• Air Warfare

  UK P-8 Poseidons to get Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedoes

  1st December 2023

  The UK MoD has confirmed the selection of the BAE Systems Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo as the future torpedo capability for its P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet, alongside the US Navy's Mk54 weapon.

• Air Warfare

  Kuwait receives four more Eurofighter Typhoons

  31st October 2023

  The Kuwait Air Force has taken delivery of four additional fighter jets from a fleet of 28 Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoons initially ordered back in 2016.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Watchkeeper UAV providing value for money for the British Army?

  8th September 2023

  The Watchkeeper UAS has garnered interest from countries like Poland and Romania, despite a chequered operational history in the UK. Shephard analyses the aircraft's capabilities and the cost they come at.

• Naval Warfare

  Is the health of Russia’s submarine fleet improving?

  14th February 2024

  The Russian Federation Navy submarine service has struggled to modernise in recent years, but progress on two main acquisition programmes could mean that it has turned a corner.

• Naval Warfare

  Better late than never: Spanish Navy commissions its first S-80A submarine more than 10 years behind schedule

  11th December 2023

  The S-80A Plus, a new class of ocean-going submarines, will enhance the Spanish Navy’s capabilities despite the challenges and delays experienced during their development and delivery.

• Naval Warfare

  Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Marinette Littoral Combat Ship commissioned

  19th September 2023

  The latest USN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Freedom-class USS Marinette (LCS 25) was commissioned on 16 September. It will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

• Land Warfare

  Oman to receive 301 TOW missiles

  4th October 2023

  Oman has had its $70 million purchase of Raytheon TOW 2B Radio Frequency missiles approved by the US State Department

• Naval Warfare

  Singapore orders new OPVs for renewed maritime security force

  21st November 2023

  The Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has ordered new Offshore Patrol Vessels from German shipbuilder Fassmer to modernise its maritime security forces.

• Air Warfare

  PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq

  27th September 2023

  China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: How the P-8 Poseidon has conquered the maritime patrol aircraft market

  6th September 2023

  Shephard Defence Insight analyses the success story of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft that has captured international interest, detailing its variants, operators and unit cost.

• Naval Warfare

  Fourth US Navy TAO replenishment oiler launched despite cost concerns

  31st October 2023

  The fourth John Lewis-class (TAO-205) fleet replenishment oiler for the US Navy was launched in a ceremony at shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO’s San Diego facility on 28 October 2023.

• Air Warfare

  Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery

  26th September 2023

  Adjustments to an existing contract aims to facilitate the continued development and operational use of Gripen C/D aircraft beyond 2030, in parallel with the introduction of the Gripen E next-generation fighter.

• Air Warfare

  Eurofighter Typhoon sales: what a difference a decade makes

  18th September 2023

  In the second week of August, BAE Systems released a statement confirming that 12 of 24 Typhoon Tranche 3 models had now arrived in Qatar. Despite this favourable export news, the aircraft’s industrial future remains somewhat clouded.

• Naval Warfare

  Future of the South African Navy looks bleak despite new ships entering service

  29th November 2023

  The commissioning of SAS King Shaka Zulu, a Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel, into the South African Navy masks serious problems for the service as fleet availability falls dangerously low and capability atrophies.

• Naval Warfare

  Why the durable MEKO warship design remains popular with navies

  8th September 2023

  The MEKO design from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) can be found in many navies around the world and the number of countries that are purchasing MEKO ships is growing. Shephard provides an overview of the latest MEKO offerings and how this type of vessel has remained successful on the international markets over the decades.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Mine-protected vehicles, MPVs - 4x4

  4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia already operates a fleet of 20 AV4 Lipan Bara 4x4 vehicles delivered between 2016 and 2017, 18 of which are assigned to ...

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

  TUAS [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Tender & Requirments The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) issued a tender in May 2020 to provide a new Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS). ...

• Special operations vehicles

  Special Operations Vehicles [Malaysia]

  Forecast Methodology Malaysia's SOV tender calls for a vehicle that 'is capable of conducting special operations deep in enemy-held territory' and 'capable of manoeuvring in hostile ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Submarines Procurement [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements In 2015, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) issued the so-called 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which envisioned the service to be standardised ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch IV (11-13) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch III (8-10) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ships that ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

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

  Anka-S (Additional Units) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background First Three Drones Following years of exploring MALE UAVs and a few failed efforts, the RMAF clarified it wanted to acquire the three ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy currently operates two ageing logistics ships that are not equipped to carry out amphibious missions and operate beyond their intended design ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy currently operates two ageing logistics ships that are not equipped to carry out amphibious missions and operate beyond their intended design ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch II (7-12) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  ScanEagle 2 (Malaysia)

  Programme Background Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) programme The RMN received the ScanEagle 2's thought to be provided by the US under the Maritime Security Initiative ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military - USVs

  High-Speed Intercept Boat

  Poly Technologies displayed its High-Speed Intercept Boat at DSA in Malaysia in 2016. 

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530G

  The MD 530G is the newest addition to the MD Helicopters line of light scout attack platforms. It has increased-capacity landing gear and a mission-configurable ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Condor

  At the DSA 2016 exhibition in Malaysia, DRB-HICOM DefTech displayed a prototype of an upgraded Malaysian Army Condor 4x4 APC. Thyssen-Henschel (now part of RMMV) ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-DSA

  M-DSA is the next step in the sensor modernisation of the M-TADS/PNVS system. Upgraded capabilities support more rapid target identification and coordination, as well as ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  SR-10 VTOL

  Deftech showcased the SR-10 VTOL at DSA 2022. It has been locally designed in Malaysia to conduct aerial mapping, surveillance and line inspection missions. The hand-launched platform is powered ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Light-Weighted Close-Range UAV

  Seen by Shephard at DSA 2024, the Light-Weighted Close-Range UAV is from the Vietnamese company Viettel. According to Viettel's brochure, disseminated at DSA 2024, the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  CW-100

  The CW-100 is a small VTOL capable UAV manufactured byChengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) in collaboration with Malvus Sense. Displayed at DSA 2022, it is ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Black Fox 6x6

  Doosan’s Black Fox family of 6x6 and 8x8 AFVs was developed to compete for a Republic of Korea Army requirement. Although not selected for the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  CW-007

  The CW-007 VTOL UAS is part of the Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) series and is the smallest of the fleet.  It is primarily ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Guardian

  IAG's Guardian 4x4 armoured personnel carrier has been designed to carry up to ten fully equipped personnel and their support equipment. While the vehicle is ...

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

  Tactical UAV

  Unveiled at DSA 2022, the Deftech Tactical UAV is an indigenously developed platform based on the Aldura Mk1. The platform is aimed at the Royal Malaysian ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-TADS/PNVS

  The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) is the EO fire control system that US Army AH-64D/E Apache helicopter pilots use for ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  CW-15

  The CW-15 is a mini VTOL capable UAV manufactured by Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV). Belonging to the CW series, the CW-15 is electrically powered ...

• Loitering munitions

  Todak

  Unveiled at DSA 2024, the Todak is a loitering munition from Mindmatics. The catapult-launched platform is powered by a Li-ion 25.2V battery, and it is ...

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

  MALE UAV

  As its name suggests, the MALE UAV is a male-class drone. It has been developed by Indo-Pacific Communication & Defence (IPCD) and certified by the Ministry of ...