• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Falco to enter commercial airspace

  20th June 2017

  Leonardo is aiming to get ahead of anticipated regulations on the use of UAVs in civil airspace as its lines up its Falco UAV and …

• Training

  Paris Air Show: New target drone on target

  20th June 2017

  Leonardo has introduced its new Mirach 40 (M-40) aerial target system to the market at the Paris Air Show 2017. The company is looking to …

• Military Logistics

  Paris Air Show: KC-390 preps for IOC (video)

  22nd June 2017

  Embraer’s KC-390 transport aircraft is on track to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) later this year, with the aircraft recently completing armoured vehicle and cargo loading qualifications. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Bell pitches to international market

  19th June 2017

  Pitching itself further as an international military supplier, Bell Helicopter has highlighted imminent deliveries of its tiltrotor and attack helicopter offerings across Asia. The company will see …

• Digital Battlespace

  EDF tests tactical mobile Hybrid Power Station

  27th June 2017

  The Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) tested the Intracom Defense Electronics (IDE) tactical mobile Hybrid Power Station during the 15th Spring Storm exercise, it was announced …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ​Paris Air Show: SkyStriker makes debut

  19th June 2017

  Elbit Systems is showcasing its autonomous loitering munitions system known as the SkyStriker at Paris Air Show this week. The SkyStriker can be utilised for …

• Training

  Paris Air show: Leonardo pushes M-346 for ASDOT

  19th June 2017

  Leonardo will be looking to offer up its M-346 training aircraft for the UK’s Air Support for Defence Operational Training (ASDOT) requirement, the company confirmed …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky to support CH-53D helicopters

  27th June 2017

  Sikorsky has won a contract from Israel's Ministry of Defense to supply spare parts and associated engineering services in support of the CH-53D heavy lift …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Experts focus on Korean border

  23rd June 2017

  Autonomous Device Experts is putting forward the Vivace UAS and Pathfinder seismic detection sensor for possible use by South Korea along sensitive border areas. The …

• Special Operations

  Analysis: Israel revives Special Forces unit

  23rd June 2017

  The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in April that it was reviving the Haruv Special Operations Unit following its disbandment in 1974 as part of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Keeper of the night (video)

  19th June 2017

  Unveiling the Nightwarden tactical UAS on the opening day of Paris Air Show 2017, Textron Systems revealed that a range of payload testing for the …

• Defence Helicopter

  PLA to parade prowess in Hong Kong

  28th June 2017

  During President Xi Jinping’s first visit to Hong Kong on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the territory’s reversion to Chinese rule, the Hong …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: TAI bullish about future prospects

  23rd June 2017

  Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is ambitious about expanding its current portfolio of rotorcraft for the domestic and international market. Currently manufacturers of the T129 Atak and …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: European helicopter procurement (video)

  16th June 2017

  Western European militaries are looking at new platforms to replace their existing fleets.  Shephard takes a look at the incumbent aircraft for Germany, Italy and …

• Land Warfare

  South Korea set to produce EVO-105

  30th June 2017

  South Korea will begin production of the EVO-105 truck-mounted howitzer next year, the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 28 June. An upgraded …

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 ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [French Navy]

  In May 2025, the French Navy presented a broad plan for its carrier air wing, outlining its composition at three points in time: 2038, 2040 ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [UK]

  Background Project Mosquito and its cancellation Beginning in 2019, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), in collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF), ...

• 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 ...

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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  Dzhigit

  Dzhigit is a two-barrel, pedestal air defence missile launcher intended for single or salvo launches of Igla family surface-to-air missiles. Developed in the 1990s, the Dzhigit ...

• 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 ...