• Land Warfare

  Bahrain requests TOW ITAS launchers

  2nd August 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of 28 TOW improved target acquisition systems (ITAS) and related equipment, …

• Defence Notes

  Farnborough 2018: Show roundup (video)

  20th July 2018

  As Farnborough draws to a close, Shephard's editorial team discuss the main news stories from the week, including the unveiling of Tempest - the UK's …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan invests in BMD ships and radar

  3rd August 2018

  The new Aegis destroyer Maya (DDG-179) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was launched by Japan Marine United on 30 July. Possessing a ballistic …

• Digital Battlespace

  DARPA looks to BAE for cyber tools

  8th August 2018

  BAE Systems will develop cyber-hunting tools for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under a deal announced on 7 August.  The work will be …

• Defence Helicopter

  Legal woes hinder helicopter procurement

  8th August 2018

  Legal disputes concerning helicopter procurement processes dominated the first half of 2018 which then muddied a much broader picture of rotary successes between military operators …

• Defence Notes

  Sweden and Finland say Russia has 'false' defence information

  3rd August 2018

  Sweden and Finland, both non-NATO countries, have called Russia's recent comments on their defence cooperation with the Western alliance ‘false’ amid simmering tensions in the …

• Defence Helicopter

  ManTech to support H-53 heavy lift helicopter programme

  1st August 2018

  ManTech has received a four-year $47 million contract to provide technical support and collaboration for the US Navy Naval Air Systems Command H-53 heavy lift …

• Digital Battlespace

  Pentagon eager to field missile detecting space sensors

  2nd August 2018

  With lawmakers waiving the green flag to proceed, top US military leaders are eager to move out with plans to field sensors in space capable …

• Naval Warfare

  Denmark requests SM-2 Block IIIA standard missiles

  2nd August 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of up to 46 standard missiles, SM-2 Block IIIA all-up rounds, …

• Naval Warfare

  Bahrain requests FOTS for navy ship Sabha

  31st July 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential FMS of items and services to Bahrain in support of follow-on technical support (FOTS) …

• Military Logistics

  Australia announces wharf replacement project

  25th July 2018

  The Australian Ministry for Defence has announced a programme to deliver the Bayinguwa critical wharf works project at Garden Island Defence Precinct, the Royal Australian …

• Naval Warfare

  Saab receives additional Sea Giraffe AMB contract

  29th July 2018

  Saab has received an additional order from the US Navy to supply the Sea Giraffe AMB Multi Mode Radar (MMR) for the US Coast Guard’s …

• Digital Battlespace

  Viasat developing further BLOS STT capabilities

  2nd August 2018

  The 7.3kg Viasat KOR-24A small tactical terminal (STT), a multi-channel radio, has Link-16 security capabilities which enable safe data and information exchanges which can be …

• Naval Warfare

  SAMI, Navantia form JV for Avante 2200

  26th July 2018

  Saudi Arabian Military industries (SAMI) has signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Navantia for the design and construction of five Avante 2200 corvettes for …

• Defence Notes

  Gulf states approved for $1.3 billion in US munitions purchases in 2018

  14th August 2018

  Gulf states have traditionally been keen buyers of western, mainly US, military equipment. A number of possible recent programmes and ongoing procurement processes demonstrate 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 - small

  Shield AI UAVs [Saudi Arabia]

  Background Reported Talks Reporting from the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, the Middle East Eye (MEE) noted that, according to two sources, Saudi Arabia was ...

• 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 ...

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

  Gambit [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 ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munitions [Czech Republic]

  Background KVAČR Concept In February 2024, the Czech Army unveiled the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic (KVAČR) concept, which outlined an increase ...

• Loitering munitions

  Deep-strike, low-cost, loitering munition [India]

  Background Effectiveness of the capability Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on 28 February 2026, which marked the beginning of the 2026 Iran war, ...

• 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 ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  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 joint ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Uncontracted) [Romania]

  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 joint ...

• 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, ...

• 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 - MALE

  WJ-700 [Algeria]

  Forecast Methodology Programme Value Unconfirmed reports show that the completed procurement cost Algeria $145 million in 2022. Quanity Required Reports indicated that Algreia had acquired four ...

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

  Hermes 900 (1-4) [Brazil]

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

• 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 ...

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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Jaser

  The Jaser is an electronically powered loitering munition manufactured by Serb Advanced Industries. It is pneumatically launched, and is qquipped with both day and thermal imaging cameras. At ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Hamza-3

  Egypt’s state-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) unveiled its Hamza-3 at the World Defence Show 2026. It is fitted with cameras and anti-jamming systems, and can ...

• 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 ...