12th December 2018

  The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) received its fourth and final Beechcraft King Air 350i trainer aircraft last month. The aircraft belonging to 42 …

• Military Logistics

  Japan to get first post-WWII aircraft carriers

  19th December 2018

  Japan will get its first aircraft carriers since World War II, and buy dozens of fighter jets, under a new defence plan approved on 18 …

• Defence Helicopter

  UK MoD set to amend Apache AH Mk 1 contract

  12th December 2018

  The Apache delivery team, part of the UK MoD, is preparing to change an Apache AH Mk 1 integrated operational support (IOS) pricing period contract held …

• Defence Helicopter

  Inzpire completes GECO deliveries for UK MoD for CSAT

  20th December 2018

  Inzpire Limited has completed delivery of its GECO military air mission support system for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD's) Apache, Chinook, Merlin and Bell …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Insight: Industry and associations react to Gatwick drone incursion

  21st December 2018

  As Gatwick Airport begins to clear its backlog of flights caused by an unknown UAS threat earlier this week, the regulatory, legislative and security implications …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In mid-2024, Malaysia commenced discussions with Kuwait regarding a possible transfer of up to 33 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. According to reports, the Kuwaiti government ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Data links

  Data links | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  During a parliamentary meeting in August 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed the prospect of acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The possible new ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A [Singapore]

  On February 28, 2024, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced during a parliamentary budget discussion that the city-state had placed an order for eight ...

• Fighter - air superiority, Fighter - multirole

  Kaan [Indonesia]

  Programme Background Witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia and Turkish Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at InfoDefence 2025 in Jakarta for 48 Kaan fighters. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale - Follow-On (Greece)

  Programme Background Referring to the rearmament programme for 2020-2025, Greek defence minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said in parliament on 7 October 2021 that up to 48 new multi-role ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Zero-G HMDS+

  The Zero-G HMDS+ is a developmental helmet-mounted display system being developed by Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems for sixth-generation higher aircraft. According to the company, ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-75 Checkmate

  Checkmate is a fifth-generation light tactical aircraft being developed by Sukhoi. Its prototype was unveiled at MAKS 2021. Checkmate's first flight is scheduled in 2023, ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Low Profile Head-Up Display (LPHUD)

  The Low profile Head-up Display (LPHUD) series is designed developed by Elbit Systems' ISTAR division, for fourth and fifth generation advanced fighter aircraft jets. Notalby, ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AL-41F-1S

  Manufactured by Saturn, the AL-41F-1S aircraft engine is a modular two-shaft turbofan engine with thrust vector control and integrated digital control. The engine is used ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PD-14M

  PD Family of Engines comprises of bypass two-shaft turbojet engines with a light shroudless fan. The PD family of engines are designed for short- and ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Land: air defence radar

  ELM-2026B VSHORAD

  The ELM-2026B Very Short Range Air Defence Radar (VSHORAD) is designed for detection and tracking of airborne targets, including a variety of low-RCS and low-flying ...

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

  Python-5

  The Python-5 is an Israeli beyond-visual-range anti-air missile developed by Rafael. The newest member of the Python family, the Python-5 is described as a fifth-generation air-to-air ...

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

  Grom (Thunder)

  Grom, or Thunder, is an in-development loyal-wingman type fixed-wing UAS from Kronshtadt. A mock-up of the platform was first displayed at  Army-2020. At Army-2024, an updated version featuring ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Eagle V 4x4

  GDELS unveiled the fifth generation of its Eagle light tactical vehicle at Eurosatory 2012. The platform has replaced earlier-generation vehicles in production. More than 1,250 ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  J-7/F-7

  The J-7 is a second-generation fighter designed primarily for air superiority, although later versions incorporate a ground attack capability. Although manufactured in China, the aircraft ...