2024 Military Aviation News
07/27/2024
The conduct of the war in Ukraine provides two distinct lessons on airpower. The first lesson is what not to do: The Russian air force’s failure to establish air superiority at the outset cost Vladimir Putin’s forces the ability to achieve a decisive victory at the start of the conflict. The second is about the difficulty of establishing air superiority with insufficient resources and capabilities. This is what has forced Ukraine to endure costly attacks on its territory throughout the war.
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07/27/2024
In a historic first, the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing conducted Exercise Caribbean Fox at St. Croix, July 16 - 24. This large-scale training focused on mastering Agile Combat Employment concepts, preparing the wing for any global challenge.
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07/26/2024
Russian and Chinese bombers flew together for the first time in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, in a new show of expanding military cooperation that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday raises concerns.
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07/24/2024
A joint United Arab Emirates (UAE)-China airborne training exercise dubbed Falcon Shield 2024 has potentially provided Beijing with access to intricate capabilities of the Mirage 2000 fighter operated by the UAE Air Force, an aircraft also in service with a number of other countries, including France and Taiwan.
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07/24/2024
Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II brings such capability to the table that there has been evidence of a considerable re-evaluation of its mission set in U.S. Air Force service. Following a gap between deliveries of the first two aircraft and subsequent units, the combined operational and developmental test fleet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida has received six aircraft for trials. On June 5, Boeing delivered the first aircraft to the 123rd Fighter Squadron “Redhawks” of the Air National Guard at Portl
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07/24/2024
The aerial victory came against a one-way Houthi attack drone, one of dozens the Yemen-based group has deployed against civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea and nearby waters in reaction to the destruction in Gaza during Israel’s war against Hamas, a release from Carrier Strike Group 2 said.
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07/24/2024
U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab raised its annual sales target on Tuesday, following the unexpected resumption of deliveries of its F-35 aircraft after the Pentagon began accepting the jets last week. It expects 2024 sales to be between $70.5 billion and $71.5 billion, versus $68.5 billion to $70 billion forecast earlier.
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07/23/2024
The prospect of another nation joining the trilateral Global Combat Air Program remains on the table, but an expansion would require additional work on an already demanding timeline, officials involved in the sixth-generation fighter effort said. Representatives from the Italian, British and Japanese GCAP lead companies showcased a new concept model of their proposed aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow here, which featured a large wingspan for increased aerodynamics.
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07/23/2024
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) began Falcon Shield, their second exercise in China, on 10 July 2024. China’s Ministry of National Defense said the joint air exercise was again being held in Xinjiang province but did not identify the air base hosting it. Satellite imagery, however, shows that Hotan Airport in Xinjiang is being used for the exercise; it was also the location for the event in 2023.
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07/20/2024
A contingent of more than 30 military aircraft from Germany, France and Spain arrived in Japan on Friday to conduct a series of training exercises with the Air Self-Defense Force, marking these countries’ first-ever trilateral air force deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
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07/19/2024
The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered the first batch of MiG-31BM fighter jets to the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of this year’s state defense order, the company announced. As noted by the company, these aircraft, which have undergone extensive repairs and modernization, have been transferred to their permanent bases following comprehensive ground and flight tests.
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07/19/2024
Yesterday, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF) commenced Exercise Falcon Shield 2024 in the Xinjiang region, located in northwest China. According to officially released information, over the coming days, aerial exercises are planned involving various aircraft participating in the activities, including UAE Mirage 2000 fighters and Chinese J-10C and J-16 combat aircraft.
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07/19/2024
According to Bloomberg, Türkiye is on the verge of concluding a deal with the Eurofighter consortium to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. This strategic negotiation reportedly took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, which was held from July 9 to 11, 2024. The agreement aims to modernize the Turkish Air Force by incorporating the Typhoons, with the leaders of the four member countries of the consortium directly involved in the discussions.
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07/19/2024
Paraguay is negotiating with Brazil to buy six Embraer (EMBR3.SA), opens new tab Super Tucano A-29 fighter planes for $96 million as part of its efforts to fight drug trafficking, Defense Minister Oscar Gonzalez said on Thursday. The deal is part of a $500 million package the South American nation's government is allocating to defense and security projects, Gonzalez told reporters.
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07/18/2024
Romania is poised to sign a government-to-government agreement with the United States to purchase latest-generation F-35 fighter jets as early as this fall, the country’s Ministry of Defence Angel Tilvar said in a briefing on Jul. 16, 2024. In September, Romania announced plans to buy 32 F-35s from Lockheed Martin for $6.5 billion. This deal would include logistics, training services, flight simulators, and weapons.
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07/18/2024
Italy is planning to improve weaponry aboard some of its F-35 fighter jets, a defense ministry document showed, in what analysts see as a move to secure well-stocked, up-to-date arsenals in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The document, which parliament must review by the middle of August, envisages 682 million euros ($746 million) of purchases over a 14-year period on armaments including guided bombs, missiles and 25 mm cannon rounds.
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07/18/2024
The F-35 Lightning II is set for significant improvements with the Block 4 upgrade, enhancing its electronic hardware, software, and core processor as part of Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). Though TR-3 faced delays, a "truncated" version has now been approved, allowing F-35 deliveries to resume. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) promises increased durability and performance for all F-35 variants, aiming for a $40 billion lifecycle cost saving.
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07/18/2024
With Thailand’s defence procurement process heating up, Lockheed Martin‘s industrial participation proposals for the F-16 fighter jet challenge Saab‘s Gripen offering, highlighting the importance of economic value in military contracts.
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07/18/2024
Fighter aircraft from Sweden and Finland flew to escort Russian fighters flying over neutral Baltic waters. This was reported on the official website of the NATO Air Command. The escort of the Russian fighter aircraft took place on July 15, after NATO’s Joint Air Operations Center in Ouedem, Germany, reported two Russian fighter jets flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia.
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07/16/2024
France clearly adheres to its obligations regarding military support to Ukraine, in particular the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft. Crew training will last several months. That’s according to French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière, who spoke at a briefing on July 14, commenting on the implementation of the security agreement signed with Ukraine five months ago, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
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07/16/2024
Ukraine continues negotiations with Sweden for the transfer of Gripen fighter jets, according to Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President’s Office. This statement contradicts earlier reports suggesting Ukraine had declined the offer. Zhovkva emphasized that President Zelenskyy consistently raises this issue with Swedish leadership, as before Sweden’s NATO membership, as now after the country has finalized its accession.
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07/16/2024
The United States Navy has announced the deployment of F-35C Lightning II fighters and CMV-22B Osprey aircraft to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni in Japan. This decision, detailed in a press release on July 15, aims to replace the aging squadrons of F/A-18 Super Hornets and C-2A Greyhound transports currently stationed at the base.
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07/16/2024
Friedrich Merz, leader of the German opposition Christian Democratic Union, supports the call to deliver combat aircraft to Ukraine to help it “restore sovereignty over its own airspace” in light of continuing Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Merz, speaking on German television on Sunday, July 14, said the situation “cannot be taken under control only from the ground,” and that “Germans cannot stand aside” as Kyiv’s other Western allies have already reached a consensus on fighter de
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07/16/2024
On July 8, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released a promotional video of China’s J-31B stealth fighter jet, produced by the state-owned Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The footage suggests that the aircraft can carry two missiles in its side weapon bays—a feature that differentiates it from the USA’s F-22 and China’s own J-20. Moreover, the main weapons bay can carry four PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missiles similar to those used on the J-20.
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07/15/2024
On July 11, 2024, it was announced that the French Air Force had sold the last of their KC-135 Stratotanker fleet to commercial air refueling operator Metrea, raising their fleet of the type from four to eighteen aircraft. “Metrea has agreed to acquire all fourteen of the FASF C-135 tankers, including both the KC-/C-135FR and KC-/C-135RG variants,” says the official public release. The first eleven KC-135FR jets were delivered to the company in June.
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07/15/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 16 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (July 13) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (July 14). Of the 16 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern sectors of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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07/14/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (July 12) and 6 a.m. on Saturday (July 13). Of the 30 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 20 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern portions of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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07/13/2024
Turkey is reducing its planned $23 billion acquisition of forty Block-70 F-16 Fighting Falcons and 79 upgrade kits to cut domestic spending, potentially saving billions. This decision follows the recent approval from the U.S. after Turkey agreed to Sweden's NATO membership. Lockheed Martin remains confident in the F-16's benefits for Turkey. However, Turkey's focus appears to be shifting towards its domestically-developed TAI KAAN (TF) fighter, which had its maiden flight in February.
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07/13/2024
Boeing will, in fact, be sending four F-15QA jets from its St Louis facility to the UK: two to conduct aerobatic displays, one to go on static display and one aircraft as a spare. They will initially fly into RAF Lakenheath, home of the US Air Forces in Europe’s F-35/F-15 fighter wing, to prepare for the flight displays at RIAT and Farnborough. After the shows have ended the four F-15QAs will be ferried on to their new home at Al Udeid Air Base by pilots of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF).
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07/13/2024
At the recent NATO leaders summit in Washington, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea were described as the “hostile camp” to the Alliance in harsher terms than ever before, sharpening fault lines. The decision to hold the 2026 NATO Leaders Summit in Türkiye was perhaps the most important decision for us. The joint statement also referred to the 1936 Montreux Convention, emphasizing freedom of navigation towards the Black Sea.
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07/13/2024
The 142nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base is officially unveiling its new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet - which will also be the first model in America to be used in real-world missions! The F-15EX is a replacement for the 142nd Wing's F-15C/D fleet, which was built in the 1980s. While the new jet might look similar, pilots tell KATU that everything on the inside is new and improved.
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07/13/2024
Often overshadowed by fast fighter jets and stealth bombers, the C-130 Hercules, designed by Lockheed Martin, stands out as one of the most versatile and long-serving military aircraft ever. First flown in 1956, the C-130 is still in production today, serving in various roles for over 60 countries.
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07/12/2024
Jordan has emerged as a possible future operator of A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft. The U.S. Air Force is planning to stop flying the venerable Warthogs operationally before the end of the decade. The impending retirement of the type in U.S. service has already prompted discussions about sending A-10s elsewhere, including to Ukraine.
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07/12/2024
German Eurofighter jets, deployed in Latvia, were scrambled to intercept two Russian carrier-based MIG-29K fighter jets flying without a flight plan and not in contact with civil air traffic control. According to officials, the interception occurred in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
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07/12/2024
China surged 66 military aircraft near Taiwan over Wednesday and Thursday – the largest sortie for this year, according to the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense. Fifty-six aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and of those 36 People’s Liberation Army Navy’s drilled with the Shandong Carrier Strike Group, according to MND.
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07/12/2024
The head of Air Combat Command on Wednesday said he expects the Air Force to choose which company will develop its sixth-generation fighter jet later this year. The fate of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems has been in question recently, as looming budget crunches have called its affordability into question. In an interview with Defense News in June, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall declined to comment about potential changes when asked if NGAD’s.
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07/11/2024
The Philippines Air Force arrived in northern Australia on Wednesday on its first overseas deployment in six decades for combat practice alongside U.S. and Australian fighter jets, amid a rise in tensions with China in the South China Sea. Four Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and 162 personnel are taking part in the Pitch Black war games over Australia's largely unpopulated Northern Territory, involving 20 countries and 140 aircraft.
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07/11/2024
Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, came out in favor of retaining 32 Block 20 F-22 fighters, despite the fact that the Air Force has sought to retire the older jets in its last three budgets. Speaking at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on July 10, Wilsbach also said there is still no set replacement for the F-22 and the Air Force is likely to retain that aircraft.
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07/11/2024
Turkish Aerospace Industries reveals several of its weapon systems are equipped with engines manufactured in Ukraine. Recently, Kyiv’s ambassador said Ukraine also wants to join Ankara’s fifth-generation fighter project, in a consortium with TAI and BAE, to help build and acquire the stealthy jet.
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07/10/2024
After years of searching for a new combat aircraft, Uruguay chose its new vector this week: the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano. The acquisition of Brazilian turboprops was confirmed to senators by Defense Minister Armando Castaingdebat on Monday (08).
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07/09/2024
Poland will consider providing Ukraine with at least one additional squadron of MiG-29 fighter jets, comprising a minimum of 14 aircraft. This possibility was discussed during the signing of a security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and Poland, as reported on the Ukrainian President’s website. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that an immediate transfer is not possible, as these aircraft are currently participating in NATO air patrol programs, according to Militarnyi.
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07/09/2024
A Ukrainian military commander claimed that his troops were able to dupe Russia into believing that it had successfully taken out Ukrainian fighter jets. Last week, Moscow’s defense ministry released footage that purportedly showed an Iskander ballistic missile destroying a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet at an air base near the central city of Kriviy Rih.
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07/09/2024
Ukrainian antiaircraft gunners shot down a Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft in the Donetsk region, as reported by the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops via Telegram. “In the Pokrovsky sector, our Ukrainian servicemen shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft that was firing at the positions of units of the Defense Forces,” the report said.
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07/08/2024
Maintenance professionals assigned to the 439rd Fighter Generation Squadron traveled from their home base in England to support Norwegian and U.S. F-35 Lightning II’s during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s first-ever basic fighter maneuvers exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Germany June 6. The exercise, titled Ramstein 1v1, bolstered relationships and esprit de corps among allies through the sharing of tactics, techniques and experiences specific to a pilot’s most foundational skill set.
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07/07/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (July 5) and 6 a.m. Saturday (July 6). Of the 30 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 23 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, southwestern, and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. The aircraft came as close as 72 km (39 NM) from Eluanbi in the south and 77 km (42 NM) from Keelung in the north.
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07/06/2024
The United States is increasing initiatives to try to place its F-16V or F-16 Block 70/72 fighter in the Pacific. After the Philippines, it is today to Thailand that Washington and Lockheed Martin have sent an offer relating to the ultimate version of the American single-engine fighter, to assert itself in the effort to modernize the fighter fleet of the forces Royal Thai Air Force.
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07/06/2024
When military aircraft first take to the skies, they often begin with an initial set of capabilities which transforms over time. This evolution follows a growth trajectory known as the capability growth curve, often resembling an S curve. Initially slow, these enhancements accelerate, marking the steep and most exciting part of the curve; showcasing the aircraft’s full potential.
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07/06/2024
Nearly 50 aircraft from the German, French, and Spanish air forces are embarking on a series of exercises across the Indo-Pacific region from June to August, with the U.S. Air Force jumping in on several as well. Dubbed ‘Pacific Skies,’ the massive deployment highlights Europe’s growing interest in the region, even as the war in Ukraine continues to dominate the continent.
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07/06/2024
As the war in Ukraine trudges on, the Pentagon no longer has to worry too much about Russia’s ability to compete militarily with the United States. Moscow’s new pact with North Korea, a reliance on Iranian drones, its inability to establish air superiority over Ukraine well after two years into the war, and the lack of vital components such as computer chips all signal Russian weakness.
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07/05/2024
Last week, Robert Godec, the US ambassador to Thailand, met Thai Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang to discuss a military assistance project, including Lockheed Martin’s proposed supply of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). As reported by the local media, the meeting followed prior communication to the Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin.
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07/05/2024
The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $520-million production contract for the Foreign Military Sales Block 70/72 F-16 Viper Shield electronic warfare suite. It modifies a previous contract, bringing the cumulative total to $897 million. The contract modification will allow the contractor to begin construction work, with $177 million being allocated at the time of award.
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07/05/2024
The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced changes in the deployment of fighter aircraft around its bases in Japan. According to the US DoD’s new plans presented on July 3, 2024, the US Air Force (USAF) will deploy 36 F-15EX fighters at Kadena Air Base to replace the fleet of 48 older F-15C/D aircraft currently based there. Rotations of fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets will continue while the F-15EX fleet is progressively deployed.
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07/03/2024
Germany's parliament approved acquiring 3,266 Brimstone 3 air-to-surface missiles for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter fleet, the first batch costing 376 million euros. The Brimstone 3, already used by the UK's RAF, provides significant standoff capability and precise targeting of moving and stationary ground targets. This acquisition is part of broader efforts to enhance the capabilities of Germany's Eurofighter fleet, which currently has 138 aircraft with 20 more on order.
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07/03/2024
Arctic Defender, a German Air Forces-led exercise, is scheduled to begin July 8 with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and is scheduled to run through July 18. As part of a monthslong exercise tour in the Indo-Pacific, known as Pacific Skies 24, Arctic Defender is the first stop for the trinational Future Combat Air System of Germany, France and Spain, and is a field training exercise for U.S. and international forces flown under simulated air combat condition
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07/03/2024
According to Pucara Defense on July 1, 2024, the Peruvian government is negotiating with South Korea and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to acquire between 20 and 24 FA-50 light combat aircraft for approximately $780 million. In addition to this significant investment, Peru is also considering joining the KF-21 fifth-generation fighter program, which could further modernize its air force and expand its aerospace capabilities.
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07/03/2024
The Morris ANGB is home to the Air National Guard’s premier F-16 fighter pilot training unit, the 162nd Wing, providing training for coalition war-fighting partners for the United States Air Force and international allies, which is why the Department of the Air Force selected Morris ANGB to receive up to nine Slovak-owned F-16 Block 70s. The first Block 70 aircraft arrived here, June 13.
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07/03/2024
Explosions reverberated across the pre-dawn sky as Ukrainian air defences fended off a Russian attack on this small city in western Ukraine, home to an important air base and a frequent target of Moscow's strikes. Hours after the assault, the tidy streets of Starokostiantyniv had returned to a semblance of normality.
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07/02/2024
The South Korean defense industry is preparing to take the plunge and enter the international scene with its medium-generation KF-21 Boramae medium fighter, as it previously did for armored vehicles, with the K2 tank and the IFV AS21, artillery with the K9, submarines with the KSS-III, and missiles.
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07/02/2024
The U.S. Air Force has not abandoned its program to build an advanced next-generation fighter, but it does need a redesign to get costs under control and better integrate its planned drone wingmen, the service’s secretary told Defense News in an exclusive interview. Secretary Frank Kendall also said a revamped Next Generation Air Dominance fighter platform could end up with a less complex, smaller engine than originally intended to try to hold down its price.
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06/30/2024
On 26 June 2024, the Azrbaycan herbi hava qüvvelerl (Azerbaijan Air and Air Defence Force) received a Leonardo C-27J Spartan NG military transport aircraft. The presentation of the new transporter, serial 40860/60 wh (test registration CSX62333) took place on Armed Forces Day, marking the 106th anniversary of the Azerbaijani army.
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06/30/2024
Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway landed on Friday at the 71st General Emanoil Ionescu Air Base at Campia Turzii, central-western Cluj County, Azernews reports. The F-16 Fighting Falcons will be part of the 48th Fighter Squadron of the 71st Air Base.
