December, 2024 Military Aviation News
12/31/2024
A clutch of retired British pilots have been banned from re-entering the United Kingdom’s defense sector after they were found to have trained the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in China two years ago. The pilots were among those from the United States, Europe, South Africa and South America who served in a flight training school in Guyuan, Ningxia, China, according to the UK-based Livingston Aerospace Ltd, which was sanctioned by the US in July this year.
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12/31/2024
You can’t say the Pentagon didn’t warn us. On December 18, the US Defense Department released the latest edition of its Congressionally mandated annual report on Chinese military capabilities. It’s a sobering read detailing the People’s Liberation Army’s breakneck modernisation in space and cyberspace, in the air, on the ground and on and beneath the waves – modernisation clearly meant to equip PLA forces to invade and occupy Taiwan while holding off any US or allied forces.
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12/31/2024
Recovery of a Navy fighter jet recently downed over the Red Sea likely hinges on what’s left of the wreckage and how safely a salvage operation could be pulled off, analysts say. The F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was shot down by apparent “friendly fire” from the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg on Dec. 22. Although the jet is being phased out, newer Block III versions of it have equipment upgrades that could be a tempting target for adversaries.
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12/30/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 23 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday. Sixteen of the 23 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. The Chinese aircraft included fighter jets, bombers, drones, and support aircraft.
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12/29/2024
The defense ministry reported seven Chinese military aircraft and five vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. One of the aircraft crossed over the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the country’s northern air defense identification zones, or ADIZ. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.
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12/29/2024
China unveiled its sixth-generation stealth aircraft, nicknamed the “White Elephant” and unofficially called the J-36, during a test flight that shook global aerospace and defence circles. The tailless, delta-wing design signals Beijing’s push for advanced stealth, endurance, and long-range capabilities—a bold leap into the future of air power.
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12/29/2024
Austria is in negotiations to acquire 12 M-346FA light fighter jets from Italy to replace the Saab 105 aircraft that were retired from service in late 2020. The planned purchase underscores Austria’s efforts to modernize its air force capabilities and maintain a robust defense posture.
The Austrian Ministry of Defense confirmed the ongoing discussions with the Italian government, with both sides aiming to finalize the agreement.
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12/28/2024
Ukrainian test pilot reveals French Mirage 2000-5F fighters will primarily launch SCALP missiles against ground targets, working alongside F-16s in a specialized tactical approach. The strategic decision comes as experts acknowledge Russian air superiority capabilities would limit the French jets’ effectiveness in direct air combat.
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12/28/2024
Although the spotlight yesterday, December 26, was on the new and mysterious stealth aircraft unveiled by China’s aerospace industry, another significant milestone took place. During its test flight, the new aircraft was escorted by the new two-seater version of the fifth-generation J-20 fighter of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), officially designated as the J-20S.
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12/28/2024
According to Ekotrent on December 26, 2024, Saudi Arabia has begun negotiations with Türkiye to acquire 100 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets. The talks were held during a three-day meeting in Istanbul, where Türkiye's Defense Industry President Haluk Görgün hosted Saudi Arabia's Deputy Defense Minister Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Air Force Commander Turki bin Bandar Al Saud. Discussions centered on the potential procurement of the aircraft.
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12/28/2024
China launched a new amphibious assault ship Friday, capable of launching fighter jets and designed to strengthen the navy’s combat ability in distant seas. The Sichuan, the first ship of the Type 076, is China’s largest such ship yet, displacing 40,000 tons and equipped with an electromagnetic catapult that will allow fighter jets to launch directly off its deck, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
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12/27/2024
After months of rigorous preparation, Ukraine is set to deploy French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets in its ongoing defense against Russia. As reported on the X Account French Aid to Ukraine on December 26, 2024, the six-month training program for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics has successfully concluded, paving the way for the delivery of these advanced multi-role aircraft.
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12/27/2024
Another American fighter aircraft narrowly avoided being shot down by “friendly fire” while conducting a mission over the Red Sea, a US Navy official has revealed. An F/A-18 Super Hornet was forced to take “evasive maneuvers” after an SM-2 missile fired from the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg passed within 100 feet (30 meters) of the aircraft. The combat jet was preparing to land on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier when the incident happened.
