• Military Logistics

  Hensoldt modernises ATC at German airfields

  17th November 2017

  Hensoldt is supplying its Aerodrome Surveillance Radar – Series (ASR-S) for German military airfields to modernise air traffic control (ATC), the company announced on 15 …

• Land Warfare

  D&S 2017: DefTech helps Condor to soar again

  8th November 2017

  This year Malaysian firm DefTech shared a booth with Chaiseri Metal and Rubber at the Defense & Security 2017 expo in Bangkok. DefTech exhibited two …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: FoxGuard Solutions enters T&S market

  15th November 2017

  Christiansburg, Virginia-based FoxGuard Solutions, best known for its industrial computing capabilities, has branched out into the military training and simulation market with the launch of …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Navy receives modernised Ka-29s

  14th November 2017

  The Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet has received six modernised Ka-29 ship-based combat transport helicopters, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on 9 November. The helicopters …

• Defence Helicopter

  Mexican Navy roaring to go with more Panther deliveries

  22nd November 2017

  The Mexican Navy received its seventh and eighth Airbus Helicopters AS565MBe Panther aircraft on 13 November at Naval Air Base Minatitlán, Veracruz. The aircraft was …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Kratos books jet-powered UAS orders

  3rd November 2017

  Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has received $14.5 million in contract awards for eight high performance, jet powered UAS, the company announced on 31 October.The …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Under-fire DJI introduces new security countermeasures

  3rd November 2017

  DJI, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial UAS, has been in the headlines over recent months regarding bans of its products by Western militaries. Rather …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: LMCO completes CRH Program Training Systems CDR

  20th November 2017

  Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Program Training Systems Critical Design Review (CDR). This event prepares the CRH …

• Land Warfare

  New rifles destined for Somalia

  20th November 2017

  The Turkish government has gifted new rifles to Somalia as part of its plan to expand its influence in the region. Up to 450 new …

• Defence Notes

  D&S 2017: Thailand's top five defence programmes (video)

  2nd November 2017

  Ahead of Defense and Security 2017, hosted in Bangkok Thailand, Shephard takes a look at some of the host nation's top five ongoing defence programmes. 

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  D&S 2017: Thai military’s UAV research bears fruit

  9th November 2017

  The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is working on a platform called the Fixed-wing UAV with VTOL-Enabling Capability (FUVEC), displaying one of four prototypes at the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Leonardo receives threat simulation contract

  15th November 2017

  Leonardo has been contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide equipment that will simulate radar threats to the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) …

• Naval Warfare

  D&S 2017: US continues building maritime capability for SE Asian friends

  2nd November 2017

  Southeast Asian countries are expected to receive continued US military assistance in the near term as China continues to wrangle with regional neighbours over territorial …

• Military Logistics

  Tapestry to upgrade CAT for airdrop missions

  16th November 2017

  Tapestry Solutions has been selected by the US Air Force to develop advanced mission planning software for airdrop missions tailored to the C-17 and C-130 …

• Training

  Polish C295 FFS enters service

  2nd November 2017

  The Polish Air Force has accepted into service a CAE-built C295 full-flight simulator (FFS) at the 8th Air Base Krakow-Balice in Poland, CAE announced on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve surveillance ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

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

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

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

  Mini Intelligence Drone System (SMDR) [France]

  Background Requirement The French Army identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac, which entered service in 2008. The Mini Reconnaissance ...

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

  M Solar-X [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

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

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

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

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

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

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...