March 30, 2017 Military Aviation News

Analysis: The Pace of Chinese Military Modernization is Getting Attention at the Pentagon and in Congress

03/30/2017

China's rapid development of new destroyers, amphibs, stealth fighters and long-range weapons is quickly increasing its ability to threaten the United States and massively expand expeditionary military operations around the globe, according to a Congressional report.

NATO Sends Typhoon Fighter Jets To Romania In Clear Message To Russia

03/30/2017

In a move that will surely make the volatile Black Sea region even more interesting, NATO will begin basing fighter jets in Romania in May, the United Kingdom announced this week. While it may not seem like much, it means NATO will further expand its reach into Russia’s southern flank, basing jets minutes from the Black Sea and sending one of the clearest messages yet to the increasingly aggressive country.

South China Sea: One of China’s Reef Constructions Can Hold 24 Combat Aircraft

03/30/2017

Satellite images published this week confirm that China has almost completed the construction of a variety of military assets in the Philippine and Vietnamese South China Sea, assets that allow it to deploy fighter jets and missile launchers at a moment’s notice and provide it expanded surveillance capabilities.

Air Combat Commander hints at rapid acquisition for new standoff aircraft

03/30/2017

The US Air Force could field its Penetrating Counterair platform on a fast track, according to the service’s head of Air Combat Command. The USAF will likely purchase its next standoff aircraft in batches and add capabilities along the way, rather than wait for years for an exquisite aircraft, Lt Gen Mike Holmes told reporters 29 March.

PICTURES: RAF welcomes updated Chinook HC5

03/30/2017

The UK Royal Air Force has received the first of its Boeing CH-47 Chinooks upgraded to the HC5 standard. Delivered to the service’s Odiham base in Hampshire on 22 March, the tandem-rotor helicopter is the first of eight HC3 models to undergo modernisation by Boeing under the Ministry of Defence’s Project Julius initiative.

Riyadh Looks East: China to Build First Drone Plant in Region

03/30/2017

The Saudis’ recent business tour through East and Southeast Asia, intended to increase the kingdom’s revenues, landed a new project for the oil-rich nation: China will set up a drone manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

South Korean Military Says Pyongyang on Verge of Sixth Nuclear Test

03/30/2017

On Wednesday, South Korean news outlets reported that a sixth nuclear test by North Korea is imminent, and could take place as early as next week. An unnamed source within the South Korean military told Korea Joongang Daily, "We have intelligence that North Korea may conduct its sixth nuclear test in the first week of April and are in the process of confirming this…We have determined that North Korea is expected to finish all preparations for a nuclear test by March 31."

Norway Inks Deal to Buy P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Planes From US

03/30/2017

Norway struck a deal with the United States on Wednesday to buy five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the Nordic nation’s Defense Ministry announced.

Finnish Air Force Unveils US-Themed Special Unit

03/30/2017

The Finnish Air Force has without unnecessary publicity formed a new US-style special unit called Raven. The newly-formed unit will, in line with their US prototype, handle the protection of aircraft and VIP passengers in hazardous locations.

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