• Land Warfare

  Germany to increase artillery capability

  23rd May 2025

  Germany has substantially reduced its artillery capability since the end of the Cold War but is now looking to substantially boost numbers in the face of a changed geopolitical environment across the continent.

• Air Warfare

  UK bets big on drone investment and boosts its drone deliveries to Ukraine tenfold

  4th June 2025

  The £4 billion domestic funding package will go towards the development of autonomous and uncrewed aerial systems and was announced in the wake of the publication of the UK Strategic Defence Review.

• Air Warfare

  Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief

  19th March 2025

  Canada has stated its intention to reassess its acquisition of the F-35, amid the ongoing US-trade war, with Defence Minister Bill Blair saying it is “examining alternatives” with other aircraft manufacturers.

• Defence Notes

  Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme

  3rd June 2025

  Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2025: Airbus reveals progress on drone mothership plans for A400M

  18th November 2025

  Airbus is working to expand the mission capabilities of its A400M aircraft, including a 40t payload increase, to boost Europe’s defence capabilities.

• Naval Warfare

  Spanish F-110 frigate’s new SPY-7 radar achieves successful track, keeping launch on schedule

  16th January 2025

  The SPY-7 radar will undergo testing and calibration down to its component level before it is handed over to the Spanish Navy.

• Air Warfare

  Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal

  23rd October 2025

  The letter of intent, signed on 22 October, is the first move in a “long road” towards Sweden strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with up to 150 Gripen aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Portugal may snub F-35 fighter jets in the face of Trump administration “unpredictability”

  14th March 2025

  A change in the White House’s attitude towards NATO and its European allies may lead to Portugal opting for a non-US option to replace its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter fleet.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy sends second destroyer to patrol its own southern border

  26th March 2025

  The USS Spruance will help enforce anti-smuggling and anti-immigration laws.

• Naval Warfare

  New deals awarded for US submarine electronic warfare systems and the USS Ronald Reagan

  4th February 2025

  The US Government has awarded contracts to upgrade electronic warfare systems, missile availability, and the USS Ronald Reagan for future missions.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed secures more than $12 billion in contracts for F-35 production and TR-3 upgrades

  9th January 2025

  The contracts include a $678.4-million contract for F-35 modification kits, along with an earlier December 2024 contract worth $11.7 billion for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 Lot 18 aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Avalon 2025: Honeywell finds local partner to support oxygen system of Australian F-35As

  24th March 2025

  The last Australian F-35A was delivered in December 2024 and Honeywell is partnering with RFD Australia to support the Back-up Oxygen Systems (BOS) of the fleet.

• Air Warfare

  Can emergent suppliers of fighter aircraft crack Middle East markets?

  9th January 2026

  The 2025 Dubai Airshow saw several aspiring suppliers of combat aircraft to the region’s air forces parade their wares in the sky and on the ground. Shephard’s Edward Hunt explores their chance of success in the Middle East.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2025: L3Harris Viper Shield “on timeline” as first upgrade customer launch targeted for mid-2025

  18th February 2025

  L3Harris’ Viper Shield, an all-digital, fully integrated electronic warfare system for the F-16, is aiming for deliveries by late-2025, as the company explores a variety of upgrade options to further futureproof the system.

• Land Warfare

  Tiberius Aerospace promises big on capability and accuracy with new artillery rocket

  20th May 2025

  Tiberius Aerospace has deep roots in the entrepreneurial high-technology Silicon Valley in the US with its owners having established or been involved with major technology companies such as Nest, Veritone, Apple and Google. The owners shifted from this world to that of defence at the outbreak of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K [U.S. Marine Corps]

  Programme Background The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Sikorsky a USD$10.855 billion contract covering up to 99 CH-53K helicopters. According to Lockheed Martin, this is the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Frigates

  Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background The US State Department approved a possible $11.25 billion Foreign Military Sale to the KSA for MMCS ships and associated equipment, parts and ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (India)

  Programme Background On 25 February 2020, a letter of acceptance for 24 MH-60Rs, worth approximately $2.12 billion, was signed by India and the US in Delhi. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Sea: sonar systems

  TB-37(U)/AN/SQR-20

  The TB-37(U) is a Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) sonar developed by Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor, with L3Harris contributing to the production and providing Towed ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPY-7(V)1

  The AN/SPY-7(V)1 is a solid-state naval surveillance radar produced and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The system is expected to be fully integrated into programmes for ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  AN/TPQ-53

  The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar can track incoming rounds at a range of 60km when using its 90° search mode or at 20km range ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-22A Raptor

  F-22A Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter with air-to-ground attack capability. It was developed by Lockheed Martin to meet the requirement of the USAF ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Vectis

  Unveiled in September 2025, the Vectis is an MALE fixed-wing UAV from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The UAV is designed to operate alongside 5th and next-generation ...

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys

  ALEX

  Lockheed Martin’s Automated Launch of Expendables (ALEX) can be integrated into an EW suite or act as a standalone system. Modularity allows a number of ...

• Heavy UGVs

  AMAS

  The Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) is a multi-platform kit designed to integrate low-cost sensors and control systems onto US Army and USMC tactical vehicles ...

• Air: mission management systems

  ABCCC III

  The Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Centre (ABCCC) is a capsulised, integrated battle management and communications system that is installed in USAF EC-130E Hercules aircraft ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Singapore BWC

  The Singapore Basic Wings Course (BWC) is a 20-year service contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in November 2006 to provide the Republic of Singapore Air ...

• Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk 48 Mod 7AT CBASS

  The MK 48 MOD 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) is the latest variant of the Mk 48 torpedo family manufactured by Lockheed Martin and ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS 330

  Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 is a combat management system designed as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in particular. Initially developed for the ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Indago 3/4

  The Indago 3 and Indago 4 are rotary-wing UAVs manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Ruggedised, backpackable, and rapidly deployable, the Indago system fits within a small backpack and ...

• Laser-directed energy weapons

  TALWS

  Lockheed Martin's Tactical Airborne Laser Weapons System (TALWS) is a podded laser designed to defeat threats with high energy laser power. The TALWS is still ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Indago

  Indago is a small quadrotor UAV with VTOL. It is equipped with a large-screen handset and is marketed as 'whisper-quiet' with a noise level of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  AN/ALQ-217

  Lockheed Martin’s AN/ALQ-217 is an Electronic Support Measure (ESM) designed to equip large, fixed-wing aircraft. Although not mentioned in the company’s official literature, it is ...