Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China ‘sends record number of fighter jets’ toward Taiwan

12/27/2022

The Chinese military has sent 71 planes and seven ships towards Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese defence ministry, marking the biggest daily incursion yet as Beijing protested against “collusion and provocation” by the self-ruled island and the United States. In a statement on Monday, the Taiwanese defence ministry said 47 of the Chinese planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan strait, an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides, during the 24-hour display of force.

TAI Hurjet left the hangar: Turkey showed its combat aircraft

12/25/2022

Moments of history, as written by the Turkish media. Turkey’s first self-produced light combat aircraft and trainer aircraft left the hangar and showed itself to the world. The developer of Hurjet is the Turkish company TAI and will be associated in the future – TAI Hurjet.

Russia Confirms Training Belarusian Fighter Pilots To Counter NATO; Reports Say Jets Would Be Nuclear-Capable

12/25/2022

“During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s working visit to Minsk on December 19, a decision was made to provide training for the crews of combat aircraft converted for the possible use of ammunition with a special warhead,” Galuzin said. The official added that the US, with its NATO allies, have been undertaking similar activities for decades. “This particular case is also about a symmetrical response of Russia and Belarus to unfriendly steps of the alliance member states,” Galuzin emphasized.

Russia to supply Iran with 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets - Western intelligence

12/25/2022

Western intelligence sources who monitor security deals between Iran and Russia say Moscow will soon provide a full squadron of fighter jets to the Islamic Republic. It will apparently be 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, originally produced for Egypt under a deal that was torpedoed by the United States. The Russians were looking for buyers for the unsold surplus, and it looks like Tehran will be getting those planes very soon. According to an intelligence report, Iranian pilots are already trainin

Japan Approves 26.3% Increase in Defense Spending for Fiscal Year 2023

12/24/2022

China, North Korea, and Russia are acting as if to wake a long-time sleeping lion in Asia – that is, Japan. On December 23, the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Kishia Fumio approved 6.82 trillion yen ($51.4 billion) in defense spending in fiscal year 2023, starting in April, amid what it calls “the most severe and complex security environment since World War II.”

Russo-Ukraine War - 23 December 2022 - Day 303

12/24/2022

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 21 December, President Putin was presented with plans to expand the Russian military by around 30% to 1.5 million personnel. It isn't clear when this level would be achieved. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shigou explained that the expansion would involve at least two brigades in north-western Russia growing to divisional strength. He cited the supposed threat from Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO.

Russian, Chinese Warships Hold Drill in East China Sea, Chinese Carrier Strike Group Steams in Philippine Sea

12/24/2022

The Russian Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) are exercising in the East China Sea while the PLAN Liaoning Carrier Strike Group continues operating in the Philippine Sea. On Wednesday, the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense said on a Russian Navy cruiser, destroyer and two corvettes were sighted Tuesday, sailing southwest in an area 50 miles northeast of Tsushima.

Pentagon lacks big picture for fighter jet procurement, watchdog says

12/24/2022

A federal watchdog wants to make sure the U.S. military is getting the best bang for its buck when buying new aircraft. The Pentagon plans to spend about $100 billion in the next five years to modernize its tactical aviation fleets — that is, fighter jets, attack planes and electronic warfare platforms. But the military should look at those plans holistically to avoid wasting money and duplicating effort, the Government Accountability Office argued in a report published Tuesday.

India’s Su-30 MKI, Japan’s F-15 Fighters To Hold 1st Ever Air Combat Drills Next Year Amid China’s Belligerence

12/23/2022

Officials said the drills, which will take place from January 16 to 26, will be the first of their kind in Japan, reported NHK japan. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force will deploy F-2 and F-15 fighters. According to the ASDF, the Indian Air Force’s four Su-30MKI fighters and two C-17 transport planes are scheduled to arrive in Japan on January 10 to participate in the drill.

First Two Italian Navy F-35B Returning From The U.S. Land Aboard Cavour Aircraft Carrier

12/23/2022

?The first two F-35B Lightning II STOVL aircraft of the Marina Militare (Italian Navy), MM7451/4-01 and MM7452/4-02, landed aboard Cavour aircraft carrier on Dec. 16, 2022, completing the long return trip from the U.S. that had (virtually) started on Nov. 29, with the ceremony held last November 29, at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, to celebrate the end of the PIA (Pooling Implementing Arrangement) signed in 2018 by the Italian MOD Defense and the US Marine Corps.

Taiwan scrambles jets as China flies dozens of aircraft into air defense zone

12/23/2022

Taiwan scrambled fighter jets to confront dozens of Chinese aircraft that flew into the self-governed Island's southeastern Air Defense Zone on Thursday. China's sortie included 21 fighter aircraft, four bombers and an assortment of support craft as well. The group totaled 39 planes in all, and Taiwan's military also detected three Chinese naval vessels operating in the region, Reuters reported.

EXPLAINER: Patriot Missile System and How it Might Help the AFU

12/22/2022

The United States will give Ukraine top-of-the-line Patriot anti-aircraft missiles as part of $1.8 billion military assistance package, according to Dec. 21 news reports. The top-end American air defense technology will add a new layer to Kyiv’s air defense capacities, but not so much to prevent Russian drone attacks against Ukrainians cities.

