2024 Military Aviation News
09/18/2024
According to information shared on its social media, K-8 attack aircraft and F-16 fighters from the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB) of Venezuela carried out an interception and neutralization operation of a suspicious aircraft linked to drug smuggling during a border reconnaissance mission.
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09/18/2024
According to the latest confirmed data, Bulgaria will receive its first F-16 fighter jets by mid-next year. This will undoubtedly be big news when it happens. However, some experts in Bulgaria have begun to evaluate the costs of Romanian F-35s and Bulgarian F-16s on a price-per-unit basis. Currently, Bulgarian military experts estimate that one Romanian F-35 will cost Bucharest approximately $203 million. In comparison, a single Bulgarian F-16 will cost Sofia about $208.7 million.
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09/18/2024
Italy is to purchase 25 extra F-35 jets as well as new Eurofighters as its defense procurement spending rises 16.8% this year to €9.3 billion, or $10.3 billion, a new budget document revealed on Tuesday. Rome will also invest half a billion euros in 2024 on development of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter, the document stated.
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09/18/2024
Ukraine is taking a cautious approach toward employing its new F-16s, the top U.S. Air Force officer in Europe said Sept. 17. “The pilots are new to it, so they’re not going to put them at the riskiest missions,” Gen. James B. Hecker, the head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command, told reporters Sept. 17 at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. “Ultimately, that’s a Ukrainian decision. But I think that’s the approach that they’re taking.”
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09/17/2024
Türkiye has formally requested permission from the United States to purchase engines from GE Aerospace for use in its domestically produced military aircraft, according to Turkish officials cited by BNN Bloomberg. This move is considered crucial for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to modernize Türkiye's air force and strengthen the country's defense industry, a member of NATO.
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09/17/2024
On May 1, 1983, an Israeli Air Force F-15D Eagle survived a mid-air collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during a training exercise over southern Israel. The F-15's right wing was almost completely sheared off. Despite this, pilot Zivi Nedivi managed to regain control of the aircraft by engaging the afterburner and made an emergency landing at Ramon Air Base. The incident highlighted the F-15's robust design, with engineers later noting its wide lifting body.
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09/17/2024
The Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter—once envisioned as a hyper-expensive, exquisite platform—could be restructured to slash its price to less than an F-35, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. Kendall and other senior service officials also said decisions about the future of NGAD, begun just two months ago, must happen fast in order to inform the Air Force’s fiscal 2026 budget request.
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09/17/2024
Even as tensions between the US and Russia continue to boil, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported, on September 15, the detection of Russian military aircraft near the coast of Alaska, marking the fourth such incident in the past week. NORAD revealed that two Russian IL-38 military aircraft were detected and tracked while operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
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09/16/2024
The US State Department on Sep. 13, 2024 approved a possible sale of nine KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers, worth $4.1 billion, to Japan under a FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program, according to the U.S. DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency)Cooperation Agency). This adds to six refuellers already on contract with Tokyo, four of which have been delivered to the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) in Nov. 2021.
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09/16/2024
The North American Aerospace Defense command intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska three times over the last week in what appears to be an uptick in activity amid tensions between the US and Russia. On all three occasions the aircraft remained in international airspace in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and were “not seen as a threat” according to NORAD.
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09/16/2024
The Armenian government is reportedly exploring the purchase of Indian-made missiles, including the highly acclaimed indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile. Armenia is keen to bolster its air defense systems amid regional security concerns, and the Astra missile—designed for engaging enemy aircraft at long distances—has emerged as a key component of its modernization efforts.
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09/16/2024
In a new incident in the Baltic region, German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Eurofighter jets once again intercepted aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces, specifically a Tu-142MK anti-submarine warfare and patrol aircraft and Su-30SM fighter jets from the Russian Navy’s Naval Aviation. The involvement of these aircraft is significant, as Russia recently launched the large-scale Ocean 2024 exercise across various parts of Europe and the Pacific.
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09/15/2024
The F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III is the latest upgrade to the U.S. Navy's premier multirole strike fighter. Enhancements include a longer lifespan of 10,000 hours, improved survivability with reduced radar cross-section, and advanced networking capabilities with the Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked system.
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09/15/2024
The U.S. State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Romanian Government for fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment, for an estimated cost of 7.2 billion dollars. According to the release by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Romanian Government requested the purchase of 32 F-35A Lightning II.
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09/15/2024
The People’s Liberation Army Navy has begun testing a navalized variant of its advanced J-35 fighter jet, according to Chinese state media. China Central Television reported that the new fighter has already started trials on a Chinese carrier, CNS Liaoning. Revealed through a video clip released on Friday (Sept 13), Zhang Naigang, a senior non-commissioned officer aboard the Liaoning, expressed his pride at the development.
