• Air Warfare

  Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad

  16th September 2026

  European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.

• Air Warfare

  US Pentagon pushes procurement of dismounted counter-UAS capabilities

  7th October 2026

  The US services are investing in lighter, autonomous and networked systems to protect mobile troops from drone threats.

• Air Warfare

  Rafale AI trials highlight shift towards operational fighter testbeds

  24th September 2026

  Dassault’s latest Rafale trials join Gripen E and F-16 testing as developers explore how artificial intelligence could support and control combat aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities

  23rd April 2026

  As sea ice extent hits a record low and geopolitical tensions increase in the High North, navies are contending to adopt the technologies needed to operate beneath an increasingly unpredictable Arctic Ocean.

• Defence Notes

  Global tensions drive defence supply chain scrutiny

  4th September 2026

  Governments worldwide are scrambling to decouple defence supply chains from dependency upon strategic rivals, but countries could struggle to do it all themselves.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub

  3rd February 2026

  The company disclosed several defence contracts and upgrades for its defence aircraft at the show, including additional Super Tucano orders and a new C-390 Millennium customer, Uzbekistan.

• Air Warfare

  AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics

  17th September 2026

  The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.

• Defence Notes

  “Start planning much earlier”: delivering defence support in an era of disruption

  14th October 2026

  In Conversation… The geopolitical landscape is increasingly uncertain, with the UK and its allies confronting the most unpredictable international environment for decades. To adapt, defence readiness must begin long before assets reach the front line, forging a resilient support enterprise that can thrive in a time of ongoing disruption, argue the partners of Team ORION.

• Air Warfare

  USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026

  7th May 2026

  The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon unveils land version of the Next Generation Jammer

  20th April 2026

  The ground-based NGJ is designed to work as an “invisible shield” to protect land structures and assets. Shephard spoke with Raytheon to find out more.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system

  11th May 2026

  Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.

• Air Warfare

  Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns

  10th July 2026

  B-52 modernisation, Sentinel, MH-139A, T-7A and Air Force One replacement are among the US Air Force programmes the GAO says remain at risk of further schedule slips and cost growth due to acquisition and management challenges.

• Naval Warfare

  UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet

  10th March 2026

  The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.

• Land Warfare

  The US DoD’s counter-drone marketplace begins to produce results

  9th October 2026

  The Pentagon's push to accelerate counter-drone procurement is opening new opportunities for defence companies as it seeks to bring emerging technologies into operational service more quickly.

• Air Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: France presses ahead with A400M ISR fleet upgrades

  17th June 2026

  Airbus Defence and Space and OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) signed a contract at Eurosatory to develop new capabilities for the French Air Force’s A400M aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

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

  Medium-Range Air Defence [Malaysia]

  Background Historically, Malaysia has relied on a combination of SHORAD/V-SHORAD and fixed-wing interceptors.  Given the growth of modern stand-off weapons, Malaysia's Defence White Paper 2020 identified the ...

• Land: air defence radar

  GM400a [Malaysia]

  Background Malaysia is procuring Ground Master 400 Alpha radars to expand its inventory to four units. The radars will be deployed by the Royal Malaysian ...

• 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia released a RfI in early January 2019 seeking light combat aircraft capable of some air-to-air and full air-to-ground missions. The requirement is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirement Malaysia has long had a requirement known as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) designed to replace the MiG-29 fleet. The MRCA programme ...

• 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia released an RfI in early January 2019 seeking light combat aircraft capable of some air-to-air and full air-to-ground missions. The requirement is ...

• 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 ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  Maritime Operations Helicopters

  The three maritime operations helicopters will be used for logistics and personnel transport, alongside transportation of PASKAL naval special forces in operations in the area. ...

• OPVs

  LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  Background Requirements The current Keris-class Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) has been introduced to replace many of the current classes of obsolete ships that are proving expensive ...

• 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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In mid-2024, Malaysia commenced discussions with Kuwait regarding a possible transfer of up to 33 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. According to reports, the Kuwaiti government ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack

  Hawk 200

  The Hawk 200 is a single-seat light attack iteration of the Hawk 100 (see separate entry) and Advanced Jet Trainer or AJT (see separate entry). ...

• Subsystems: software

  SimuSphere HD-9

  SimuSphere HD-9 is an HD visual display solution that can be upgraded to trainers currently integrated with SimuSphere systems or as an option for a ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ESP

  The Electronic Surveillance Payload (ESP) is a lightweight system providing capabilities for Electronic Support Measures(ESM)/ELINT operations. It is designed to operate as a standalone ESM ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SISTELA

  Developed by the Naval Group's Malaysian division, the SISTELA Combat Management System supports diverse naval missions such as surface warfare and air defence. Developed for the ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D TOFT

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) delivered an F/A-18D Tactical Operations Flight Trainer (TOFT) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The TOFT consists ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Sting Ray Mod 1

  The Sting Ray Mod 1 is an air- and surface-launched, lightweight ASW torpedo. It can be deployed from frigates, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft against ...

• OPVs

  New Generation Patrol Vessel

  LUNAS unveiled the New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) at DSA 2018. The NGPV is intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) New Generation Patrol Vessels ...

• 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  Damocles

  The Damocles is a third-generation targeting pod developed by Thales Group, designed for advanced reconnaissance and laser designation. It is modular, features an eye-safe laser, ...

• Corvettes

  Laksamana Class

  The Royal Malaysian Navy's Laksamana-class corvettes originated under an order placed with Fincantieri by the Iraqi government, but this was cancelled in the 1980s after ...

• Military UAS - mini

  M Solar-X

  First revealed in August 2020, in February 2024, at its symposium, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) showcased the M Solar-X. This solar-powered fixed-wing drone was ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SETIS

  SETIS is Naval Group's integrated combat system designed initially for French Navy's FREMM-frigates. It is currently being used on Naval Group's Gowind-class corvettes. SETIS is ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-3

  Unveiled in 2023, the Anka-3 MIUS or Anka-III, is a low-observable flying wing UCAV from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The UCAV has been designed to ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Pod

  SAP-518

  KNIRTT’s SAP-518 is a pod-mounted electronic warfare system which is designed to outfit the Sukhoi Su-30 series of combat aircraft. When deployed with onboard the Su-30 ...