Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia, China Boosting Defense Ties in Response to US Deploying THAAD in S Korea

10/14/2016

Russia and China have strengthened bilateral defense cooperation as both countries are wary of the United Stated deploying the land-based Aegis combat system in Europe and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, in South Korea which the White House has pledged to install as soon as possible.

Singapore Urges China to Engage With Neighbors in Easing Tensions

10/13/2016

Singapore urged Beijing to engage “constructively” with other regional players—including the U.S.—to ease tension in the disputed South China Sea, even as the city-state wraps up a deal here to sharpen its military skills. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Australia’s Parliament at the start of a two-day visit on Wednesday that both allies wanted a “stable and orderly world in which countries big and small can prosper in peace.”

Thwarting Plans For A Russian Airbase, Minsk Strengthens Its Air Force

10/13/2016

On 1 October the investigative platform Bellingcat reported that Russia has withdrawn its fighter jets from Belarus. After analysing satellite images, it found no Russian planes on the Baranavichy ?airbase.

Sweden’s SAAB sweetens deal for Gripen jet

10/13/2016

In an aggressive push to capture a share in India’s fighter aircraft market, Swedish aerospace major SAAB has offered its latest radar technology as part of the Gripen fighter package along with significant technology transfer in addition to design consultancy for developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A which the Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct in large numbers.

APAN AEROSPACE: Kawasaki sees unique niche for C-2 transport

10/13/2016

The first aircraft is already in service with JASDF after being delivered in June, says a company representative. He did not give firm numbers on the total to be delivered, but expects that Tokyo will need 20-40 examples of the airlifter to replace the nation’s fleet of C-1s. Production could ramp up to 3-4 aircraft annually, but this is contingent on Tokyo’s defence budget.

JAPAN AEROSPACE: Boeing promotes F-15 as air-to-air missile truck

10/13/2016

Boeing believes there are several upgrades that can be applied to Tokyo's fleet of F-15J air superiority fighters, which could both extend the type’s service life and greatly enhance its capabilities.

India Seeks Foreign Defense Firm to Build Domestic Single-Engine Fighters

10/13/2016

As part of its ongoing efforts at military modernization, India is in pursuit of a single-engine fighter jet to be built domestically, but based on foreign designs, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Make in India" initiative.

US Navy Destroyer Comes Under Missile Fire Off Yemen Coast

10/13/2016

According to US officials speaking on condition of anonymity, a US Navy destroyer was the target of a failed missile attack from Houthis within Yemen. The USS Mason and amphibious transport dock USS Ponce were operating north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, between the southwest coast of Yemen and Djibouti. Defensive salvos were fired, and neither ship was damaged.

'We Weren’t Ready for This': Daesh Deploys Weaponized Drones

10/13/2016

Violent extremist groups in the Middle East, including Daesh, have reportedly begun to weaponize drones, using them on the battlefield to kill, according to a source in the US military.

Flying the UK’s new fighter: Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

10/12/2016

Hovering slowly and precisely along the taxiway, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the time I flew a Harrier TMk10. I’d thought that was an incredible flying machine, but the F-35 is something else!

India Kicks Off New Search for MiG-21 Replacement

10/12/2016

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MOD) has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to global aircraft manufacturers alerting international suppliers that there will be a new competition for the building of a new single-engine fighter aircraft under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative.

Bangladesh orders single C295W transport

10/12/2016

The nation has become the ninth to order the C295W, which will become the first multi-engined fixed-wing aircraft to be operated by the aviation branch of the Bangladesh army. It will be used as a transport for troops and cargo, with applications potentially including paratrooping and medical evacuation, and the contract also covers training and support, Airbus says.

Norway AF requests 12 F-35As in proposed block buy

10/12/2016

The proposal, if approved, would raise the total number of authorised F-35A purchases to 40 aircraft, or only 12 short of the Norwegian air force’s requirement. The requested authorisation also would allow Norway to participate in a proposed “block buy” for the F-35’s US and international partners. The F-35 Joint Programme Office is working to package purchases of hundreds of F-35s spread over two or three years from 2018 to 2020 into a single order commitment.

PICTURES: How North Korean air power starred in Wonsan

10/12/2016

North Korea's inaugural Wonsan Air Festival, staged in the coastal city from 24-25 September, was billed as a non-political event "organised to promote the spirit of international peace and friendship through aviation and air sports".

War Crimes and Airstrikes: Accusations and Denials in the War in Syria

10/12/2016

Tension over the conflict in Syria has continued with British MP Andrew Mitchell likening Russia's military intervention to that of the Nazis during the Spanish civil war. Moscow has rejected such claims, in what has been a common theme of accusation and denial throughout the war.

Iraq requests $65.3m sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft from US

10/11/2016

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a $65.3m potential sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft to Iraq. Under the sale, Iraq requested two Cessna AC-208 aircraft, as well as related equipment, training, and support.

VIDEO: C295 demonstrates air-to-air refuelling

10/11/2016

A palletised refuelling unit was installed on a company-owned example for the 29 September trials, along with the computer system required to control the procedure. The medium transport successfully made multiple contacts with a probe-equipped C295 operated by the Spanish air force, with both crews reporting “extremely smooth operation” at speeds down to 110kt (203km/h).

Poland to Consider French Offers on Military Aircraft

10/11/2016

Despite Poland's failed talks on purchase of 50 French Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal, Warsaw will consider other French offers on buying military aircraft, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said.

Adapt and Overcome: Chinese Pilots Learn Russian to Fly Su-35 Fighters

10/11/2016

A new shipment of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft soon to be delivered to China will be fitted with onboard readout systems that display data in Russian.

Joint Russia-Serbia BARS-2016 Drills Kick Off in Serbia

10/11/2016

Joint Russian-Serbian BARS-2016 tactical flight exercises started in Serbia, according to official statement of Russian Defense Ministry.

US, Germany to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia

10/11/2016

The United States and Germany will conduct an observation flight over Russia's territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

Threats and Rising Tensions: Russia’s Military Options against a US Attack on Syria

10/10/2016

The tensions between Russia and the USA have reached an unprecedented level. I fully agree with the participants of this CrossTalk show – the situation is even worse and more dangerous than during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both sides are now going to the so-called “Plan B” which, simply put, stand for, at best, no negotiations and, at worst, a war between Russia and the USA.

On Their Own, Afghan Forces Strain to Combat Taliban Offensives

10/10/2016

As Afghan forces struggle to break a weeklong Taliban siege of central neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Kunduz, insurgents are also stepping up pressure on urban centers in western and southern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.

PLAAF to Build New AEW&C Plane to Track Enemy Warships at Long-range

10/10/2016

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) plans to develop a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the huge Xi'an Y-20 transport nicknamed "Chubby Girl" that entered service only last July. This AEW&C aircraft will be optimized for detecting both aerial and maritime targets and will possess longer endurance, making it suitable for patrols well into the South China Sea and the Western Pacific.

Air Force Pilot Proclaims the A-10 Warthog the Most "Rugged" He Had Ever Flown

10/10/2016

An A-10 pilot told Scout Warrior the aircraft was the most "rugged" he had ever flown. The Air Force now plans to keep the A-10 flying well into the next-decade. Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “flying tank” in the sky.