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06/30/2024
Airpower is crucial for maintaining military superiority, and recent intelligence reports from the Five Eyes alliance highlight China's efforts to recruit Western military personnel to enhance its own air capabilities. This underscores the urgent need for the U.S. to invest in advanced defense systems like the next-generation air dominance program and a sixth-generation fighter plane.
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06/29/2024
The U.S. 7th Air Force has announced the deployment of F-22 Raptors from the 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to Osan Air Base in South Korea for integration training with Republic of Korea Air Force aircraft.
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06/29/2024
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) reactivated the Bardufoss Air Station earlier this month after a gap of 40 years. A batch of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets will be housed at the mountain base, featuring upgraded hangars and facilities. The northern Norwegian base is meant to act as a natural shield for the air assets against possible enemy air attacks.
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06/29/2024
The National Guard of Ukraine reported via Telegram that its soldiers had downed a Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft in the Donetsk region. “The guards discovered an enemy Su-25, also known as the Grach [Rook], making a combat sortie,” the Friday, June 28 post says.
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06/29/2024
Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets escorting a RC-135 strategic surveillance aircraft flew a rare reconnaissance mission closely approaching and probing air defenses in the Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula on Thursday, open-source air traffic data reviewed by Kyiv Post showed.
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06/28/2024
The Portuguese Defense Minister announced during a parliamentary hearing that the acquisition of the A-29N Super Tucano will soon be legally approved. This statement marks a significant step in strengthening Portugal's close air support capabilities. The current legislative framework, through the Military Programming Law (LPM), has allocated a budget of 180.5 million euros for the acquisition of close air support (CAS) aircraft.
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06/28/2024
Sweden’s defence procurement agency (FMV) has placed an order for a third Sabb GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, one of the two options contained in the order for two aircraft placed in June 2022. The order has a value of approximately SEK2.6 billion (US$244 million) and the delivery period is expected before 2029.
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06/28/2024
Denmark has chosen to stop training Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet pilots on Danish soil after 2024.
The decision was announced by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen at a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart, Bjørn Arild Gram, explaining that Denmark’s fighter jet fleet will soon transition to F-35s.
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06/28/2024
The Air Force’s decision to reevaluate its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is unlikely to unsettle the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) due to different costs and national priorities, analysts tell Breaking Defense.
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06/27/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 35 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (June 26) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (June 27). Of the 35 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 33 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern portions of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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06/27/2024
In the shadow of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, a quiet revolution is taking place in China’s military aviation. The world’s second-largest defense spender is rapidly modernizing its “eyes in the sky” – the crucial Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft that serve as flying command centers in modern warfare.
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06/27/2024
China's Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon" and the forthcoming Shenyang FC-31 stealth fighters are widely believed to incorporate stolen design elements from American and likely Russian fighter programs. In particular, a Chinese national named Su Bin was found guilty of conspiring to steal sensitive military information, including the designs for the F-22 and F-35, for the Chinese military.
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06/26/2024
The latest Future Years Defense Program, for fiscal 2025, shows continued support within the Pentagon for dramatic growth in spending on so-called sixth-generation aircraft, most prominently including the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance and the Navy’s F/A-XX programs. At the same time, enthusiasm continues in Europe and Asia for another competing pair of sixth-gen developments, notably the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System and the British-Japanese-Italian.
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06/26/2024
South Korea’s aspirations to have a first batch of 40 KF-21 Boromae fighters delivered by 2028 has been backed up by an announced contract between Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Hanwha Aerospace for the build of at least 40 F414 engines between 2024-2027.
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06/26/2024
A contingent of more than 30 military aircraft from Germany, France and Spain will arrive in Japan next month to conduct a series of training exercises with the Air Self-Defense Force, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday, marking these countries’ first-ever trilateral air force deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
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06/24/2024
The Greek Parliament is poised to take a significant step towards acquiring a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, with a special committee expected to review the US government's Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) in the coming week.
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06/24/2024
Years after its Sukhoi Su-30 MKI “over-powered” USAF F-15s, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters gave a tough fight to American-made warplanes during the recently concluded Red Flag exercises.
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06/23/2024
A nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier arrived Saturday in South Korea for a three-way exercise involving Japan as they step up military training to cope with North Korean threats, which have escalated following a security pact with Russia. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group in Busan came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a major deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week.
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06/23/2024
The F-35 Lightning II stands unmatched in versatility and capability, outshining Russian and Chinese fifth-generation fighters. Its advanced stealth, payload, electronic warfare, and intelligence-gathering capabilities make it a pivotal "quarterback" in modern combat.
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06/22/2024
Plans were unveiled for the development of three derivative versions of South Korea’s next-generation fighter, the KF-21 “Boramae”. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and agencies belonging to South Korea’s Ministry of Defense began work on the electronic attack KF-21 EA, the performance-enhanced KF-21 EX and the KF-21 SA for exports.
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06/22/2024
The F-35 Lightning II, renowned for its stealth, is also notable for its advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. The latest Block 4 variant includes the AN/ASQ-239 EW suite, enhancing threat detection and situational awareness.
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06/22/2024
Lockheed Martin reached two significant milestones with its aircraft. The 1,000th F-35 Lightning II was delivered, marking a rare achievement in modern fighter production. Additionally, the 2,700th C-130 Hercules, a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker, was delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps.
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06/22/2024
Quebec-based tactical aircraft simulation provider Top Aces has completed the initial A-4 Skyhawk aggressor fighter jet training for Canada’s Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program. CATS is an ongoing commitment to sustain the Canadian Armed Forces’ performance and dominance in airspace through the use of red teams or groups pretending to be real-world enemies.
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06/22/2024
Lockheed Martin has secured a contract to extend infrastructure support for the US Department of Defense’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The $63.5-million deal orders the continued engineering, logistics, maintenance, materials, and manpower services for the program’s laboratory facilities and associated aircraft developmental flight evaluations.
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06/21/2024
Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor, despite lacking combat kills, recently achieved a significant milestone of 500,000 flight hours. The fifth-generation air superiority fighter, introduced in 2005, has proven its capabilities in various roles, including ground attacks during Operation Inherent Resolve.
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06/20/2024
Of the six People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern and southwestern sectors of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND, Taiwan News website reported. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.
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06/20/2024
On May 24, 2024, Boeing officially announced that their demo team would return to the airshow circuit this year with two jets, generating a lot of excitement within the aviation community. The F-15QA Advanced Eagle Demo team is scheduled to take part in three airshows, one in the U.S. (Spirit of St. Louis Airshow) and two in Europe (RIAT and Farnborough International Air Show).
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06/20/2024
The Nigerian air force said Tuesday it will acquire 50 new aircraft to strengthen its capabilities against armed gangs and terrorists in northwest Nigeria. Nigerian Chief of Air Staff Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar made the announcement at the opening of new military facilities, including two aircraft hangars in northwest Katsina state.
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06/19/2024
A deal for Turkey to purchase fighter jets from the US is a sign of improved relations between the two countries amid the ongoing threat of Russia, analysts told The Media Line, as Ankara turns its focus next on procuring jets from European allies. Experts say the war in Ukraine has made clear the threat Moscow poses to Turkey and the region, motivating Ankara to look to its Western partners to boost its security.
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06/19/2024
Ten young pilots from Ukraine are currently training at an undisclosed airbase in the south of France on Alpha Jet training aircraft, considered as a bridge between a rotorcraft and an F16 fighter. In total, the French Air and Space Force has undertaken to certify the training of 26 pilots over the two years.
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06/19/2024
According to media reports, discussions were expected to include evaluation for the possible acquisition of Gripen fighters for the Colombian Air Force, particularly addressing the long-awaited decision on a new combat aircraft to replace the scheduled retirement of the Israeli-origin Kfir jets. In this article, we will analyze the real possibility of such a purchase being crucial for our air defense.
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06/18/2024
A Russian military aircraft has been intercepted when it violated Swedish airspace east of the southern tip of Gotland. The incident ended with the Russian aircraft being forced out of the airspace. The Swedish military said the Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bomber entered Sweden's airspace without permission, forcing a Swedish JAS-39 Gripen aircraft to intercept it.
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06/18/2024
The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing concluded the latest iteration of its ongoing fighter exercise, Sentry Aloha 24-2, on June 12 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. This National Guard Bureau training event brought together more than 1,000 participants from nine states and four service branches throughout two weeks, providing essential combat training to joint and total-forces units.
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06/18/2024
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) operates a diverse fleet of combat aircraft, including AMXs, Northrop F-5s, Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucanos, and Saab Gripen E jets. Brazil is currently in negotiations to purchase two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons from the U.S. Air Force, aiming to finalize the deal by the end of 2024.
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06/18/2024
On June 17, Lockheed Martin announced that the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor fleet had reached an impressive milestone of 500,000 flight hours. This achievement underscores the F-22’s enduring role in maintaining air superiority and highlights the dedication of the teams responsible for its operation and support.
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06/17/2024
A contingent of U.S Air Force F-15E fighter bombers landed at Keflavik Air Base in early June to conduct Air Policing Missions over Iceland. The initial tasks performed by the combat aircraft included reconnaissance flights followed by Quick Reaction Alert – Interception exercises.
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06/16/2024
According to a statement made by the Finnish Border Guard, Finland claims that four Russian military planes have violated the country’s airspace on 10th June. The Finnish defense ministry initially said that only a single Russian military plane violated the airspace above the Gulf of Finland. However, it has now been revealed that it was, in fact, a total of four military aircraft from Russia.
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06/16/2024
Morocco has procured ten Harpoon Block II (AGM-84L) anti-ship missiles and SLAM-ER (AGM-84H/K) cruise missiles from Boeing. These acquisitions aim to enhance the capabilities of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, particularly with the integration of Harpoon missiles into the F-16 Viper fighter jets. The Royal Armed Forces are expected to receive 24 of these advanced jets by 2026.
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06/16/2024
A Russian Su-24 plane (NATO code “Fencer”) violated Swedish airspace near Gotland’s southern tip on a Friday afternoon, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. Despite attempts by the Swedish defence to communicate with the plane, it did not respond, prompting two Jas-39 Gripen jets to intercept it.
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06/16/2024
The Senate Armed Services Committee finished its markup of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization bill on June 14, with mandates on more than a dozen aircraft or related programs and a keen interest in the future of the Air Force fighter fleet.
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06/08/2024
In an interview with broadcasters from French media, President of France Emmanuel Macron revealed plans to send an undisclosed number of Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft from its inventory to Ukraine, and to train 4,500 Ukrainian fighter pilots.
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06/07/2024
French President Emmanuel Macron says France will provide Ukraine with Mirage combat aircraft to help the country defend against Russia's aggression. Macron told France's public broadcaster on June 6 that a new cooperation with Ukraine to be announced on June 7 will include the sale of the French-made Mirage 2005, which will "allow Ukraine to protect its soil, its airspace" against Russian attacks.
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06/06/2024
Berlin plans to order an additional 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, in what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said here today is part of an effort to fortify the European defense industry. “We want a strong aerospace industry in Germany and Europe,” Scholz tweeted, according to an online translation. “This includes planning security in the defense industry. That’s why we ensure reliable orders — including the purchase of 20 more Eurofighters in this legislative period.”
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06/06/2024
Japan's parliament on Wednesday approved an international treaty to set up an intergovernmental organization managing the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, Britain and Italy.
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06/05/2024
A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in a field in Maharashtra's Nashik today. The pilot and the co-pilot managed to eject safely but suffered minor injuries. The plane crashed in a field near Shirasgaon village, a senior police officer said. Visuals showed the plume of smoke billowing after the aircraft crashed in the field. The twin-engine aircraft was up in flames and a crowd gathered near the crash site.
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06/05/2024
Congress is pushing the U.S. Air Force to purchase more F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets and keep the production line open longer amid rising tensions with China. A proposal in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aims to increase the Air Force's fleet to 122 F-15EXs, more than the current target of 98 but still short of the original goal of 144.
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06/05/2024
Airbus is set to unveil “Wingman” concept at the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA, in Berlin. According to the giant European aerospace company, a full-scale model of the Wingman [noteworthy, in the official press release Airbus does not use the standard definition of “Loyal Wingman” but calls it just “Wingman”] will be on display ILA, akin to a “show car” used by the automotive industry for design exercises.
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06/05/2024
German air force fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft reportedly operating "without a flight plan and radio contact" above the Baltic Sea. Team Luftwaffe wrote on X on Tuesday morning that Eurofighter aircraft operating from Lielvarde, Latvia, as part of the NATO Air Policing Baltic Reinforcement (VAPB) mission had to conduct "Alpha Scrambles" after being alerted about the Russian aircraft by the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany (CAOC UEDEM).
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06/05/2024
Fighter jets from nine Allied Nations will arrive at Ramstein Air Base to take part in the US-led multi-national exercise Ramstein 1v1, on June 6, 2024. United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa will host its first ever Ramstein 1v1 exercise, where fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft will take turns squaring off in friendly competition during a day-long fighter manoeuvre exercise.
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06/04/2024
Two Japanese F-35A stealth fighter jets made emergency landings at a commercial airport in northern Japan on Monday, but there were no injuries or damage, officials said. The fighter jets were on a training flight from Misawa Air Base and landed safely at nearby Aomori Airport after one developed an unspecified mechanical problem and requested an emergency landing, airport officials said.
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06/04/2024
While the deployment of J-20s has been widely reported, the presence of “Rafale Challenger” J-10 warplanes has not really caught the media’s attention. J-10s are the only fighters deployed on both sides of the Indian border with China and Pakistan.
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06/03/2024
Russian forces operating in Ukraine lost nine jets in May, according to Kyiv, as Ukraine reports record equipment losses and casualties for Moscow's troops. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that nine Russian jets were "destroyed" in May 2024.
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06/03/2024
The United States and China are racing to develop sixth-generation warplanes, signaling intense military rivalry in a multipolar world. China unveiled a mockup of its sixth-generation fighter in 2021, aiming for deployment by 2035, while the U.S. targets 2030 for its "Next-Generation Air Dominance" (NGAD) platform.
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06/03/2024
Sweden is pausing plans to transfer JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine, reportedly to enable Kyiv’s air forces to focus on integrating the US-made F-16 fighters when they eventually arrive. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson announced the decision on May 28, citing a request by members of NATO’s aviation coalition.
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06/03/2024
South Korea’s largest defence company is developing a fighter jet engine as the country works to move up the arms exporter value chain and boost its security self-sufficiency. The chief of aero systems at Hanwha Aerospace said the company wanted to develop the engine by as early as 2036. It is working in partnership with the South Korean government, one of the world’s highest spenders on arms development.
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06/01/2024
The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter will take on the Nato’s nuclear role for the first time on 1 June 2024, as the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), one of few Nato Allies contributing dual-capable aircraft to this mission, transfer the task from its F-16 fighters to the new fifth-generation airframe.
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06/01/2024
The Dutch military is investigating whether fighter aircraft can jointly use the civil airports in Eelde, Lelystad, and Twente, the Ministry of Defense announced on Friday. Due to rising international tensions, the military will need much more space in the coming years.
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06/01/2024
Will the Next Generation Air Dominance program, or NGAD, produce the last stealth fighter that the U.S. Air Force ever builds? The fighter jet in general may soon be outdated, given recent advances in drone technology and artificial intelligence. It’s hard to say exactly when the moment will arrive that renders fighter jets obsolete and prompts the Air Force to cancel all future development programs.
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06/01/2024
Belgium has agreed to supply up to 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Ukraine over the next few years to aid in its defense against Russian aggression. This pledge, alongside commitments from other countries, brings the total number of F-16s promised to Ukraine to around 115.
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05/30/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force will receive two Saab 340 AEWCS aircraft in the ASC 890 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system configuration from Sweden, providing Kyiv with “absolutely new potential for radar reconnaissance and combat control against targets in the air and at sea,” according to the local publication Sydsvenskan.
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05/30/2024
A military fighter jet on its way to an Air Force base in California crashed Tuesday near the international airport in New Mexico’s largest city, sending up a large plume of smoke and injuring the pilot. The pilot, the only person on board, was able to escape after crashing around 2 p.m. on a hillside on the south side of Albuquerque’s airport and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to the city’s fire department.
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05/28/2024
The first 16 of the air force's new F-35 fighters will be paid for out of the current federal budget, even though Canada isn't expected to take delivery of the warplanes until 2026.
Defence Minister Bill Blair pointed to the investment on Monday while defending the Liberal government's military spending plans before a House of Commons committee.
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05/28/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels, and four coast guard ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (May 26) and 6 a.m. on Monday (May 27). Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 10 entered the southwest and southeast sectors of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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05/28/2024
The Philippines and Sweden have signed a key agreement to support Manila’s planned acquisition of multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Titled “Implementing Arrangement Concerning the Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment,” the deal provides the government framework for the Philippines to purchase Swedish-made defense equipment.
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05/28/2024
On May 27, the Chinese PLA Air Force’s WL-10, an unmanned aerial vehicle designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions, carried out flight activities above the East China Sea. Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO), which oversees the operations of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, announced that the incident prompted an immediate response from Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, which scrambled fighter jets to intercept the intruding UAV.
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05/28/2024
Saab has revealed the initial details of Sweden’s Future Combat Aviation Concept study (Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg, KFS). This independent project began in July 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025. It was presented at a press briefing held at Saab’s headquarters in Linköping.
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05/26/2024
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, has confirmed the start of production of the advanced F-16 Viper fighter aircraft for Morocco. This development marks a pivotal moment in the North African kingdom’s defense strategy, aiming for greater self-sufficiency and enhanced military prowess.
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05/26/2024
The US Air Force revealed, through press release, the names of the two manufacturers selected to design and build the prototypes of the first batch of combat drones, intended to accompany the future NGAD, successors to the F-22, as well as a few hundred specially prepared F-35As.
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05/25/2024
Taiwan tracked dozens of Chinese warplanes and navy vessels off its coast on Friday, the second day of a large military exercise launched by Beijing to show its anger over the self-governing island’s inauguration of new leaders who refuse to accept its insistence that Taiwan is part of China.
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05/25/2024
The first round of Ukrainian pilots have completed F-16 fighter jet training at a military base in Arizona, advancing Kyiv one step closer to using the modern aircraft in its war against Russia.
Air National Guard spokesperson Erin Hannigan told Politico's Lara Seligman that the pilots had been training at the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson. They are now headed to Europe for additional training.
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05/25/2024
As part of operational training, SU-30 and F-16 aircraft of the Bolivarian Military Aviation conducted combined exercises under the framework of the so-called “Domingo Sifontes Task Force.” According to information published by the Bolivarian Military Aviation on its social media platforms, the maneuvers carried out in coastal areas involved the participation of units from the Army and the Bolivarian Navy conducting patrol exercises, land incursions, and aerial coverage.
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05/25/2024
Once hailed as the epitome of cutting-edge aerial warfare, the Eurofighter Typhoon soared to prominence in the early 2000s, emerging as one of the “world’s most advanced combat aircraft.” However, its glory days seem to be fading a bit. In the ring with the Typhoon is the Rafale, a contender that emerged almost a decade after its European counterpart. Surprisingly, the Rafale is swiftly closing in on the Typhoon’s sales figures.