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09/15/2024
The United Arab Emirates does not expect to resume talks with the U.S. about a multi-billion dollar deal for F-35 warplanes, irrespective of who is elected to the White House in November, a senior UAE government official said on Saturday. Reuters reported on Friday that the UAE was planning to resume negotiations to purchase F-35s and armed drones if Donald Trump wins a second presidential term, according to several people familiar with the matter.
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09/14/2024
The L-39ZA jet - which had been modernised to NATO standards in 2022 - burst into flames after crashing into a wooded area near the military base. "Two pilots were killed during training for a demonstration flight," interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists at the southern Graf Ignatievo air base.
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09/14/2024
On Sept. 5, 2024, at 10:01 AM LT the first C-390 Millennium for the Hungarian Air Force arrived at its new home, Kecskemét Air Base, Hungary. The aircraft, escorted by two HUAF Gripen fighters, touched down to mark the delivery of the first of two C-390s ordered by Hungary. This significant arrival underscores the expansion of Hungary’s aerial capabilities with the advanced C-390 Millennium.
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09/14/2024
The United States scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected near Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Wednesday that it detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
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09/13/2024
Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time in five years, Tokyo said on Sept 13. From the morning of Sept 12 until afternoon, the Russian Tu-142 aircraft flew from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards the southern Okinawa region, a Defence Ministry statement said.
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09/13/2024
The Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga will spend about six weeks off the coast of San Diego this fall testing F-35B fighter jets with operational support from the U.S. Navy, according to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The testing will occur from Oct. 5 to Nov. 18, during which time Japan’s largest warship might pull into San Diego Bay. It’s not uncommon for foreign warships to make such visits.
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09/12/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 10) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 13 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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09/12/2024
An aircraft selection decision relating to Poland’s air dominance fighter jet program could be made as soon as the end of the year, according to a Boeing official. Warsaw has long committed to acquiring 32 new multirole jets for the effort with rival bids from the manufacturer’s F-15EX Eagle II fourth generation type and the Eurofighter Typhoon on the table. A third option — another F-35A order — building off the $4.6 billion deal with Washington in 2020, has not been ruled out either.
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09/12/2024
A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappeared off radar over the Black Sea on late Tuesday, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed. According to reports from the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, which cited Russian media sources, the jet had been conducting missile launches towards Ukraine before it vanished. The Su-30SM, a multi-role fighter aircraft, reportedly fired four Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles toward mainland Ukraine during its mission.
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09/11/2024
This statement was made by the Italian Navy’s Chief of Staff, Admiral Enrico Credendino, aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour, docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, as part of the national Carrier Strike Group’s operational projection campaign in the Indo-Pacific.
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09/11/2024
Since last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed several official visits to Turkey.
A multitude of reasons have been offered by officials. Some have said Putin has been avoiding any countries that were not part of the Soviet Union since the Ukraine war began. Others have put it down to the Russian elections earlier this year. However, sources familiar with Russian thinking told Middle East Eye that Putin’s conditions to visit Ankara are the primary reason for the constant delay.
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09/11/2024
Weeks after Ukraine received its first batch of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from European allies and more than a year after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the start of test trials on Sweden’s prestigious Gripen multipurpose variants, Stockholm signaled that their possible transfer to Ukraine remains on the table.
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09/11/2024
A Taiwan air force Mirage fighter jet crashed off the island's northwest coast on Tuesday night and the pilot, who successfully ejected, was rescued and taken to hospital, the defence ministry and official Central News Agency said. The defence ministry said the French-built Mirage was conducting nighttime exercises when it suffered a suspected loss of power and the pilot then bailed out.
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09/10/2024
On September 6, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands, involving 246 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles and related equipment, for an estimated cost of $691 million. The AIM-9X Block II, introduced in 2003, is an air-to-air missile with a lock-on after-launch (LOAL) capability, suitable for various platforms, including the F-35 Lightning II, which the Netherlands recently announced plans to purchase more of.
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09/10/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 8) and 6 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9). Of the 21 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 16 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. These included fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.
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09/10/2024
The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) delivered two upgraded F-16 Vipers to the Hellenic Air Force on Monday, while another fighter jet is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. In recent months, EAV has accelerated deliveries to get back on schedule. EAV officials estimate that they may even exceed their goal for 2024 by delivering an additional Viper, bringing the total number of fighter jets delivered this year to 16.
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09/09/2024
India-China relations have been at lows since the Galwan skirmish four years ago. There is an uneasy calm at present and an attempt to re-engage, but a range of divergences persist between the two Asian giants. China is aggressively building infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese want to add air power to the conflict.
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09/09/2024
In a surprising development, the US Navy recently revealed for the first time that it previously tried to acquire second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Greece without any success. The revelation came through a press release issued on September 5, which also highlighted a major advancement for the Navy Reserve’s Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC)-13.
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09/09/2024
Romania and Latvia, both members of NATO, on September 8 accused Russia of violating their countries' airspace with military drones, escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, incidents of Russian military drones or missiles flying across or crashing into neighboring states of Ukraine have been reported. Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions, as recently as July this year.
