Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

NATO INTERCEPTS RUSSIAN BOMBERS ABOVE BALTIC SEA TWICE IN ONE WEEK

02/22/2017

NATO jets intercepted a skein of Russian combat aircraft, flying alongside Russian bomber planes above the Baltic Sea last Tuesday and Thursday—twice in a week, Lithuania’s government reports. The uptick of Russian approaches to the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since Moscow’s annexation of another former Soviet territory—Crimea in 2014—has unnerved and convinced them that the Kremlin may harbor similar designs for their lands.

Australian forces within 50km of Mosul

02/22/2017

Australian special forces are within 50 kilometres of the frontline of the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul as the ground offensive shifts to liberating the city's west. Australian soldiers are at forward operating bases advising and assisting Iraqi soldiers and providing medical treatment to the wounded. Schools and markets have reopened and life is starting to return to normal for civilians in East Mosul.

Russia's Most Lethal Fighter Jet Ever Is Heading to the Middle East

02/22/2017

The United Arab Emirates has agreed to purchase a batch of advanced Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighters from Russia. The Flanker-E is the most capable operational Russian combat aircraft would add to the UAE’s already formidable fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 Fighting Falcons. More troubling for the United States, the deal is an indication that the UAE—a long-time U.S. ally—is drifting into Moscow’s orbit.

Next-generation fighter jet deal signed by Russia and UAE

02/22/2017

Russia and the UAE signed an agreement this week to develop a fifth-generation fighter jet. The deal was announced by Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of the Rostec State Corporation, at the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital.

Indonesia-Russia Su-35 Fighter Jet Deal Will Be Signed in ‘Coming Months’

02/22/2017

Indonesia and Russia will likely conclude an agreement for the purchase of up to 10 Russian-made Su-35S multirole fighter jets for the Indonesia Air Force (TNI-AU) in the near future, according to a senior Russian defense industry representative.

Lockheed pops reporter into T-50 cockpit

02/22/2017

There was no turning back from my maiden trainer voyage aboard a Lockheed Martin T-50A once the glass canopy closed down above my head. As we slowly taxied down the runway, I mentally prepared myself for the moment I would flatten into my seat upon takeoff. But the afterburner helped lift the T-50 off at 124 knots in 1200 feet for such a smooth departure that I would be disappointed with my commercial flight back home later that evening.

Russia Begins Sukhoi T-50 Fighter Missile, Bomb Armament Tests

02/22/2017

Deputy Defense Minister said that tests of the Russian fifth-generation fighter T-50 (PAK FA) are in the process of the integration of missile and bomb armament.

Turkey-Russia Talks on S-400 Deliveries 'Positive' - Turkish Foreign Minster

02/22/2017

Turkish Foreign Minister said that negotiations with Russia on deliveries of advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems to Turkey are progressing successfully.

Russia Considering Iraq's Request for New Arms Amid Anti-Daesh Fight

02/22/2017

Russia is considering Iraq's requests for new military equipment deliveries to its armed services, Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Deputy Director Alexei Frolkin said Tuesday. "Iraq's requests in the interests of all national armed forces are under consideration," Frolkin told reporters at the IDEX-2017 exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.

Russia to deliver MiG-29 jets to Egypt on schedule: Sputnik

02/21/2017

A delivery of 50 MiG-29 fighter aircraft from Russia to Egypt is set to be delivered on schedule by 2020, the deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) announced on Monday, according to Russian Sputnik news agency. “The delivery will be carried out within the period set out in the contract,” the FSMTC deputy director Alexei Frolkin told reporters on Monday at the IDEX 2017 military exhibition held in the United Arab Emirates.

UAE, Russia to develop light combat fighter jet

02/21/2017

Russia and the UAE will work together to develop light combat aircraft in the coming years, chief executive officer of Rostec corporation told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Monday. “We have signed an inter-governmental agreement with the UAE, and the two sides have agreed to work in the development of fifth generation light combat aircraft. We will try to create a modern aircraft with modern avionics and it is going to be a brand new aircraft,” said Sergey Chemezov .