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12/27/2024
“The F-16 aircraft was in position to launch a missile strike on the region, and it was shot down.” This was reported to TASS by Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Commission on Sovereignty, Patriotic Projects, and Support for Veterans of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. If true, this would be the second loss of the F-16 Fighting Falcon for Ukraine.
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12/27/2024
New Chinese combat aircraft broke cover in a flood of social media photos and videos on Dec. 26 showing them in flight and revealing two new examples of China’s evolution as an aerospace innovator. One new aircraft appeared in social media posts revealing a large, three-engine warplane with a cockpit and diamond-style wing with no vertical tails. Yaw control appears to be managed by Northrop Grumman B-2-style split rudders.
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12/27/2024
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons still unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea.
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12/26/2024
Bombardment by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province on Tuesday killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women, the Afghan Taliban said, adding it would retaliate. Six people were also injured in the bombing at four locations in Afghanistan, deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday. Pakistani government and military officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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12/26/2024
This was reported by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on X, Ukrinform saw. "Amid Russia’s air raid, which may target facilities located, including in western Ukraine, warplanes are monitoring our airspace," the statement reads. The Operational Command notes that combat aircraft, ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been put on high alert in Poland.
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12/25/2024
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday reported the operation of three Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels. The aircraft and vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one of them entered Taiwan's eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
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12/25/2024
Pakistan is reportedly set to acquire the J-35 fifth-generation stealth aircraft from China. The purchase would once again position Pakistan ahead of India in the race to acquire an advanced combat aircraft, a trend visible since the mid-1950s when the two countries started building their air power.
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12/24/2024
Combined, the world’s air forces operate in excess of 50,000 aircraft, with that number changing little year on year. Nevertheless, the World Air Forces Directory has tracked and detailed some 52,642 aircraft from 161 nations in its report for 2025.
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12/24/2024
Lockheed Martin has secured a nearly $12-billion contract to produce 145 additional F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets for the US military and its international allies. Announced on Friday, the deal covers full-rate production of three F-35 variants under procurement lot 18.
The US Air Force is set to receive 48 F-35As, while the US Marine Corps will soon welcome 16 more F-35Bs and five F-35Cs. The US Navy will also get 14 F-35C aircraft.
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12/23/2024
In this article, we analyze the latest incident that took place during the night of December 21-22, 2024, at approximately 03:00 AM local time, when a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was accidentally shot down by a missile launched from the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, over the Red Sea. This tragic case of friendly fire raises critical questions about the challenges and risks of modern military operations.
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12/23/2024
With the goal of strengthening a key partner in North Africa, the United States government has authorized the possible sale of new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 Block 72 fighters. This information stems from one of the most recent statements by the U.S. Department of State, which notifies Congress of the potential operation through the FMS program for approval.
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12/23/2024
Bangladesh has been actively pursuing the modernization of its armed forces, and the Chinese J-10C, a fourth-generation-plus multi-role fighter jet boasting advanced avionics, weapon systems, and cost efficiency, has featured on its wish list. This news about the possible acquisition of 16 J-10C aircraft follows Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan’s visit to China last month, during which he reportedly expressed Bangladesh’s desire to acquire multirole combat aircraft and attack helicopters.
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12/22/2024
Two U.S. Navy aviators are safe after their two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet was shot down by an American ship by mistake, according to a late Saturday statement from U.S. Central Command.
The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement.
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12/22/2024
Seven Chinese citizens were arrested on charges of illegally entering Guam around the time the U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a key missile interception test using a new radar, the island's Customs and Quarantine Agency has said. The agency said at least four of the people arrested on Dec. 10-11 were found "in the vicinity of a military installation". Guam has many such installations, including Andersen Air Force Base, where the Dec. 10 missile test was conducted.
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12/22/2024
Serbia will build new hangars for Rafale multirole fighter jets at the Colonel-pilot Milenko Pavlovic Air Base in the city of Batajnica. In addition, a refurbishment of existing aprons and taxiways is in the plans Serbian Ministry of Defense confirmed on an inquiry from the Tango Six website.
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12/21/2024
An explosion occurred at the Ostafyevo airfield (moscow oblast), as a result of which an An-72 military transport aircraft was disabled. The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has announced this on Telegram.
