• Defence Notes

  UK pledges billions towards stockpiles in refreshed defence plan

  18th July 2023

  The UK has pledged an additional £2.5 billion ($3.27 billion) in stockpile investment as part of a refreshed defence plan that will be published later today.

• Defence Notes

  Over half of NATO members to miss the mark on defence spending

  20th July 2023

  Although the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been driving military expenditure upward worldwide, only 11 out of 30 NATO countries are expected to meet or exceed the 2% mark in 2023.

• Training

  Podcast: The evolving landscape of military simulation and training technologies

  25th April 2023

  This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, we explore the evolution of military simulation and training technologies, including advancements in cloud computing, networked training, and the increasing use of simulation in response to changing military demands.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show: Romania orders first batch of Watchkeeper X drones

  21st June 2023

  Romania has awarded Elbit Systems a $180 million purchase order for three Watchkeeper X Tactical UAS, the Israeli firm announced at the Paris Air Show.

• Training

  IT2EC 2023: Simthetiq delivers first 3D model-based training solution to NATO nation

  18th April 2023

  Simthetiq is delivering 3D simulation models to support a new fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme for an undisclosed NATO member.

• Air Warfare

  India tightens American ties with Reaper and fighter engine procurements

  26th June 2023

  India has been mulling Reapers for years, and it will probably take another two years before a deal is sealed.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia, Latvia kick off joint procurement of Iris-T air defence missiles

  24th May 2023

  Estonia and Latvia have selected the Diehl IRIS-T as their preferred solution for the joint procurement of a medium-range air defence system.

• Training

  MASS extends contract to manage UK joint warfare exercises

  19th May 2023

  Defence and training support company MASS has been awarded an extension to its Joint Command and Staff Training (JCAST) contract for UK Strategic Command. The …

• Training

  India draws mixed lessons from multinational military exercises

  8th June 2023

  India is participating in an increasing number of military exercises with international partners, allowing exchanges of ideas and the opportunity to work with new equipment.

• Land Warfare

  Finland signs deal for up to 161 CAVS armoured vehicles

  6th June 2023

  Finland has signed a firm contract for 91 Patria 6x6 Common Armoured Vehicle Systems (CAVS) vehicles, with an option to acquire 70 more.

• Land Warfare

  Finland signs deal for up to 161 CAVS armoured vehicles

  6th June 2023

  Finland has signed a firm contract for 91 Patria 6x6 Common Armoured Vehicle Systems (CAVS) vehicles, with an option to acquire 70 more.

• Training

  Varjo-Aechelon partnership on US Air Force training programme continues run of success for Finnish company

  24th March 2023

  Aechelon and Varjo are collaborating to provide mixed reality (MR) technology for the USAF's 31st Combat Training Squadron to enhance readiness to combat evolving threats.

• Air Warfare

  New $156 million deal to advance UK aircrew training

  8th June 2023

  The initiative under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) will equip Royal Navy observers and Royal Air Force weapon system officers with the skills to operate advanced aircraft.

• Training

  US trains Japan on air operations centre planning

  6th June 2023

  Personnel from the USAF's 505th Training Squadron have assisted Japan in understanding air operations centre planning and building an instructor cadre.

• Digital Battlespace

  L3Harris, Amazon team up to advance battlespace networking

  1st June 2023

  L3Harris Technologies has announced an agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to demonstrate networking and sensor fusion capabilities across a distributed battlespace. The two companies …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-X III Phase II (F-35) [South Korea]

  Programme Background On 14 September 2014, South Korea signed an FMS contract under the first phase of F-X III programme to supply 40 F-35As for ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35B (1-12) [Singapore]

  Programme Background Singapore is renowned as a discerning and demanding customer, so its selection of the F-35 must be seen as a vote of confidence ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan

  In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35C Carrier Variant

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (F-35A) [Israel]

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Denmark]

  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW4 Puszczyk Replacement [Poland]

  Programme Background  In 2002, Poland order 47 SW4 training helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo; as of Spring 2025, the Ministry of Defence is looking to ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program (Helicopter Procurement) - Canada

  Programme Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan Follow On

  The F-35 full-rate production is expected to be further delayed following an October 2020 US DoD announcement that postponed the simulation tests, originally planned for 2017 ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B STOVL - US Navy

  The JSF programme will develop and field a family of aircraft that meets the needs of the US DoD and US allies with the F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35B [Japan]

  F-35B was selected on 16 August 2019 for Japan's short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) multirole fighter aircraft requirement. Tokyo is planning  ‘partial refurbishment of ...

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

  Sistema RPAS Táctico de Altas Prestaciones (SiRTAP) [Spain]

  Background MoU In 2017, it was announced that Spain was jointly developing a MALE UAV with Colombia to meet the ISR requirement of both armed ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF

  According to the US FY2021 budget document, Turkey's removal from the JSF program and transition to the alternate supply chain sources may challenge to achieve ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Army)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Navy)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...