• Land Warfare

  Dedicated recon model of Otokar Akrep II vehicle ready for export

  28th July 2023

  Otokar has introduced a reconnaissance variant of the Akrep II 4x4 armoured vehicle, equipped with a remote weapon station and advanced surveillance features. The export-ready vehicle offers adaptable weapon systems and hybrid electric drive options.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force continues to invest in eVTOL capabilities

  1st August 2023

  Under the latest investment, Archer Aviation will supply up to six Midnight eVTOL aircraft to the USAF, designed for short-distance trips and capable of carrying four passengers and a pilot.

• Digital Battlespace

  EOS to provide AS-65 gimbal for L3Harris's VAMPIRE weapon system

  21st July 2023

  EOS Defense Systems USA's AS-65 gimbal has been selected for L3Harris's VAMPIRE weapon system, empowering Ukraine's ground forces to counter hostile drones and ground threats using precision rockets.

• Air Warfare

  Japan explores missile launching from cargo planes

  26th July 2023

  Japan is considering the use of cargo planes to launch missiles, aiming to diversify its launch platform options. The introduction of the Rapid Dragon system, tested by the USAF, could expand the capabilities of the JSDF's stand-off missile arsenal.

• Training

  Tunisia receives four US Textron T-6C trainer aircraft

  25th July 2023

  The US has handed over four of eight Textron T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force.

• Land Warfare

  Spanish Army tests Polaris tactical vehicles in drive to improve mobility

  27th April 2023

  The tests by the Spanish Army are intended to support the service in defining and refining its future requirements for ATVs and light tactical vehicles.

• 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.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  More Black Hornet UAVs bound for Ukraine as part of Norway order

  18th July 2023

  Teledyne FLIR Defense will supply Black Hornet 3 nano-UAVs to Ukraine, as part of a Norway MoD order. The pocket-sized drones provide crucial reconnaissance capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Australian Land 8116 howitzer conducts test firing

  6th July 2023

  Hanwha has successfully completed the first stage of Land 8116 Protected Mobile Fires Ordnance Integration Testing, marking a milestone in artillery system integration for the Australian Defence Force.

• Air Warfare

  How the US Air Force is improving C2 and connectivity in contested logistics scenarios

  9th August 2023

  Preparing multi-capable airmen to perform various tasks in multiple contexts is a main USAF goal to improve logistics efforts.

• Land Warfare

  GM Defense selected for DoD energy storage project, showcases concept vehicles

  29th June 2023

  GM Defense announced on 27 June that it has been selected by the DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to prototype an efficient energy storage unit (ESU). The company also displayed its new Electric Military Concept Vehicle at Modern Day Marine.

• Defence Helicopter

  UK MoD stands firm: ‘No change in New Medium Helicopter numbers’

  24th July 2023

  'There has been no change to the advertised requirement of up to 44 platforms' for the UK New Medium Helicopter programme that is set to replace the UK's Puma and other helicopter fleets, the ministry has said.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Bayraktar TB2 UAV living up to expectations?

  15th September 2023

  Sold to well over 20 countries and combat-proven in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Bayraktar TB2 has been an export success for its Turkish manufacturer. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the aircraft's design and capabilities and reviews in depth who is buying it and why.

• Land Warfare

  US pushes Japan to provide 155mm ammo for Ukraine

  6th July 2023

  Japan is reluctant to provide lethal aid to support Ukraine's war, despite pressure from the US.

• Training

  Florida university to develop military training programme

  11th July 2023

  The Florida Defense Support Task Force has awarded the University of West Florida (UWF) a $460.000 grant to support training efforts of local military units.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic Tanker ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

• Data links

  Data links | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | P-1 EW [Japan]

  Japan is advancing its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities through the development of an EW version of the domestically produced Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-1Z [Romania]

  The Romanian MoD has a long-standing requirement for new rotary platforms, including troop transport, supply and attack configurations. According to the the Military Strategy document, ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E APACHE [USA]

  Programme Background According to the FY2021 Defense Budget, the US Army procured 81 new-build AH-64E Apaches.The FY2021 Army budget shows 61 prior-year new-build AH-64Es and ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Replicator 2 [US]

  Programme Background 1.0 The Replicator programme was a US effort to field thousands of attritable, autonomous systems across multiple domains before the end of 2025 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | IF-X/KF-X procurement [Indonesia]

  Indonesian Air Force is planning to procure around 48 fighter jets under the joint KF-X/IF-X programme (see separate entries for Indonesian and South Korean development ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | IF-X/KF-X procurement [Indonesia]

  Indonesian Air Force is planning to procure around 48 fighter jets under the joint KF-X/IF-X programme (see separate entries for Indonesian and South Korean development ...

