December 21, 2012 Military Aviation News

At war's end‚ ramping up drone strikes in Afghanistan

12/21/2012

The United States carried out more drone strikes in Afghanistan this year than it has done in all the years put together in Pakistan since it launched the covert air war there eight years ago. With all the attention and hand wringing focused on the operations in Pakistan, it’s remarkable that such a ramp-up just over the border has gone virtually unnoticed.

German attack helicopters to augment forces in Afghanistan

12/21/2012

Silhouetted against the towering Marmal mountains outside this northern city, a camouflage helicopter bristling with weaponry swooped low over the brown plains Thursday, representing a new phase in Germany’s military mission in Afghanistan. The delivery of four Tiger helicopters to Afghanistan represents the first attack helicopter deployment in the history of the German army and has been a long time in the making.

Developmental trial of Astra missile conducted

12/21/2012

India on Friday conducted developmental trial of its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile 'Astra' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 15 km from here. The sophisticated missile was test-fired from a launcher in launch pad-2 of the ITR at about 1.25 pm targeting a flying object being supported by a pilotless target air-craft 'Lakshya', defence sources said.

PAC meeting: US refuses to pay Pakistan for breach of airspace

12/21/2012

During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday, Malik said the US refused to pay Rs72.4 million it owed to Pakistan, maintaining that military aircraft belonged to the state and were, as such, exempted from airspace navigation charges as per international norms. He added that Washington similarly did not charge Pakistan’s C-130 aircraft for using US airspace on several occasions.

MiG-21: People’s fighter or plane dangerous?

12/21/2012

If safety is an issue, how come more than 20 air forces around the world continue to operate the Russian fighter? In fact, with upgrades this old warhorse is now able to take on more modern combat aircraft.

Military will contract out air-to-air refuelling if Canada goes with F-35

12/21/2012

The Canadian military has decided it will rely on the U.S., other allies and private companies for air-to-air refuelling if the government purchases the F-35 because the stealth fighters aren’t compatible with Canada’s current refuelling aircraft. The revelation is buried in an explosive report released last week and means the Canadian military would be reliant on third parties to realize the full benefits of its F-35s — a situation opposition critics and analysts say is completely unacceptable.

Boeing's Final Design for Wedgetail AEW&C Airborne Mission Segment Accepted by Australia

12/21/2012

The Commonwealth of Australia has completed its acquisition of six Boeing [NYSE: BA] 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and related mission systems by accepting the final design of the Wedgetail airborne mission segment. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates the aircraft, which provide Australia with advanced airborne surveillance, communications and battle management.

Boeing Delivers 1st P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft

12/21/2012

Boeing on Dec. 19 made an on-site delivery of the first P-8I aircraft to the Indian Navy in Seattle, in accordance with the contract. India will receive this aircraft and two more of its eight contracted P-8Is in 2013. The program is progressing on schedule as Boeing assembles the fourth and fifth P-8Is, which are designed for long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.

Indonesia to Get $400 Mln Arms Credit from Russia

12/21/2012

Russia’s Vnesheconombank (VEB) will provide Indonesia with a total of $399.5 million in credit to finance purchases of aircraft and related equipment from Russia’s state-run arms export company Rosoboronexport. The credit will be provided for a seven-year term, Rosoboronexport said. This is the second credit agreement between VEB and Indonesia’s Finance Ministry in the past two years.

Oman agrees on Typhoon and Hawk purchase

12/21/2012

The Royal Air Force of Oman has formally agreed a $4.2 billion deal with BAE Systems for Typhoon and Hawk aircraft. The UK based company will deliver 12 Eurofighter Typhoon fightets and eight Hawk 128 class jet trainers to Oman, the company said a statement published this morning. The deliveries will begin in 2017.

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