• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2026: XM30 competitors keep their cards close as US Army decision approaches

  15th October 2026

  The US Army’s XM30 programme is an ambitious multi-billion-dollar effort to replace Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems are fighting for the contract.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 to go to “shakedown testing” ahead of its delivery to the US Army

  8th May 2026

  The first Lynx XM30 platforms are in the final stages of construction and integration, to be handed over to the US Army in the coming months. Shephard caught up with Rheinmetall to find out more about the programme's progress.

• Air Warfare

  E-3 Sentry encryption equipment no longer meets US security requirements, says USAF

  29th September 2026

  The US Air Force says the Sentry fleet’s DAR-400 encryptor can no longer keep pace with changing security requirements and warns that a failure could affect US operations and data security.

• Air Warfare

  New E-3 and T-38 awards expose US Air Force legacy fleet dependence

  1st September 2026

  Contracts for E-3 aircrew training through August 2029 and supplies for the T-38 engine until December 2028 reflect issues with replacement and retirement plans across the USAF inventory.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy to start the next phase of E-2D Block II modernisation in FY2028

  21st July 2026

  NAVAIR plans to award a five-year retrofit contract to a broader transition of the carrier-based airborne early warning fleet to the AHE configuration.

• Land Warfare

  Romania selects Rheinmetall Lynx IFV as local defence manufacturing expands

  8th May 2026

  As part of a multi-billion-dollar vehicle and artillery overhaul, Romania has officially selected the KF41 Lynx IFV to replace its ageing Soviet-based platforms.

• Land Warfare

  Coming to America: companies look to tap into US with multi-domestic strategy

  26th October 2026

  Non-US companies are increasingly looking to establish subsidiary and partnerships to access the potential billions of dollars of vehicle and land systems contracts and there has already been some success.

• Air Warfare

  Spain air focus: Mature UAV market rewards early supplier engagement

  28th September 2026

  Spain accounts for 5% of European military UAV spending, broadly in line with its share of the continent’s wider defence market. What sets the country apart, however, is how much of that spending has already been committed, reflecting Spain's earlier adoption of the capability.

• Air Warfare

  Could CUAS demand open a new market for armed trainer aircraft?

  6th July 2026

  As affordable counter-drone solutions become a military priority, repurposing training aircraft could emerge as a credible option to prepare for emergency scenarios.

• Air Warfare

  NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy

  8th July 2026

  The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.

• Land Warfare

  Self-propelled howitzers are driving the European artillery renaissance

  21st July 2026

  After decades of force reductions as artillery was deprioritised, Europe is now undergoing an artillery renaissance as governments across the continent scramble to invest in new capabilities in response to the war in Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  August drone digest: AEVEX solidifies large US loitering munition market share as procurement models shift

  27th August 2026

  AEVEX has strengthened its position in the US loitering munition market with another contract award, solidifying its position as the second-largest supplier of the capability in the US. Elsewhere in August, new and emerging programmes in Sweden and Germany point to a broader shift towards larger, rolling framework agreements for loitering munitions across Europe.

• Air Warfare

  Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry

  16th September 2026

  Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.

• Air Warfare

  Pentagon confirms it will continue with the acquisition of E-7 Wedgetails for US Air Force

  15th May 2026

  The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.

• Air Warfare

  Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity

  28th August 2026

  The RQ-11 Raven is being retired from service across most of its more than 30 operators. Defence Insight estimates that these Raven retirements open up a replacement market worth at least $576 million, but suppliers will have to act quickly and strike a balance between cost and capability to succeed.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx [Hungary]

  Programme Background Since 2017, the Hungarian MoD has invested considerable funds into the modernisation of Hungary's Armed Forces. Under its Zrínyi 2026 development plan, the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background First Contract The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]

  Background Ukraine first expressed an interest in acquiring the KF41 Lynx in 2023.  This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rheinmetall ...