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05/23/2024
History serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting air superiority, a mistake America must not repeat with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it did with the F-22 Raptor. In 2009, the F-22 program was abruptly cancelled after the production of only 187 aircraft — a quarter of the originally planned 750 fighters. This short-sighted decision left the U.S. Air Force with a diminished capacity to maintain air superiority in the face of evolving threats from the major military adversa
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05/23/2024
Saudi Arabia is seeking full partner status as it decides what future combat aircraft program to join, with a decision possible within months. The kingdom aims to be “an equal partner” in any sixth-generation fighter program, Maj. Gen. Hamed Alamri, director of Joint Chiefs of Staff and chairman of the Committee on Future Capabilities of the Armed Forces for the Saudi Air Force, said May 21. “Saudi Arabia seeks to become a global innovator, not just a customer,” he told an event at the Royal Aer
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05/23/2024
The U.S. Air Force today is the oldest and smallest in its history. Consequently, it is experiencing a severe fighter aircraft gap between what it has and what it requires to execute the national defense strategy. This gap is particularly acute within the F-35 stealth advanced 5th generation aircraft inventory. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 House Armed Services Committee bill language cutting F-35 purchases exacerbate this shortfall.
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05/21/2024
Ukraine's war effort is set to receive a boost with the imminent addition of F-16 Fighting Falcons to its fleet. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for 120 to 130 F-16s to achieve parity with Russia, but only around 85 have been pledged so far by countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.
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05/21/2024
South Korea’s latest fighter jet, the KF-21 Boromae, which is still under development, has deployed the short-range German IRIS-T missile for the first time this month. IRIS-T (infra-red imaging system – tail/thrust vector controlled) is an air-to-air guided missile manufactured by Diehl Defence as part of a German-led multinational programme.
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05/21/2024
Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares confirmed last week that a $1.14 billion contract signed for the acquisition of 11 Su-35S fighter aircraft from Russia remains in force, in spite of widespread unconfirmed reports and speculation since early 2019 that it had been terminated due to threats of sanctions by the United States Treasury Department.
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05/20/2024
Belgium's third F-35A, designated AY-03, has completed its first flight, advancing the country's transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for its air force. The aircraft, featuring subdued Belgian national markings, will join Belgium's fleet of F-35s, replacing the aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.
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05/18/2024
After JF-17 and J-10C fighters, cash-strapped Pakistan turns to China for the Light Combat Aircraft JL-15 and has been eyeing to have the Chinese J-31 stealth fifth-generation aircraft by 2029. Pakistan earlier ordered 36 Chengdu J-10CE ‘Vigorous Dragon’ multi-role fighters (20 delivered, 16 to come). There are reports that they will order 14 more to make it 50.
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05/18/2024
Egypt is in the market for new fighters, but budgetary constraints mean that they may have to settle for a mixture of new and second-hand aircraft. Before 1979, when then President Anwar Sadat signed a historic peace agreement with Israel, the Egyptian Air Force was primarily equipped with aircraft of Soviet design, some of them supplied by China after the loosening of ties with Russia in 1976.
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05/18/2024
After years in development, the U.S. military's latest attempt at an airborne laser weapon to protect troops on the ground from incoming ballistic missiles appears to be headed for the scrapyard.
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05/17/2024
A pair of U.S. F-22s practiced dogfighting with South Korean F-35As on May 16, making a rare appearance over the peninsula’s inland airspace. The training saw the four stealthy fighters engaging in close-range air combat maneuver, taking turns in offensive and defensive posture in simulated confrontation scenarios, the Republic of Korea Air Force said in a release.
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05/17/2024
Further to a Kyiv Post report posted on Wednesday, the Russian Telegram channel Astra said that on the night of May 14 / 15, Ukrainian missile attacks against a Russian air base and nearby military locations in occupied Crimea destroyed an S-400 “Triumf” air defense system, two MiG-31 fighters, and a fuel and lubricant depot. The ASTRA account said that two Russian soldiers were killed, and 14 others were injured.
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05/16/2024
The U.S. Congress’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 originally included the purchase of 68 stealth fighter jets F-35, but this acquisition could be reduced to as few as 48 aircraft. Problems with upgrades and failure to meet promised deadlines by Lockheed Martin would significantly reduce the number of aircraft intended to equip the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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05/16/2024
The U.S. Air Force has deployed several F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea, according to an announcement on the Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website on Tuesday. The arrival of these advanced jets at Kunsan Air Base, located 178 kilometers south of Seoul, underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
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05/16/2024
Taipei said Wednesday it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year and coming less than a week before the self-ruled island inaugurates its new president, whom China regards as a “dangerous separatist.” China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing’s control.
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05/16/2024
The 8th Fighter Wing welcomed four F-22 Raptors assigned to 19th and 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, May 13. The F-22s, currently operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, arrived to Kunsan AB, to provide the opportunity for dissimilar training and test agile combat employment (ACE) capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region.
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05/16/2024
The Russian Armed Forces have increased the deployment of their Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name: Felon) multirole fighters in the Ukraine conflict, launching over six Kh-69 cruise missiles in recent sorties. But don't be fooled: this fighter jet still has many issues to be worked out.
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05/15/2024
The Norwegian Armed Forces have announced an ambitious initiative to have their F-35 fighters fly with biofuel by the end of the year, as indicated on the Norwegian Ministry of Defense's X account on May 14, 2024. This initiative is a historic first for Norway, as none of its F-35s have yet used biofuel. This project aims to demonstrate the viability of biofuels in high-tech military operations.
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05/15/2024
Since the MSPO 2023 Defense Exhibition, Poland has been in discussions with the American company Boeing regarding the potential acquisition of 32 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. This news comes shortly after Lockheed Martin announced that the first F-35A "Husarz" jets destined for Poland are expected to be assembled by next summer in Fort Worth, Texas, before being moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for pilot training.
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05/15/2024
The Japanese government is to expand its capacity to service U.S. fighter jets based in Japan to enhance bilateral defense cooperation in East Asia. F-18 and the latest F-35 fighter jet models stationed at U.S. bases are serviced and repaired in Japan. Tokyo plans to add the F-15 and F-16 capability in 2025 at the earliest, and to tap Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI as service providers. Both companies service Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft.
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05/15/2024
Only one week after the second test flight of Turkey’s domestically-produced KAAN fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries’ general manager has announced that the firm expects to deliver 20 aircraft by 2028 — and is making some big claims about its capabilities.
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05/14/2024
On May 10, 2024, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff announced its intention to acquire up to ten new Rafale F4 fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Greek air force, which involves phasing out older models such as the F-4 Phantom and Mirage 2000-5 in favor of a more compact and technologically advanced fleet.
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05/14/2024
The F-35 Lightning II program achieved a significant milestone at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, with the 56th Fighter Wing completing its 100,000th sortie on May 9, 2024. This sortie, flown by Captain Garrett Ellis of the 308th Fighter Squadron, underscores the program's growing maturity and operational success. Luke AFB, home to the world's largest F-35 wing, plays a crucial role in training pilots, with each receiving extensive academic and flight training.
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05/13/2024
Two Air Force fighter jets recently squared off in a dogfight in California. One was flown by a pilot. The other wasn’t. That second jet was piloted by artificial intelligence, with the Air Force’s highest-ranking civilian riding along in the front seat. It was the ultimate display of how far the Air Force has come in developing a technology with its roots in the 1950s. But it’s only a hint of the technology yet to come.
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05/13/2024
While few nations even can develop and field a fifth-generation fighter, the United States is already working on a sixth-generation fighter. Known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the sixth-generation fighter is expected to be technologically advanced – and fiscally prohibitive, leading some to question whether the advanced airframe is worth the sticker price.
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05/12/2024
The F-22’s pilot, operating undetected, had sidled right in. “He flew under their aircraft to check out their weapons load without them knowing that he was there,” then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said. Having determined the F-4’s payloads, the Raptor pilot finally alerted the Iranians to his presence.
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05/12/2024
The first prototype of Turkey’s TAI TF Kaan fighter made its second test flight on May 6. According to the secretary of Turkish Defense Industries, the test flight went well. “Our National Combat Aircraft, which successfully made its first flight on February 21, took off from the runway at 08:46 this morning, stayed in the air for 14 minutes and reached an altitude of 10,000 feet,” Secretary Haluk Gorgun said.
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05/12/2024
The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after General Marko Bezruchko, has successfully downed a Russian SU-25 attack aircraft in the Avdiivka direction, marking another significant achievement in aerial defense by Ukrainian forces. According to the General Staff, Russia has already lost 348 aircraft and 325 helicopters in its war against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intelligence, at the outset of the full-scale invasion, Russia had approximately 1500 combat aircraft.
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05/12/2024
Russian authorities have long touted the Sukhoi Su-35S (NATO reporting name Flanker-E”) as being among its most capable combat aircraft in widespread service—and this week, it was announced that the Kremlin received a new batch of the multirole fighters. According to a report by Russian state media, the new aircraft were produced by the Gagarin Aircraft Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and flew to a deployment airfield after passing ground and flight trials.
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05/12/2024
Pilots in Ukraine's Soviet-era airforce, a fraction of the size of Russia's, are using a tactic first developed by the US Air Force to contest the skies above the 600-mile frontline. Videos in recent months appear to show Ukrainian pilots conducting so-called "wild weasel" missions.
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05/11/2024
The US says Israel may have used American-supplied weapons in breach of international humanitarian law in some instances during the war in Gaza. It is "reasonable to assess" that US-supplied arms have been used in ways "inconsistent" with Israel's obligations, says the state department.
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05/11/2024
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has suspended training for its F-16 fleet as a safety measure after one of its Lockheed Martin F-16 combat aircraft crashed at Tengah Air Base in western Singapore on 8 May. According to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the pilot – who has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flight time on the F-16 – had experienced flight control issues shortly after taking off. He responded in accordance with emergency procedures and successfully ejected from the aircraf
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05/11/2024
The United States Department of Defense has initiated a significant transfer of fighter jets, armed drones and other aircraft from its air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Qatar. This decision follows the UAE’s refusal to allow its territory to be utilized as a staging ground for attacks on Iraq and Yemen.
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05/10/2024
The fourth crash of the Russian-made advanced multirole aircraft Yakovlev Yak-130 in less than a decade on Thursday left one Bangladesh Air Force pilot killed and another injured in Chattogram. Instructor pilot Squadron Leader Muhammad Asim Jawwad, 31, died hours after ejection along with another instructor, Wing Commander Md Shohan Hasan Khan, as the two-seat subsonic light combat aircraft caught fire in mid-air during a low-altitude acrobatic.
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05/09/2024
The U.S. military has been increasing efforts to develop trusted autonomy capabilities for its aircraft fleet. The Department of Defense (DoD) and its services and agencies have been working on several programs to enable the operation of their in-service airplanes by using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software.
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05/09/2024
An F-16C fighter jet crashed during takeoff from the Tengah Air Base in Singapore. The MINDEF Singapore reported on this. The accident occurred when the fighter jet took off from the Tengah Air Base at about 12:35 p.m. local time.
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05/09/2024
The United Arab Emirates is expanding air force ties with China in what may be a scheme to brighten their dim prospects of acquiring F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States. However, this developing cooperation will not likely result in Abu Dhabi ordering alternative fifth-generation fighters from Beijing.
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05/08/2024
By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.
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05/08/2024
Thailand's air force chief will fly to Sweden and the U.S. this month to discuss details of a planned procurement of new fighter jets, a deal that could include a technology transfer agreement to foster the Southeast Asian country's nascent arms industry. Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul's sights are set on either the Swedish-made Gripen or the U.S.-made F-16 Block 70/72 to replace a squadron of 12 aging F-16 As and F-16 ADFs.
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05/08/2024
The Polish military reported that on 6 May, a pair of MiG-29 fighter jets on duty from the 22nd Tactical Aviation Base in Malbork intercepted and visually identified a Russian Il-20 aircraft.
According to Operational Command, the Russian Il-20 took off from an airfield in Kaliningrad Oblast and flew on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
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05/07/2024
According to a Reuters report, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Chengdu J-10 fighter jet intercepted an Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter over the Yellow Sea before dropping flares in its flight path from above. After launching from the destroyer HMAS Hobart, the helicopter was performing a routine flight over the Yellow Sea as part of Operation Argos, which enforces UN sanctions on North Korea by policing illegal shipping activity.
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05/07/2024
The Air Force is investigating the cause of a mishap involving an F-22 Raptor during an Air National Guard fighter exercise Monday. The pilot was not injured in the mishap, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, according to the 165th Airlift Wing, which hosts Savannah Sentry, a counterair exercise for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets from across the Air National Guard.
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05/07/2024
In a recent incident within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), U.S. Air Force F-16C fighters were deployed to intercept and escort two Russian Tu-95MS bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces. This information was confirmed both by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Russian Ministry of Defense earlier this month.
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05/07/2024
Türkiye's homegrown fighter jet has completed its second flight, authorities said on Monday, marking another milestone in the country's endeavor to upgrade its air force and curb external dependency. KAAN took off early on Monday and managed to stay in the air for 14 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, according to a statement by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
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05/07/2024
Amid a rush within NATO to rally around next-generation combat aircraft, new alliance member Sweden is taking a pause to assess what’s next for its lineage as a warplane-producing country. The Nordic state in 2022 suspended its flirtation with one of Europe’s two marquee airpower efforts, the Global Combat Air Programme, an initiative led by the U.K., Italy and Japan that seeks to deliver a sixth-generation fighter capability by 2035.
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05/06/2024
The AI-controlled F-16 went up against another human-piloted aircraft, which marks one of the biggest advancements in military aviation since the introduction of stealth technology. It is a giant leap that could make human pilots redundant. Frank Kendall was very impressed by the demonstration and said that he would trust it with the ability to decide whether to launch weapons.
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05/06/2024
Ukraine shot down a Russian fighter jet in the east of the country on Saturday, according to Kyiv, as Moscow's aircraft continue attacks with lethal aerial bombs. Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down "another Russian Su-25 in the Donetsk region today," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address on Saturday.
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05/06/2024
Taiwan should create a military aviation law to give legal protection to its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in counteracting Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drones, National Defense University associate professor of law and military officer Lee Yen-chang said on Saturday.
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05/05/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (May 3) and the same time Saturday (May 4). The ministry said it monitored the situation with its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, and deployed land-based air defense missile systems. However, at the time of publication, it did not mention whether the Chinese planes had crossed the median line or entered the nation’s ADIZ.
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05/04/2024
Taiwan's defence ministry said Friday it had detected 26 Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels around the self-ruled island in the previous 24 hours. The sorties come weeks before the May 20 inauguration of new Taiwan president Lai Ching-te, who China regards as a dangerous separatist. A statement from the defence ministry said 17 of the aircraft "crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and central ADIZ (air defence identification zone)."
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05/04/2024
The United States is moving military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, from the United Arab Emirates to Qatar, the Wall Street Journal reported. The move is the result of the UAE's decision not to allow the US to carry out air strikes on Yemen and Iraq from the Al Dhafra air base in Abu Dhabi, according to unnamed US officials.
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05/04/2024
With the midday sun blazing, an experimental orange and white F-16 fighter jet launched with a familiar roar that is a hallmark of U.S. airpower. But the aerial combat that followed was unlike any other: This F-16 was controlled by artificial intelligence, not a human pilot. And riding in the front seat was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
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05/03/2024
A detachment of the Finnish Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets will participate in NATO’s upcoming Air Shielding Mission in Romania from June to July. The first-time contingent will be composed of up to eight planes and 100 airmen from the Karelia Air Command in Siilinjärvi, Finland. The fleet will operate alongside UK Royal Air Force Typhoons, increasing the alliance’s presence on NATO’s eastern flank, joining quick-reaction alert duties, patrol flights, and air exercises.
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05/03/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force cannot disclose the exact date when F-16 fighter jets will appear in Ukraine. Air Force spokesperson Illia Yevlash announced this on Ukrainian television, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
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05/03/2024
The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing is set for a significant upgrade as it prepares to transition from the F-15C to the newer F-15EX, becoming the first operational unit to do so. Pilots from the 142nd recently tested the F-15EX at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, noting substantial improvements in power, radar, and avionics compared to the aging F-15C. The F-15EX features modern fly-by-wire control systems and a glass cockpit with large touchscreens, enhancing pilot situational awarenes
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05/02/2024
F-22A Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., recently arrived at Kadena Air Base in Japan, bolstering the fifth-generation airpower at the closest U.S. military installation to Taiwan. “Amid an increasingly challenging strategic environment, it is vital that we continue to retain modern capabilities to ensure peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region,” a base spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine on May 1.
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05/02/2024
“We’ve got a 60 fighter squadron requirement,” across the Air Force, Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, said April 30 at a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. “We have 25 of those in the National Guard, and our ability to retain that capability when we’re already short fighter pilots and maintainers will be critically important in the next coming years as we start to modernize our fleet.”
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05/01/2024
On April 1, pilots of the 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons (TES) participated in this initiative, designed to elevate aircrew capabilities in aircraft maintenance and refueling. The core objective of the IPOP is to equip pilots with the skills necessary to independently inspect and deploy their aircraft, a crucial element to foster self-sufficiency during prolonged flight missions.
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05/01/2024
The Shenyang J-15 "Flying Shark," known as Flanker-X2 by NATO, is a cornerstone of China's carrier-based air power, introduced in 2013 to operate from the People's Liberation Army Navy's aircraft carriers. Originating from failed negotiations to acquire the Russian Sukhoi Su-33, China initiated the J-15 program by reverse-engineering a Su-33 prototype obtained from Ukraine.
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05/01/2024
An Air Force pilot ejected from an F-16 fighter jet assigned to the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., when it crashed April 30, the base announced. The crash happened at about 11:50 a.m. local time, west of the base near White Sands National Park. The only person on board the jet, the pilot “was transported by ambulance for medical care,” the base said in a Facebook post. Later that evening, officials said in a release that the pilot was in good condition.
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04/30/2024
Unique and at times peculiar NATO aircraft activity spiked around the Atlantic Alliance’s eastern borders on Monday, April 29 with at least three British Typhoon fighters sharing air space and appearing to closely escort an Iranian airliner, a first-ever sortie in theater by the Pentagon’s best maritime spy drone, and a Ukrainian government plane defying the Russian Air Force and scooting to safety in the Balkans.
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04/29/2024
The Russian Air Force is facing significant setbacks in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with substantial losses including several Su-35 fighter jets. As Moscow intensifies its aerial assaults, the strain on its military arsenal grows, with more than 150 sorties involving Su-34 and Su-35 airframes reported over just 13 days earlier this year.
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04/29/2024
In a bid to arm its aging air force, Argentina signed a $300 million contract with Denmark earlier this month to purchase 24 F-16 aircraft. Commenting on the sale, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said, “In close cooperation with our allies, we have donated 19 F-16s to Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and now we have sold 24 aircraft to Argentina in a good process that has created valuable ties between our two countries.”
