Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

France Hands Over Three Rafale Fighter Jets to India

11/22/2019

French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has handed over a total of three Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) thus far, the Indian government said in a November 20 statement. The three aircraft are reportedly being used to train IAF pilots and technicians in France.

Morocco approved for 36 AH-64Es with manned-unmanned teaming

11/22/2019

The US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Morocco worth an estimated $4.25 billion for 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including manned-unmanned teaming kits. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency says it notified the US Congress of the possible sale on 19 November.

US pegs New Zealand C-130J deal at $1.4 billion

11/22/2019

The US Defence Department has pegged the price of five Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports for New Zealand at $1.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) statement follows Wellington’s announcement in June that it favoured the USA-built type to replace its five C-130Hs, and that it would request pricing information from Washington.

Israel-Iran: Risk of an all-out conflict grows after Syria strikes

11/21/2019

The Israeli Air Force's strikes against targets in Syria mark the latest stage in a developing struggle between Israel and Iran, one that inevitably risks a much broader conflict. Iran is eager to bolster its military footprint in Syria. Israel is just as eager to stop it.

Why The U.S. Needs To Invest More In Bombers

11/21/2019

U.S. Air Force bombers represent a crucial capability needed to support the 2018 National Defense Strategy, with the range, payload, endurance, and resiliency to hold targets at risk anywhere and at any time. These long-range combat aircraft routinely deploy to both Europe and the Indo-Pacific to send a strong deterrent message to potential adversaries and reassure America’s allies.

Second pair of Su-30SM combat aircraft arrives in Belarus

11/21/2019

Today, the fighters landed at the airfield of Baranovichi air base. In 2019, all the obligations to supply aircraft under the contract under the agreement between Russia and Belarus on the development of military and technical cooperation were fulfilled. Today, Su-30SM is considered one of the best fighters in the world. It has excellent characteristics. As it was previously reported, 12 such planes will be delivered to our country.

?PICTURES: China’s newest aircraft carrier docks at Hainan

11/21/2019

China’s second aircraft carrier has docked at Yulin Naval base at the southern tip of Hainan Island, amid media speculation that it will soon be commissioned into Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) service.

US Army looks for autonomous medevac vehicles, including UAVs

11/21/2019

The US Army is drawing up its roadmap for the future of medical care on the battlefield and is looking to autonomous vehicles, including unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), to support its medevac mission.

UAVs play outsized role in Iranian airpower: DIA

11/21/2019

A US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) report has highlighted the importance of UAVs in Iran’s defence strategy, and the possibility of new fighter buys when United Nations sanctions end in 2020. “UAVs are Iran’s most rapidly advancing air capability,” says the report. “Iran uses these versatile platforms for a variety of missions, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and air-to-ground strikes.”

DUBAI: UAE tops up GlobalEye, MRTT orders

11/20/2019

Saab is celebrating after the United Arab Emirates, its launch customer for the GlobalEye airborne surveillance system, announced its intention to order two additional units of the Bombardier Global 6000-based platform.

India nearing C295 contract go-ahead, Airbus believes

11/20/2019

India’s long-running process to replace its Hindustan Aeronautics-built HS 748 – or “Avro” – fleet of utility transports could be nearing an end, with Airbus Defence & Space confident of concluding an order for its C295. “We hope to progress soon with India,” says Ioannis Papachristofilou, the company’s head of marketing, who notes that Airbus also has “a lot of open campaigns” for the twin-turboprop type.

DUBAI: Rostec soldiers on with fighter sales

11/20/2019

Rostec is forging ahead with efforts to sell advanced combat aircraft on the international market, although US sanctions present a challenge. The Russian defence conglomerate has offered both the Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 to Turkey, according to chief executive Sergey Chemezov. “As soon as they make a decision, we will be ready to sell both the Su-35 and Su-57,” he says.

Video: Will the UAE buy Russian Su-57, Su-35 jets? | Dubai Airshow 2019

11/19/2019

Amid a slump in India’s bilateral ties with Malaysia, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is eyeing the possibility of selling its Tejas fighter jet to the south-east Asian country, ThePrint has learnt. The Malaysian Air Force has shortlisted the Indian jet as a contender for the contract of its 36 new Light Combat Aircraft. If the deal goes through, it will be HAL’s first foreign sale.