• Hybrid effector systems

  SkyRanger 30 [Hungary]

  Background Hungary is developing a Lynx KF41-based Skyranger 30 mobile air-defence vehicle. The programme forms part of the European Sky Shield Initiative and the vehicle ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  IFV Replacement [Romania]

  Programme background In service as a chassis since 1982 and in its current form since 1991, the Romanian MLI-84M tracked IFV is expected to go ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Armoured Cavalry Vehicle [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army is currently undergoing a generational transformation. Its organisational structure is being overhauled with a transition away from a geographical focus towards ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC [Philippines]

  Programme Background Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  New IFV [Greece]

  Programme Background Current Greek Capabilities The majority of Greece's IFV fleet is comprised of BMP-1s. Greece acquired 501 BMP-1s from Germany between 1993 and 1994. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Pizarro Replacement [Spain]

  Background Spain currently operates a fleet of 225 Pizzaro IFVs. The Pizarro is a derivative of the ASCOD, with another variant called the Ulan in ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) [Italy]

  Background The Italian Army has identified a requirement for new tracked IFVs to equip its armoured and mechanised brigades. These new vehicles will replace 200 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Project Land 400 Phase 3 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement: 2015 RfI The Land 400 Phase 3 programme will procure a new tracked IFV to replace the Australian Army's legacy fleet of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle [US]

  Background Requirement The OMFV programme is the latest of several attempts to develop a Bradley replacement.  Designed to be capable of operating with or without a ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [UK]

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (737) [UK]

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 covering the ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX AR

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX AR is a multi-channel SDR designed for operation in airborne platforms, including helicopters, transport aircraft and fighter jets. The MANET-capable radio allows ...

• UAS: communication systems

  E-LynX LX

  Produced by Elbit Systems, the E-LynX LX is a lightweight communication system designed for uncrewed applications in particular. It provides video, audio and data communications ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX MP Vehicular

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX MP (7200MP-VD55) is a dual-channel vehicular SDR that supports VHF, UHF and L-Band transmissions. The radio features VOIP and analogue interface support, Blue ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX Manpack

  Elbit Systems E-LynX Manpack is a multi-band VHF/UHF radio system. The MANET-capable radio features GPS-independent synchronisation, advanced security features and support for multiple waveforms.

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 MIPR

  Part of the E-LynX family, the MCTR-7200 Military IP Radio (MIPR) is a tactical networking IP data radio that delivers high-speed broadband data communication to ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PNR-1000

  Part of the E-LynX family, the PNR-1000 IP radio supports up to 64-member ad-hoc networking including full-duplex voice conferencing, data and video simultaneously. As the newest generation ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 (E-LynX HH)

  Part of the E-LynX family, the field-proven MCTR-7200 is a tactical software-defined radio with software communications architecture, an intuitive user interface and multiple configuration options. ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Super Lynx 300

  The twin-engine, multirole Super Lynx 300 is the latest production standard of the successful Lynx family, of which more than 450 have been built for ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Lynx/Super Lynx

  The Lynx is a twin-engine, light utility helicopter developed from 1968 by Westland (now Leonardo) under the terms of an Anglo-French helicopter agreement to meet ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx

  Rheinmetall unveiled a prototype of the KF41, the second member of its Lynx modular tracked IFV family, at Eurosatory 2018. The 44t KF41 is operated ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  Lynx

  The Lynx (AN/APY-8) is a synthetic aperture radar manufactured by General Atomics. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for manned and unmanned aircraft. According to ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  C-Lynx

  Unveiled in May 2017, the C-Lynx is a light weight multiple rocket launcher developed for use with the 122mm ACCULAR rocket, the latest member of ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  RN Lynx Training Systems

  The UK RN Lynx Mk 8 programme includes a dynamic mission simulator, building, facilities and spares. The simulator is configured with a high-fidelity simulation of ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: surveillance radar, Air: UAS radar

  Seaspray 7000E

  The Seaspray 7000E is an AESA multi-mode surveillance radar manufactured by Leonardo. It is intended for modern airborne platforms and is designed for air, land ...

• Core systems: image intensifiers

  Lynx

  Lynx CMOS is a solid-state, low-light-level complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor with SXGA 1,280x1,024 resolution (1.3MP) designed to perform in low light conditions. Lynx CMOS is claimed ...