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12/21/2024
Eielson-based jets accompany 2 bombers, 2 fighters flying in international airspace over Chukchi, Bering seas The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft Tuesday as they passed through international airspace off Alaska’s coasts. NORAD dispatched four F-16 fighters and an air tanker from Eielson Air Force Base and an electronic surveillance plane out of Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson to intercept the aircraft.
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12/21/2024
On December 18, 2024, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) welcomed its final three Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft at RAAF Williamtown, marking the completion of its fleet acquisition. According to the Scramble magazine, the delivery concluded a six-year process, during which all 72 aircraft ordered by the RAAF were received, strengthening Australia’s air combat capabilities.
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12/21/2024
Spain has signed off on an order for 25 Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-generation fighter jets under its Halcon II program. A contract between the Spanish government and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) was inked today and covers the acquisition of 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft.
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12/21/2024
A recent internal Air Force analysis supports the development of a manned, next-generation fighter jet, three sources told Breaking Defense — a finding that comes amid a high-profile debate over the future of the multi-billion-dollar Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
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12/20/2024
Bangladesh may be exploring options to modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jets, with China’s J-10C emerging as a potential choice, according to a report by The South China Morning Post. However, acquiring the advanced multirole aircraft could strain regional relations and impose significant costs on the nation. This news follows Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan’s visit to China last month, where he expressed Bangladesh’s commitment to acquiring multirole combat aircraft and attack helicop
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12/20/2024
In 1979, Department of Defense (DOD) official Norman Augustine conducted a legendary study of U.S. fighter aircraft cost growth over time. He found that the unit cost of new-generation fighter aircraft has increased, on average, roughly an order of magnitude every 20 years since 1910. Augustine observed, “In the year 2054, the entire defense budget will purchase just one aircraft.
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12/20/2024
Turkey’s bid to acquire Eurofighter jets appears to be advancing positively. On December 18, two Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom touched down at Mürted Air Base, approximately 35 kilometers north of Ankara, for inspection by Turkish officials. This arrival coincides with ongoing discussions regarding Turkey’s potential purchase of Eurofighter aircraft. The jets recently participated in a military exercise in Qatar before arriving in Turkey.
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12/20/2024
China’s air force is very good and improving quickly, but has not yet matched the air combat capabilities of the U.S. Air Force, according to the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military power and officials who helped prepare it. The 2024 edition of the report particularly emphasized how the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has expanded the capabilities of its unmanned aerial systems, saying they are now comparable to USAF systems. It also noted strides the Chinese have made with air-to-a
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12/20/2024
The Pentagon should continue to buy and upgrade the Lockheed Martin F-35, Frank Kendall said today, while underscoring that “better performance” is needed from the stealth jet’s manufacturer. As his tenure overseeing the Air Force comes to an end, Secretary Frank Kendall today offered a word of advice for the incoming Trump administration: the F-35 is here to stay, and now is not the time to talk about replacing manned fighter jets with drones.
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12/19/2024
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported on Dec. 18 that it had detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ADIZ as a designated stretch of international airspace that necessitates the identification of all aircraft for national security purposes. NORAD reported that the Russian planes remained in international airspace and did not breach U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.
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12/19/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and four official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. According to the MND, two of the 15 People's Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ). These included fighter jets, fighter bombers, support aircraft, and a helicopter.
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12/19/2024
Bell Textron Inc., already one the largest employers in the Metroplex, has chosen its hometown of Fort Worth to build components for the next generation of military assault helicopters. The news, announced Tuesday by Bell CEO Lisa Atherton and Gov. Greg Abbott at a Bell facility in northern Fort Worth, represents an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in North Texas. The company’s new facility in Alliance is expected to create more than 500 high-paying jobs after it opens in 2025.
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12/19/2024
Additional units of the two-seater, twin-engine multirole fighter will be built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nasik plant, with an indigenous content of 62.6%; “enhanced due to the indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by Indian defence industry,” explained the MoD.
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12/19/2024
Dutch fighter pilots intercepted Russian fighter jets and bombers while monitoring NATO’s northeastern airspace north of Russian coastal exclave Kaliningrad on Tuesday, the Dutch Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday. “Yesterday, together with Finland and Sweden, we intercepted Russian planes [armed] with supersonic missiles over the Baltic Sea,” said Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on X.
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12/19/2024
The Washington, D.C., Air National Guard would transfer ownership of its F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard as part of a proposed stopgap government funding bill unveiled in Congress on Tuesday.