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09/08/2024
Egypt has reportedly signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. According to various reports, the deal for the Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” was signed on August 19, 2024. This acquisition would make Egypt the second international customer for the J-10C, following Pakistan.
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09/08/2024
The Ukrainian military has released footage of a MiG-29 fighter jet after it made an emergency landing in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the spring of 2024. The pilot safely exited the aircraft without injury, according to local sources. The exact condition of the aircraft remains unclear, but some sources suggest that the airframe sustained damage. The fighter jet has reportedly been transferred for possible repairs, though its future remains uncertain.
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09/08/2024
The Air Force would only bed down 25 F-35s in fiscal 2026 under a plan included in a recent Pentagon report on the fighter. The plan calls for the service to field some 700 of the jets by the end of the decade and never buy more than 48 in any given year.
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09/07/2024
The Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance fighter is facing fiscal headwinds and conceptual turbulence, with service leaders recently announcing a pause in the program designed to field a sixth-generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor. “We are taking another look at the NGAD platform itself, and before we make the commitment that we’re close to making, we want to make sure we get the right design concept there,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in July.
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09/07/2024
As the first Egypt International Air Show wrapped up Thursday, industry analysts debated the significance of China’s presence, which included the most complete demonstration of its advanced Y-20 transport aircraft and the first showcase of its J-10 fighter jets in Africa.
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09/06/2024
In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29. The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.
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09/06/2024
The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it, acquisition boss Andrew P. Hunter and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in July the Air Force would take a “pause” on its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program, rather than commit to the program as planned.
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09/05/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force is thriving after receiving its first F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from NATO in August, using them to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones. In addition to these new capabilities, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 36 MiG-29 Fulcrum jets from Serbia via France, expanding its fleet significantly. While the Ukrainian Air Force is poised to benefit from these acquisitions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of trained pilots.
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09/05/2024
Poland is in discussions with Boeing to acquire F-15EX fighter jets as part of its military modernization, driven by concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-15EX, an advanced version of the F-15 with cutting-edge avionics, radar, and targeting systems, offers Poland enhanced air defense capabilities. With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs and 12 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs, the F-15EX can address evolving threats.
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09/05/2024
The Azerbaijan Air Force is set to boost the lethality of its upcoming JF-17 fighter aircraft with the purchase of Turkish Bozdogan and Gökdoga missiles. Defense magazine Turkish Century announced the procurement on X, noting that the warplanes are also getting an advanced avionics suite made by Ankara.
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09/05/2024
Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Sept. 4, during exercise BAANA 2024.
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09/05/2024
The Indian Air Force’s largest international exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ has entered its second phase. Debuting in the desert phase of the wargames is the iconic Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog.’ In what could be its first and last appearance, the Warthog has been flying with Russian-origin fighter jets – Sukhoi 30MKI.
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09/04/2024
The Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) is preparing to deploy a contingent of Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Austria. The deployment, scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, will see VTANG participating in the prestigious Airpower Air Show, followed by a multinational training exercise.
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09/04/2024
According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 fighter will continue to represent the backbone of Western air forces until 2080. At that date, the 5th generation fighter, which entered service in 2015, will be 65 years old, and will have seen more than three generations of pilots. This dynamic is far from exclusive to the F-35. Thus, the Rafale Dassault Aviation, which entered service in 2000, will continue to fly with the French air force until 2060, as will the Typhoon European or the American F-15EX.
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09/03/2024
That’s why interest among responsible powers is growing in collaboration generally but also with advanced new programs specifically. A case in point is with collaborative combat aircraft, known as CCAs. These highly capable autonomous unmanned fighters are set to revolutionize air dominance and other fields in the coming decades. Understanding how will also help explain allied nations’ desire to work together on building them.
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09/03/2024
Maintaining air superiority is critical for U.S. military success, especially against near-peer adversaries with advanced integrated air defense systems. The F-22 Raptor, with its unmatched stealth, speed, and situational awareness, exemplifies America’s air superiority capabilities, but the limited number of combat-coded F-22s and their aging structures necessitate the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system.
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09/03/2024
The Czech Republic has signed a Joint Declaration with Sweden to extend its lease of 14 JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft beyond 2027. Two double-seated and 12 single-seated units were delivered to Prague on the 31 August 2005; the fleet is stationed at Cáslav Air Base.
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09/02/2024
China has deployed an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Intelligence (EW/ELINT) aircraft for an overseas exercise for the first time, with the deployment of one of its newest dedicated special mission aircraft to Thailand for a bilateral air exercise.
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09/02/2024
"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29 that the F-16, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by pilot Oleksii Mes, had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.
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09/01/2024
With more than 300 combat aircraft ordered for export to date, the Rafale of Dassault Aviation has become, since 2015, a great international success for the aircraft manufacturer and the entire French defense aeronautical industry. The commercial spearhead of Dassault has already exceeded the total export sales of the Mirage 2000 by 281 aircraft, and now aims to do better than the Mirage F1, sold in 450 units on the international scene.