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04/29/2024
For several years Kazakhstan has been gradually replacing its outdated fleet of Soviet-made combat aircraft with modern versions, such as the Russian Su-30SM multi-role aircraft and has been in discussion with Western manufacturers to source suitable combat platforms. As part of this process, it was announced in October that the Kazakh government was offering 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft for sale by auction.
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04/29/2024
In the annals of military history, some stories stand out for their unexpected twists and turns. One such event occurred half a century ago, on April 26, 1974, when Flight Lieutenant Sattar Alvi, a Pakistani pilot, accomplished a rare feat by shooting down an Israeli fighter jet while flying a MiG aircraft for the Syrian Air Force.
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04/29/2024
The US has acquired 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, the Kyiv Post reported.
Kazakhstan, which is upgrading its air fleet, auctioned off 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft, including MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the 1970s and 1980s.
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04/28/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 22 Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (April 27) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (April 28).
Of the 22 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 12 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeastern section of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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04/28/2024
The long-awaited delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is on the horizon, and these advanced American-made fighter jets can't come soon enough for its forces. Western-provided F-16s will give Kyiv's current fleet of aging Soviet-era warplanes a major upgrade in capabilities, for critical offensive and defensive roles, and boost their firepower with the right munitions.
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04/27/2024
The Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon, often compared to the F-16 due to its similar features, has its own unique design and capabilities. Although some sources suggest the J-10 was influenced by the Israeli IAI Lavi, China maintains it evolved from earlier Chengdu models like the J-9.
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04/27/2024
Sweden has tapped Saab to modernize the country’s Gripen C/D and Gripen E fighters under a 540-million-kronor ($50 million) contract. The operation and support of test aircraft and equipment such as rigs and simulators will be covered under the new agreement. The deal is part of a program that covers the aircraft’s major upgrades by the aerospace firm, which includes engine and electronic warfare system updates.
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04/26/2024
Swedish defence company Saab delivers its fourth GlobalEye aircraft to the UAE while securing an order for Gripen development resources. Saab has recently achieved milestones in reinforcing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) defence capabilities and the future potential of its Gripen aircraft system. Delivering the fourth GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the UAE marks a feat, highlighting Saab’s ability to provide defence solutions.
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04/26/2024
A statement by a former Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF, or Taiwan Air Force) commander about the incapability of its military to prevent a People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) attack raised alarm bells among the island’s leadership.
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04/25/2024
On Thursday, April 25th, around 12:30 PM, the first six of a total of 12 multi-purpose combat aircraft Rafale will fly into the Republic of Croatia, to the "Colonel Marko Živkovic" barracks in Velika Gorica from the French Republic.
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04/25/2024
The United States and Royal Norwegian Air Forces have successfully conducted the first-ever unsupervised F-35 Lightning II cross-service operation, marking a significant milestone in fighter aircraft interoperability. The operation, which took place on April 8, 2024, saw Norwegian aircraft maintainers servicing two US fighter jets at Ørland Air Station in Norway, a development announced by the US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa on April 22.
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04/25/2024
Anduril and General Atomics advance in USAF autonomous fighter programme Proposals from defence start-up Anduril and uncrewed aircraft pioneer General Atomics were selected from a pool of submissions by five aerospace manufacturers to develop autonomous fighter jets for the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
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04/25/2024
Ahead of the much-anticipated delivery of F-16 fighting falcons to Ukraine, Lithuania recently announced the transfer of an Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros light strike jet to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the delivery of the Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros light strike jet on April 20. The MoD added that the transfer of the light attack aircraft was part of a larger military aid package for Ukraine. Lithuania has been a key military supplier to Kyiv in the ongoing wa
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04/24/2024
In 2020, the UAE's decision to normalize relations with Israel was seen as a step toward Middle East stability, but complications arose due to the UAE's desire to acquire the advanced F-35 fighter jet, challenging Israel's security doctrine of maintaining military superiority.
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04/24/2024
The U.S. Air Force is in the process of retiring its A-10 attack jet fleet, with plans to phase out 56 aircraft from its total fleet of 265 by fiscal 2028. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary Kendall noted that at least one country has expressed some interest in obtaining the A-10s. However, there won’t be significant support for the aircraft once they’re out of the American inventory due to their age and lack of a support base.
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04/22/2024
Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a night-time training exercise after possibly colliding with each other, killing one person, the defence minister said on Sunday. The two SH-60 patrol helicopters were conducting antisubmarine exercises on Saturday night near Torishima in the remote Izu island group, off the southern coast of central Japan.
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04/22/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (April 20) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (April 21). Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. Three entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and two were detected in the northeast ADIZ.
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04/22/2024
Iran could receive its first Su-35 Flanker fighter jets from Russia as soon as next week, reports state-run media outlets. The timing of the delivery of advanced fighter jets is highly significant as it coincides with skyrocketing tensions between Tehran and Israel. While there is no mention of the number of jets making up the first shipment, Iran will reportedly receive at least 24 fighter jets in total, Forbes reports.
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04/21/2024
The House on Saturday passed military aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, more than six months after President Joe Biden initially submitted his massive foreign aid request to arm all three security partners. The roughly $95 billion package includes $48 billion in Ukraine security aid.
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04/21/2024
The announcement made by General Cartaxo in that interview implies that Portugal is ahead of Spain in the acquisition of a fifth generation fighter, since until now the Spanish government has not given any news indicating its possible intention to acquire the F-35, not even to replace the Harrier II of the Spanish Navy, for which there is no other possible substitute on the market at present.
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04/21/2024
In a new episode in the Baltic Sea region, Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighters, as part of their Air Policing Mission, conducted the interception of two aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Forces. This new incident was reported by NATO’s Air Command, adding to the long list of similar episodes recorded between combat aircraft of NATO members and Russian forces.
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04/20/2024
Ukrainian anti-aircraft units shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on April 19. The Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in Russia's Stavropol Krai on the morning of April 19, just after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
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04/20/2024
Nigeria will take delivery of the first six of 24 Italian M-346 light fighter-trainer aircraft it has ordered by year end, the country’s Air Force has said. Originally manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo as a twin-seater jet trainer, the M-346 has been acquired by Nigeria in its more recent, armed M-346FA fighter format.
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04/20/2024
The Netherlands has delivered three more F-16 Fighting Falcons to Bucharest as part of a multinational flight training cooperation for Ukrainian pilots in Romania. The mission supports allied forces in preparing Kyiv’s aircrews as they transition from Soviet-era aircraft to F-16s amid Russia’s invasion. For the latest delivery, the three Dutch planes were accompanied by two Romanian F16s to a European Flight Training Center developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin.
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04/20/2024
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a cornerstone of U.S. Air Force capabilities since its introduction in 1979, has evolved from a supporting air superiority fighter to a versatile multi-role fighter. Designed to complement the heavier F-15 Eagle, the F-16 has proven its adaptability and effectiveness in various combat roles, notably during Operation Desert Storm.
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04/20/2024
Indian state-owned aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a request for proposal from the Ministry of Defence for 97 light fighters, setting up the largest-ever order for the aircraft. The company’s Tejas fighters – also known as Light Combat Aircraft, or LCA – are critical to the Indian Air Force, as the service currently has only 31 fighter squadrons compared to a mandated level of 42.
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04/19/2024
A Kenyan military aircraft has crashed, a government spokesperson said on Thursday. A police source who asked not to be named said five soldiers died when the chopper crashed in western Kenya on Thursday afternoon and three other passengers survived. The injured soldiers have been taken to hospital, the source said.
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04/19/2024
Portuguese F-16 fighter jets participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing have escorted two Russian military aircraft flying close to the alliance’s airspace. The F-16 planes scrambled from the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem in western Germany for their first intercept during their seventh deployment to the mission.
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04/19/2024
The Pentagon’s secretive technology development agency has for the first time pitted an artificial intelligence (AI) agent against a human fighter pilot in air combat drills. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), working with the US Air Force (USAF) test pilot school, calls the tests a breakthrough in the efforts to automate close-range fighter manoeuvres and combat aviation more broadly.
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04/19/2024
Explosions were reported in Isfahan, about four hours drive or 350km (217 miles) south of Iran's capital, Tehran. As we've reported, Isfahan is home to a major military air base and several Iranian nuclear sites are in the province- including the city of Natanz, a centerpiece of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
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04/18/2024
Plans to purchase additional Joint Strike Fighter aircraft are being halted under sweeping defence changes unveiled by the Albanese government that would see Australia’s overall military budget almost double within a decade. On Wednesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles released Labor’s long awaited National Defence Strategy that includes plans to lift annual spending to around $100 billion by 2034.
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04/17/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (April 15) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 16). Of the 11 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one entered the southwest sector of the nation’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and one helicopter was detected in the southeast ADIZ, according to the MND.
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04/17/2024
Japan's next-gen fighter jet, increased collaborative efforts, and military spending signal a new, more proactive era in its defense strategy. The Japanese government's recent approval of exporting a next-gen fighter jet developed with Italy and Britain marks a significant milestone. It signals a new era in Japan's security outlook, emphasizing collaboration and innovation.
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04/17/2024
On Tuesday, Argentine President Javier Milei celebrated the signing of an agreement to purchase 24 F-16 fighter jets from the Danish Army. "The task we are carrying out is only possible because I am accompanied by a cabinet with extremely talented human beings," Milei told Defense Minister Luis Petri, who was at the Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.
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04/17/2024
The secretary of the U.S. Air Force said Tuesday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County would "potentially" be considered for a future fighter mission to replace the base's aging A-10 aircraft, "but at the current time we don't have an option to do that." Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was testifying Tuesday morning before the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
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04/16/2024
France has authorized the transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco. According to Spanish media, the transfer is part of a broader cooperation agreement that will see Abu Dhabi acquire 80 Rafales.
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04/16/2024
As the Russo-Ukraine War continues into its third year, the limitations of the Russian military, particularly in controlling airspace, have become evident. Notably, the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon,” a fifth-generation multirole fighter, has underperformed. Since its first flight in 2010, only about 32 Su-57s have been delivered, with production delays exacerbated by industrial bottlenecks.
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04/16/2024
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a mainstay of the U.S. Navy, has recently been enhanced with a significant capability upgrade, making it the first carrier-based aircraft to deploy the SDB-II, also known as the StormBreaker. This 250-pound precision-strike weapon is designed to handle adverse weather conditions and dynamic targeting scenarios, thanks to its tri-mode seeker that integrates infrared, millimeter wave radar, and GPS/INS systems.
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04/14/2024
Iran has launched dozens of aerial drones and missiles at Israel, marking a widely anticipated reprisal attack. It is the first such direct clash between the two enemies, who have been engaged in a years-long shadow war, with Iran using proxy forces. The Israeli military said Israel and other countries had intercepted hundreds of cruise missiles and drones, mostly outside Israeli airspace.
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04/13/2024
From April 12, the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft manufactured for the Hungarian Defense Forces will stay at the Kecskemét (central Hungary) airbase for three weeks, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky informed MTI on Thursday. According to the statement, the Minister said that the testing schedule, which began after the aircraft’s first take-off on February 8, 2024, has entered its final phase, with ground and air tests being carried out in the final stages of the pro
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04/13/2024
The 44th Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve, conducted their first flying Unit Training Assembly at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 6, 2024, since returning to Tyndall. This training proved valuable for the pilots and maintainers by giving them hands-on experience with F-35A Lightning II’s and their first local sortie since departing Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael.
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04/13/2024
The Air Force will award more contracts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the coming months and is committed to fielding the autonomous unmanned jets within the next few years. But how that will impact Airmen’s job remains to be seen, the head of Air Force Futures said April 12. Speaking at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event, Lt. Gen. David A. Harris said the manpower matters raised by CCAs are still a work-in-progress.
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04/12/2024
The Republic of China Air Force has reported damage to eight of its fighter planes caused by the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake. The six F-16V aircraft and two F-5 fighters stationed at Hualien Air Force Base suffered minor damage caused by the shaking of its boarding ladders during the incident. According to the command, the damage is easily repairable and will not affect the aircraft’s combat readiness.
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04/12/2024
The patrolling by the F-16s comes in the wake of reports of Russian-built MiG-29 fighter jets, operated by the Myanmar military, conducting air strikes close to the border area. The RTAF announced its deployment via a Facebook post on April 10, citing the need to monitor the situation in Myanmar, particularly in the vicinity of Myawaddy township, where the recent conflict between the Myanmar military and Karen rebel forces has intensified.
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04/12/2024
In March 2024, six Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were deployed to Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base for NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission, marking 30 years since the Typhoon's first flight. Developed by Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, these multi-role combat aircraft will undertake air policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force until August 2024.
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04/12/2024
With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, the pitched battle this past winter between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the town of Avdiivka now appears notable for at least two reasons. The first is that Ukraine’s loss of the town marks the latest in a series of high-profile military setbacks, including its counteroffensive; the second is that it appears that for the first time in the war, Russia has, at least for the moment, gained a degree of local air superiority.
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04/11/2024
NATO Eurofighters scrambled to intercept a Russian surveillance plane that was clocked flying over the Baltic Sea. A pair of German Eurofighter Typhoons were spotted on the tail of a Ilyushin Il-20 electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) flying over the Baltic Sea near the Swedish island of Gotland. The Russian craft, which boasts a sophisticated radar system for intel gathering, failed to answer to identification requests sparking the scramble, according to NATO's Allied Air Command (AIRCOM).
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04/11/2024
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared his country’s intention of acquiring the Rafale jet fighter from France’s Dassault Aviation. The announcement – made while Vucic was on a two-day visit to France – noted that a firm contract signing is expected in two months. The declaration of a French fighter purchase underlines Serbia’s intention to diversify its sources of military importation, while underlining the fallout for Russian defense exports in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.
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04/10/2024
For the first time in nearly two years, U.S. and Chinese defense officials met this week to discuss unsafe and aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the Pacific region, restarting a dialogue that Beijing abruptly ended in a dispute involving Taiwan.
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04/10/2024
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will deploy a fighter plane to participate for the first time in Australia’s large-scale multilateral air combat exercise this year. PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo on Tuesday said that the Philippines will send an FA-50 light fighter aircraft for Australia’s Pitch Black Exercise in August.
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04/10/2024
The Air Force is betting a large part of its future air warfare on a fleet more than 1,000 autonomously operated drones, and later this spring its top civilian leader plans to climb into one of those artificial intelligence-operated warplanes and let it take him airborne. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told senators on Tuesday at a hearing on the service’s 2025 budget that he will enter the cockpit of one of the F-16s that the service has converted for drone flight to see for himself how it
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04/09/2024
It is noted that the Greek government plans to sell 108 fighter jets that are currently subject to decommissioning. In particular, the conversation is about 32 units of F-16C/-D Block 30. In July 2022, Greece began the procedure for selling the jet fighters and related equipment (spare parts, simulators, devices, materials), the value of which was estimated at €117M.The sale did not occur, and the aircrafts’ condition in open storage constantly deteriorated.
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04/09/2024
Japan has announced it has completed the first phase of modifying one of its helicopter carriers for F-35 operations. The Izumo-class destroyer Kaga's revamped flight deck will be able to support F-35B fighter jet take-offs and landings.
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04/09/2024
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic is set to visit France on April 8 and 9, 2024, to discuss, among other topics, the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets. During his two-day visit, President Vucic plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and later French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The agenda of the discussions will include the potential purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation.
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04/08/2024
The IAF conducted two major wargames in 2024, which will be followed by a multinational exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti,’ the first to be held in India. The rise of an assertive China has brought together like-minded countries to pursue greater military cooperation. India, which has been embroiled in a standoff with China since 2020, has increased air exercises with foreign countries.
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04/08/2024
The German Air Force scrambled their fighter jets over the Baltic Sea on Saturday to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. The German aircraft were forced to take off from the base in Lielvarde, Latvia. "Our European fighter jets from VAPB took off from Lielvarde today on a defensive mission to intercept a Russian Il-20 over the Baltic Sea, which was flying without a transponder," the statement reads.
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04/07/2024
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the most prolific fourth-generation fighters, continues to dominate the skies thanks to significant upgrades ensuring its relevance in modern warfare. Since its debut in 1978, the Falcon has been a staple in global conflicts, operated by the U.S. Air Force and 26 other nations.
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04/07/2024
The F-35 Lightning II, an emblem of American aeronautical prowess, represents the pinnacle of fifth-generation fighter technology, amassing over 773,000 flight hours and serving 20 nations worldwide. This fighter jet, known for its stealth capabilities, is critical amidst rising tensions in regions like the South China Sea and Eastern Europe, ensuring survivability against advanced air-defense systems.
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04/07/2024
As part of the program to purchase 22 F-5 Tiger fighters from Switzerland by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the first aircraft arrived in the USA at the end of last March. More precisely, it arrived at the facilities of the Cecil Field Tactical Air Support Plant, located in Jacksonville, Florida, to undergo the second phase of the ARTEMIS program and subsequently join the force’s aggressor fleet to strengthen the dissimilar training capabilities of new pilots.
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04/06/2024
Abhijit Lyer-Mitra, a researcher with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, claimed the J-20 could lose 60-70 percent of its power, notably takeoff weight and payload capacity. Lyer-Mitra’s data reportedly found the J-20 may have performance issues at higher altitudes, possibly due to thinner air reducing the thrust put out by engines, leading to a loss of power.
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04/06/2024
On May 15, 1984 the AMX 'Ghibli' made its first flight, after only three years of development. It will soon be 40 years. The Ghibli, known as Falcão in Brazil, was a design by AMX International, a company formed by the Italian firms Aeritalia and Aermacchi and the Brazilian firm Embraer. This aircraft emerged to replace the old Fiat G.91 and F-104 Starfighter as a light fighter and attack aircraft.
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04/06/2024
The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program seeks to field unmanned systems to distribute airpower and create dilemmas for adversaries. That will require developing platforms that reduce the human burden in the air and on the ground, Air Force officials and experts say.
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04/06/2024
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives evaluated a series of notifications during the month of February proposing the transfer of 65 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon MLU fighter jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands to Ukraine. Despite the mentioned countries expressing their intention to donate the aircraft, the estimated cost of the initiatives amounts to USD 1.683.5 billion, including spare engines, simulators, manuals, tools, and various materials.
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04/06/2024
Ukraine has carried out a drone attack against targets in southern Russia and claims to have destroyed six Russian planes at an airbase in Rostov region. Security sources told BBC Ukrainian eight more aircraft were badly damaged, while 20 service personnel could have been killed or injured. The Morozovsk base houses Su-27 and Su-34 aircraft used on the front line in Ukraine, the sources said.
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04/04/2024
The Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has offered the sale of the FA-50 light fighter aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as it plans to spend 519 million USD (19 billion Baht) in the next fiscal year to acquire new fighter aircraft based on claims from the Thai Defense Ministry.
