• Air Warfare

  European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones

  17th March 2026

  European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.

• Naval Warfare

  UK ‘Hybrid Navy’ steps up as Norway cooperation reinforces Arctic strategy

  13th February 2026

  As Russia commits billions to new warships and stealth submarines, the UK is reshaping its strategy with expanded troop deployments, shared frigate fleets and a shift towards uncrewed platforms.

• Air Warfare

  Dormant helicopter programmes in Africa and Asia present opportunities

  31st March 2026

  Growing capability gaps caused by ageing Soviet-era platforms in Africa and Asia are creating opportunities, as disrupted supply chains and sanctions open the door for Western manufacturers to expand into these markets.

• Naval Warfare

  SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system

  18th May 2026

  MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.

• Naval Warfare

  Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant

  30th January 2026

  In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.

• Naval Warfare

  NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios

  17th December 2025

  As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.

• Air Warfare

  Optimism remains for GCAP and FCAS future despite programme stumbling blocks

  22nd May 2026

  Both sixth-generation combat aircraft programmes are still awaiting major key decisions from respective governments with regards to funding or future direction, but industry and governmental officials remain optimistic of progress going forward.

• Naval Warfare

  First Canadian modernised MK 46 Mod 5A torpedo to be delivered in Q1 2026

  23rd September 2025

  The upgrade of the MK 46 Mod 5A anti-submarine rounds to the MK 54 model will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to maintain the torpedoes in service for the next 25 years.

• Naval Warfare

  Sealift shortfalls set to drive opportunities across NATO navies

  5th June 2026

  A new Council on Geostrategy primer warns that NATO cannot defend its own supply lines. As the alliance faces a sealift and logistics escort deficit, a wave of unawarded procurement is beginning to take shape.

• Air Warfare

  Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?

  22nd April 2026

  While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Leonardo chief balances praise and caution over Germany joining GCAP

  22nd July 2026

  Lorenzo Mariani’s Farnborough remarks on the prospect of Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme struck a cautious tone, as he welcomed Canada’s arrival as the programme’s first observer nation.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: Allison aims to future-proof Europe’s AFVs with transmission tech

  14th June 2026

  Allison has brought two of its latest automatic transmissions for military vehicles to Eurosatory 2026, the 4040MX for tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and the 4000 series for wheeled AFVs.

• Air Warfare

  First GCAP contract marks milestone for Edgewing, while UK waits on further funding

  8th April 2026

  The design and development contract is set to run until the end of June and will now enable the partnership to drive the programme forward as it targets its 2027 demonstrator date.

• Land Warfare

  Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options

  1st July 2026

  New iterations of a 57mm gun system highlight a push towards multi-role turrets capable of countering armour, drones and aerial targets.

• Air Warfare

  Only 25% of the US Pentagon’s F-35 fleet has been fully mission capable, GAO says

  18th June 2026

  The fighter jet remains a combat necessity, but sustainment challenges continue to limit its readiness. In the meantime, the US Air Force seeks billions in funding to improve the F-35's availability.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship Programme (8-12) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements At DSA 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) unveiled the RMN 15 to 5 Transformation Program Realignment. The original 15 to 5 ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Littoral Strike Ships (LSS)

  Programme Background Original Plan: Procurment In February 2019, the then-UK Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson, announced an intention to establish two' littoral strike ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) Programme [UK]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the UK MoD's March 2021 Defence Command Paper, entitled 'Defence in a Competitive Age', the RN will invest in six ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship Programme (6-7) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements At DSA 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) unveiled the RMN 15 to 5 Transformation Program Realignment.  The original 15 to 5 plan ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Combat Ship Programme (6-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to acquire 12 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Six units were ordered in 2013, although one was cancelled due to ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Combat Ship Programme (6-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to acquire 12 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Six units were ordered in 2013, although one was cancelled due to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Combat Ship Programme (8-12) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to acquire 12 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Six units were ordered in 2013, although one was cancelled due to ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Combat Ship Programme (8-12) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to acquire 12 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Six units were ordered in 2013, although one was cancelled due to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Combat Ships [Egypt]

  In December 2022, Sky News Arabia revealed that, according to a spokesperson of the US DoD, Washington had authorised the sale/transfer of Littoral Combat Ships ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  COMBATSS-21

  Produced by Lockheed Martin, the Littoral Combat Ship Component Based Total Ship System – 21st Century (COMBATSS-21) is a modular, scalable open combat management system that can be ...

• Military - USVs

  USSV-HTF

  The US Office of Naval Research previously used the Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicle-High Tow Force (USSV-HTF) to test various technological features that could be incorporated ...

• Military - UUVs

  RMMV

  The Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) was a semi-submersible AUV developed as part of the AN/WLD-1(V) Remote Minehunting System (RMS) for the USN’s Littoral Combat Ship ...

• EO/IR systems

  COBRA

  The Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system was part of Northrop Grumman's airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) product line. It was adopted as the AN/DVS-1 ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 4000

  The MTU Series 4000 is manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK. The engine consists of a 90° V cylinder configuration and has a displacement/cylinder capacity of 4.77 ...

• Corvettes

  Littoral Mission Ship (LMS 92)

  Based on the C92 corvette design, the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) 92 has been developed by Dearsan shipyard to meet the requirements of the Malaysian LMS ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  MQ-8C Fire Scout

  The MQ-8C is a newer version of the Fire Scout and is based on a Bell 407 commercial helicopter. It offers a greater range, endurance and ...

• Sea: naval fire control radar

  TMX/EO

  The TMX/EO three-axis tracking module is equipped with X-band radar and TV camera, IR camera and laser rangefinder, for precision measurement of aerial, naval and ...

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  SeaRAM

  SeaRAM is an MK 15 CIWS variant which replaces the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System’s 20mm gun with a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block II launcher. ...

• Frigates

  DW3000

  The Royal Thai Navy ordered a DW3000F design multipurpose frigate from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean based on the Daegu-class frigate in service with the Republic ...

• Frigates

  HCX-21

  South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has unveiled the HCX-21, a trimaran vessel designed for Navies and Coast Guards. The lightweight future surface combatant ...

• Patrol boats

  LMV 60

  The LMV 60 is part of Fassmer's Littoral Mission Vessels. According to the manufacturer, the design approach allows for a modular increase of combat capability ...

• Data links

  T-Series Model S

  Model S is a shipboard, high-bandwidth, full-duplex ground terminal for communication with CDL airborne-configured systems. The terminal is software-configurable and supports the standard CDL waveform, ...

• Patrol boats

  LMV 75

  The LMV 75 is part of Fassmer's Littoral Mission Vessels. According to the manufacturer, the design approach allows for a modular increase of combat capability ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  9LV Combat Management System

  Developed by Saab, the 9LV CMS provides scalable options for naval combat systems, and has been delivered on more than 230 ships – from small patrol ...