Damn. I wish I had seen this a few minutes ago - I just posted about missing shields (and bows for that matter). After you research them - do they even show in your new unit window? I don't see them for me at all.

I have the same problem with the shield not equiping when I find it for my Sov.

The Bow issue I think is because if you look at what the Bow research "unlocks" there is nothing in the list like the other weapon items. So I think it's a matter of no bows are in the game yet.