• Naval Warfare

  Ireland’s strategic cable role grows as naval capacity falls behind

  21st August 2026

  Around 75% of the northern hemisphere’s undersea cables transit Irish waters, but personnel shortfalls and a stalled multirole vessel programme leave patrol capacity in question.

• Naval Warfare

  What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement

  16th March 2026

  Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.

• Defence Notes

  New opportunities for defence firms as EU steps up support for Ukraine

  11th February 2026

  The European Commission is looking for startups and other innovators to address challenges across the land, air and sea domains.

• Land Warfare

  Ireland targets improved anti-drone capability before mid-year ahead of EU presidency

  22nd April 2026

  With Ireland's EU presidency set to commence from July this year, the ramped-up efforts to procure a counter-uncrewed aerial system and radar capability under its Military Radar Programme are on track to meet targeted roll-out dates.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  The shift away from Chinese drone technology presents supplier opportunities

  20th May 2026

  As countries increasingly move away from Chinese drone manufacturing and focus on domestic production and collaboration, Europe and the US are well-placed to step in – although cost remains a crucial consideration.

• Defence Notes

  The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement

  15th June 2026

  European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.

• Land Warfare

  Patria TRACKX: Designed to conquer the most challenging environments

  12th June 2026

  The tracked all-terrain armoured vehicle Patria TRACKX is a promise of performance. It is engineered to navigate the toughest terrain silently and swiftly, ensuring smooth operations in any conditions.

• Land Warfare

  UN “not fulfilling core tasks” for Ukraine, says Estonian defence secretary

  10th March 2026

  Estonia is looking for innovative ways to deal with its particular challenges but, according to the MoD’s permanent secretary, Kaimo Kuusk, technology still needs to be backed up by old-fashioned long-range punch.

• 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.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs

  20th May 2026

  Stockholm is exploring commercial avenues to provide a small uncrewed ground vehicle capable of carrying 500kg with a focus on challenging terrains and C2 systems.

• Land Warfare

  Trans-European iMUGS2 uncrewed systems programme set for three-day exercise in 2028

  11th August 2026

  The next stage of the Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) programme, dubbed iMUGS2, was launched in November 2025. Three major demonstrations are planned before the end of 2028.

• Naval Warfare

  The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement

  7th August 2026

  The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.

• Defence Notes

  Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners

  5th December 2025

  While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.

• Air Warfare

  Ukraine fighter jet plans accelerate with Sweden and Belgian updates

  12th May 2026

  The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.

• Naval Warfare

  How will SAFE shape naval procurement for Canada and its highest-receiving members?

  31st December 2025

  Canada’s inclusion on the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative is set to enhance the country’s defence procurement strategy with important implications for some of its naval programmes, while Poland and Romania have also secured significant SAFE funding.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - (Greece)

  Programme Background EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) was announced in early 2022 and the project contract was awarded ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  EU next generation rotorcraft technologies project (ENGRT) - [Italy]

  Background ENGRT phase I EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) was announced in early 2022 and the project contract was awarded in December 2022. Phase I ...

• OPVs

  OPV P71 (Malta)

  Programme Background Malta is to receive an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) called P71 to complement the P61 OPV. Plans were first announced for a new OPV ...

• Frigates

  European Combat Vessel [Spain]

  Background Requirements The European Combat Vessel (ECV) is currently a conceptual project that seeks to design a European collaborative multi-mission, modular warship. As of March ...

• Military UAS - mini

  NATO Class 1 UAS [Belgium]

  Background Tender notice The Belgian Ministry of Defence posted an EU tender in May 2026, inviting suppliers to submit applications for the establishment of a ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Class 2 Tactical UAS [Ireland]

  Background EU Tender On 13 March 2024, the Irish Department of Defence released a planning notice on the EU tenders website, confirming that the Irish ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | European Combat Vessel [Spain]

  The European Combat Vessel (ECV) is currently a conceptual project that seeks to design a European collaborative multi-mission, modular warship. As of March 2026, seven EU Member ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | European Combat Vessel [Spain]

  The European Combat Vessel (ECV) is currently a conceptual project that seeks to design a European collaborative multi-mission, modular warship. As of March 2026, seven EU Member ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Corps of Engineers UAS [Ireland]

  Programme Background EU Competition Notice On 13 August 2024, a competition notice appeared on the EU tendering website stating that the Irish Defence Force invited ...