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09/01/2024
Amid the acute need for 5th generation fighters in modern combat scenarios against peer adversaries, the U.S. Air Force is looking to upgrade its F-22 Raptor with a series of sensors to make it more survivable and relevant. The service announced on Aug. 29, 2024, the award of a $1 billion contract to RTX‘s Raytheon for new sensors that are categorized as “Group B hardware”, together with spares and support equipment.
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08/31/2024
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has fired the head of Ukraine’s air force a day after it emerged that a recently delivered F-16 jet had crashed earlier this week, killing the pilot. “I have decided to replace the commander of the air forces … I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots,” Zelenskiy said in his evening video address on Friday, without giving a reason for the dismissal of Mykola Oleshchuk.
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08/31/2024
Serbia agreed to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet, in a deal which French President Emmanuel Macron called a strategic change for the Balkan country that maintains ties with Russia and China. The contract for nine single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters is worth €2.7 billion (US$3 billion), according to French media, citing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
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08/30/2024
The Romanian Ministry of Defense has requested funds from the government to purchase the latest F-35A fighter jets. The relevant document with the budget request from the Romanian Ministry of Defense was published on the official website of the Romanian government. The funding allocation stage is now the last step for Romania to officially start purchasing new fighter jets.
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08/30/2024
A Ukrainian Air Force pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter crashed Aug. 26, Ukraine’s military announced Aug. 29. The incident occurred during a massive Russian missile and drone attack that day that saw Ukraine’s F-16s make their combat debut. But the mission came at a high cost. Ukraine has only a handful of F-16s, and the pilot, Oleksiy “Moonfish” Mes, was a prominent aviator who was one of the first Ukrainians trained to fly the F-16.
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08/29/2024
Thailand wants to renew its fleet of combat aircraft with Gripen fighter jets, the air force said, favouring the Swedish-made planes over American F-16s. A procurement committee weighed the choice for 10 months before deciding the JAS 39 Gripen E/F was the most suitable, the Royal Thai Air Force said in a statement issued Tuesday.
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08/29/2024
Serbia expects to sign a "huge" deal for French fighter jets during a visit this week from France's leader, President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP on Wednesday, in an agreement estimated to be worth billions of dollars. Vucic made the comments ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's two-day visit to Serbia that kicks off on Thursday, with the duo expected to sign a range of bilateral deals.
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08/29/2024
The F-35 stealth combat aircraft being produced by Lockheed Martin for Poland has been unveiled at the US defence giant’s aeronautics headquarters in Texas, at a ceremony attended by Polish and US officials. The Polish version of the aircraft has been named “Husarz” in reference to Poland’s famous “Winged Hussar” heavy cavalry units that operated from the 16th to the 18th century.
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08/29/2024
Ukrainian troops have dramatically downed a Russian fighter jet over eastern Ukraine as an oil depot was set ablaze by a drone strike more than 100 miles away in Russia. The Soviet-designed Su-25, nicknamed “Frogfoot” by Nato, was brought down over Kramatorsk, Donetsk, as it fired on Ukrainian troops. In footage released by Ukraine’s 28th Brigade, it was seen bursting into flames in mid-air while flying alongside another aircraft and then crashing into the ground.
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08/28/2024
The U.S. Air Force faces a dilemma as its advanced but aging fleet, including the F-117 Nighthawk, is gradually retired. Despite being officially decommissioned in 2008, the Nighthawk has continued to serve in classified testing, highlighting its enduring value.
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08/28/2024
The Thai Air Force said on Tuesday it wanted to acquire Gripen 39 fighter jets built by Sweden's SAAB to replace its ageing jet fighters. The Air Force said it had spent 10 months weighing all options before deciding "the JAS 39 Gripen E/F has the capability to match the demand of the military doctrine and the Air Force's strategy,” the statement said.
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08/28/2024
Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has received a contract to deliver up to six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Uruguayan Air Force. The deal covers an initial aircraft, integrated logistics, mission equipment, and a flight simulator. The plane is expected to operate for its usual applications in reconnaissance, aircrew preparations, border monitoring, and anti-illegal activities.
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08/28/2024
Indian state-owned aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has been reported by local media outlets to have begun talks with Russia on the possible joint production of Su-30 fighter aircraft in India for export. This development has the potential to be a game changer for the fighter export profiles of both countries, as Russia has struggled to sustain fighter exports as clients are threatened with Western economic sanctions.
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08/27/2024
Dagens Nyheter (‘news of the day’) a Swedish daily newspaper published an interview with Peter Nilsson, Saab’s Head of Advanced Programmes, timed to coincide with the Försvarsmakten Flygdagen 2024 (Armed Forces Aviation Day 2024) celebrations. In the article, Nilsson set out for a domestic Swedish audience how Saab is undertaking future fighter options work for the governments, and pointing out that Saab is ready (and an excellent choice) to do so.
