Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Afghan air force awaits arrival of first fixed-wing attack aircraft

12/22/2015

Afghanistan’s air force will be getting its first block of fixed-wing aircraft in early 2016, expanding the force's limited close-air support capability, defense officials said. The delivery of the first four A-29 Super Tucanos, a turbo prop light attack aircraft, will arrive in Afghanistan in January, and a total of eight are due before the end of 2016. A fleet of 20 will be in place by 2018, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

U.S. Air Force Receives Two Additional Super Hercules

12/22/2015

U.S. Air Force crews recently ferried two additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) facility here. These aircraft are a C-130J-30 Super Hercules assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and an HC-130J Combat King II assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen

12/22/2015

Despite a ceasefire and peace talks, attacks have continued in Yemen between rebels and a Saudi-led coalition, which on Monday said it had intercepted a missile targeting Saudi Arabia’s southern border region.

War Train: China Tests Rail-Based Long-Range Missile Capable of Hitting US

12/22/2015

China this month tested a new rail-car-mounted long-range missile capable of hitting targets in the United States, according to American intelligence agencies monitoring the test. A canister ejection test for a DF-41 missile mounted on a rail launch platform was detected December 5 in western China, defense officials familiar with reports of the test told the Washington Free Beacon.

Turkish Defense Industry Successfully Conducts Armed Drone Test

12/22/2015

The Turkish defense industry has successfully conducted a test of an armed tactical drone amid the country’s plan to launch a serial production of unmanned aerial vehicles with firepower, US media reported on Friday.

Kremlin Denies HRW Allegations Russia Using Cluster Bombs in Syria

12/22/2015

Moscow denies allegations its Aerospace Forces have used cluster bombs in the fight against terrorism in Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

India May Buy Over $7Bln's Worth of Arms From Russia During Modi's Visit

12/22/2015

In late November, the Indian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Moscow on December 24-25. According to the Kommersant newspaper, breakthrough deals in the military-technical sphere could be expected from Modi’s visit. The total package of contracts is estimated to be worth more than $7 billion.

British RAF jets carry out second airstrike

12/21/2015

The UK's Press Association reported on Saturday that British Typhoon fighters have been deployed for the first time in the mission to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The U.K. on Thursday also doubled its combat aircraft assigned to the Syria and Iraq mission, adding two Tornado jets and six Eurofighter Typhoon combat planes to the base in Cyprus, where eight Tornado planes were already located.

India may purchase Russia’s newest S-400 air defense systems – report

12/21/2015

New Delhi has given the green light to purchase several Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, local media report. Indian military could become the second country in the world after China to procure state-of-the-art S-400s.On Friday, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar cleared the purchase 5 regimental units of the S-400 from Russia, the Economic Times reports.

Merry Christmas from the FAA: Register those drones

12/21/2015

There might be some red tape attached to junior’s favorite Christmas gift this year. The Federal Aviation administration estimates hundreds of thousands of remote-controlled drones will be given as gifts, and starting today many of them must be registered with the agency to avoid a fine and potential jail time. The Federal Aviation Administration requires all drones weighing a half-pound or more to be registered in a federal database to combat numerous reports of close calls with aircraft.

Justin Trudeau’s illusory noncombat war against ISIS: Walkom

12/21/2015

As it tries to sort out its strategy for the war in Iraq and Syria, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government faces the same question that bedevilled Stephen Harper’s Conservatives: What exactly is combat? That question came to the fore Thursday after Canadian special forces on the ground helped repel a blistering offensive by Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northern Iraq.

Jets set: Qatar pushes through with Rafale fighter aircraft purchase

12/21/2015

France-based contractor Dassault Aviation received its down payment from the government of Qatar for the delivery of 24 Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft. The contract for the jets was signed in May 2015 by French President Francois Hollande and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Qatari officials say the contract represents a closer defense relationship between the two countries.

Saab to manufacture its Gripen fighter aircraft in India

12/21/2015

There is renewed hope in the aviation industry with Swedish defence major Saab offering to manufacture its fifth generation Gripen fighter aircraft under 'Make in India' with technology transfer to India, in a renewed bid for a pie in the multi-billion dollar worth IAF modernisation plan.

