• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2017: The week in Tampa (video)

  19th May 2017

  Over the last few days, the Shephard team has had several opportunities to speak to top officials from US Special Operations Command, as well as leading figures …

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman demos HAMMR

  29th May 2017

  Northrop Grumman successfully demonstrated its Highly Adaptable Multi-Mission Radar (HAMMR) during the US Army’s counter-rocket, artillery and mortar test at Yuma Proving Ground earlier this …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe: Cyber and EW attacks converge

  30th May 2017

  Cyber and electronic warfare will in the future be convergent methods of attack, as adversaries take the opportunity to deploy radio frequency-induced cyber effects. While …

• Training

  ITEC 2017: Military and VIP presence on the up (video)

  19th May 2017

  This year's ITEC took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for the first time and for those attending the show the Dutch Ministry of Defence had a …

• Naval Warfare

  UDT Europe: Audacious prepares for sea trials

  23rd May 2017

  Audacious, the fourth of seven Astute class attack submarines being built for the Royal Navy, was launched in April by BAE Systems and is now being prepared …

• Land Warfare

  ISDEF 2017: Challenges of artillery use

  31st May 2017

  Senior officers of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have moved to address issues of future conflicts involving artillery during mobile ground combat operations. Brig Gen …

• Naval Warfare

  IMDEX Asia: Week in focus (video)

  18th May 2017

  Tim Fish, editor of Land Warfare International and Digital Battlespace reviews the IMDEX Asia exhibition in Singapore highlighting the main stories and trends across the …

• Naval Warfare

  UDT Europe: Navies upgrade to ECPINS Warship 6.2

  26th May 2017

  OSI Maritime Systems announced in advance of the UDT Europe exhibition that various navies across Europe and Asia Pacific will upgrade to the company's naval …

• Special Operations

  India needs to close counterterrorism gaps

  31st May 2017

  As threats from porous borders cause concerns, experts noted critical gaps in counterterrorism technology, procurement and governance in India at a homeland security meeting organised …

• Naval Warfare

  IMDEX Asia: Teledyne showcases new mine sensor capabilities (video)

  17th May 2017

  Teledyne Reynolds showcased new technologies that can be integrated into sea mines, such as the Manta, to provide enhanced sensor capabilities and add new roles …

• Naval Warfare

  IAI to deliver LRSAM systems to India

  23rd May 2017

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply the Barak-8 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System (LRSAM) for four Indian Navy ships under a $630 million contract announced …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2017: LMT aims for sharpshooter growth (video)

  17th May 2017

  Assault rifle manufacturer Lewis Machine & Tool is displaying its Sharpshooter rifle at this year's SOFIC exhibition in Tampa, Florida. The 7.62mm weapon is in …

• Land Warfare

  New French Army rifle deliveries start

  31st May 2017

  The French armament procurement agency, the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has taken delivery of a first batch of new rifles. The first tranche of …

• Naval Warfare

  IMDEX Asia: The week ahead (video)

  15th May 2017

  Amid the usual clatter and clutter that typifies any show set up day Tim Fish, editor at Shephard Media, provides his thoughts on what those …

• Military Logistics

  USMC orders additional P-19R ARFF vehicles

  25th May 2017

  Oshkosh Defense will deliver an additional 54 P-19R Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to the US Marine Corps (USMC) under a $33 million order announced …

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 - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  HERO-120 [Argentina]

  Programme Background Initial Purchase As reported by Janes, on 27 December 2022, the Argentine MoD announced it had signed a contract with Israeli MoD's Directorate ...

• Loitering munitions

  HERO-30 [Argentina]

  Programme Background Initial Purchase As reported by Janes, on 27 December 2022, the Argentine MoD announced it had signed a contract with Israeli MoD's Directorate ...

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

  Hermes 900 [Brazil]

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

• 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, ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  Programme 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 ...

• 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 - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

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

  Watchkeeper X (Uncontracted) [Romania]

  Programme 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300 [Australia]

  Programme Background Contract Award & Delivery On 8 July 2024, the Australian Government announced its soldiers would be equipped with Switchblade 300 following an acquisition ...

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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Pars Alpha 8x8

  Unveiled at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, the Pars Alpha is the latest 8x8 Armoured Vehicle from Turkish manufacturer FNSS. Featuring improvements on ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Varan Aircraft Carrier

  At the Army 2022 defence exposition, Nevsky Design Bureau unveiled a new model for its light carrier design Varan. Varan is a non-nuclear powered ship capable ...