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08/27/2024
Japan said it scrambled fighter jets on Monday after a Chinese military aircraft "violated" its airspace in a further escalation of regional tensions. The two-minute incursion into Japanese airspace by the Y-9 surveillance aircraft at 11:29 a.m. was the first by a Chinese military plane, local media reported. The aircraft "violated the territorial airspace off the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture", prompting Japan to deploy "fighter jets on an emergency basis", Japan's defense ministry said.
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08/27/2024
Kazakhstan has received a new batch of Su-30SM fighter jets from Russia, as seen in recent posts on the Kazakh Ministry of Defense’s Telegram page. Several posts from August 17-18 showed Su-30s bearing bort numbers 51-54, and Scramble reported that red 55 and 56 have been spotted as well, making for an apparent delivery of six jets.
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08/26/2024
Tumanov’s remarks underscore a growing concern within the Russian military circles about the effectiveness of these drones in countering their aircraft. “It is now safe to say that drones are becoming a real problem for helicopters,” Tumanov stated. He went on to note, “In recent times, the number of aircraft hit by drones has surpassed those hit by anti-aircraft missiles.”
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08/26/2024
Egypt's military still desperately wants a world-class fighter jet. With the deal it sought to acquire 20 F-35 stealth fighters from the US on ice, Egyptian officials reportedly discussed buying fourth- and even fifth-generation fighter jets from China. It could be a sign that Cairo, a top recipient of American military aid, is either seriously pursuing advanced aircraft from a US rival or trying to ratchet up pressure on the US to cave and sell it F-35 Lightning IIs.
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08/25/2024
The US Air Force marked “the end of an era” with a ceremonial final flight for the F-15C Eagle, tail number A5095, on August 15, 2024, at Kadena Air Base in Japan. This flight, organized by the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 67th Fighter Squadron, celebrated the aircraft’s departure from the unit and signified the last time A5095 would take to the skies.
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08/25/2024
Launched in conjunction with the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program, the US Navy's F/A-XX program has been pursued much more quietly than its counterpart in recent years. At best, we knew, at the start of the year, that the US Navy had a comfortable budget of $1,53 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, to complete the conceptual study phase, and begin the phase of maturation, with the objective of designing a system of onboard air combat systems by 2040, to take over from the F/A-1
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08/25/2024
Aerial clashes near South China Sea flashpoints occur ahead of talks between a top Chinese diplomat and US national security adviser. Manila’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that on Monday, a Chinese fighter jet performed “irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers” as a Philippine fisheries plane conducted a flight near Scarborough Shoal.
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08/24/2024
Moscow has announced a major development in its efforts to bolster the production of its beleaguered Su-57 stealth fighter fleet. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ), a key facility within the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has commissioned new facilities aimed at scaling up the production of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighters.
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08/24/2024
The Raptors, from the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), will participate in a series of exercises over the next few days alongside Singapore’s F-15SG and F-16 fighter aircraft. According to the RSAF statement on Facebook, the training will take place in the southern reaches of the contentious South China Sea, specifically within international airspace.
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08/24/2024
These days, NATO worries that Russia might attack its airbases. Almost uniquely within the alliance, Sweden is prepared for such contingencies: It has an extensive network of roads that double as military runways. It also has aircraft capable of landing and taking off on such roads—and officers and soldiers able to service and move the aircraft within minutes. With Western air dominance no longer guaranteed, other NATO members can learn from Sweden’s dual-use roads.
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08/23/2024
The US is considering reviving its light fighter concept in response to difficulties with its next-generation fighter program, a move that has sparked heated debate and challenged conventional airpower strategies. This month, The War Zone reported that US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin unveiled a notional light fighter concept at a recent presentation at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London, sparking discussions about the future of the US fighter fleet.
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08/23/2024
Ukraine destroyed a Russian MiG-31 jet and two cargo planes in an attack on a military airfield deep inside Russia earlier this month, according to Ukrainian media. A further five Russian aircraft were damaged in Ukrainian drone attacks on the Savasleyka military airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow, several Ukrainian outlets reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources in Kyiv's GUR military spy agency.
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08/22/2024
U.S. and South Korean fighters are flying sorties at a breakneck pace this week in their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise meant to prepare for potential missile attacks by North Korea. Over 200 aircraft, including F-16s and A-10s from the 8th Fighter Wing and 51st Fighter Wing and F-15K, FA-50, and KF-16 jets from the Republic of Korea Air Force, are conducting 2,000 sorties together from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23, according to the ROKAF.
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08/22/2024
The US Air Force (USAF) is testing new, upgraded sensor systems on the F-22 stealth aircraft. The aim is to extend the service life of the F-22 Raptors, which were originally slated to be replaced by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
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08/21/2024
Earlier this year, Harriers were flying around the eastern Mediterranean on a deterrence mission amid the Israel war. The aircraft was proving its worth once again, as it has for more than 40 years.