• Data links

  Data links | IF-X/KF-X procurement [Indonesia]

  Indonesian Air Force is planning to procure around 48 fighter jets under the joint KF-X/IF-X programme (see separate entries for Indonesian and South Korean development ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | IF-X/KF-X procurement [Indonesia]

  Indonesian Air Force is planning to procure around 48 fighter jets under the joint KF-X/IF-X programme (see separate entries for Indonesian and South Korean development ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | IF-X/KF-X procurement [Indonesia]

  Indonesian Air Force is planning to procure around 48 fighter jets under the joint KF-X/IF-X programme (see separate entries for Indonesian and South Korean development ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Spike Firefly [Vietnam]

  Background Reported Deal In February 2026, media outlets such as The Defence Post and Intelligence Online reported that Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense had signed a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Light attack aircraft [Peru]

  Amidst a broader Air Force modernisation since the start of the decade, reports indicate that the Latin American country is also looking to acquire a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Trailers

  Tactical Trailer

  Polaris Defense developed the single-axle Tactical Trailer, able to carry a 450kg cargo, for use with its family of MRZR all-terrain vehicles. 

• LTVs - 4x4

  DAGOR/DAGOR A1

  In October 2014 at the AUSA Annual event, Polaris Defense unveiled its 4x4 Deployable Advanced Ground Off-Road (DAGOR) vehicle as its submission for the US ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Airborne Launching and Attack System (AirLAS)

  The Airborne Launching and Attack System (AirLAS) is a system that pairs Diehl Defence's IRIS-T air-to-air missile with a reusable carrier UAV developed by POLARIS. The companies ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  MRZR D4

  Unveiled at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in May 2016, the MRZR D4 is a high-performance, turbo-charged diesel variant of the MRZR 4 off-road ...

• Sea: procedural training

  Polaris Desktop Bridge Trainer

  Described as a cost-effective alternative for training multiple students, the Polaris Desktop Bridge Trainer incorporates many of the features of the full navy bridge trainer, ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  MRZR 4

  The MRZR 4 is derived from the Polaris RZR commercial 4x4 all-terrain vehicle with modifications to make it suitable for military use.  Over 1,500 MRZR ...

• Sea: procedural training

  Polaris Navy Bridge Trainer

  The Polaris Navy Bridge Trainer simulates the bridge of a specific class of naval vessel, or as a generic bridge suitable for training personnel from ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Proteus Surface Warship CTT

  In addition to the generic Proteus Action Speed Tactical Trainer (ASTT), Kongsberg can also provide Command Team Trainers (CTT) tailored to the specific needs of ...

• Land: battle management systems

  FAAD/C-RAM C2

  The Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Command and Control (C2) system was developed by Northrop Grumman to provide command and control (C2) for the US Army ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  MRZR D2

  Originally introduced in 2013, the MRZR family of vehicles is in service with the US and several other militaries across the world.  On 20 February ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  MRZR Alpha

  The MRZR Alpha is an improved variant of the Polaris MRZR series developed to meet a US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) requirement for a follow-on Light Tactical ...

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  Fletcher

  Arnold Defense, which has produced more than 1.1 million 2.75in/70mm rocket launchers for airborne applications since 1961, unveiled the Fletcher 2.75in/70mm Weapon System at the September ...

• Medium UGVs

  MRZR X

  Team Polaris unveiled the unmanned MRZR X multi-mode, connected vehicle for the first time at the AUVSI trade show in 2018. The MRZR X has been ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Sportsman MV850

  The Sportsman MV850 is derived from the Polaris Sportsman commercial 4x4 all-terrain vehicle and has been modified for military use. The MV850 seats one with ...

• Sea: weapon training

  Proteus Naval Weapon Trainer

  Kongsberg has developed a crew-served and remotely operated simulation architecture that provides man-in-the-loop training for close-in weapon systems. The trainer is already in service as ...