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04/04/2024
Lockheed Martin's proposal to relocate F-16 production lines to India, in collaboration with Tata, illustrates a keen strategy to win over India's lucrative aviation contract, potentially shifting the balance of military airpower in the region. The F-21, boasting upgraded mission computers, avionics, and enhanced communication systems, represents not just a technological leap but a strategic advantage in India's quest to counterbalance Chinese influence.
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04/04/2024
The MiG-21, developed by Mikoyan-Gurevich in 1955, stands as a testament to Cold War-era engineering and military strategy. Serving in over 50 countries, this supersonic fighter-interceptor was the most ubiquitous warplane of its time. Despite its simplicity, the MiG-21 was highly effective, notably during the Vietnam War, where it became a formidable adversary to American forces.
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04/04/2024
The Russians are painting images of combat aircraft directly on the runway at air bases inside occupied Ukraine in an apparent attempt to throw off targeting efforts. Moscow has been forced to implement several such decoy attempts as a result of continued successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian military locations, British officials said.
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04/04/2024
The US Navy and Air Force will start cooperative fighter pilot training this year under the US Department of Defense’s Joint Simulation Environment. The joint agreement is being managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Patuxent River, Maryland, which began by incorporating eight F-35 Lightning II simulation cockpits.
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04/03/2024
Once forbidden to fly in lightning and thunderstorms, the conventional take-off and landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, operated by the US Air Force, has reportedly been cleared to fly near storms. Until now, the F-35A Lightning II, operated by the US Air Force, was prohibited from flying within 25 miles of lightning. However, the F-35Cs used for carrier operations by the Navy and the F-35Bs used by the Marines were exempted from the ban.
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04/03/2024
In a continued demonstration of commitment to NATO’s eastern defenses, four F-35 fighters from the United States Air Force have been dispatched to Poland. This move is part of a strategy to ensure a persistent American military presence in the region. This initiative began in 2022 following Russia’s intensification of hostilities in Ukraine.
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04/03/2024
The U.S. Air Force recently completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) of the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), validating the game-changing capabilities BAE Systems’ advanced system brings to the F-15. EPAWSS provides critical electronic warfare (EW) capabilities for the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II aircraft.
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04/03/2024
The first three F-16 Fighting Falcons that will be loaded with self-flying technology have arrived at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the Air Force said Tuesday. The arrival of the F-16s marks the service’s biggest step forward yet in standing up the program known as Venom, which stands for Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model-Autonomy Flying Testbed and aims to speed up the testing of autonomous technology on both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
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04/02/2024
The Sukhoi Su-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine air superiority fighter. Designed as an improved variant of the Su-27, it is a supermaneuverable jet that was first introduced in 2014. The jet relies on two Saturn AL-41F1S turbofan engines, producing 30,900 pounds of thrust each, with the afterburner engaged. The Su-35 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.25.
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04/02/2024
In a recent move to bolster their air combat capabilities, the National Guard Bureau has proposed an increase to their fiscal 2025 budget for the procurement of advanced fighter jets which were previously excluded due to budgetary constraints. The request, amounting to $1.35 billion, includes six state-of-the-art F-35s and six F-15EXs. This acquisition is at the top of the Guard’s $2.66 billion Unfunded Priorities List.
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04/02/2024
Not since the application of airplanes to combat warfare over 100 years ago has the U.S. military seen a shift in how it will defend the air domain with the addition of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs. More than a drone, CCAs could provide the service with exponential power in the air and tactics not yet fully envisioned, leaders say.
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04/01/2024
The skies above Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are now under the watchful eye of two Dutch F-35s as they took over Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties from their F-16 counterparts on March 29, 2024.
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04/01/2024
The Hellenic Air Force of Greece, with at least four general fighter types and at least three different models of F-16 Viper, is paring down their fleet diversity. For the Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, the ability of the Hellenic Air Force to protect Greece must be improved.
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03/31/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (March 29) and the same time Saturday (March 30). In response, Taiwan monitored People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity and deployed appropriate forces, according to the MND. One PLA aircraft entered the country’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time.
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03/31/2024
Turkiye may reduce its purchase of American F-16 fighter jets due to the development of its own national combat aircraft KAAN project, Azernews reports, citing the Milliyet newspaper. How strong the reduction might be is not specified.
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03/31/2024
Geopolitical tensions between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia remain high as the Red Army continues to make progress through Ukraine. The recent addition of Sweden to the NATO Alliance adds a mass of military forces in the Northern Europe region but there are smaller additions currently underway across the whole continent. NATO nations are stocking up on combat aircraft, more so than in years past.
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03/30/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked five Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (March 28) and 6 a.m. on Friday (March 29). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the People’s Liberation Army activity, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone during that time.
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03/30/2024
Russian forces accidentally shot down their own Su-27 fighter jet over occupied Crimea due to "heightened combat readiness," Ukraine's Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on air on March 29. Russian occupation authorities in Sevastopol reported on March 28 that a Russian warplane "crashed" off the Crimean coast without naming the cause of the incident. The pilot ejected safely and was picked up by rescue services, according to the Russian-installed head of Sevastopol.
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03/30/2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western air bases hosting F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine will be "legitimate" targets for the Kremlin's forces, according to The Associated Press. "F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organizing our combat operations," he said.
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03/30/2024
The National Guard would like to buy a dozen more fighter aircraft, split between F-35s and F-15EXs, if it had more funding in the fiscal 2025 budget, it said in its $2.7 billion unfunded priority list. The National Guard’s annual wish list, submitted to Capitol Hill on Thursday, breaks from those of the other US services, which shied away this year from listing big-ticket weapons platforms and focused far more on improving readiness and military construction needs.
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03/30/2024
During the night of yesterday’s session, March 28th, the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB) of Venezuela reported that one of its F-16 fighters shot down an aircraft declared hostile after it violated national airspace. The news was reported through the force’s official X account, which also provided a video of the fighter jet’s firing run.
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03/28/2024
As the United States and China accelerate their efforts to develop sixth-generation warplanes, the dynamics of global military competition enter a new, more complex era. China's revelation of a mockup for its proposed sixth-generation fighter in 2021 and the U.S.'s ambitious timeline to deploy its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform by 2030 underscore a significant leap in aerial warfare technology.
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03/28/2024
The first operational F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets will be assigned to the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, the unit that intercepts hostile aircraft over the northwest United States, the Air Force said. The initial instructor pilots from the Portland-based wing were at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to fly training versions of the jet, which the Air Force said can exceed twice the speed of sound.
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03/28/2024
Denmark’s Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, has sealed a deal with Argentina’s Minister of Defence, Luis Alfonso Petri, in Buenos Aires, paving the way for transferring 24 Danish F-16 fighter jets to Argentina. The agreement, encapsulated in a letter of intent, reveals Denmark’s decision to revamp its military assets by replacing its ageing F-16 fleet with the F-35 jet.
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03/27/2024
South Korea has announced plans to produce 20 KF-21 Boramae fighters this year, half of the 40 initially planned. The country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has revealed production will be staggered to address feasibility concerns calling for additional tests, according to Yonhap News Agency.
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03/27/2024
Sweden is today the object of all the desires of the two European programs for new generation combat aircraft, FCAS and GCAP. However, far from being easily seduced, Stockholm has entrusted Saab with carrying out a study, which should enable it to arbitrate between these two programs, or even in favor of autonomous development, as was the case for the JAS 39 Gripen.
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03/27/2024
Aselsan, a leading defense technology company in Türkiye, introduced its cutting-edge AESA Aircraft Nose Radar technology Tuesday which was developed entirely using domestic resources. The AESA Aircraft Nose Radar, which recently completed its maiden flight with the F-16 OZGUR, promises to enhance combat aircraft capabilities significantly.
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03/27/2024
The U.S. Air Force is aggressively advancing its sixth-generation stealth fighter, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, with a budget request nearing $3 billion to counter China's military expansion. This funding boost, aimed at research, development, and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, signifies the Air Force's commitment to maintaining aerial superiority.
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03/27/2024
The U.S. Air Force’s $3.5 billion budgetary wish list for fiscal 2025 includes more funds for spare parts to get grounded planes back in the air, and seeks resources to be able to deploy more personnel and fighter jets.
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03/26/2024
U.S. fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late Friday, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.
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03/26/2024
NATO fighter jets were deployed five times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft, as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania. From March 18th to 24th, NATO fighter jets performing air policing duties in the Baltic States took off five times to identify and escort Russian Federation (RF) aircraft violating flight rules.
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03/26/2024
The US Air Force (USAF) is on track to certify the iconic Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk for aerial refueling on its latest tanker, the Boeing KC-46, by the end of March 2024. Despite the F-117 fleet’s retirement from active service, the USAF is moving forward with plans to integrate it into the KC-46’s refueling capabilities.
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03/26/2024
Japan has eased rules on weapons exports to allow sales of a fighter jet it will develop with the UK and Italy to other countries, marking a new milestone in Tokyo’s more proactive defence policy. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet on Tuesday approved the revision to export controls, clearing a hurdle for the Global Combat Air Programme to achieve an ambitious timeline of delivering a highly advanced combat aircraft by 2035.
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03/25/2024
Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect Polish airspace during Russia's drone and missile attack against Ukraine on March 24, the Polish Air Force's Operational Command reported on X. "All necessary procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of Polish airspace have been activated, and the Operational Command of the Polish Air Force is monitoring the situation continuously," the Polish Air Force wrote on X.
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03/25/2024
A pair of US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers supported by tanker planes flew over Norway and international airspace in the Norwegian- and Barents Seas in the direction of Russia's Kola Peninsula on Sunday. A MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled from an airbase in the Murmansk region to meet the US bombers, Russia’s Defense Ministry informs in the afternoon on Sunday.
According to the ministry, the US bombers approached but turned away from Russian airspace.
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03/24/2024
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced plans to produce 20 KF-21 Boramae fighters this year, a reduction from the initially planned 40 units. This decision, part of a 7.92 trillion won ($5.92 billion) production plan, aims to address concerns from a feasibility study last year. The first batch of KF-21s, intended to become the backbone of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), is expected in the second half of 2026, with aspirations to deploy over 120 by
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03/24/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 13 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (March 22) and the same time Saturday (March 23). Of the 13 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four entered the southwest sector of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). In response, the MND said it "monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond" by sending aircraft, naval vessels, and deploying missile systems.
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03/24/2024
A training flight comprising Turkish combat and support aircraft was conducted in the international airspace of the Mediterranean, Türkiye's National Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "On March 21, 2024, a training flight was carried out in the international airspace of the Mediterranean, in the south of Cyprus Island, with the participation of our combat and support aircraft taking off from various bases affiliated with our Air Forces Command,” the ministry said on X.
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03/23/2024
The venerable Northrop F-5, a supersonic light fighter developed during the Cold War, continues to find a place in modern military operations, particularly within the U.S. Marine Corps. Despite the end of its production in 1989, the U.S. military has found the F-5 to be invaluable for training and adversary squadron roles, simulating enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
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03/23/2024
The Russians have relied on the MiG-31 during the invasion of Ukraine. Reportedly, MiG-31s shot down several Ukrainian aircraft, mostly with the long-range R-37 air-to-air missile. The Ukrainians do not have an aircraft that can match the MiG-31’s speed or altitude, meaning the MiG-31s have been able to operate in Ukrainian airspace virtually unopposed.
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03/23/2024
Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighters for both crewed and uncrewed systems, with the contract running through to 2025. According to a 22 March release Saab will “collaborate closely” with the FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Research Agency, GKN Aerospace, and other industry partners.
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03/23/2024
The Indo-Pacific is becoming a global hotspot, and as a result the aerospace industry and countries across the region are investing heavily to upgrade their military aircraft, particularly fighter fleets. In the days leading up to the Singapore Airshow in February, Singapore’s Chief of Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong — who as of press time was set to transition out of the role on March 22 — released a written interview providing an update on the state of the country’s air force.
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03/23/2024
The U.S. Air Force would receive enough money to buy 51 F-35A fighter jets in fiscal 2024 under the compromise Pentagon spending bill lawmakers released Thursday — three more than the service originally requested. If enacted, the allotment would mark the most Joint Strike Fighters the Air Force has bought in a single year since 2021, when it procured 60. The service had included 48 F-35As in its fiscal 2024 budget request.
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03/22/2024
Taiwan's defence ministry said Friday that 36 Chinese military aircraft were detected around the self-ruled island in a 24-hour window - the highest number this year. Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under China's control. Since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen - who does not recognise China's claim on Taiwan - Beijing has stepped up military pressures.
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03/22/2024
Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, backed by the Executive Power, is on the cusp of initiating the formal procurement of F-16 MLU fighters to modernize the Argentine Air Force’s capabilities. Local media have confirmed the upcoming visit of Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who is set to meet with Argentine official Luis Petri to discuss defense cooperation, with the F-16 acquisition taking center stage.
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03/22/2024
Aircraft designers at the Boeing Co. will build 17 new single- and tandem-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighter bombers under terms of a nearly $1.4 billion order announced on Tuesday. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. are asking the Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis to build 10 F/A-18F Lot 46 aircraft; two F/A-18F; and five F/A-18E Lot 47 aircraft.
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03/22/2024
The skies over the western Black Sea saw another spike in NATO surveillance aircraft activity on Wednesday, with at least three large intelligence collection aircraft operating opposite Russia-controlled airspace, and British and French fighter jets flying protective cover. With one exception, all planes in the all-day operation flew elliptical orbiting routes over Romania’s Danube Delta region or the western reaches of the Black Sea nearby.
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03/22/2024
Ukraine's F-16 fighter jet program is getting another boost from its NATO allies, with the Netherlands pledging to deliver Kyiv with $164 million in ammunition for the aircraft. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday that the funds will go toward producing air-to-ground missiles that can be fired from F-16s.
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03/21/2024
India has found developing engines to power indigenous fighter jets challenging. However, following an agreement with Russia, it will soon be manufacturing RD-33 engines. The engines will power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-29 fleet, increasing their residual life.
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03/21/2024
Conducted on March 19, this milestone underscores the aircraft’s potential for extended-range operations, as confirmed by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The test, which took place over the southern coastal waters, saw the Air Force’s KC-330 tanker aircraft seamlessly refueling the KF-21 prototype. Departing from an airbase in Sacheon, located 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the fighter engaged in the refueling operation under the careful watch of defense authorities.
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03/21/2024
In response to operational demands and evolving threats, a strike variant emerged, leading to the development of the F-15EX. This modernization effort, bolstered by lessons from export models and advancements in technology, aims to address the shortfall in fighter numbers caused by the limited procurement of the F-22 and delays in the F-35 program.
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03/21/2024
The U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, set to usher in sixth-generation air capabilities, is slated to cost approximately $28.5 billion between fiscal years 2025-2029. This ambitious initiative aims to replace the F-22 Raptors, incorporating a new airframe and over 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) to enhance combat efficacy.
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03/21/2024
A Greek Air Force F-16 (Block 52+ variant) fighter jet crashed into a sea off the small island of Psathoura, in the northern Aegean. The pilot managed to escape from the single seater aircraft using the ejection system. He was located and collected by a Super Puma helicopter and is being transferred to hospital.
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03/19/2024
As the start of the 2024 International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE 2024) in Santiago, Chile draws closer, new details about participants and air displays are emerging. Undoubtedly, one of the main attractions of the fair will be the presence of the F-22 Raptor demonstration team from the United States Air Force (USAF).
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03/19/2024
Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), and a KC 130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd MAW, conducted distributed aviation operations (DAO) during Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Kallax Air Base in Lulea, Sweden on March 13.
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03/19/2024
Originally committed to acquiring 138 F-35Bs, the UK has adjusted its procurement strategy to balance between immediate next-generation air capabilities and future investments, such as the Global Air Combat Programme (GACP) aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter. Despite scaling back, the intention to acquire more F-35s remains firm, highlighting the aircraft's integral role in the UK's defense strategy.
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03/19/2024
The Japanese government is taking steps to allow the export of a stealth fighter jet currently under development with the United Kingdom and Italy. The move comes amid a shift in Japan’s security strategy and as the country loosens stringent post-war export regulations targeting weaponry. Under revised rules, Japan had approved the transfer of radars to the Philippines and the delivery of Patriot missiles to the U.S. last year.
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03/18/2024
New photos from the aircraft carrier Liaoning seem to show a completely different reality. As it ends a long period of technical unavailability, the first Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which entered service in 2017 and lacks catapults, welcomed on board, for a few days, a life-size model of the J- 35, to perform numerous mobility exercises on the flight deck.
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03/17/2024
Following Sweden’s recent NATO membership, its air force engaged in multiple encounters with Russian planes over the Baltic Sea. The incidents involved Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighters working in coordination with NATO allies, intercepting Russian military aircraft.
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03/17/2024
Since its introduction in 1984, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet has been a cornerstone of U.S. naval aviation. In 2001, Boeing unveiled the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in this fourth-generation strike fighter's capabilities. The Super Hornet, approximately 20% larger than its predecessor, boasts enhanced ordnance capacity, range, and stealth qualities. The Navy is now transitioning to the even more advanced Block III Super Hornets, which.
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03/17/2024
The Air Force plans to dramatically ramp up spending on the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter program in the coming years, to the tune of $28.48 billion fiscal 2025-29, according to newly released budget documents. That figure includes the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which will produce uncrewed, semi-autonomous “escort” aircraft to fly alongside NGAD.
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03/16/2024
Russia's inability to secure air superiority over Ukraine has significantly hindered its military operations, with the airspace remaining contested. The Ukrainian anti-air forces have notably targeted the Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers, claiming to have downed 13 Russian aircraft in February alone, including ten Su-34s.
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03/16/2024
On March 15, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, Komeito, agreed to relax the country’s strict defense export rules, paving the way for Tokyo to allow the international sale of the next-generation fighter jets being co-developed with the United Kingdom and Italy.
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03/15/2024
Swedish JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft were scrambled alongside Belgian and German aircraft to investigate an unidentified track over the Baltic Sea emanating from Kaliningrad.
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03/15/2024
The timeline for the delivery of the next batch of Danish Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets remains unclear, prompting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen to urge the Armed Forces to explore contingency plans in case of potential delays. “Today, I informed the conciliation circle that there is still uncertainty about the delivery of the next F-35 fighter jets,” Poulsen said in a statement.
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03/15/2024
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense reported on March 14, 2024, that it had detected 26 aircraft belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operating around Taiwan. Out of these sorties, 18 crossed the central line of the Taiwan Strait and extended into the island country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).
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03/14/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 26 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 13) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (March 14).
Of the 26 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. Meanwhile, 10 were tracked in the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), three in the northeast ADIZ, and one along the southern ADIZ.
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03/14/2024
Highlighting a significant concern for US national security, Air Force General Gregory M. Guillot, the newly-appointed head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command, has issued a stark warning to lawmakers: Chinese military aircraft could operate dangerously close to US airspace as early as this year.