Polish Air Force Receives Final Batch of Leonardo Advanced Jet Trainers

12/22/2022

Italian aerospace firm Leonardo has completed the delivery of M-346 advanced trainer aircraft to the Polish Air Force, boosting Poland’s fleet to 16. The third and final delivery of four advanced jet trainers last week made the Polish Air Force’s the second largest fleet of M-346 aircraft in Europe. “We are very proud to have equipped the Polish Air Force with an advanced training system based on our M-346,” Senior Vice President Dario Marfè said.

The Swedish Air Force prepares for the next 20 years

12/22/2022

As part of a military strategic analysis study up to 2045, the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) designed its roadmap for the next two decades, which will guide its expansion and modernization. The study, conducted for the entire Swedish Armed Forces, seeks to guide decisions on defense policy towards 2045. It echoes the war in Ukraine and Sweden’s future membership in the NATO structure, which marks a turning point for the country after decades of strategic neutrality.

Colombia closes in on purchase of 16 French Rafale fighter planes

12/22/2022

Colombia has shortlisted a French bid to sell 16 Rafale fighter planes to the South American nation for up to $3.15 billion, the Colombian government said on Wednesday. Colombia wants to replace the Israeli-made Kfir aircraft it acquired in the late 1980s, and would use the new planes to defend its territory, fight organized crime and conduct aerial surveillance.

Italy Drops A ‘Bombshell’ On 6th-Gen GCAP Fighter Program; Wants Equal Share In Development With Japan & UK

12/22/2022

Earlier this month, an agreement was signed by the UK, Japan, and Italy to develop the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which will see them work together on next-generation fighter aircraft. The deal fused the UK-Italy Tempest and Japan’s F(X) programs. As negotiations to establish the responsibilities of each nation in the ambitious project move forward, Italy has raised a precondition for the functioning of the GCAP.

US to send $1.8 billion in aid, Patriot battery, to Ukraine

12/21/2022

The U.S. will send $1.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine in a massive package that will for the first time include a Patriot missile battery and precision guided bombs for their fighter jets, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as the Biden administration prepares to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington.

Naval Aviator who took part in first F/A-18E combat mission tells the story of Super Hornet’s combat debut

12/21/2022

Fresh from conducting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) patrols over Afghanistan, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) steamed into the NAG from the Northern Arabian Sea in late October 2002 where the aircrew of the embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) started to perform the Operation Southern Watch (OSW) mission.

Putin says Russia is training Belarusian pilots to fly jets capable of carrying a "special warhead"

12/21/2022

Russia will continue training Belarusian Air Force pilots to fly combat jets that have been refurbished to carry a "special warhead," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday during a joint news conference with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. "I think it would be possible to continue implementing the proposal made by the Belarusian President to train crews for Belarusian combat planes.

Tactical Aircraft Investments: DOD Needs Additional Portfolio Analysis to Inform Future Budget Decisions

12/21/2022

DOD is upgrading its fleet of fighter and attack planes, known as tactical aircraft. Most of these planes—purchased in the 1970s and 80s—have outlived their planned service lives. Over the next 5 years, DOD is proposing to spend nearly $100 billion on major investments and changes to its current mix of tactical aircraft.

XQ-58 Valkyrie UAVs Delivered To Eglin AFB As Kratos Flies Improved Block 2 Variant

12/21/2022

The 40th Flight Test Squadron ar Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, took possession of the first of two government-owned Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost, high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles. The Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation team established within the unit will use the XQ-58 and Eglin range for further developmental ground and flight testing.

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Training Belarus Pilots To Fly Jets With ‘Special Warheads’

12/20/2022

During his first visit to Belarus in more than three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with his counterpart, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, on a wide range of military and economic issues, including training Belarusian pilots to fly combat jets equipped with “special warheads,” according to the official Belarusian BelTa new agency. Lukashenko also thanked Putin for providing nuclear-capable Iskander short-range ballistic missiles and an S-400 air defense complex to Bela

Sweden’s Gripen Fighter Aircraft to Undergo Major Upgrade

12/20/2022

Swedish aerospace firm Saab announced Friday that it has been awarded a contract for 3.5 billion Swedish Krona ($338 million) to perform major upgrades on the Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft. According to the company, the plane will be equipped with a new engine to improve its flight performance. A more effective electronic warfare system will also be integrated to deny adversaries the ability to jam or disrupt the Gripen.

Turkey’s future unmanned fighter jet conducts first flight

12/20/2022

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Tech on Dec. 14 conducted the first flight test of its next-generation unmanned fighter jet, known as the Bayraktar Kizilelma. The drone is expected to be the air force backbone of the Turkish Navy’s future flagship, LHD Anadolu.

B-2 Bomber Fleet Grounded Indefinitely

12/20/2022

The U.S. Air Force’s entire fleet of B-2 Spirits is grounded, and the sole runway at their home base remains closed after one of the stealth bombers had a malfunction while flying and was forced to make an emergency landing Dec. 10. The head of Global Strike Command, Gen. Timothy Ray, directed the “safety pause” to inspect the fleet after the incident, Master Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio of Bomb Wing Public Affairs told Defense One in an email.