India May Buy Over $7Bln's Worth of Arms From Russia During Modi's Visit

12/21/2015

In late November, the Indian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Moscow on December 24-25. According to the Kommersant newspaper, breakthrough deals in the military-technical sphere could be expected from Modi’s visit. The total package of contracts is estimated to be worth more than $7 billion.

Canadian Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation With Iraqi Counterpart

12/21/2015

Sajjan is currently on a surprise visit to the Middle Eastern country and has met his counterpart Khaled Obeidi as well as several high-ranking Kurdish officials.

Syria Defines Israeli Airstrike on Damascus Suburb as 'Terrorist Act'

12/21/2015

A senior Hezbollah official and about ten other people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Damascus suburb on Saturday evening, Syrian and Lebanese media reported. According to Syrian and Lebanese media reports, Israeli warplanes struck a building in Jaramana, just outside Damascus, around 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, killing Samir Quntar and several Syrian civilians.

Storm in the South China Sea: Beijing declares US bombers’ island flyover a ‘serious military provocation’

12/20/2015

The Defence Ministry yesterday condemned the United States for committing a “serious military provocation” by flying strategic bombers over a Chinese artificial island in the South China Sea. Foreign Minister spokesman Hong Lei urged the US to stop provocative actions following the flight of two B-52 bombers over the area near China-controlled islands in the disputed waters, saying: “China takes the incident seriously, and has lodged solemn representation with the United States.”

Airbus to sell defence electronics business: Buyer to be finalised by December end

12/20/2015

The Airbus Group is selling its defence electronics in Germany and said a deal can be expected before the end of December 2015 as it will be finalising the buyer in a few days. According to strategy chief of Airbus, Marwan Lahoud, half a dozen candidates have been shortlisted for the final selection. The sale is part of its divestment plan to focus more on civil and military aeronautical and space assets, as defence spending is dwindling in Europe.

US claims Russia is targeting their jets as both sides race to wipe out evil ISIS

12/20/2015

American planes had been striking savage ISIS on the Turkey-Syria border, when operations were allegedly stopped by the Russian missile systems. US officials accused Russia of using the opportunity to bomb rebels that US forces had been helping to the fight against the depraved death cult. The air defences have caused issues between the US and Russia – particularly as ISIS, also known as Daesh, don’t have any air force.

Why Does China Want Aircraft Carriers?

12/20/2015

The People’s Republic of China: The only nation on Earth building not one but two “carrier-killer” missiles. Yet, China is also one of just a handful of countries who wants to build more carriers. Odd? Not exactly, if you know the history and why Beijing wants carriers in the first place.

Indian Top Auditor Slams IAF For Underutilization Of AWACS Aircraft

12/20/2015

India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has slammed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for underutilization of operational capabilities of Air-borne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft purchased for INR 5,042 crore (US $760 million) in 2004.

Russian long-range warplanes drop 1,500 bombs on ISIS targets in Syria

12/20/2015

Russian long-range warplanes have carried out 145 sorties against Islamic State targets since joining the country’s anti-terror campaign in Syria in mid-November. “In total, long-range aviation aircraft in Syria have carried out around 145 mission sorties, some 1,500 bombs have been dropped and about 20 cruise missiles have been fired," Gen. Anatoly Konovalov, deputy commander of Russia’s long-range aviation force, told Ekho Moskvy radio station.

‘A long way to go for HAL’s new aircraft engine’

12/20/2015

The latest milestone in aircraft engine development that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd unveiled, counted with its other helicopter engines project, may be two new tiny steps which, however, may be no match for the giant gap that exists for indigenous aero engines, experts in the field say.

Putin gave his biggest signal yet that he intends to 'stay the course' of the war in Syria

12/20/2015

The Russian military can "train" in Syria "for a long time without any serious harm to Russia's budget," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his annual marathon press conference Thursday morning.

Russian Military Bases Abroad: How Many and Where?

12/20/2015

Unconfirmed reports suggesting that Russia plans to expand its presence in Syria, and rumors regarding a possible airbase in Belarus, have been swirling around in the Russian and Western media in recent months. How much truth is there in these rumors, and where is Russia's military power abroad really concentrated?