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08/21/2024
BAE Systems‘ latest project with Boeing involves upgrading the flight control computers of the F-15EX Eagle II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The fusion of cybersecurity measures and future-oriented processing power will enhance combat readiness. BAE Systems has been tasked with upgrading the flight control computers (FCC) of two fighter aircraft, the F-15EX Eagle II and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
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08/21/2024
As the Bilateral Exercise Falcon Strike 2024 continues, various images of the J-10C fighters of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) have surfaced on social media, showing the exercises being conducted with Gripen combat aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force. Although this is not the first edition of this combined activity, the interaction between Chinese and Western-origin combat aircraft always attracts the attention of specialists.
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08/20/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese naval vessels and eight military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Aug. 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday. Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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08/20/2024
Algeria has emerged as a dominant air power in North Africa, passing up Egypt in the number of combat-ready MiG fighter jets. Although Egypt has the largest air force on the continent, Algeria comes in second with a fairly formidable force as well. Algeria’s investment in modernizing its air force fleet, particularly the MiG-29, is paying off.
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08/19/2024
Drills involving 304 Chinese military aircraft and 162 ships had been detected around Taiwan during the Paris Olympics, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday, condemning China for undermining regional peace.
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08/19/2024
China's Chengdu J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" fighter bears a striking resemblance to the American F-16, but it is more closely related to Israel's IAI Lavi, a canceled fighter project. Reports suggest that the J-10 may have incorporated Israeli technology through alleged collaboration, though China claims the design is rooted in its own Chengdu J-9 project.
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08/18/2024
We might have got the first ever look at the new Multi-Mission Pod (MMP) for the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The photo, sent to us by aviation photographer Connor Ochs at Airplane Fotos, shows a Poseidon assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 with the new MMP installed under its centerline attachment point.
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08/18/2024
India is considering expanding its fleet of Russian-designed MiG-29s, with plans to upgrade its existing aircraft and acquire additional MiG-29 UPG variants. Meanwhile, Russia is reportedly pushing India to consider adopting the Su-75 "Checkmate," a fifth-generation stealth fighter that remains unproven and has struggled to find international buyers.
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08/17/2024
One pilot was killed and three injured when a Russian fighter plane crashed during a training flight over Siberia, the regional governor said on Friday. The Tu-22M3 plane went down late Thursday in a deserted area over the Irkutsk region, Igor Kobzev said.
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08/17/2024
South African defense company Paramount is at the forefront of testing the radar system for South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae stealth fighter jet. The radar in question is the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), a critical component of the indigenous KF-21 program. Let’s delve into the details.
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08/17/2024
Ukraine lost a MiG-29 fighter jet on Aug. 16, according to former Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat. "Unfortunately, today we lost a MiG-29. Luckily, everyone is alive. War," Ihnat said, without elaborating where and how the aircraft was destroyed.
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08/16/2024
As it braces for more dangerous maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets, the Philippines is mulling the deployment of the FA-50 fighters, a cutting—edge aircraft, to escort its patrol aircraft over the South China Sea.
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08/16/2024
August 14, 2024, marked the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Panavia Tornado combat aircraft. Nearly 1,000 units of this iconic supersonic aircraft were produced in its several versions (IDS, for ground attack and interdiction, ADS for air defense and ECR for electronic warfare and reconnaissance) during the course of the last five decades.
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08/16/2024
Air Mobility Command teamed up with the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), Air Combat Command and Air Force Global Strike Command to execute Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, July 30 to Aug. 11, 2024, across the western United States and Pacific Ocean. Mobility Airmen used the eight-day exercise to practice mobility operations in a combat representative environment and emphasize mobility’s crucial role in wartime operations.
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08/16/2024
Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter jet over Russia's Kursk Oblast overnight on Aug. 14 amid Kyiv's incursion into the region, Ukraine's General Staff reported. Ukraine's unprecedented operation, ongoing since last week, seems to have taken Russia by surprise, as Kyiv says its forces seized control of 74 settlements and over 1,000 square kilometers of land after they broke through the weakly defended border.
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08/16/2024
Rare footage from the cockpit of a nuclear-capable Russian bomber captured a close encounter on Wednesday between its fighter escort and a NATO air policing interceptor. A video shared to the Russian-language Telegram channel "warhistoryalconafter" showed the crew of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber filming the approach of a German air force Eurofighter Typhoon over the Baltic Sea.
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08/15/2024
Air power is the backbone of any modern military. Since the dawn of early air warfare in the First World War, dominating the sky has become paramount in securing victory on the battlefield. This fact has not been lost on the military powers of today and is always a top priority for funding and modernization. The country with the most aircraft is the United States, which has 13,209 combat aircraft. In second place is Russia with 4,255 aircraft, and in third is China with 3,304 aircraft.