The US Air Force is in no hurry to commit to a next-gen fighter design

11/19/2019

The U.S. Air Force is taking its time to settle on a next-generation fighter design, awaiting instead lessons learned from the F-35 jet and playing the field with promising technologies, according to a senior service official. Options being kicked around are still in the conceptual stage, as America’s newest fighter, the fifth-generation F-35, is only now “coming off the line,” according to Lt. Gen. David Nahom, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for plans and programs.

DUBAI: Boeing and Embraer rebrand transport as C-390 Millennium

11/19/2019

Boeing and Embraer have rebranded the KC-390 airlifter as the C-390 Millennium to emphasise the transport’s cargo mission. The companies have also announced that their defence joint venture set up to sell the KC-390 will be branded as Boeing Embraer – Defense. The two firms announced their joint venture in 2018.

DUBAI: Boeing sees foreign sales reviving AH-6 Little Bird

11/19/2019

Production of Boeing’s AH-6 Little Bird light-attack helicopter has been at a virtual standstill for around 18 months, but increasing Foreign Military Sales interest has the company believing it can revive the programme with as many as 75 more orders.

DUBAI: Lockheed Martin LM-100J gets FAA type certificate

11/19/2019

The Lockheed Martin LM-100J commercial freighter received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration on 15 November. The aircraft was approved after 150h of flight testing under the supervision of the FAA, says Lockheed.

UAE and Russia enter talks over supply of Su-35 jets

11/18/2019

Dmitry Shogayev, head of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation, said at the Dubai Airshow 2019 that negotiations are still under way on supplying the UAE with Russian Su-35 fighter jets. “Negotiations are underway to supply the Su-35 to the UAE and develop the fifth generation of light combat aircraft,” Shogayev said.

Russia Markets New-Generation Weapons

11/18/2019

Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of the state corporation Rostec, has begun marketing new-generation combat aircraft, according to Alexander Mikheev, director general. “At the Dubai Airshow 2019, Russia showcases the cutting-edge Sukhoi Su-57E 5th-generation multirole combat aircraft, the Ilyushin Il-112VE light military transport aircraft, and the upgraded Mil Mi-28NE combat helicopter that has been modified on the base of combat experience,” Mikheev said.

India to sign over $7 billion defence deal with US to procure combat drones, spy aircraft

11/18/2019

India is close to inking a defence deal with the US for the procurement of Sea Guardian armed drones and P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance aircraft. The deal is valued at over $7 billion. "Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army are coordinating their requirements and specifications for the acquisition of these Sea Guardian armed drones from the US under the FMS route," Defence sources told India Today TV.

DUBAI: Dubai air show takes precautions against intruding drones

11/18/2019

In the wake of the loitering munitions attack on the Saudi Aramco oil processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais in September, Dubai air show is taking precautions against intruding unmanned air vehicles. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority says it banned unmanned air vehcile flights in a 8nm (15km) radius from the centre of Al Maktoum International airport between 13 November and 21 November.

DUBAI: RAF to use Typhoon as ‘testbed’ for Tempest development

11/18/2019

The UK Royal Air Force intends to use the Eurofighter Typhoon as a “testbed” for new development methods and technologies that will be employed on the forthcoming Tempest sixth-generation fighter. If the RAF is going to field the Tempest by 2035 it needs to practise shortening development times by adding new technologies on the Typhoon, said Air Chief Marshal Michael Wigston at the Dubai International Air Chiefs conference on 16 November.

North Korea's Kim attends military air show, lauds pilots

11/16/2019

North Korea on Saturday said leader Kim Jong Un attended a flight demonstration of military aircraft at an airfield on the country's eastern coast where he instructed combat pilots to acquire "great idea and tactics" against enemies "armed to the teeth." The report from Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency followed a slew of statements expressing anger at planned U.S.-South Korea military drills that the North says could derail its nuclear negotiations with Washington.

US military aircraft join UK fighter jets in training exercise over the North Sea

11/16/2019

American military aircraft have joined UK fighter jets in a training exercise over the North Sea. The recurring Point Blank exercise, which on Thursday included 35 aircraft from 10 units, aims to hone how allies will fight in real world operations.

Academy’s Glider Team to perform at Aviation Nation

11/15/2019

The Air Force Academy’s Aerobatic Demonstration Team will showcase their talents to the Las Vegas community for the first time in several years at Aviation Nation at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 16-17. One of the larger airshows in the country, Aviation Nation traditionally draws crowds of more than a quarter-million people over the two-day event.