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03/14/2024
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) sources have confirmed to Kyiv Post that Ukrainian drones that attacked a Russian aviation plant in Taganrog, Russia, on the night of March 9 succeeded in damaging at least one Beriev A-50U AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft. At the time, Russia claimed it had prevented a massive drone attack on the city of Taganrog, in the Rostov region.
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03/14/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 10 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (March 12) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 13). Of the 10 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Meanwhile, one Chinese drone flew along the southern ADIZ.
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03/14/2024
Two Chinese strategic bombers and a maritime surveillance plane were intercepted by Japanese fighter aircraft above contested waters on Tuesday during a long-range patrol, Japan's Defense Ministry said. The pair of nuclear-capable H-6 bombers were without fighter escorts as they flew a return sortie from the East China Sea into the Western Pacific via the Miyako Strait, according a map released by the Joint Staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
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03/14/2024
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has given a green light to continue development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. are leading this development effort. The committee early this month granted the project 150 trillion rupees (U.S. $1.8 billion) to fund the twin-engine AMCA’s full-scale design and development, flight testing and certification.
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03/13/2024
Ukraine is set to receive U.S.-made F-16 fighter aircraft within months, an upgrade that Kyiv and its Western allies hope will help level the playing field with Russia’s formidable air force. But the F-16s will only have a meaningful impact on the war in Ukraine if Kyiv and its partners can build and maintain the extensive support and logistics infrastructure necessary to keep these world-class warplanes in the air.
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03/13/2024
The F-35 fighter jet program achieved full-rate production after the successful completion of a crucial series of tests last year, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) said on Tuesday. Full-rate production, known as Milestone C, in the advanced fighter jet program signifies the completion of operational testing, allowing the Pentagon's acquisition chief to approve "full rate" production.
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03/13/2024
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) plans to capture over 50% of the global single-seat light fighter market by developing a single-seat version of its FA-50 light combat aircraft. The recent sales of FA-50s to Poland and Malaysia have prompted the revival of earlier plans for a single-seat version. These plans were initially abandoned in favor of the KF-21 development.
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03/12/2024
Police are expanding their investigation into the potential leak of Korean fighter jet technology by an Indonesian engineer as the list of suspects grows. During the police’s investigation into the Indonesian engineer first referred to the police in February, authorities found evidence that another suspect was involved in the alleged theft of technology regarding the KF-21 fighter jet, according to an exclusive report by the JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.
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03/12/2024
While some Gulf states – effectively Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – have made significant moves in recent years to indigenise defence production, in the aerospace sector these efforts have largely focused on the development of home-grown unmanned aerial vehicles and air-launched weapons.
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03/12/2024
On October 29, 2023, United States Air Force Major Kristin "Beo" Wolfe completed her final flight as the first female commander of the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team at Orlando Sanford International Airport, Florida, concluding a notable four years demonstrating the capabilities of the F-35A at over 20 airshows annually around the world. In honor of Women's History Month, we recognize her contributions in aviation, and explore her role with the F-35 Demo Team.
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03/12/2024
"Twelve pilots so far — fewer than a full squadron — are expected to be ready to fly F-16s in combat by this summer after 10 months of training in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States. But by the time the pilots return to Ukraine, as few as six F-16s will have been delivered out of about 45 of the fighter jets that European allies have promised."
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03/12/2024
“We're very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we've submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”
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03/11/2024
Military planes parachuted aid over Gaza on Sunday, an AFP photographer said, the latest airdrop over the besieged territory's north where famine looms more than five months into the Israel-Hamas war. The photographer, on board a Jordanian military plane, saw hundreds of Palestinians rushing to receive the falling pallets of basic supplies.
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03/11/2024
The Pentagon will look to develop new artificial intelligence-guided planes, offering two contracts that several private companies have been competing to obtain. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project is part of a $6 billion program that will add at least 1,000 new drones to the U.S. Air Force. These drones would deploy alongside human-piloted jets and provide cover for them, acting as escorts with full weapons capabilities that could also act as scouts or communications hubs.
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03/10/2024
US-produced F-35A fighter jets have reportedly received authorization to deploy B61-12 free-fall bombs, marking a historic milestone for the first fifth-generation aircraft to be approved for nuclear weapon carriage. The certification announcement clearing the way for nuclear weapon carriage came on March 8 from Russ Goemaere, a spokesperson for the F-35 Joint Program Office, disclosed to Breaking Defense magazine.
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03/10/2024
French aviation company Dassault is ramping up production of its modern Rafale fighter jets due to a significant increase in orders. According to reports from La Tribune, the company aims to reach a production rate of 3 Rafale aircraft per month in 2024. This step is driven by a substantial portfolio of export orders and domestic contracts placed by the French Armed Forces.
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03/10/2024
A 22-foot-long experimental drone warplane, taking off for the first time in California on Monday, might represent the future of the US Air Force. Unless, as has happened before, service leaders lose their nerve – and abandon a good idea because it threatens the status quo.
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03/09/2024
Canada’s decision to sustain its CF-18 fighter fleet reflected its commitment to modernising air defence capabilities amid challenges highlighted by a critical report commissioned by the Department of National Defence and released last year, casting doubt on its ability to fulfil NATO obligations.
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03/09/2024
The South Korean Air Force recently conducted an impressive “elephant walk” involving 33 aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters, KF-16s, F-15Ks, and F-4Es. This demonstration at the Suwon air base coincided with the annual Freedom Shield exercise, reinforcing deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
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03/09/2024
Russian aircraft were attacked from a distance of more than 150 km on March 7, the Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk reported on Telegram on March 8.
“We are checking the results of the combatwork,” he wrote. According to him, air defense units hunt down Russian fighters almost every day.
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03/09/2024
Less than a year ago, the Air Force was asking to cut 32 early model F-22s from its meager 183-Raptor inventory. On Thursday, the fighter was dubbed its “highest priority”. Referencing the pacing military competition with China at a McAleese Defense Programs conference in Washington DC on Thursday, Air Force acquisition chief, Andrew Hunter, said, “F-22 is a critical capability. So what’s my highest priority in the near term for that great power competition? I’d probably put F-22 at the top.”
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03/09/2024
On March 6, the Romanian Air Force deployed one of their C-27 transport aircraft for combined training missions with F-16 fighter jets from Romania and Türkiye, based at Fetesti Air Base, French Rafale aircraft , currently stationed there joined the missions.
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03/09/2024
The small, oil-rich South Caucasus country of Azerbaijan has big plans to upgrade its modest fleet of fighter jets over the next decade. However, rather than turn to Russia, its traditional arms supplier for decades, Baku will likely acquire modern fighters from Pakistan and Turkey.
The turn away from Russia shows that longtime allies like Azerbaijan are finding effective arms sellers who aren't afflicted by the problems of Russia's newest fighter jets.
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03/08/2024
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of five F-16 Block 70 jets for Bahrain, with an additional 11 in production. This move highlights Bahrain's pioneering role in integrating the F-16 Block 70 variant, enhancing its air force capabilities. The Block 70 features advanced radar, avionics, extended service life, and safety systems like the Auto GCAS, emphasizing its combat-proven performance
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03/07/2024
The Air Force plans to whittle down the number of companies working to build the first batch of collaborative combat aircraft to two or three over the next few months, the service’s secretary said Tuesday. And the Air Force plans to award contracts for the next round of CCAs — drones loaded with autonomous software that would fly themselves into battle alongside crewed fighters — in fiscal 2025, Frank Kendall said during a roundtable at the Air and Space Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposiu
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03/07/2024
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has introduced a period of hiatus, according to an update from 4 March 2024, while the service decides on its next trainer aircraft as the existing 18 CT-155 Hawk units come to the end of their 24-year-long life. While RCAF officials debate the platform that will best simulate Canada’s newly acquired F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, the fast jet leading the nation’s combat air fleet.
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03/07/2024
Russia’s defence ministry said Tuesday that it had scrambled a fighter jet to “prevent a violation of the Russian state border” by three French aircraft over the Black Sea. Such incidents have regularly occurred, even before Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in 2022. “To prevent a violation of the Russian state border, a Su-27 fighter aircraft was raised into the air,” Russia’s defence ministry said.
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03/07/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force announced on March 4 that a Su-34 Fullback fighter bomber had been shot down. With that, more than a dozen Fullback bomber jets are alleged to have been brought down by Ukraine in just over two weeks.
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03/05/2024
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has reiterated his stance that the government will seek understanding for its plan to export next-generation fighter jets to third countries. Kishida was answering questions on Monday from an opposition lawmaker at the Upper House about an aircraft Japan is developing with Britain and Italy.
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03/05/2024
Boeing, despite recent challenges, stands a chance at securing the Next Generation Air Defense (NGAD) project from the U.S. Air Force, potentially edging out competitor Lockheed Martin. The NGAD program, shrouded in secrecy, aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, the Penetrating Counter Air (PCA), alongside an unmanned system, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The PCA is anticipated to boast advanced digital capabilities, propulsion technology, and enhanced weaponry.
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03/05/2024
U.S. Air Force F-35 fighters landed in Brunei on March 1, the first time U.S. stealth jets have landed on the small Pacific Island nation. Two F-35s made the trek from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to Rimba Air Base, Brunei, a visit that coincided with a diplomatic visit by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal. Also making the trip was Maj. Gen. Mark Weber, Air National Guard assistant to the commander of PACAF, .
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03/04/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (March 2) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (March 3). Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Chinese drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Meanwhile, nine of the PLA aircraft flew into the southwest sector of the ADIZ.
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03/04/2024
Two German Air Force Eurofighter jets were scrambled from Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia on March 1, mere hours after initiating NATO Air Policing duties, to intercept two Russian military aircraft nearing NATO airspace off the Latvian coast.
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03/04/2024
U.S. military C-130 cargo planes dropped food in pallets over Gaza on Saturday in the opening stage of an emergency humanitarian assistance authorized by President Joe Biden after more than 100 Palestinians who had surged to pull goods off an aid convoy were killed during a chaotic encounter with Israeli troops.
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03/04/2024
Russian forces appear to be willing to risk continued aviation losses in pursuit of tactical gains in eastern Ukraine, likely along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, according to the U.S.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Mar.
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03/03/2024
Russian military IL-20 and IL-76 aircraft were intercepted near Latvian territorial waters, the country’s Air Force reported on Facebook on March 1, sharing photos. This marked the first instance of German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft being deployed to intercept Russian military aircraft. The interception took place from the air base Lielvarde in Latvia, the statement said. French Mirage 2000-5 fighters earlier intercepted two Russian Su-30M fighters and an AN-72.
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03/02/2024
Singapore will buy eight more F-35 stealth fighters, eventually replacing its older F-16s and putting the Singaporean air force "in the premier league" as regional threats grow, the city-state's defence minister said this week. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) would buy F-35As - a larger, longer-range variant of the Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), opens new tab jets - to complement the 12 F-35Bs it has already ordered.
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03/02/2024
The 60th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit conducted off-station training at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia Feb. 2-22, 2024 where they aimed to maximize flight hours in the F-35A Lightning II by avoiding weather attrition, while learning to navigate a new airspace and working with other units. Training in an unfamiliar environment gives pilots a chance to utilize skills that they wouldn’t normally use at their home station.
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03/02/2024
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) brought down three more Russian Su-34 fighter bombers on Thursday, totalling 12 Su planes brought down in the last 13 days and 13 Russian planes overall, including an A-50U radar aircraft. Early in the morning, Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported downing the first fighter bomber in the Eastern direction.
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03/02/2024
The U.S. Senate on Thursday soundly defeated an effort to stop the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey, which President Joe Biden's administration approved after Turkey approved Sweden's joining the NATO alliance. The Senate voted 79 to 13 against a resolution of disapproval of the sale introduced by Republican Senator Rand Paul.
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02/29/2024
Singapore has announced the purchase of eight F-35A Lightning II fighters to bolster its air power. The acquisition will put Singapore in an ‘elite club’ that operates both variants of the F-35 — the US, Italy, and Japan being others. The announcement was made by Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen on February 28 during a Ministry of Defense budget debate in the parliament. The Minister noted that the aircraft would be delivered to the Royal Singapore Air Force by the end of this decade.
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02/29/2024
The U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program (NGAD) is set for a pivotal moment in May when it awards a contract for developing its sixth-generation fighter, with Lockheed Martin and Boeing as leading contenders. Lockheed's rich history in innovative aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, positions it strongly.
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02/29/2024
On February 18, escorted by two Su-35 jets, the Su-57 launched a missile strike on Ukrainian targets. Sources suggest that the aircraft utilized the advanced Kh-69 stealthy cruise missile, specifically designed for the Su-57 platform. Operating from the occupied territory of the Luhansk region, the Su-57 entered Ukrainian airspace under escort and launched the missile. Despite a technical malfunction, the missile missed its target and crashed in a field.
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02/29/2024
Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) have brought down another Russian Su-34 fighter bomber, the ninth Russian frontline aircraft recently shot down. The two-man crew managed to eject, according to the Air Force’s Commander. “Minus another Su-34 in the eastern direction! Yesterday, Russian pilots managed to dodge our missiles, but this will not always be the case!” Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported in a Telegram post.
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02/27/2024
The first Dassault Rafale fighter to be upgraded to the F4.1 standard for the French Air and Space Force (AAE) was deployed for operational duty for the first time on February 16, 2024, at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. A year after its delivery to the French Air Warfare Center (CEAM) located at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base near Bordeaux, the Rafale F4.1 standard aircraft conducted its inaugural alert sortie to support the 30th Fighter Wing’s training exercises.
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02/27/2024
With Japan, Britain and Italy set to begin the next phase of talks about their joint next-generation fighter aircraft next month, industry officials have said that the partners are close to completing the aircraft’s conceptual design phase as they prepare to set up the industrial entities from the year-end that will deliver the program.
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02/26/2024
The United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) have launched a fresh wave of air strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi military targets overnight. US Air Force F/A-18 Super Hornet and Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets led the strikes, backed by a coalition of nations, at around 11.50 pm (Sanaa Yemen time) on February 24, 2024.
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02/26/2024
As Turkey's rapprochement with the United States gathers pace, the future of Turkish-purchased Russian S-400 missiles is increasingly in question. The missile deal is a potent symbol of Ankara's close ties with Moscow, but Washington is offering to sell Turkey its advanced F35 military jet for the removal of the Russian weapons.
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02/25/2024
Azerbaijan has signed a contract to purchase Pak-Chinese fighter jets, JF-17 Thunder Block III (also known as FC-1 Xiaolong.” Azerbaijan will purchase the fighter jets for US $1.6 billion. The deal encompasses pilots’ training and acquisition of armament. The rumors have been going on for some time, but Azernews said that the export of JF-17 to Baku will take place after the completion of 62 fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force by 2024.
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02/24/2024
Ukraine says it has downed a Russian A-50 military spy plane - the second such claim in just over a month. The plane was hit between the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar, Ukrainian military sources said, over 200km (124 miles) from the front line. Emergency services reportedly found plane fragments in Kanevskoy district and put out a raging fire.
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02/23/2024
According to information published by Global Times on February 19, 2024, China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is on the verge of completing a significant upgrade, with recent reports revealing the presence of a stealth fighter jet mockup, identified as the J-35, on its deck.
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02/23/2024
Six months after Ukrainian pilots tested the Swedish Gripen fighter jets, the aircraft’s vendor says government and industry movements are continuing to provide them to Kyiv in what could be a relatively quick transfer. Stockholm has been touting the possibility of sending the Gripen JAS39 to Ukraine for several months now, but has made any decision on this contingent upon the country’s accession to NATO.
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02/23/2024
The new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet's potential to reach nearly Mach 3, announced at the Singapore Airshow, evokes memories of the golden era of jet technology. This speed is achievable in a "clean" configuration, without external add-ons, emphasizing the jet's aerodynamic efficiency. With twin GE F110-GE-229 engines providing 29,500 pounds of thrust each, the F-15EX's speed approaches that of historical aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird, albeit with limitations.
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02/22/2024
The first four Ukrainian pilots will complete their F-16 fighter jet training program by summer 2024, CNN reported on Feb. 20, citing the Arizona National Guard. The training kicked off in mid-October 2023 at the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, Arizona. The Pentagon said that the extensive training regimen would last several months.
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02/22/2024
An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress and three Philippine FA-50 fighters flew a joint patrol over the South China Sea this week, a move Chinese state media labeled a political show. The Philippine air force posted photos and video of Monday’s patrol on social media the next day. It covered an area 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur province, and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro province, the service wrote on Facebook.
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02/22/2024
Turkey's KAAN, its first national combat aircraft, completed its first flight on Wednesday, part of the country's efforts to upgrade its air force. NATO member Turkey launched its TF-X project to produce a national combat aircraft in 2016. Turkish aerospace firm TUSAS signed a deal with Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab worth $125 million in 2017 to develop the next-generation fighter jet.
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02/22/2024
Ukraine said it destroyed another Russian fighter jet on Wednesday, bringing its kill streak to seven in one week. The commander of Ukraine's air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Wednesday that Ukraine had taken out a Su-34 fighter bomber.
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02/21/2024
The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 new fighter jets — either the US F-16 or the Swedish Gripen — to replace an aging fleet in the coming years after failing last year to procure its No. 1 choice: the most advanced US F-35. The acquisition plan would be released when the Air Force issues a White Paper on its long-term air defense strategy at the end of February, according to Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, the commander-in-chief of the Air Force.
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02/21/2024
In May 2023, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) approved a utility model patent for China’s first Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) Fighter. Chengdu Aircraft Research & Design Institute (CADI) – also known as Chengfei – submitted the patent on December 29, 2022, for a twin-engine tandem vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
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02/20/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 24 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 20).
Of the 24 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, while seven entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Two PLA aircraft also were tracked in the northeast corner of the ADIZ.
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02/20/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Feb. 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19). Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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02/20/2024
Germany’s Diehl Defence and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), manufacturer of the FA-50 series and the KF-21 fighter aircraft, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the purpose of intensifying their integration and commercialization efforts, addressing the potential of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on FA-50 and KF-21 aircrafts.
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02/20/2024
South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50.
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02/20/2024
Ukraine's Air Force destroyed two Russian aircraft that were dropping guided bombs on the positions of our troops this morning. [The warplanes in question were] one Su-34 fighter-bomber and one Su-35S fighter jet."
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02/19/2024
Japan is considering a plan to limit — at least for now — exports to certain countries of finished defense equipment co-developed with other nations to its next-generation fighter jet, which will be built with Britain and Italy, sources have said.
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02/19/2024
The contract between DAPA, the South Korean arms agency, and the aircraft manufacturer KAI, for the mass production of the KF-21 Boramae fighter, will be signed soon, according to an official South Korean press release. It will make it possible to begin manufacturing the 120 fighters expected by the South Korean air force before the end of the first half of 2024, with the last aircraft due to be delivered in 2032.