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12/18/2024
The Rafale F4 marks a crucial step in enhancing the offensive capabilities of the French military aviation with the upcoming integration of the 1,000 kg AASM, developed by Safran Electronics & Defense under the name Hammer. This optimized version of the AASM represents a major innovation, enabling the Rafale F4 to destroy targets with extreme precision, regardless of weather conditions and from a safe distance.
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12/18/2024
Fighter jets and strategic bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Air Forces of Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden have been involved in a new episode over the Baltic. This occurred when a squadron of Tu-22M3 bombers began a patrol over international waters of the Baltic Sea, escorted by combat aircraft. The detection of the formation triggered the activation of NATO QRA protocols, which carried out a staggered response to intercept the flight of the Russian aircraft.
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12/18/2024
Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, Commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, discussed the upcoming deployment in a recent interview and highlighted the evolving security challenges posed by Beijing. The F-15EX aircraft are part of a US strategy to replace aging airframes with more advanced fighters. The US Air Force began phasing out its 48 F-15C and D aircraft fleet in December 2022.
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12/17/2024
The US Navy has awarded Leonardo UK a $33-million contract to supply its BriteCloud 218 Active Expendable Decoys (AEDs) for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This is the first BriteCloud 218 contract for the F-35 after being approved for the radar decoy in July. The contract is expected to satisfy the requirements of fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2027.
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12/17/2024
Two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons are set to arrive in Ankara on December 18. These aircraft, previously deployed in Qatar for training, will land in Ankara for inspection, marking a significant milestone in Turkey’s ongoing efforts to diversify its airpower. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler confirmed the news, describing ongoing negotiations over the fighter jets as “progressing positively.”
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12/17/2024
BAE Systems, Leonardo and JAIEC reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for the GCAP, building on the trilateral cooperation started in 2022.
The three national industry leads participating to the Global Combat Aircraft Programme (GCAP), BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (JAIEC), have reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture and continue working on the program.
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12/17/2024
In a move seen to rival the “loyal wingman” concept of the US, China has unveiled a new unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to operate in tandem with its advanced fighter jets.
Showcased at the recent Zhuhai air show in southern China, the Feihong FH-97A is capable of leading swarms of smaller drones or acting as a companion wingman for Beijing’s stealth fighters, such as the J-20.
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12/16/2024
Despite the impending retirement of the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, these renowned attack planes, also known as Warthogs, continue to demonstrate their effectiveness. One of their most recent operations occurred in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Air Force aircraft carried out a series of strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions on December 8.
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12/16/2024
As the US Air Force (USAF) struggles with questions over Stealth Bomber B-21 Raiders’ force size, the head of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), General Thomas A. Bussiere, has said that based on the B-1 and B-2 bombers’ age, and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China, the US must have an open discussion about the required numbers and speed of delivery of the B-21.
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12/16/2024
Portugal has finalized a €200 million deal with Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer to acquire 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft. The A-29N is a NATO-adapted version of Embraer’s EMB 314 Super Tucano, a turboprop aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, light attack, and advanced pilot training missions.
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12/16/2024
The consortium behind the Eurofighter Typhoon has awarded BAE Systems a £133m contract to further develop its Striker® II Helmet Mounted-Display (HMD). Under the new contract, awarded by the four-nation Eurofighter consortium – Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, BAE Systems engineers will continue to mature the helmet’s capability alongside a programme of flight testing.
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12/16/2024
Bangladesh may be exploring the acquisition of 16 J-10C multirole fighter jets from China, according to local media reports citing Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force. The reports emerged after Hannan’s official visit to China from November 15 to 18, at the invitation of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
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12/15/2024
The operation was carried out by GUR operatives and has been described as a calculated act targeting Russian military infrastructure. The Su-27P, bearing the red tail number 16, was set ablaze at the Krymsk operational airbase. Initial reports mistakenly identified the destroyed aircraft as a Su-30, but subsequent verification confirmed the jet as a Su-27. Judging by footage from the scene, the aircraft either suffered critical damage or was completely destroyed by fire.
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12/15/2024
In a series of coordinated strikes following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed the destruction of Syrian military assets that could pose a threat, targeting aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems stationed across various locations. Ground footage and videos released by the IAF verified the effectiveness of this aerial offensive.