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08/15/2024
Two French pilots have died after their Rafale jets collided in mid-air in eastern France, President Emmanuel Macron has said, in a rare accident involving the cutting-edge military aircraft. One pilot ejected after the crash over northeastern France on Wednesday, but authorities had launched a desperate search for a missing instructor and a student pilot on the second jet.
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08/14/2024
Ukraine is actively looking for willing retired pilots from NATO nations capable of operating its newly acquired F-16 fighter jets. The need for recruitment is to address Ukraine’s shortage of trained pilots capable of flying F-16 fighter jets. According to US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham, Ukraine is looking for ways to strengthen its air capabilities.
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08/14/2024
The Canadian Department of Defence has begun construction of a Quick Reaction Alert facility at the Bagotville base in Quebec. The site will house Ottawa’s future F-35A combat aircraft fleet and support North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations in partnership with the US military.
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08/14/2024
The State Department approved a raft of foreign military sales to Israel on Aug. 13, including an $18 billion deal for up to 50 new F-15 fighters and upgrades to 25 existing F-15I models, plus engines, radars, and other equipment. The deal requires congressional approval, and would provide F-15IA aircraft, similar to the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II, the most advanced version of the F-15. Under the agreement, Israel would buy 25 of the fighters, with options for 25 more, according to report
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08/13/2024
The US is accelerating the deployment of a carrier strike group to the Middle East and sending a guided-missile submarine to the region, the Pentagon announced late on Sunday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin initially directed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the Middle East earlier this month as the region braced for a potential attack on Israel by Iran and its proxies in retaliation for the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
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08/13/2024
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor remains the world’s most expensive fighter jet, with a per-unit cost of around $350 million. This price is largely due to its pioneering design, which introduced many advanced technologies, including stealth capabilities, sophisticated avionics, and thrust-vectoring nozzles.
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08/12/2024
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned the Chinese air force’s “dangerous and provocative actions” against a Philippine military plane patrolling over the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), two China air force aircraft “executed a dangerous maneuver” and “dropped flares in the path of its NC-212i.” The AFP said China’s action endangered the lives of its personnel conducting maritime security operations.
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08/12/2024
The Swiss F-35As are once again making headlines in the Swiss press. Indeed, after the questions about the criteria used during the 2021 competition, to make the American plane its winner, it is now budgetary questions which are once again shaking up this very sensitive issue.
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08/10/2024
Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B jets from 617 Squadron, Marham, United Kingdom, have deployed to Iceland to commence NATO's Air Policing mission. This is the first time British F-35s will have taken part in any NATO air policing mission. The F-35Bs will defend NATO airspace in the Arctic Region and provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs – or ASIC IPPN. The last deployment for British jets in Iceland was 2019.
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08/10/2024
During Exercise Pitch Black 24 in Australia's Northern Territory, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs participated in a "hot pit" refueling exercise, a key component of the Agile Employment Concept (ACE). This exercise, held at the remote RAAF Base Curtin, emphasized rapid refueling operations in austere environments, reducing ground time to around an hour.
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08/08/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 36 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 6) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Of the 36 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 31 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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08/08/2024
Several Ukrainian sources closely linked to the military have reported the loss of one of Russia’s advanced Su-35 fighter jets in the Kursk region. The Telegram channel “Polkovnik GSh” hinted at the loss in its messages, and various Ukrainian monitoring groups have stated that Russia withdrew its strike aircraft following the downing of the Su-35.
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08/08/2024
The United Kingdom’s leading defense industry partners have announced that manufacturing and assembly of the main structure for the country’s first crewed combat air demonstrator in a generation are now underway. According to a press release from BAE Systems, this milestone marks a significant step in developing a new piloted supersonic aircraft aimed at testing a variety of advanced technologies.
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08/08/2024
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots have begun training on the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon (formerly known as J-31) fighter aircraft in China, Pakistan media is claiming. The media says it could soon be operating the 5th-gen fighters after undergoing training. In contrast, the delivery of India’s indigenous fighter jet, Light Combat Aircraft LCA MK1A, has been pushed back by a few months. If Indian defense officials are not proactive, they might end up ‘panic buying’ more Rafale fighter jets.
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08/07/2024
The US military is considering a remote island in Australia as the next potential location for construction under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Known as the Cocos Islands, the area sits west of the Australian mainland and is close to an Indian Ocean chokepoint for Chinese oil shipments. According to a US Navy construction tender published recently, the island can house infrastructure that would help improve Washington’s defense posture in the Indo-Pacific.
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08/07/2024
The military issues website BulgarianMilitary.com reported on Saturday, Aug. 3, that eight Spanish F/A-18A+ fighter aircraft supported by around 150 personnel arrived at Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu military airbase at the start of a new deployment as part of NATO’s Black Sea Air Policing mission. The Spanish team will be stationed in Romania until December as part of the routine rotation of member nation support to the operation.
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08/06/2024
The United States is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East by deploying F-22 Raptors, along with other fighter squadrons, amid escalating tensions with Iran and its allied militant groups. This move follows recent incidents, including the death of key leaders in Tehran and Lebanon, and a meeting in Iran with Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups.