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02/19/2024
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) claim to have shot down a fourth Russian fighter aircraft in less than 48 hours. On early Sunday morning, video of aircraft reported to be a Russian Su-34 crashing in the Luhansk region made the rounds of social media. Ukrainian defenders “brought down” another Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. It happened this morning, according to Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Forces of the AFU, cited by the RBC Ukraine news outlet.
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02/18/2024
Embraer's growth target of 80 percent over the next seven years would result in $10 billion in revenue by 2030, thanks largely to its presence in the flourishing Asia-Pacific region. Speaking with AIN just ahead of this year's Singapore Airshow, company president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto noted the company’s high-profile presence at the Changi Exhibition Center reflects its ambition to meet that goal.
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02/18/2024
By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.
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02/18/2024
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels, and one balloon around the country between 6 a.m. Friday (Feb. 16) and 6 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). The defense ministry said that seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets had been detected in the Taiwan Strait. However, it did not indicate that any had entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or crossed the median line.
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02/18/2024
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday displayed its firepower capability at a mega exercise featuring over 120 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets and attack helicopters in Rajasthan's Pokhran desert. In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF also demonstrated the capabilities of its long-range drones and air-to-air missiles as well as its increasing strength in the rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting weapons like M-777 ultra-light howitzers and other military platforms.
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02/18/2024
Ukraine's military shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter jets and another Russian Su-35 combat aircraft on Feb. 17, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported. The destruction of the jets is the latest in a recent uptick of downed Russian planes, including a Beriev A-50 military observation plane in January, which reportedly cost $330 million to produce.
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02/17/2024
Russia's most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in an Arctic Circle jail, the prison service has said. President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic, he was serving 19 years on extremism charges that were widely seen as politically motivated.
Navalny was moved to one of Russia's toughest penal colonies late last year.
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02/17/2024
Reports have circulated online this week that a mockup of China's J-35 carrier-capable fighter aircraft was being employed in tests aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning. As TheWarzone reported, it could be an indication of further progress in the J-35's path to a career as a frontline naval fighter. Still, it further raises the possibility of a version of the jet operating from Beijing's two in-service carriers.
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02/17/2024
NATO allied air forces practiced refueling, close formation flights, and aerial combat drills in Europe this week. The training comes as more warnings emerged that NATO’s eastern flank faces potential conflict with Russia within the next decade. Speaking this week in Poland, Estonia Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that allied forces have about three or four years to strengthen its defenses before Russia prepares a “test for NATO,” the Associated Press reported.
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02/17/2024
The young government of President Javier Milei is still working through its options for what fighter jet Argentina’s air force will be equipped with, but one contender is making an open push for the new government: India and its Tejas multirole fighter.
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02/17/2024
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II got its seal of approval from Lt Gen Michael A Loh, Director of the US Air National Guard, for its operability as it can carry more weapons and fly longer distances and its easy integration into the service than the stealth F-35A. The all-weather multirole strike fighter is, incidentally, the first US Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests.
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02/16/2024
Russia's brazen plan to put a nuclear weapon in space could threaten satellites that enable military and civilian communications for the US and other western allies. It is unclear what exactly Moscow plans to put into space, but according to early reports from unnamed US government sources, a space-based nuke would be used to attack satellites in orbit rather than strike targets on the ground.
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02/16/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 15) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 16). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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02/16/2024
A total of 14 warplanes and drones sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army were detected in waters near Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon, with nine of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND). The 14 aircraft dispatched by the Chinese military starting at 1 p.m. included Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, the MND said.
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02/14/2024
In recent years the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has gained renewed strategic global importance, a trend primarily fueled by the rise of China’s military and its expansionist aims. Chinese influence is now felt in many parts of the globe, chiefly through its economic reach, but also militarily on a more regional basis. That includes growing threats against Taiwan and military expansion into the South China Sea.
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02/14/2024
The United States Air Force hasn't disclosed which aerospace defense contractor is taking the lead on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program – the effort to develop a "system of systems" that will include a sixth-generation jet fighter to eventually replace the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
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02/14/2024
When General Dynamics began developing what would become the F-16 Fighting Falcon in the 1970s, it was expected that the aircraft might have to take on the best the Soviet Union had to offer. Now, more than 50 years after the aircraft took its first flight, it could soon be engaging with the Russia's aircraft in the skies over Ukraine.
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02/13/2024
The F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter jet is slotted to be compatible with two new powerful munitions by the end of the decade. Lockheed Martin is working with partner militaries to incorporate the Meteor air-to-air missile and SPEAR 3 air-launched cruise missile into the F-35.
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02/13/2024
The US Air Force is overhauling its aircraft fleets, preparing them for a potential great-power fight, "a war that we've not ever seen the likes of before," a general said recently. With the possibility of conflict between the US and China in mind, aircraft fleets are being downsized, upgraded, and reconfigured. Pilots are being retrained, and airmen are being pivoted towards what's needed for a possible conflict.
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02/13/2024
A Dutch court has ordered the government to halt the delivery of parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. The verdict, delivered by an appeals court on Monday, said there is a “clear risk” that the parts the Netherlands is exporting are being used in “serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
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02/12/2024
Two Jordanian military pilots were killed when their aircraft crashed during a routine training exercise, a military statement said on Sunday. Major Pilot Omar Atta Abadi and Captain Pilot Muhammad Abdullah Khudair were pronounced dead after they were transferred to Hussein Medical Center following the crash, reported state news agency (PETRA).
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02/12/2024
The sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye is considered final as the review and objection process in the U.S. Congress ended on Saturday. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Jan. 26 formally notified Congress of its intention to proceed with the sale of 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits to Türkiye.
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02/11/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked five Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 9) and 6 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 10).
Of the five People’s Liberation Army aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed land-based air defense missile systems to monitor the PLA activit
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02/11/2024
Ukrainian pilots are "very impressed" with US F-16 fighter jets, the Ukrainian service of the Voice of America reported. A pilot who went by the call sign "Phantom" said in an interview with the outlet that Ukrainian pilots training on the multirole fighters in the US and Europe had praised the aircraft.
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02/10/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 8) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 9). Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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02/10/2024
Two Russian jets entered an air defense zone just outside of Alaskan airspace on Thursday—the second time this week that such an incident has occurred. The military jets were tracked operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) but remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement the same day.
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02/10/2024
The government of Australia has announced an additional allocation of $399 million towards the ongoing development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Developed in tandem with Boeing Defence Australia, the MQ-28A aims to act as a so-called ‘loyal wingman’, safeguarding and assisting military assets and pilots by engaging in various missions, including combat duties.
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02/10/2024
On February 8, the first Embraer KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft of the Hungarian Defense Forces was tested in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, and is scheduled to arrive in Hungary later this year. With the use of the Brazilian aircraft type, attracting increasing interest worldwide, the Defense Forces will add a new capability in military air transport.
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02/10/2024
After nearly 50 years of flying A-10 “Warthog” attack jets at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the 355th Wing has begun divesting planes from one A-10 squadron amid a planned retirement of the entire fleet. A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft number 82-648 was retired from service with the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan and on Tuesday taxied from D-M’s main airfield to the adjacent 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group for final maintenance procedures and preparation for storage.
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02/08/2024
The Greek Air Force (HAF) is currently looking for a buyer for its aging fleet of Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000 EGM/BGMs, which were retired in 2022. Sources have told local news publication Kathimerini that the HAF leadership is considering selling the jets to India. Discussions are already underway between Greek defense authorities and their counterparts.
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02/08/2024
The US Air Force has upgraded 139 Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jets to the F-16Vs (Block 70-72) configuration. The last aircraft under the Peace Phoenix Rising program was delivered in December, Air and Space Forces Magazine wrote citing the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. It comes five years after the first F-16V was delivered in late 2018 and a little over two years after the commissioning of Taiwan’s first F-16V squadron in November 2021.
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02/08/2024
The United Kingdom has reiterated its pledge to acquire 138 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning combat aircraft despite previously scaling back from the complete Program of Record (PoR) quantity. In a recent parliamentary exchange, the United Kingdom underscored its unwavering dedication to procuring 138 F-35B aircraft, signaling an uncompromising commitment to one of its arsenal’s most critical defense programs.
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02/08/2024
The acquisition of the American single-seater, single-engine stealth fighter jet F-35 ‘Lightning II’ remains a pipedream for the Middle Eastern countries, baring Israel. Meanwhile, China has moved to fill the gap and help the countries achieve localization in defense manufacturing by offering its latest FC-31 (J-31) Gyrfalcon stealth jet.
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02/08/2024
Five US Marines are missing after their helicopter went down in the snow-covered California mountains. The CH-53E Super Stallion was found about 45 miles (72km) from its destination after the team were "reported overdue". But the fate of the five Marines travelling on board is unclear. They were on a training flight to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, near San Diego, early on Wednesday.
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02/06/2024
Mission accomplished! RAF aircraft and personnel have made a significant contribution to the success of the world’s premier air combat exercise. The RAF contribution to the exercise consisted of Typhoon fighter jets, a Voyager air-to-air refueler, Rivet Joint electronic surveillance crews, engineers, Air Controllers, Space specialists and a variety of support personnel.
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02/06/2024
The Netherlands scrapped plans to sell six F-16 fighter jets to a U.S. company and will prepare the planes for delivery to Ukraine instead, according to the Dutch Defence Ministry. The agreement increases the number of Dutch aircraft that will be handed over to the embattled country to 24, it said.
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02/06/2024
Moscow is continuing to seek interested foreign buyers for its highly-touted Sukhoi Su-75 "Checkmate" fighter aircraft. Among the interested parties could be India, and it was reported that the state-owned military-industrial conglomerate Rostec was even ready to slash costs "as per feedback" from New Delhi.
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02/05/2024
The US carried out more strikes against Houthi missiles in Yemen on Sunday, US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement on X. Centcom said US forces struck a land-attack cruise missile and four anti-ship missiles that "were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea". The latest military action comes a day after US-UK strikes on Houthi targets.
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02/05/2024
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces has warned of a possible intensification of military aviation in the east of the country, near the borders with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, between February 5 and March 5. This was reported by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on the social network X, Ukrinform reported.
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02/05/2024
Indonesian technicians were caught attempting to smuggle out sensitive development data on the KF-21, a supersonic fighter jet co-developed with South Korea, marking a significant breach in the bilateral defense collaboration. This incident occurred 13 years after South Korean National Intelligence Service agents were caught unauthorized in the accommodations of an Indonesian delegation in 2011.
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02/04/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 10 Chinese military aircraft and five naval ships around Taiwan over 24 hours to 6 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 3). As of press time, there was no word on whether the planes crossed into the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the Chinese activity.
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02/04/2024
Zuyev, a MiG-29 pilot with the Baku PVO regiment at Gudauta, a Soviet Air Base in northeast coast of the Black Sea, flew to Turkey where he requested political asylum in the United States after a shoot-out at Gudauta. “Take me to hospital,” Zuyev then 28, was quoted as saying upon landing at the airfield at the Black Sea port of Trabzon in northeastern Turkey after a 110-mile flight from Tskhakaya air base near Batumi, in Soviet Georgia.
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02/03/2024
US forces have bombed 85 targets in Iraq and Syria as retaliation for an attack that killed three US troops at a base in northern Jordan last month. According to US officials, the co-ordinated attack was against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force and allied militia groups. US President Joe Biden said the US attacks "will continue at times and places of our choosing".
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02/03/2024
Since 2005, the F-22 Raptor fighter jet has been dominating the skies. The first fighter jet in the world to become operational, the F-22 Raptor revolutionized air warfare and paved the way for future stealth aircraft like the F-35 Lighting II. The F-22 Raptor is an air superiority multi-role fighter jet. Its main role over the battlefield is to dominate the skies and ensure that enemy aircraft can’t fly.
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02/03/2024
The year 2024 will stand as a transformative year for modernizing the U.S. Air Force’s fighter force. Bottom line: the service needs to reset fast. That is why it was welcome news when Lockheed Martin recently announced the Tech Refresh 3/Block 4 variant of its F-35 are projected to join operational Air Force units by the third quarter of this year.
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02/03/2024
South Korea will build 40 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets this year with the 238.7 billion won (U.S. $178.6 million) allocated for the Defense Ministry, even as the aircraft makes its way through flight and ground tests. The first mass production of the KF-21 is expected to fill the “power vacuum” left when the South Korean Air Force’s aging fighter fleet retires, the defense minister said in a Dec. 21 statement.
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02/02/2024
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) has detected seven Chinese military aircraft along with four naval vessels around Taiwan between local time 6 am on Tuesday and local time 6 am on Wednesday. Following Chinese action, Taiwan sent out its aircraft and naval vessels. It deployed its air defence missile systems to closely watch the People’s Liberation Army (abbreviated the PLA) activity, per Taiwan’s MND.
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02/02/2024
Turkey is still interested in buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, a Turkish defence ministry official said on Thursday after the United States advanced the $23 billion sale of its F-16 fighter jets to Ankara. In November, Turkey said the country was in talks with Britain and Spain to buy Typhoons, though Germany objected the idea. At the time, a Turkish defence ministry source said talks had begun after Ankara recognised its request for F-16 jets from the U.S., first made in October 2021, might
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02/01/2024
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $31m contract modification to Chemring Australia, a global supplier of aerial countermeasures, on 30 January 2024 to support various F-35 Joint Strike Fighter nations with 19,570 MJU-68/B flare infrared (IR) decoys. US Navy F-35s will benefit from 12,918 flares; 1,152 for the US Air Force; 1,176 for Italy; 1,152 for Belgium; 868 for the UK; 816 for Japan; 720 for Germany; 672 for Denmark; and 96 for Poland.
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02/01/2024
The German Air Force has scrambled some of its fighter jets to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that was spotted over the Baltic Sea off its coast. The patrol took off from the Laage airbase in northeastern Germany after a Russian military aircraft was spotted in international airspace near Rügen, the Air Force said. A German fighter jet escorted the Russian plane for a short time before it turned east, the department added.
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02/01/2024
Russia Has Lost Another Su-34: Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name "Fullback") multirole strike fighter-bomber over the eastern Luhansk region earlier this week. According to reports from open source intelligence, the Kremlin has lost a total of 332 aircraft in total.
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01/31/2024
As tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to ramp up, the arms race to develop the world’s first next-generation fighters is on. From submarines and fighters to bombers and main battle tanks, the U.S. and China are prioritizing the development of advanced and cutting-edge technologies. Perhaps the most anticipated sixth-generation designs are the upcoming Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the B-21 stealth bomber and the F/A-XX airframe.
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01/31/2024
A U.S. Air Force fighter jet crashed into the waters off South Korea’s southwestern coast on Wednesday, officials said. The pilot safely ejected from the F-16 aircraft. According to a news release from Kunsan Air Force Base in South Korea, the F-16 assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing experienced an “in-flight emergency” over the West Sea, crashing at approximately 8:41 a.m. local time.
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01/31/2024
A Russian Su-34 fighter jet was shot down on Monday over the eastern Luhansk region, Ukraine’s military has reported. No further details have been reported but the aircraft was listed on the daily update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
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01/31/2024
The JF-17 fighter jet, a product of collaboration between Pakistan and China, is often portrayed as a powerful competitor to India’s Rafale fighter jet. Considered the “crown jewel” of Sino-Pak aviation relations, the JF-17 is a crucial asset for the Pakistani Air Force.
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01/30/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 29) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 30). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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01/30/2024
After months of deliberations, the U.S. State Department has greenlighted Turkey’s request for scores of upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets. We are talking about a huge order worth tens of billions of dollars.
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01/29/2024
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has proposed a potential exchange with Greece, offering to facilitate the transfer or sale of weaponry to Ukraine in return for Washington’s consideration of providing additional aid to Athens, amounting to a possible US$200 million.
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01/29/2024
Japan and the United States have recently agreed to begin joint research on artificial intelligence in the hope of using the technology for drones that would work in tandem with the Asian nation's next fighter jet.
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01/29/2024
The Houthi rebels’ strange air force boasts of a single F-5 supersonic fighter jet, which once dominated the skies. The Russians procured one F-5 aircraft from Vietnam to assess its capability against its newly minted MiG-21 interceptor. The F-5 in the Houthi rebels’ air force was seized from the Yemen government during the civil war. It made an appearance on a flyover during a Houthi parade in Sanaa in 2023.
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01/28/2024
The U.S. State Department on Friday approved the potential sale of up to forty F-35 fighter jets and respective equipment to Greece, in a $8.6 billion deal. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a video statement that, as part of the deal, the Greek state will also receive significant military aid, at no extra cost. This would include frigates, C-130 transport aircraft, armoured tanks and vehicles.
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01/27/2024
Singapore's decision to bolster its air defense capabilities by acquiring additional F-35B fighter jets could have significant strategic implications in the Southeast Asian region, particularly in the context of potential geopolitical tensions, such as a hypothetical Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
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01/27/2024
HH the Amir made a tour during which he was briefed on the newly manufactured Ababil F15 QA aircraft and their combat capabilities, and the most prominent methods of modern technology used in it. The Abadil fighters feature next-generation combat aircraft technologies, such as electronic flight controls, an all-glass digital cockpit, state-of-the-art sensors, advanced radar technology, and electronic warfare capabilities backed by digital engineering and advanced manufacturing.
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01/27/2024
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Friday formally informed Congress of its intention to proceed with the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, taking a major step toward completing a long-delayed process that tested ties with Ankara. The State Department sent the notification to advance the sale of 40 Lockheed Martin), opens new tab F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits to Turkey, a day after Ankara fully completed ratification of the NATO membership of Sweden.
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01/26/2024
Just a day after the Turkish parliament voted to approve Sweden's NATO membership bid, President Joe Biden called upon lawmakers on Capitol Hill to approve the sale of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon to Turkey.
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01/26/2024
As Ukraine awaits the delivery of F-16s in 2024, a U.S. defense official revealed new details on the training of Ukrainian pilots and maintainers in America. There are currently four Ukrainian pilots undergoing F-16 training in the United States, the official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
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01/26/2024
Scott Air Force Base recently hosted a pair of F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 388th Fighter Wing based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, as a part of an Air Force-wide push to expand hot-pit refueling capabilities, Jan. 18, 2024. Hot-pit refueling is the practice of refueling an aircraft immediately after landing while keeping the engines running to minimize time spent on the ground. Hot-pit refueling allows sorties to be generated faster, allowing more effective power projection capabilities.
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01/26/2024
Anduril – a US autonomous systems start-up – has been selected as one of five defence industries to help develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The US Air Force (USAF) intend to operate uncrewed autonomous aircraft – known as CCAs – as part of a network alongside other aerial platforms such as fifth or sixth-generation aircraft.
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01/26/2024
International partners are ready to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, but comprehensive measures to prepare for their effective use are still underway. That’s according to Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ihnat, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.
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01/25/2024
Russia accused Ukraine on Wednesday of deliberately shooting down a Russian military transport plane carrying 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers to a prisoner exchange in what it called a barbaric act of terrorism that had killed a total of 74 people. Ukraine called for full clarification of the circumstances of the incident and did not directly confirm it had shot down the plane.