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12/14/2024
In a costly error, a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone was accidentally shot down in northern Syria on December 9 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-allied group, according to US officials. The MQ-9, valued at approximately $30 million, was conducting a mission under Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS).
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12/14/2024
Denmark has dispatched the first of its F-16 aircraft to Argentina as part of a broader agreement to sell 24 jets, along with support equipment and spare parts. The contract, signed in spring 2024 by Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and the Argentine Air Force, marks a significant step in cooperation between the two nations.
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12/14/2024
On Dec. 9, 2022, the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy announced the Global Combat Air Program, a joint development project for a sixth-generation fighter aircraft that would replace the United Kingdom and Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoon and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s Mitsubishi F-2.
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12/13/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 12 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and nine official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Six of the 12 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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12/13/2024
A former Soviet state and a key member of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Kazakhstan has inducted its first A-400M Atlas military transport aircraft, manufactured by Airbus, as it diversifies its military purchases.
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12/13/2024
Air power in the Middle East is tantamount to maintaining regional security. Countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have invested heavily in advanced combat aircraft. These investments enable them to conduct precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, which are essential for gaining a tactical advantage in the region.
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12/13/2024
Fourth-generation fighter aircraft continue to play critical roles in air forces around the world, even where operators are transitioning to more advanced fifth-generation platforms. The U.S. Air Force, for example, features more F-16s in its total force inventory than any other fighter aircraft type. The Viper’s future roadmap foresees it operating in an increasingly threatening battlespace and being tasked with tackling a multitude of complex mission sets.
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12/13/2024
The F-35 Lightning II is a strike fighter aircraft and the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) largest procurement program. Lockheed Martin manufactures the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and international partners and customers. Nineteen governments have agreed to purchase F-35s; of those governments, seven are U.S. allies and considered partners that share the cost of development with the United States. DOD, which plans to purchase 2,470 of the aircraf.
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12/13/2024
The Marines have reactivated a fighter squadron with a lineage that traces back to Guadalcanal as the first East Coast squadron to fly the Corps’ newest fighter jet. Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 251, or VMFA-251, received its first F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter in mid-September before the unit officially reactivated in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Dec. 5, according to the service.
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12/12/2024
The “Loyal Wingman” concept refers to an innovative approach in military aviation where autonomous or semi-autonomous drones or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) work in tandem with piloted aircraft to perform various support and combat missions. These drones act as “wingmen” to human pilots, providing increased situational awareness, expanding mission capabilities, and reducing the risk to human pilots by taking on more dangerous or complex tasks.
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12/12/2024
In a grim revelation, it’s come to light that over half of Russia’s MiG-29SMT fleet is languishing, rusting away at Kursk Air Base, a stark reminder of how quickly the promises of modernization can fade. The MiG-29SMT once heralded as a groundbreaking step toward rejuvenating Russia’s aging MiG-29 fleet, has become little more than a symbol of missed opportunities and broken promises.
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12/12/2024
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday morning that it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 navy and coast guard vessels operating around the island over the past 24 hours, as the democratic island remained on alert amid speculation that Beijing has launched another round of war games.
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12/11/2024
The collapse of the Assad regime has prompted a punishing military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes at military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops both into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years.
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12/11/2024
China has deployed the largest number of naval ships to regional waters around Taiwan since the mid-1990s, the Defense Ministry in Taipei said Tuesday, amid growing speculation that Beijing has launched another round of war games.
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12/11/2024
On December 10, 2023, the Peruvian Congress approved an ambitious budget for 2025 aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of its FAP. A project to acquire 24 fighter jets was approved, marking a turning point since the purchase of Mirage 2000 aircraft in the 1980s. The initial $2 billion, financed through long-term debt via Banco de la Nación, represents the first phase of a total investment estimated at $3.5 billion.
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12/11/2024
French fighter aircraft left Chad for good on Tuesday after N'Djamena decided last month to end military cooperation with the former colonial power, the French military said. One of the sources said that two Mirage 2000D combat jets and a tanker aeroplane took off before 1230 GMT, a French source told AFP. A third took off later. "The French armies are withdrawing today the fighter jet capability present in N'Djamena," said the French army staff on Tuesday in a statement, referring to the aircra
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12/11/2024
Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria's naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its ships struck the ports at Al-Bayda and Latakia on Monday night, where 15 vessels were docked. The BBC has verified videos showing blasts at the port of Latakia, with footage appearing to show extensive damage to ships and parts of the port.