• Main battle tanks

  Skyranger 35 (Leopard 1) [Ukraine]

  Programme Background Rheinmetall previously provided Ukraine with Skyranger 35s; however, these were mounted on truck chassis. The logic behind providing Ukraine with Skyranger 35 on ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BvS10 [Austria]

  Background As part of a government-to-government arrangement with Sweden, Austria signed an EUR 85 million ($94.59 million) contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for the delivery ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [Croatia]

  Background Croatia currently operates the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika, alongside a small number of German PzH 2000s.  Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, multiple ...

• Military UAS - small

  Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) GUARD [Ireland]

  Background Problem As stated on the project’s website in 2022, Ireland is the “softest target in the EU for smugglers” due to its 3171km of ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  PULS [Greece]

  Background The Greek army currently operates the RM-70 and M270 as its primary MLRS platforms. Like many militaries in Europe, Greece has been evaluating its ...

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

  Mistral [Romania]

  Background Romania signed a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans of the French Republic within the "European Joint Acquisition of Mistral ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  PCD-EU

  The Panoramic Cockpit Display - Electronics Unit (PCD-EU) has been jointly developed by the San Jose-based Lynx Software Technologies and Tampa-based Core Avionics & Industrial ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ArmoURed Infantry Ground Assault (AURIGA)

  The ArmoURed Infantry Ground Assault (AURIGA) is an IFV being developed with funding from the European Defence Fund (EDF). It aims to develop a next-generation IFV ...

• Military UAS - mini

  MRM2-10

  The MRM2-10 is a Croatian first-person view (FPV) drone from ORQA. It is branded as an electronic warfare (EW) resilience system with a high level of ...

• Military UAS - mini

  MRM1-5

  The MRM1-5 is a Croatian first-person view (FPV) drone from ORQA. The company describes it as a dual-use platform, suitable for both training and kinetic operations. The ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• Military vehicle engines

  Caterpillar C13

  The Caterpillar C13 is a four stroke, turbocharged 12.7L 6-cylinder diesel engine that was introduced in 2007. It is a heavy duty engine built for ...

• Land: battle management systems

  SAMOC

  In the role of a mobile C2 centre for ground-based air and missile defence operations, the Surface-to-Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC) is designed to provide ...

• Land: battle management systems

  BMC4I

  Battle Management C4I (BMC4I) enables management of missile defence, focusing on strategic and tactical planning, surveillance, air picture production and threat evaluation, as well as ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  Mobile, Manpack and Portable Jammers

  Kintex offers mobile, manpack and portable remote controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) jammers to protect single objects or groups of moving objects, groups of people, ...

• EO/IR systems

  Predator 150 Mk III

  The Predator 150 Mk III is a multi-sensor, three-axis mechanical stabilised optical system from Atmolab.  It has a low-light full HD EO camera, a high-resolution ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  TES MILES Products

  Leidos provides wireless Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) MILES laser-based systems and products for live, scalable combat training range exercises. The MILES components are interoperable and ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Dana-M1 CZ

  The Dana was developed in the 1970s by Konštrukta Trencín to provide the Czechoslovakian government with a locally built alternative to Soviet artillery systems. More ...

• EO/IR systems

  Rex 151E Spatium

  The Rex 151E Spatium is a multi-sensor two-axis EO/IR system. It comprises a high zoom day/low light FHD EO camera, a high-resolution thermal camera and a laser rangefinder.

• EO/IR systems

  TI FLIR 49

  The TI FLIR 49 is a lightweight, multi-purpose, thermal imaging sensor for navigation, surveillance, maritime, search and rescue, and troop transport missions. Features: second-generation focal ...

• Air: NVGs

  NG700+ System

  The Fenn NG700+ System includes a lightweight NVG and a helmet-mounted power pack. Its features include: lightweight design, fast F/1 objective lens, integrated low-level battery ...