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01/25/2024
Germany has unveiled its plans to equip its Eurofighter combat aircraft with the MBDA Brimstone air-to-surface missile, according to government sources. Outlined in Bundeswehr budgetary documents, the Luftwaffe is set to procure 274 of these air-to-surface missiles to equip its Eurofighter fleet. The contract signing for this procurement is anticipated in the second quarter of this year.
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01/25/2024
One of Russia's leading manufacturers of fighter jets and civilian aircraft continued to import parts and other equipment from European and U.S. suppliers despite the imposition of Western sanctions following the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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01/24/2024
Japanese defense forces flew 555 fighter jet scrambles during the last nine months of 2023, according to the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The JSO said 98 percent of scrambles were against Chinese and Russian aircraft according to data released by the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.
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01/24/2024
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, known affectionately by many pilots as the Viper, is the most widely operated fighter aircraft on the planet for a reason. In an era when fighter designs were largely focused on what could be argued were glamour metrics like top speed and service ceiling, the F-16 emerged as the embodiment of a new approach to air warfare.
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01/23/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 22) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 23). Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one jet fighter crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeast sector of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor th
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01/23/2024
The Lebanese Air Force’s number seven squadron, at Hamat/Wujah Al Hajar AB, operates the six Embraer A-29B Super Tucanos delivered to Lebanon from May 2018. Among its pilots is the first Lebanese female fighter pilot, second lieutenant Jana Sader, who graduated from the USAF’s undergraduate pilot training (UPT) programme (a nearly two-year-long training course) on February 3 2023.
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01/23/2024
The journey begins at Undergraduate Pilot Training or maybe long, long before, but for this account an Air Force pilot starts the road to the cockpit at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, in the T-6 Texan, a 1,200 horsepower propeller-driven trainer. From there, they have to find their way in a T-38 supersonic jet trainer, if they make the cut for fighter aircraft.
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01/21/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 10 Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (Jan. 19) and Saturday (Jan. 20) the same time. Of the 10 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two fighter jets entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or crossed the median line, according to the MND. The jet types were not identified.
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01/21/2024
Following the reported recent loss of its A-50 AWACS over the Sea of Azov, Russia appears to have deployed another A-50 Mainstay, this time conducting activities within Russia’s borders, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. On January 14, reports surfaced on various Telegram channels asserting that the Ukrainian Air Force had successfully downed a Russian A-50 AWACS military aircraft.
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01/21/2024
The F-16 jet fighter took its first ever flight in 1974, but it is still as important an aircraft now as it was then. Were it not for one test pilot's quick thinking 50 years ago, the entire F-16 programme might never have made it past its first fateful flight.
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01/20/2024
Pakistan’s plan to acquire the Chinese FC-31/J-31 twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft will put it a generation ahead of its neighbors and make it one of the most advanced air forces in the region, experts believe. The fighter jet has been flying since 2014 and is ready to be acquired by Chinese or other militaries, while India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is still in the design stage.
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01/20/2024
Is the F-35 the best fighter jet ever? 1,000 built, and nations all over the world want them: It is safe to say that many experts now believe that the American-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is in the realm of conversation to be the best fighter jet ever to fly. For years, the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor took the air superiority title as the first fifth-generation jet to enter service. Over the years, Moscow and Beijing have developed their parallel fifth-gen programs culminating in the Su-57
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01/20/2024
The Ethiopian Air Force has acquired an undisclosed number of Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey and Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets. During the handover ceremony, two Su-30 planes were displayed as the Akinci UAVs were formally inducted. The drones have been in Ethiopian service since as early as November 2023.
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01/19/2024
Two USAF B-1B Bombers arrived in Singapore on 18 January 2024 and will stay till early next week for a stopover, during which they will conduct air-to-air refuelling training with the RSAF's A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
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01/19/2024
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan carried out retaliatory air strikes against its neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran using Chinese-built fighter jets JF-17 ‘Thunder’ and J-10C’ Vigorous Dragon’ early Thursday. Pakistan also deployed Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Wing Loong II in its operation named ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’, which loosely translates to “death to the guerrilla fighters”.
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01/19/2024
New Weapons to be Employed on the RAF's F-35s - It was almost three years ago, in March 2021, that the UK's Ministry of Defence announced it would cut its order of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II by 65 percent. The UK Royal Air Force saw its purchase decline from a planned 138 to just 48 of the short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VTOL) variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
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01/18/2024
Norway will conduct the first of three NATO fighter deployments to Iceland this year, sending four F-35 combat aircraft to Keflavík Air Base. Half of the regiment will be on standby at the air base at all times, ready to scramble to safeguard NATO and international airspace in the region.
The Norwegian units will also participate in training and alert drills that include identifying unknown aircraft to ensure the alliance’s defense.
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01/18/2024
Russia has patented a unique paint and camouflage scheme exclusively designed for the under-development Su-75 Checkmate. It allows the aircraft to be indistinguishable from the shape of the clouds and ground above and below it. The effort to make the aircraft undetectable by preventing visual identification is a unique approach in stealth warfare doctrine that also hints at the role and manner in which the jet is likely to be employed.
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01/17/2024
Three B-2 Spirit bombers made their return for the first Red Flag exercise of 2024 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., this week, alongside the U.K.’s Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. More than 30 units and 2,000 personnel are participating in the air combat training, deemed by the participating allies as one of the “most advanced” and “toughest” training opportunities in the world.
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01/17/2024
The United States military’s fifth-generation stealth fighter will be integrated with the legacy HARM missile platform instead of the upgraded AARGM platform. The Naval Air Systems Command awarded a $97.3 million contract to aerospace giant Lockheed Martin to integrate the AGM-88 HARM on the F-35A/B/C aircraft, to include procuring associated incidental hardware for the USAF, Navy, Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-Department of Defense participants.
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01/17/2024
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have one of the world's strangest fighter jet fleets — a single, aged F-5 fighter jet. It is unlikely to be much good helping it against the US-led coalition, which carried out air raids last week. A US official summed up the likely threat the jet poses, calling it "not combat effective."
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01/16/2024
No More NGAD? We have covered the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter extensively. The NGAD has whiz-bang characteristics and is a sixth-generation airplane that will be highly-stealthy and chock full of modern weapons. But the NGAD could cost the military hundreds of millions a piece, according to the Secretary of the Air Force.
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01/16/2024
With a resurgence of ISIS activity, Iraq is hoping to enhance its defence capabilities. The commander-in-chief of Iraq’s armed forces, major general Yehia Rasool, has confirmed that modernising its air force is a priority, and that the fighter force is in particular need of renewal.
Iraq regained a fast jet combat air capability in 2015 with the delivery of the first of 36 Lockheed Martin F-16s.
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01/16/2024
Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea on Sunday, but a U.S. fighter jet shot it down in the latest attack roiling global shipping amid Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said. The attack marks the first U.S.-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.
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01/15/2024
Ukrainian air-defenses reportedly shot down two of the Russian air force’s rarest and most valuable command aircraft on Sunday: a Beriev A-50 radar early-warning plane and an Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post. Ukrainian media has cited government officials confirming the purported shoot-downs, but there’s little hard evidence of the incidents.
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01/15/2024
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is preparing for Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1, alongside counterparts from the United States and United Kingdom. Exercise Red Flag Nellis was established in 1975 and recreates the first ten missions of a modern air campaign within a training environment, providing invaluable experience for participants.
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01/15/2024
Ukraine will not be able to give up Soviet aircraft in favour of Western ones overnight, and French military jets may coexist on Ukrainian airfields with American and Soviet ones, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force said on Sunday. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February, 2022, Kyiv has pressed Western allies to supply increasingly sophisticated arms and ammunition, including armoured vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles and U.S.-made F-16 fighters.
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01/14/2024
Taiwan, in response, sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity. On the day of the election, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected that Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s Southwest Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Additionally, two Chinese balloons crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
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01/14/2024
President Tsai Ing-wen, who is nearing the end of her final term in office, said Sunday that Taiwan is preparing to develop the next generation of indigenous jet fighters, to ensure continuity of her administration's national defense policy. In an interview with Era News in which she reflected on her two terms in office, Tsai highlighted the government's resolve to build Taiwan's autonomy in the area of defense systems.
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01/14/2024
The news about Pakistan showing interest in the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon (formerly known as the J-31) has generated quite a buzz in South Asia, with military watchers talking about it altering the balance of power in the Indian sub-continent. But experts feel that, at best, it is a tempest in a teacup.
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01/13/2024
Three days following the military aircraft crash in the central province of Qu?ng Nam, Captain Ð? Ti?n Ð?c, the aircraft pilot, has recalled the life-and-death moments when his aircraft suffered a sudden loss of control. Captain Ð?c, leader of Squadron 1, Fighter Squadron 929 of the Air Defence and Air Force Division 372, managed to divert the Su-22 aircraft away from residential areas before safely parachuting out.
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01/13/2024
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told the Free Press on Thursday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base will be home to a new squadron of 12 KC-46A refueling tanker aircraft, per a conversation with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The announcement, Peters said, ensures that Selfridge, based in Harrison Township in Macomb County, will continued to have a flying mission even as the Air Force phases out the current eight KC-135 tankers at the base.
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01/13/2024
Türkiye has started work on a sixth-generation fighter jet that will be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), a top defense official said Friday, in an announcement that comes as the country prepares to send its first homegrown warplane to the sky for the first time in the coming days. The domestically developed fifth-generation combat aircraft, named Kaan, will perform its inaugural flight "very soon," Haluk Görgün, the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), told reporters.
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01/13/2024
France has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation in a deal worth more than €5 billion (U.S. $5.5 billion), the Armed Forces Ministry announced Friday. The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concerns about the Franco-German project to develop a successor to the Rafale. The Future Combat Air System, as it’s known, isn’t expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate’s defense committee.
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01/12/2024
On January 10, 2024, the Pakistan Air Force officially announced that Qatari Eurofighter Typhoons and Pakistani Chengdu J-10Cs are currently engaged in joint air exercises known as Zilzal-II, hosted by Qatar. The exercise aims to simulate a “realistic aerial warfare scenario” to evaluate both air forces’ operational readiness.
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01/12/2024
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “The delivery of the first two F-16 Block 70 jets to Slovakia signifies a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities. We are proud to be part of this endeavor and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia.”
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01/11/2024
After debuting at the Dubai Air Show in December 2023, the Y-20 E multi-role transport aircraft is ready to be exported. Media reports suggest that the largest military aircraft currently in production and nicknamed “Chubby Girl” is being offered to Nigeria. This comes after reports that Beijing is planning to sell its stealth J-31 fighters to Pakistan.
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01/11/2024
Greece Wants the F-35 – But Turkey and Sweden Could Delay That Acquisition - Currently, ten NATO members, along with another half a dozen partner nations, either operate or plan to adopt the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Two NATO alliance countries would like to join the program. One likely will never operate the fifth-generation stealth fighter, while the other is currently in a related "holding pattern."
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01/11/2024
The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023, just minutes from each other. The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.
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01/11/2024
The F-16 fighter jet is famous for its maneuverability, and the A-10 attack jet for its armor and armaments. But one of the most important features protecting those aircraft in combat is an unassuming grey cylinder slung beneath their bellies: the ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasure pod, which protects the jets in the electromagnetic spectrum.
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01/10/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Jan. 9 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 10. Of the eight People’s Liberation Army aircraft, one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.
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01/10/2024
South Korea is set to begin production of the KF-21 fighter jet this year as planned, the state arms procurement agency said Wednesday, in what would be a major milestone in the country's pursuit of an advanced homegrown fighter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) seeks to sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the jet's manufacturer, within the first half of the year to pave the way for the KF-21's large-scale production, according to a DAPA official.
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01/10/2024
The Ukrainians have fought ardently to keep the Russian invaders at bay – but the Ukrainian resistance has depended mainly on foreign military aid. Wisely, the Ukrainians have vigorously lobbied the Western powers for cash and equipment donations. And at the top of the Ukrainian’s wish list was the multi-role F-16, an American fourth-generation fighter that has been exported throughout NATO.
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01/10/2024
Indonesia has signed a contract to buy 18 more Rafale fighter-jets from France, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday, as Jakarta completed a 2022 order for 42 of these warplanes, in upgrading its air force fleet amid regional security challenges.
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01/09/2024
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense will spend 10.2 billion New Taiwan dollars ($329 million) to purchase spare engine parts for its Mirage 2000-5 fleet. A government source told local media outlets that the contract aims to ensure the French-made fighter jets will remain mission-capable for years to come.
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01/09/2024
Saudi Arabia bought 72 Eurofighters in 2007 from BAE Systems for approximately £4.4 billion; those planes have been delivered, but Riyadh wants an additional 48 fighters. However, Germany blocked further deliveries of the fighter — a joint British, German, Italian and Spanish project — due to Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemen civil war and the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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01/09/2024
China’s J-31 has joined Russia’s Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ to emerge as a competitor to the American F-35 fighter jet following Pakistan’s announcement to acquire the Chinese combat aircraft over the next few years.
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01/08/2024
The Taiwanese armed forces have detected 13 Chinese military aircraft, five vessels and two balloons near the island nation over the past day, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
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01/08/2024
Two weeks after the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) lost Su-34 fighter jets to Ukrainian air defenses, an intelligence update released by the UK Ministry of Defense (UK MoD) claims that RuAF operations have been hampered due to losses.
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01/08/2024
Despite a recent thaw in relations with Turkey, Greece was still eager to purchase advanced F-35 fighter jets from the US, as affirmed by the country’s foreign minister in an interview on Saturday. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke highly of Greece’s relations with Turkey but insisted on upgrading the country’s military by purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the US, whom he described as a major player in the region and a “superpower.”
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01/07/2024
Previously, Russia’s tactical air power had been playing a key role in the south of Ukraine, especially attacking Ukraine’s bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. However, the downing of Russian combat aircraft made it impossible for Russia to conduct offensive operations in this area.
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01/06/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Jan. 4) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Jan. 5). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane and one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance plane entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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01/06/2024
An Air Force bomber jet crashed during a training mission at a South Dakota base Thursday, officials confirmed. All four aircrew members on board safely ejected from the B-1B Lancer before it smashed into the ground just before 6 p.m. at Ellsworth Air Force Base, a spokesperson from the unit said. The crew had been attempting to land the heavy bomber jet during a training mission when it lost control of the aircraft. The Air Force could not say whether any injuries were reported.
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01/06/2024
The Pentagon’s relentless journey into the future of air dominance has for generations been informed by technological breakthroughs that redefine military aviation capabilities. The most recent instance of anticipated breakthroughs can be associated with the mysterious and still somewhat unknown Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a new platform likely to change technical paradigms defining air dominance.
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01/06/2024
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated the ‘site activation’ of F-35 A, B and C fighter jets to the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as foreign military sales customers.
Site activation – a DoD phrase – refers to the process by which systems and equipment are delivered to an put into service by operational units in the field.
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01/06/2024
The Indonesian government has shelved its planned procurement of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets previously owned by Qatar due to budget constraints. A defense ministry spokesperson told local media outlet TV One that neither the Indonesian Defense Ministry nor the country’s Ministry of Finance can financially support the controversial acquisition “for the time being.” He added that the military will just opt to retrofit its Sukhoi and F-16 combat jets to fill current capability gaps.
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01/05/2024
"Belgium will send two F-16s to Denmark and around fifty personnel to train Ukrainian pilots between March and September. [...] for two eight-week periods. The training mission is part of the F-16 coalition, made up of thirteen countries and led by Denmark, the Netherlands and the U.S. The aim is to equip the Ukrainian Air Force with these types of fighter jets from the 1980s and 90s," the report reads.
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01/04/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 2) to 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 3). Of the nine People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, including one Xian JH-7 fighter bomber in the northeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone in the southwest sector of the ADIZ, according to the MND.
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01/04/2024
The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet is still in the limelight over 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the aircraft in the 2020s. The list of countries that would like to get their hands on the jet constantly grows. Ukraine, after lobbying hard for acquiring enhanced air power, is now in the process of training its pilots for the F-16 as the invaded country waits for the arrival of the jets from Europe.
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01/04/2024
In a strategic move to fortify Ukraine’s air capabilities, the United Kingdom has successfully concluded basic training for Ukrainian combat air pilots, enabling them to embark on F-16 fighter jet proficiency in Denmark. Simultaneously, the Netherlands has pledged 18 F-16 fighter aircraft, solidifying international support against Russian aggression.
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01/04/2024
Pakistan could acquire China’s other stealth fighter, the Shenyang FC-31 (or J-31), according to its air force and army chiefs. The news comes just as the fighter is also being readied to operate from China’s Fujian aircraft carrier and become Beijing’s second carrier-borne strike fighter after the J-15.
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01/03/2024
According to a statement from the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, Poland scrambled F-16 fighter jets early Tuesday morning to “ensure the security of Polish airspace” amid “intense long-range air activity by the Russian Federation connected with carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine.”
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01/03/2024
The Israelis still want the F-15EX fighter. The Israeli Ministry of Defense officially requested 25 F-15EX fighters from the US last January, but sources suggest that Israel intended to purchase upwards of 50.
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01/03/2024
The F-35 Lighting II is the most popular fifth-generation fighter jet in the skies today. Its technological edge and capabilities are mainly why the aircraft is so highly sought after by many countries. And, in some respects, that creates a problem.
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01/03/2024
Tavria sector: Enemy intensifies aircraft activity, 35 strikes per day 02.01.2024 12:50
In the area of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, the Russian occupation forces reduced the number of combat engagements and intensified tactical aircraft activity. At the same time, the Defense Forces eliminated 357 invaders and 50 pieces of enemy military equipment over the day.
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01/03/2024
The third and fourth airframes of the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II have arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., for testing, the Air Force said Dec. 30. To hold the program schedule, six more need to be delivered before July. The new aircraft, dubbed EX3 and EX4, arrived at Eglin on Dec. 20, the Air Force said. EX1, EX2, and EX4 belong to the 53rd Wing, while EX3 belongs to the 96th Test Wing.
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01/02/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked four Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 31) and the same time on New Year's Day. Of the three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane entered the southwest sector of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.
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01/01/2024
A clash between Iranian-backed Houthi fighters who were attacking a commercial freighter and U.S. Navy helicopters responding to the ship’s distress call ended on Sunday morning with the killing of all the crew members on three Houthi boats, the Pentagon said, a sharp escalation of violence at a moment when the White House is considering direct strikes on Iran’s proxies in the Middle East.
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01/01/2024
Robin Olds, the first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in Southeast Asia was Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace. Thanks to its boldness, courage and leadership he gained widespread fame and respect as the aggressive commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) during the Southeast Asia War.
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01/01/2024
The training of Ukrainian pilots and personnel to fly the F-16 fighter aircraft continues as agreed within the air coalition. The relevant statement was made Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat during a nationwide telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
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