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12/10/2024
The Qatari Air Force, Al-Quwwat Al-Jawiyyah Al-Amiriyyah Al-Qatariyyah, has confirmed the acquisition of 12 additional Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft. This purchase is part of Qatar’s broader investment in enhancing its defence capabilities and strengthening ties with the United Kingdom.
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12/10/2024
The Royal Netherlands Air Force [RNLAF] reached a significant operational milestone with its fleet of Lockheed F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, conducting what reports indicate as their first operational interceptions over the Baltic Sea.
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12/10/2024
Nearly 90 Chinese navy, coastguard ships reported near Taiwan, southern Japanese islands, East and South China Seas. Taiwan’s military has raised the alert level to “high”, saying China restricted its airspace and deployed dozens of warships and coastguard vessels in waters around the island amid reports of a possible Chinese military drill.
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12/10/2024
A key lawmaker on the Senate Armed Services Committee is suggesting that the Air Force and Navy work hand-in-hand to develop their respective sixth-generation fighter jets, rather than take diverging paths. The two services have discussed how to keep their sixth-generation aircraft — the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform and F/A-XX, respectively — complementary, but they’re running two separate programs that feature different airframes and propulsion systems.
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12/10/2024
In stark contrast to its previous pacifist posture, Japan is rapidly boosting its military might in the face of growing security challenges from China. Japan is co-developing its next-generation fighter jet and CCA drone with the United Kingdom and Italy under the ‘Global Combat Air Program’ (GCAP).
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12/09/2024
China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island it claims as its own. China’s military activities come amid speculation Beijing might organize military drills around the island in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visit to Pacific allies, including U.S. stops in Hawaii and Guam.
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12/09/2024
During the 2024 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024), the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) revealed that the JF-17 Thunder will undergo an ‘Operational Capability Upgrade’ (OCU). NASTP is also designating this JF-17 OCU project as ‘PFX Alpha’, indicating that it is the first sequential step towards the future PFX fighter program.
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12/09/2024
For several days, a rumor has been circulating on Chinese social networks: the new J-35 fighter could be presented, for the first time, at the Zhuhai Air Show, which will be held in mid-November. The rumor was clearly true, as the People's Liberation Army confirmed the presence of no fewer than seven aircraft at the show, including the J-7 heavy stealth fighter, the J-20 multirole fighter-bomber, and the new Y-16U tanker aircraft. All three will perform flight demonstrations at the event.
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12/09/2024
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron landed at Clark Air Base, Philippines on Dec. 6, 2024. U.S. Pacific Air Forces Airmen will conduct integrated training with the Philippine Air Force through Dec. 15, providing pilots and maintenance teams an opportunity to increase shared capabilities and enhance interoperability.
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12/09/2024
The top U.S. officer in the Pacific says Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to send MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft to Pyongyang in return for that nation deploying soldiers to help with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
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12/08/2024
The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a sudden rebel offensive sprinted across government-held territory and entered the capital in 10 days. Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free.
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12/08/2024
The leader of the Islamist group leading an insurgency in Syria says his forces have taken full control of Homs - the country's third largest city. Abu Mohammed al-Golani called it a "historic victory" and urged his followers not to harm those who surrendered. The BBC has not yet been able to verify the claims. The Syrian Defence Ministry said the reports were false and that the situation in Homs was "stable and safe".
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12/08/2024
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 7 December that Denmark has delivered a second batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking a significant expansion of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. “The second F-16 batch for Ukraine from Denmark is already in Ukraine. This is leadership in protecting life that distinguishes Denmark,” Zelensky said.
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12/07/2024
Rebels have launched a major offensive against the government in Syria, seizing cities in a lightning advance that has expanded the territory under their control. The rebels captured the city of Hama on Thursday in a significant new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies. Seizing Hama gives them control of the strategically located central city for the first time since a rebellion against Assad descended into civil war 13 years ago.
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12/07/2024
Four F-35 fighter jets arrived in Denmark on 6 December 2024. The jets, flown from the United States, landed at Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, the country’s primary base for military aircraft. This addition brings Denmark’s F-35 fleet to eight, with three more jets expected to arrive over the winter, increasing the total to 11. The new aircraft will progressively replace the ageing F-16 jets, which have served as Denmark’s primary defence force for decades.
