• Naval Warfare

  Singapore orders new OPVs for renewed maritime security force

  21st November 2023

  The Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has ordered new Offshore Patrol Vessels from German shipbuilder Fassmer to modernise its maritime security forces.

• Naval Warfare

  Future of the South African Navy looks bleak despite new ships entering service

  29th November 2023

  The commissioning of SAS King Shaka Zulu, a Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel, into the South African Navy masks serious problems for the service as fleet availability falls dangerously low and capability atrophies.

• Land Warfare

  Oman to receive 301 TOW missiles

  4th October 2023

  Oman has had its $70 million purchase of Raytheon TOW 2B Radio Frequency missiles approved by the US State Department

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Watchkeeper UAV providing value for money for the British Army?

  8th September 2023

  The Watchkeeper UAS has garnered interest from countries like Poland and Romania, despite a chequered operational history in the UK. Shephard analyses the aircraft's capabilities and the cost they come at.

• Naval Warfare

  Fourth US Navy TAO replenishment oiler launched despite cost concerns

  31st October 2023

  The fourth John Lewis-class (TAO-205) fleet replenishment oiler for the US Navy was launched in a ceremony at shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO’s San Diego facility on 28 October 2023.

• Naval Warfare

  Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Marinette Littoral Combat Ship commissioned

  19th September 2023

  The latest USN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Freedom-class USS Marinette (LCS 25) was commissioned on 16 September. It will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

• Air Warfare

  PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq

  27th September 2023

  China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.

• Digital Battlespace

  Redefining Modern Warfare: Multi-Domain Operations and the Shift to Integrated Communications across the Force (Studio)

  25th October 2023

  The multi-domain operations (MDO) concept is now a core focus for the US and its allies. The paradigm has significant implications for communications technology as militaries seek to integrate platforms and systems across different networked communications domains.

• Air Warfare

  Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery

  26th September 2023

  Adjustments to an existing contract aims to facilitate the continued development and operational use of Gripen C/D aircraft beyond 2030, in parallel with the introduction of the Gripen E next-generation fighter.

• 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.

• Air Warfare

  Inside Hamas' Arsenal: Rockets, drones, loitering munitions and tactics deployed in the assault on Israel

  10th October 2023

  Hamas has stunned experts with a sophisticated assault on Israel, leveraging Iranian-backed weaponry and training. The attack, featuring swarms of rockets and UAVs, has revealead a diverse arsenal, including the the Al-Zawari UAV and the repurposed Shebab drone.

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan reveals first indigenous submarine to much fanfare

  2nd October 2023

  Taiwan has made good progress with its submarine programme, revealing its initial boat in late September.

• Air Warfare

  Eurofighter Typhoon sales: what a difference a decade makes

  18th September 2023

  In the second week of August, BAE Systems released a statement confirming that 12 of 24 Typhoon Tranche 3 models had now arrived in Qatar. Despite this favourable export news, the aircraft’s industrial future remains somewhat clouded.

• Naval Warfare

  Latest Virginia-class SSN commissioned by US Navy despite increasing pressure on submarine service

  16th October 2023

  USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) has become the 22nd Virginia-class submarine to enter service with the US Navy following a commissioning event on 14 October 2023.

• Naval Warfare

  Norwegian navy ready to make decision on frigate life support contract

  22nd September 2023

  The future maintenance and modification of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN’s) four remaining Fridjtof Nansen-class frigates is to be decided by the end of the year.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia already operates a fleet of 20 AV4 Lipan Bara 4x4 vehicles delivered between 2016 and 2017, 18 of which are assigned to ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  TUAS [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Tender & Requirments The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) issued a tender in May 2020 to provide a new Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS). ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (1-2) [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 ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Submarines Procurement [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements In 2015, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) issued the so-called 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which envisioned the service to be standardised ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch IV (11-13) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch III (8-10) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The current Keris-class (see separate entry) Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ships that ...

• 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 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 ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch II (7-12) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - small

  ScanEagle 2 (Malaysia)

  Programme Background Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) programme The RMN received the ScanEagle 2's thought to be provided by the US under the Maritime Security Initiative ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In June 2019, The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed to Shephard that the government has given approval for the service to prepare ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (4-6) [Malaysia]

  Background First three drones Following years of exploring MALE UAVs and a few failed efforts, the RMAF clarified it wanted to acquire the three MALE ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch III (13-18) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (1-3) [Malaysia]

  Background Inception Malaysia's desire to acquire a MALE UAV dates back to 2009, when it announced it would be the first country in the region ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military - USVs

  High-Speed Intercept Boat

  Poly Technologies displayed its High-Speed Intercept Boat at DSA in Malaysia in 2016. 

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530G

  The MD 530G is the newest addition to the MD Helicopters (MDHI) line of light scout attack platforms. It has increased-capacity landing gear and a ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Condor

  At the DSA 2016 exhibition in Malaysia, DRB-HICOM DefTech displayed a prototype of an upgraded Malaysian Army Condor 4x4 APC. Thyssen-Henschel (now part of RMMV) ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-DSA

  M-DSA is the next step in the sensor modernisation of the M-TADS/PNVS system. Upgraded capabilities support more rapid target identification and coordination, as well as ...

• Military UAS - mini

  SR-10 VTOL

  Deftech showcased the SR-10 VTOL at DSA 2022. It has been locally designed in Malaysia to conduct aerial mapping, surveillance and line inspection missions. The hand-launched platform is powered ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Black Fox 6x6

  Doosan’s Black Fox family of 6x6 and 8x8 AFVs was developed to compete for a Republic of Korea Army requirement. Although not selected for the ...

• Military UAS - small

  CW-100

  The CW-100 is a small VTOL capable UAV manufactured byChengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) in collaboration with Malvus Sense. Displayed at DSA 2022, it is ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Guardian

  IAG's Guardian 4x4 armoured personnel carrier has been designed to carry up to ten fully equipped personnel and their support equipment. While the vehicle is ...

• Military UAS - mini

  CW-007

  The CW-007 VTOL UAS is part of the Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV) series and is the smallest of the fleet.  It is primarily ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Tactical UAV

  Unveiled at DSA 2022, the Deftech Tactical UAV is an indigenously developed platform based on the Aldura Mk1. The platform is aimed at the Royal Malaysian ...

• Military UAS - mini

  CW-15

  The CW-15 is a mini VTOL capable UAV manufactured by Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV). Belonging to the CW series, the CW-15 is electrically powered ...

• EO/IR systems

  M-TADS/PNVS

  The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) is the EO fire control system that US Army AH-64D/E Apache helicopter pilots use for ...

• Loitering munitions

  Todak

  Unveiled at DSA 2024, the Todak is a loitering munition from Mindmatics. The catapult-launched platform is powered by a Li-ion 25.2V battery, and it is ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MALE UAV

  As its name suggests, the MALE UAV is a male-class drone. It has been developed by Indo-Pacific Communication & Defence (IPCD) and certified by the Ministry of ...

• Military UAS - small

  CW-25D

  The CW-25D is VTOL capable UAV manufactured by Chengdu Jouav Automation Technology Co CW (JOUAV). It is a hybrid platform containing a 64cc two-stroke gasoline engine and electric ...