• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Balloon goes up in Singapore

  29th November 2016

  The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) performed its first test launch of a TCOM aerostat in Singapore. Although the project started in 2014, its …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Swiss Army helicopter simulator upgrades for Thales

  29th November 2016

  The Swiss federal defence procurement authority, armasuisse has contracted Thales to undertake a number of significant concurrency upgrades to the Swiss Air Force’s AS 532 …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: RNLAF moves sims and emphasises virtual training

  29th November 2016

  The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has held a ceremony to mark the move of its C-130H and KDC-10 full mission simulators (FMS). Both devices …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: SGB Enterprises contracts Stirling Dynamics

  29th November 2016

  Active control technology specialists Stirling Dynamics has received a contract from SGB Enterprises to supply active controls for their UH-60M and CH-47F helicopter flight simulators …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Focus shifts to ‘drone’ ground targets

  29th November 2016

  The next-generation of targets used for live firing training are likely to be intelligent ‘drone’ vehicles that can move freely around a training area to …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Day one news and hot topics (video)

  28th November 2016

  The Shephard Media team has enjoyed day one of I/ITSEC in Orlando. Trevor Nash and Beth Maundrill sit down to discuss the first day of …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: UK sees bright future for mixed-reality

  28th November 2016

  Whether it’s in the air, on the ground, or at sea, the use of simulators has become the norm for militaries across the world, but …

• Land Warfare

  Light at end of India’s long M777 tunnel

  28th November 2016

  The governments of India and the US have finally agreed on a Foreign Military Sale of 145 M777 ultra-lightweight howitzers for the Indian Army, the …

• Naval Warfare

  Poseidon programme receives Norway boost

  28th November 2016

  Norway has pinned its aerial maritime patrol capability firmly on the expansive wings of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, following a statement last …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Behind the scenes (video)

  28th November 2016

  The Shephard Media team has arrived in Orlando for this year's I/ITSEC training and simulation event.  The show promises to deliver news from the live, …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: VR opens up affordable training

  28th November 2016

  Mirroring trends in the commercial gaming arena, virtual reality (VR) technology is once again likely to feature prominently at this year’s I/ITSEC exhibition held in …

• Land Warfare

  Korean THAAD deployment accelerates

  28th November 2016

  South Korea's deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is accelerating with the Ministry of National Defence (MND) signing an agreement …

• Defence Helicopter

  USMC demos MV-22B Osprey in Japan

  25th November 2016

  The US Marine Corps (USMC) has demonstrated the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft’s humanitarian aid and disaster relief capabilities for officials of Sasebo City at Sakibe …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Medallion image generator shines bright

  25th November 2016

  CAE is launching its next generation image generator (IG), the Medallion-6000XR, at the annual simulation and training event, I/ITSEC, in Orlando.  The company’s first simulator …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Long term contract for CACI with NETC

  25th November 2016

  Arlington, Virginia-based CACI has announced that it has been awarded ‘prime position on a multiple-award, ID/IQ contract’ worth up to $192 million to provide training …

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 ...