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12/07/2024
The Marine Corps activated its first F-35C Lightning II stealth fighter squadron on the East Coast on Thursday, with the reactivation of the legendary Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point near Camp Lejeune, N.C.
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12/07/2024
Recent reports in the Pakistani media have claimed that the Pakistani government has approved the acquisition of J-35A stealth fighters from China. The aircraft is reportedly scheduled to enter service within 24 months. Some sources mention that the decision was finalized after the J-35A’s debut at the Zhuhai Airshow 2024. However, there has been no official confirmation of the Pakistan government’s approval.
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12/07/2024
India has extended $200 million line of credit to Nigeria in a bid to help facilitate the procurement of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1, the single-engine multi-role combat aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
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12/07/2024
In a surprising new development, a specialized Russian MiG-31 aircraft – also called by NATO as Foxhound – has been seen carrying a hypersonic missile. The MiG-31 interceptor is one of the fastest manned jet aircrafts in the world, and it is known to reach speeds of around Mach 2.83 – which is almost three times the speed of sound. Developed by Mikoyan, the MiG-31 was first introduced in 1982 – making it a Cold War-era plane.
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12/07/2024
Construction of the first fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for the German Air Force has begun in the United States. On Friday, December 6, the German Air Force commander and a representative of the weapons department signed the central wing section of the first aircraft. The ceremony took place at the Lockheed Martin aircraft plant in the United States.
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12/06/2024
This week, Norwegian, US and UK air forces are conducting the Norwegian-led exercise Apex Buccaneer in the High North – closely integrated with units from the Norwegian Navy, Army and Special Forces. The air assets includes Norwegian F-35 fighters and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft; a US B-52 bomber, KC-135 Stratotankers, a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft and F-35 fighters – as well as UK F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and a RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft.
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12/06/2024
CCAs Eyed as Escorts for Long-Range Strike Fleet After Maturing in Fighter Force. The Air Force Global Strike Command is considering long-range, autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft as partners for its bombers but is waiting to see how they prove out with the fighter force first, the head of the command said Dec. 5.
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12/05/2024
The aircraft was painted in full-colour Belgian national markings (most operators use toned down markings in shades of grey), was delivered to No.312 Squadron, which was established in June 2023, and that will eventually operate four F-35A aircraft from Luke for an extended period, training Belgian Air Force personnel in the United States.
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12/05/2024
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France and Saudi Arabia have the "will to move forward" on a deal to sell Rafale fighter jets to the oil-rich Gulf monarchy. "In terms of security and defence, we have very clearly improved things... with the will to move forward on the Rafale, which is a major change in the bilateral relationship," he told reporters on the second day of a state visit to Saudi Arabia.
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12/05/2024
The UK government has said it is reviewing its decision to allow the continued export of F-35 fighter jet components in light of concerns that they could end up in Israel, according to campaigners who are seeking to block the exports. In a statement on Wednesday, two campaign groups taking legal action against the government said it had written to them to confirm that it is reviewing both the export of the fighter jet parts to a global supply pool and continuing direct arms export licences to Is
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12/05/2024
South Korea’s KAI intends to develop an AI initiative (termed ‘K-AI pilot’) in conjunction with its FA-50 light combat aircraft, with the project to explore autonomous fight capabilities by 2026. As KAI’s head of AI research Lim Seong-shin explained in a presentation, the focus will then shift to “semi-autonomous” formation flying and combat manoeuvring.
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12/05/2024
The F-14 Tomcat is one of military aviation’s most recognizable aircraft. The wide, flat fuselage and the swept wings are discernible to many. However, the F-14’s recognition is owed mostly to its inclusion in the Top Gun film series rather than to battlefield accomplishments. That’s not to say that the F-14 wasn’t a capable combat aircraft, it was, but the opportunities for American aircraft to engage with the enemy were limited in the post-Vietnam era. The F-14’s air-to-air combat record is ne
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12/05/2024
An Iranian fighter jet crashed in the south of the country Wednesday, killing the two pilots, state media reported. State television identified the pilots as Col. Hamid Reza Ranjbar and Col. Manouchehr Pirzadeh, saying they were on a test flight after the plane was overhauled. The crash took place near the town of Firouzabad, some 770 kilometers (480 miles) south of the capital Tehran.
