• Land Warfare

  How the US Army is getting ready to succeed in contested multidomain scenarios

  24th July 2023

  The service has been working on the improvement of strategy, inventory and training in addition to conducting several acquisition, development and modernisation efforts.

• Air Warfare

  Collins-Elbit JV wins contract to supply US Navy with helmet-mounted cueing system

  7th September 2023

  Ahead of DSEI 2023, Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS) has released details of its new Zero-G HMDS+ helmet mounted display system and announced it has been awarded a $16 million development contract from the US Navy (USN) for the Improved Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS).

• Naval Warfare

  Pakistan Navy renewal gathers pace as new OPV launched

  20th September 2023

  The launch of the first of a new pair of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Pakistan Navy (PN) on 12 September indicates an acceleration in the modernisation of the service as it introduces new ships into service.

• Land Warfare

  Rafael ready to counter Iran’s hypersonic threats, says company at Paris Air Show

  20th June 2023

  Planning of flight tests and interception trials for the Sky Sonic counter-hypersonic missile system are under way, while Rafael hopes to start full-scale development in the coming months.

• Training

  First US Air Force T-7 Red Hawk jet trainer poised to be delivered

  19th September 2023

  Boeing has completed crucial inspections of the T-7 Red Hawk, and five development aircraft are set to be delivered to the US Air Force, with hopes of completion by year-end. Despite setbacks, the programme is moving ahead, with further testing and detailed plans to replace the ageing T-38 Talon fleet.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine to receive new type of counter drone system [UPDATED]

  30th August 2023

  Kongsberg is to deliver the Cortex Typhon CUAS through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The systems will provide essential aerial threat protection capabilities, enhancing Ukraine's ability to combat UAVs such as Shahen 136.

• Defence Notes

  US to increase funds for artificial intelligence capabilities in FY2024

  11th August 2023

  Senate Committee on Appropriations recently proposed allocating $281 million above the Pentagon’s budget request to advance the use of AI.

• Air Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Teledyne FLIR draws on use of Black Hornet UAS in Ukraine to develop autonomous launch system

  12th September 2023

  Teledyne Flir Defense is developing the Black Recon Vehicle Reconnaissance System (VRS), which will hold multiple UAVs, with autonomous launch and recovery. The system is expected to be available in the second half of 2024 with deliveries possible in 2025.

• Air Warfare

  Germany adds AI backbone to FCAS next-generation fighter jet

  1st September 2023

  A consortium of Helsing and Rohde & Schwarz has been selected by the German BAAINBw defence procurement agency to deliver an artificial intelligence (AI) backbone for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation fighter jet.

• Land Warfare

  Insight: Why the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle is making a clean sweep of Nordic markets

  19th September 2023

  Shephard Defence Insight explores the evolution of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV from its inception in the late 1980s to the latest CV90 MkIV, detailing the order history and upgrade packages of its ten European customers.

• Air Warfare

  China and Iran look beyond Russian market for UAS and precision weapon exports

  6th September 2023

  Chinese and Iranian firms unveiled new UAS and smart munitions at Army-2023, claiming they reflected lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and were attracting international interest.

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: How rising tensions have fuelled the Type 26 frigate's development

  12th September 2023

  Slated to enter service in the late 2020s, the Type 26 frigate addresses the pressing need for enhanced ASW capabilities, particularly in light of heightened tensions with Russia. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the design and its equipment fit.

• Naval Warfare

  Dutch warships' mid-life upgrade to de-risk systems for future air defence frigate

  13th September 2023

  The Royal Netherland’s Navy (RNLN’s) four De Zeven Provincien-class (LCF) frigates are near to completing a series of upgrades that will enable the ships to operate effectively until replacements are delivered, with the refit informing future requirements.

• Defence Notes

  L3Harris to design satellite payload for tracking hypersonic threats

  30th June 2023

  L3Harris has been contracted to carry out critical design phase work to provide data predictions for an infrared satellite-based sensor to track hypersonic missiles.

• Air Warfare

  Japan develops long-range target observation munition to accompany missiles

  19th June 2023

  To guide long-range weapons, Japan is developing a new missile with the express purpose of providing observation and targeting data.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• Military UAS - HALE

  RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Background Contract award Northrop Grumman announced in May 2026 that it had secured a $325.5 million contract from the US Army to develop the RangeHawk ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Chu-SAM [Japan]

  Background Japan is procuring upgraded Type 03 Chu-SAM Kai air defence systems to strengthen its capability against ballistic and hypersonic threats. The systems meet Japan's ...