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08/05/2024
More U.S. military aircraft, warships, and other assets are deploying to the Middle East the Pentagon announced Aug. 2. A U.S. Air Force fighter squadron consisting of stealthy F-22 Raptors is being dispatched to the region, a person familiar with the deployment told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
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08/05/2024
F-16 aircraft are already in Ukraine. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Day of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. F-16, MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets flew over the sky during the ceremony of congratulating the warriors.
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08/03/2024
The Department of the Air Force made the decision to continue funding Anduril and General Atomics for detailed designs, manufacture, and testing of production representative test articles under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The companies not selected to build these production representative CCA vehicles, and execute the flight test program, will continue to be part of the broader industry partner vendor pool consisting of more than 20 companies to compete for future efforts.
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08/03/2024
The US is sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East as the region braces for an Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran earlier this week. It is perhaps the largest movement of US forces to the region since the early days of the Gaza war, when the Pentagon sent two carrier strike groups toward the Middle East in a very public warning to regional militant groups not to expand the fighting.
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08/02/2024
More than four decades after its creation, Bangladesh military aircraft will roar over the skies of India for the first time. In the exercise Tarang Shakti (Power of Waves), the Bangladesh Air Force will participate with its fighter jets, along with other Western air forces. So far, Bangladesh Air Force aircraft have never operated from Indian soil. They will participate in the second phase of the exercise at Jodhpur Air Base in Rajasthan, home to the Indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Pr
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08/02/2024
A large tri-national force comprising 23 aircraft from the air forces of France, Germany, and Spain will be transiting to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang, from Aug 5-6.
This trilateral deployment, dubbed Pacific Skies 2024, follows the three-week deployment to this year’s edition of Exercise Pitch Black 2024, in Darwin, Australia.
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08/01/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 29 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (July 31) and 6 a.m. on Thursday. Of the 29 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 13 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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08/01/2024
The F-15SA, a heavily upgraded version of the F-15S, features advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and weaponry, making it one of the most capable aircraft in Saudi Arabia's arsenal.
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08/01/2024
After a long wait, it appears that Ukraine has just received the first batch of F-16s provided by the international fighter jet coalition. The news, first disclosed by Bloomberg on Jul. 31, 2024, has also been confirmed by a U.S. official to the Associated Press.
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07/31/2024
The F-35 Lightning II fighter is the most advanced fighter jet in the world, but it has several updates and upgrades lined up. To begin with, Lockheed Martin is currently rolling out the TR-3 software update that is necessary for the aircraft to remain at the tip of the spear of combat aviation.
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07/31/2024
The Swedish Air Force has embarked on a comprehensive study into the viability of launching small satellites from the JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft. Called “Stella,” the study is inspired by a statement from a former Ukrainian space agency official who said a responsive satellite launch capability with an aircraft would have been useful in preparing for an enemy attack.
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07/31/2024
After months of hinting at a disruption in the program, the US Air Force has formally decided to “pause” its effort to field a new stealth fighter, according to Secretary Frank Kendall. “We’re taking a pause there,” Kendall said today at the Life Cycle Industry Days conference here. “With the platform itself, we’re taking a pause. With the rest of the elements of the air dominance family of systems, we’re moving forward as fast as we can.”
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07/30/2024
As far as combat aircraft programmes go, there appears to be one inescapable fact; although every new generation of combat aircraft aims to outperform its predecessor and often does so, it is unable to achieve a significant reduction in costs. Despite efforts to control costs, the reality of designing, developing and fielding an advanced combat aircraft system and what seems to be a global problem in achieving effective programme management, that can deliver on time and on cost, adds to programm
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07/30/2024
France renewed a commitment to help defend freedom of navigation and overflight in the Asia-Pacific Sunday and said that its supersonic fighter jets — a pair of which landed for the first time in the Philippines — and advance military power would enable it to respond rapidly to any humanitarian or security crisis in the region.
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07/29/2024
The F-15EX Eagle II, the latest variant of the iconic F-15, boasts numerous upgrades, making it one of the most advanced fighters in the U.S. Air Force. Featuring powerful F110-GE-129 engines, the F-15EX can achieve Mach 2.5 and carry nearly 30,000 lbs of payload. Advanced sensors, including the APG-82 AESA radar and Legion Pod IRST, enhance threat detection, while the EPAWSS system ensures superior situational awareness.
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07/29/2024
China could benefit from familiarizing itself with the Mirage 2000’s performance and capabilities, as well as from the possibility of engaging in dissimilar air-combat training. This preparation could be advantageous in the event of a conflict with Taiwan.
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07/28/2024
South Korean defense contractor Hanhwa Defense announced recently that the domestic jet engine that will power the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) KF-21 fighter will be identical in size to the F414 engine made by General Electric (GE) and used on Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and HAL Tejas Mk2, among others, but it will produce superior results.
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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
(Read More...)
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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