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12/05/2024
Syrian rebels have purportedly captured multiple Syrian Air Force’s MiG-23 fighter jets along with other air and ground-based equipment belonging to the Syrian military, days after they launched a surprise offensive against the Bashar al-Assad government and reignited the 13-year-old Civil War.
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12/04/2024
Norway will assume responsibility under NATO to safeguard the airspace of Poland's Rzeszów airport and will send 100 soldiers, air defence systems and F-35 fighter jets to do so, the Norwegian defence minister announced on Monday. The airport, some 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, is central to the transport of military goods. Various NATO allies are taking turns in providing Poland with air protection, Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said in a statement.
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12/04/2024
Pakistan is reportedly moving forward with a major upgrade to its air power capabilities, clearing the path for the acquisition of China’s J-35, a cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth fighter. According to Indian defense outlet idrw.org, citing 24 News HD, the decision was finalized shortly after the J-35’s debut at the Zhuhai Airshow in southern China. Russian media outlets have also begun to amplify the news, further fueling speculation about its regional implications.
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12/04/2024
The governments of Japan, Britain and Italy are coordinating to include Saudi Arabia in their joint development of a next-generation fighter jet, Japanese government sources have said. Given the challenge of reducing development costs, the three governments are apparently interested in Saudi Arabia’s financial clout as a major oil producer. They are expected to reach an agreement on the matter by the end of this year.
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12/04/2024
The Navy is keeping its fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets at 80 percent readiness, six years after former Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered both the Air Force and Navy to raise their fighters’ readiness levels. The Air Force, meanwhile, has abandoned that goal and its fighters’ mission capable rates are still lagging.
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12/04/2024
The first two Sukhoi Su-35SE Flanker-E fighter jets were reportedly delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) recently. According to Flugrevue, a private ceremony was held during the handover at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft manufacturing facility (KnAAPO) in Russia’s Far East. The Su-35SEs’ components were brought to an airbase in Hamadan for reassembly upon their arrival in Tehran. Their delivery marked Iran’s acquisition of its first 4.5-generation fighter jets.
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12/03/2024
Deliveries of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force have resumed following a year-long delay. Three of the final nine F-35As on order arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown on 29 November after a ferry flight from Fort Worth in Texas in the US, where they are manufactured.
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12/03/2024
‘Listening to new options’, according to a senior civilian advisor, is a key piece of the US Air Force process of force redesign. One of those options is using the fighter-like drones that will come from the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which was central to a panel discussion at the US Mitchell Institute’s Air Power Futures Forum in November. Another is a tighter focus on electromagnetic spectrum operations, the currently favored term for electromagnetic warfare (EW) and related activi
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12/03/2024
The Indian Navy is close to finalizing a landmark deal for 26 Rafale M naval fighter jets, with the contract expected to be signed by early 2025. “Rafale Marine is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security,” Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi stated at the annual Navy Day press conference on December 2, 2024, indicating that the agreement could be finalized as early as the following month.
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12/03/2024
The last of the classic Cold War-era MiG-21 Fishbed fighters in Europe have been stood down from operational duties. Assigned to NATO, the Croatian Air Force was the final European operator of the MiG-21, a type that originally entered service back in 1959 and which had been a presence over the continent ever since then, in the hands of more than a dozen different nations.
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12/02/2024
Russian fighter jets have executed a series of airstrikes since early morning, targeting positions in the surrounding areas of the cities and towns of Murk, Khan Shaykhoun, Kafr Nebl, Hazarin and Tel Kawkabah in the southern countryside of Idlib and northern countryside of Hama. However, no casualties have been reported so far.
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12/01/2024
The Ministry of National Defense tracked nine Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 30) and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Of the nine People’s Liberation Army aircraft, three crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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12/01/2024
In his evening address on November 29, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted a conversation with president of France Emmanuel Macron. The conversation was aimed at strengthening Ukraine's air defense, as well as "comprehensive defense support and accelerating the transfer of Mirage aircraft."
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12/01/2024
The networking with the Gripen gives the Super Tucano accurate airborne threat movements thanks to the Swedish jet’s advanced radar. The Brazilian Air Force uses its Super Tucanos to combat drug cartels and perform slow mover intercepts.
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