• Long Range Missile Defence Systems: > 90km range

  Arrow 4 [Israel]

  Background As early as 2017, development work on what would become Arrow 4 was announced by Israel’s MAFAT Defense Research and Development Authority. MAFAT worked with ...

• Destroyers

  Type 83 Future Air Defence System (FADS) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirements The Daring-class (Type 45) consists of six ships, although the original plan was to have 12 destroyers. This was cut to eight in ...

• Medium UGVs

  Mission Master (RPV Sprial 2) [UK]

  Background First announced in April 2017 and referred to in early MOD documents as the ‘last mile resupply’ initiative, the British Army is reportedly evaluating ...

• Destroyers

  Future Destroyers - ASEV (1-2) [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements Following the Maya-class destroyers, the JMSDF will not just maintain the destroyer units they operate already but will receive two new destroyer platforms. ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  R400 Slinger [Australia]

  Background The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) announced Mission Syracuse in May 2025, which is planned to support the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) counter-small uncrewed ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Cheongwang [South Korea]

  Background South Korea will produce the Laser-Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I (Cheongwang) for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The laser weapons will be deployed and ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  SAN C-UAS [Poland]

  Background In January 2026, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and its Polish partner Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) signed a contract with the Polish Armaments Agency for the delivery ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  H-145M (Serbia)

  Serbia's aircraft will be equipped with a fast roping system, high-performance camera, fire support equipment, ballistic protection as well as an electronic countermeasures system. The ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  L-39NG Senegal

  The aircraft will feature five hard-points, two external fuel tanks with 350 lt capacity, Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, guided and unguided rockets, single ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System [US]

  Background The US Marine Corps' (USMC) Lightweight Marine Air Defence Integrated System (L-MADIS) supports deployed Marine Expeditionary Units with non-kinetic C-UAS capabilities and a shoulder-fired surface-to-air weapon for ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Batch 2) [Slovenia]

  Programme Background  Slovenia began its procurement of Oshkosh Defence's JLTV 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2018, although a US government FMS contract was not signed until ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Anti-ship missiles

  Brahmos II

  The BrahMos-II is the hypersonic version of the BrahMos cruise missile family currently under joint development by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  SM-6 Block IB

  The SM-6 Block IB is an advanced iteration of the Standard Missile series, designed to enhance US Navy missile defence capabilities. Slated to be operational ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Megawatt-Scale LDEW (nLIGHT)

  nLIGHT's megawatt-scale laser weapon is currently under development as a part of the United States High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI). The high-energy laser (HEL) has ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  SkySonic

  The SkySonic is an advanced hypersonic missile interceptor developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Unveiled in June 2023, it is designed to counter the ...

• Anti-ship missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  3M22 Zircon

  The 3M22 Zircon, developed by Russia, is a hypersonic cruise missile representing a significant technological milestone in missile design and capability. According to the information ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Mako

  Mako is an air-launched hypersonic missile developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with CoAspire. The missile was unveiled to the public for the first time ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face (FF)

  The Sea Giraffe 4A FF (Fixed Face) is the fixed panel radar version of the Sea Giraffe 4A rotating radar. The system is produced by ...

• Data links

  P1350

  P1350 are airborne-qualified IP data links that can operate at hypersonic speeds. Produced by BERTEN DSP, it provides ruggedised, low-SWaP tactical communications in electronic warfare environments. 

• Data links

  P4700

  The P4700 is an airborne-qualified IP data link produced by BERTEN. Suitable for hypersonic and high-attitude applications, it can be integrated into various platforms, including ...

• Data links

  P6000

  BERTEN P6000 are defence-grade IP data links that provide a light, compact, robust, and affordable solution for airborne, maritime, and ground communications.

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Aster 30 B1 NT

  The Aster 30 B1NT (Block 1 New Technology) is a surface-to-air missile developed by MBDA as the latest addition to the Aster missile family. With ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  NavStorm-M

  BAE Systems' NavStorm-M is a gun-hardened, integrated anti-jamming and Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for artillery rounds, bombs, missiles, and uncrewed systems. It was revealed ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  SPY-6(V)4

  The SPY-6(V)4 Air and Missile Defence Radar is a surveillance radar manufactured by Raytheon. It is designed to defend against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile Block III (M-SAM III)

  The Surface-to-Air Missile Block III (M-SAM Block III) is an advanced iteration of South Korea's medium-range air defence system. It is designed to enhance interception ...

• Military UAS - HALE

  MD-22

  The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the near-space hypersonic technology testbed MD-22 at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2022. Capable of speeds of Mach 7, the ...