Israel reviews unused weapons carriage after F-16I crash

02/21/2017

The Israeli air force is to change its procedures for performing asymmetric landings with fighters, following an investigation into a fatal accident involving a Lockheed Martin F-16I “Sufa” on 5 October 2016.

OPINION: India needs fighters more than factories

02/21/2017

Visitors to Aero India this year could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu. Back in 2011, the soundtrack to the show was the roar of fighter aircraft as eager bidders put their jets through their paces.

ANALYSIS: How IAI keeps its edge in military aircraft

02/21/2017

Today, about 75% of Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) income is generated by defence systems. With this responsibility, the company’s military aircraft group is under heavy pressure to maintain this number – or even increase it.

Poland speeds acquisition of 16 helicopters

02/21/2017

Poland has begun negotiations with three bidders as it looks to acquire 16 helicopters – eight for special forces missions and eight for anti-submarine warfare and maritime search and rescue operations.

Russia-UAE 5th-Generation Fighter Jet to Be Developed No Earlier Than 2025

02/21/2017

The development of a Russia-UAE fifth-generation fighter jet based on the MiG-29 (NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum") will be completed no earlier than 2025, the CEO of the Rostec State Corporation said Monday.

Hardly a Surprise! UAE Interested in Russian Su-35 Supermaneuverable Fighters

02/21/2017

The United Arab Emirates is interested in possible deliveries of Russia's Su-35 multirole air superiority fighters, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, who led the Russian delegation at the IDEX 2017 exhibition, said Monday.

Why China Fears (And Plans to Sink) America's Aircraft Carriers

02/20/2017

More than twenty years ago, a military confrontation in East Asia pushed the United States and China uncomfortably close to conflict. Largely unknown in America, the event made a lasting impression on China, especially Chinese military planners. The Third Taiwan Crisis, as historians call it, was China’s introduction to the power and flexibility of the aircraft carrier, something it obsesses about to this day.

Canadian military planes flying over Syria

02/20/2017

Canadian military aircraft are once again over the skies of Syria, helping to identify targets in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant months after the Liberals pulled fighter jets from the mission. It has been one year since Canadian CF-18 fighter jets flew their last mission over Syria after the Liberals withdrew the planes in favour of a mission to train local forces and help rebuild areas affected by fighting.

Meet the top guns

02/20/2017

It is a potent fighter and when it flies past, it leaves the skies stunned. Sukhoi MKI 30s — the multirole combat fighter — with its super manoeuvrable capacities has been a delight for spectators at any aero show. At the ‘Aero India 2017’, these birds and their commanders once again showcased their prowess leaving not only admirers but also a trail of pride behind.

SAAB TAKES OFF FOR HYDERABAD

02/20/2017

At a time when the information technology city, claiming to be the aerospace capital of India, is increasingly looked upon by the leading global aviation companies for development of future supersonic fighter gets, a major research and development joint venture (JV) between Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) and Swedish aircraft major SAAB for manufacturing airborne electronic warfare systems has silently been taken out of Bengaluru to Hyderabad.

US, Russia World's Largest Exporters of Weapons in 2012-2016, Study Shows

02/20/2017

The United States and Russia maintain their leading positions in exports of major weapons during the period of 2012-2016 jointly amounting to 56 percent of global arms exports, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Monday.

Russia's Next Gen S-500 Prototype Launch Date Announced

02/20/2017

The S-500 Prometey, also known as 55R6M Triumfator-M, is a cutting-edge anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile system currently under development in Russia. The S-500, designed by Almaz Antei, is said to have a range of 600 kilometers. The system can simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic and hypersonic missiles traveling at a speed of up to 7 kilometers per second.

Russian Helicopters Begins Production of Mi-171A2 Choppers - CEO

02/20/2017

The Russian Helicopters company, part of the Rostec state corporation, has started the production of the multirole Mi-171A2 helicopters and plans to produce at least four aircraft in 2017, the company's CEO Andrey Boginsky said Sunday.

Seven Countries Mull Buying Russian Su-30MKI With BrahMos Cruise Missiles

02/20/2017

Six countries in Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East consider buying Russia’s new Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets armed with BrahMos cruise missiles, BrahMos Aerospace representative Previn Pahtak told Sputnik.