Military Aviation News Archive

Italy Sends Fighter Aircraft to Birgi Base Amid Concerns Over Libya

01/16/2016

Italy’s Defense Ministry has ordered the deployment of four AMX fighter aircraft and one Predator drone to its Birgi base near Trapani, Sicily, amid concerns over the situation in Libya, the General Staff said.

Afghanistan Receives Four Light Attack Aircraft From US

01/16/2016

The turboprop aircraft can fire guided rockets, Dawlat Waziri told the Pajhwok Afghan News agency. The jets would help bolster the Afghan Air Force, he added. A-29 Super Tucano, manufactured by Brazilian Embraer aerospace company, is able to carry out advanced training, border surveillance and internal security missions.

War Games Continue: Philippines to Allow US to Use Eight Military Bases

01/16/2016

The Philippines will offer the US military use of eight bases, a military spokesman said Wednesday after the country's Supreme Court supported a security agreement with Washington; the deal was implemented following the onset of rising tensions with China.

Russian Weapons to Maintain Balance of Power in Balkans

01/16/2016

Serbia eyes buying Russian-made Tor, Pantsir, and Buk air defense systems as well as MiG-29 jet fighters, in response to Croatia’s plans to purchase US-made MGM-140 ATACMS tactical missiles.

France to Send Second Batch of Weapons to Lebanon in April

01/16/2016

Lebanon is due to receive the second arms shipment from France in April, a year after Paris sent the first batch of weapons to Beirut, local media reported Friday.

Selfridge aircraft look safe in next Pentagon budget

01/15/2016

A defense publication reported this week that the Pentagon is preparing to formally delay its long-standing proposal to retire the nation’s fleet of A10 Warthog attack planes, which includes the dozen or so flying out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

Vietnam’s plan to deter China with western warplane purchases

01/15/2016

Vietnam is negotiating with American and European manufacturers to purchase new warplanes—including fighters, maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned aircraft. The move comes as part of Hanoi’s strategy to lessen its dependence on Russian hardware and to counter China’s growing power.

New Pentagon Contract Signals Lockheed Martin's C-130 Airlifter Is Headed For 100 Years of Service

01/15/2016

The Department of Defense disclosed on December 30 that it has ordered 32 more C-130J Super Hercules airlifters from Lockheed Martin, the first installment of a multiyear contract for 78 of the four-engine turboprops that will ultimately be worth $5.3 billion.

Why India's Deal For 36 Rafale Fighter Jets Is Still Being Negotiated

01/15/2016

With just days to go before French President Francois Hollande arrives in India, a crucial deal for Delhi to buy 36 French-built Rafale warplanes has not yet been decided. Speaking to Reuters today, the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the deal remains evasive, underscoring the considerable differences between negotiators for both sides, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris and announced the plans to buy the fighter jets directly from French.

Japan's stealth plane set for maiden flight in February

01/15/2016

The first Japan-made stealth plane will take to the skies in its maiden flight over central Japan next month. The experimental aircraft is designed as a testbed for the stealth technology planned to be incorporated into the next-generation fighter jet for the Air Self-Defense Force. The combat aircraft will be replacing the ASDF's F-2 fighter jets in fiscal 2028 at the earliest, if all goes according to plan.

Russia Unveils Agreement With Syria on Deployment of Combat Air Group

01/15/2016

The Russian government on Thursday posted on its legal information portal the full text of the agreement with Damascus on the deployment of the Russian combat air group in Syria.

Boeing to Help U.S. Air Force Keep T-38 Trainers Flying Through 2026

01/15/2016

Boeing, which has maintained and supported the U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon trainer fleet for 16 years, will do that for another ten years through a new contract worth up to $855 million. The company will work on avionics, cockpit displays, control panels, and communications systems for 456 of the aircraft as well as upgrading 37 aircrew training devices.

NATO Aircraft May Be Allowed to Patrol Bulgarian Airspace

01/15/2016

The Bulgarian parliament approved amendments to the defense legislation in the first reading on Thursday, allowing NATO member countries to participate in patrolling the country's airspace, local media reported.

Russian Su-30SM Multirole Fighters to Master Intercepting Air Targets

01/15/2016

Russian Air Force will practice intercepting targets with advanced Su-30SM multirole fighters, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground strikes and equipped with a wide variety of precision-guided munitions.

French Air Force Strikes Terrorist Targets in Iraq's Mosul Overnight

01/15/2016

The French Air Force carried out several airstrikes against terrorist targets in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the French Defense Ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters.

U.S. military may expand ISIS fight beyond Iraq and Syria

01/14/2016

Defense Secretary Ash Carter signaled Wednesday that the U.S. military will expand efforts to target Islamic State militants beyond the group's territory in Iraq and Syria, potentially involving airstrikes and raids in other Islamic countries. “The threat posed by ISIL, and groups like it, is continually evolving, changing focus and shifting location,” Carter said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State group.

Export Sales Reported for Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Combat Jet

01/14/2016

Further exports of the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 “Thunder” combat aircraft have been reported, following an initial sale last year, which is now known to be 16 aircraft for Myanmar. According to Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain, Azerbaijan and Nigeria are both interested. But a proposed sale to Sri Lanka has been opposed by India, according to unconfirmed reports.

Vietnam's Plan to Deter China With Western Jets

01/14/2016

Air Force delays mothballing A-10 Thunderbolt to combat Islamic State

01/14/2016

The Air Force is delaying plans to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt attack plane due to its usefulness in the campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Officials say the “Warthog” will still need to be shelved at some point to make room for newer warplanes, but the timeline for its retirement has been thrown off due to increased demand from commanders who now depend on the Warthog to bomb Islamic State targets, Defense One reported, citing unnamed Air Force sources.

Bulgaria Could Have New Combat Aircraft after 3-1/2 Years – Defence Minister

01/14/2016

The Bulgarian Air Force could have its ageing Soviet-made combat aircraft replaced by new multi-role warplanes in the next three to three-and-a half years, Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Wednesday. The government commission tasked with studying the available options is expected to submit a report by the end of March, Nenchev told bTV broadcaster.

Iran frees U.S. sailors with start of nuclear deal in sight

01/14/2016

Iran freed 10 U.S. sailors on Wednesday, a day after detaining them aboard two U.S. Navy patrol boats in the Gulf, bringing a swift end to an incident that had rattled nerves just before the expected implementation of a landmark nuclear accord.

Boeing Delivers Six Enhanced B-52 Bomber Weapons Bay Launchers

01/14/2016

Six of the U.S. Air Force’s B-52 bombers can now take flight with a greater variety of weapons, thanks to enhanced internal weapons bay launchers delivered by Boeing [NYSE: BA]. The upgraded launchers allow the B-52 to carry GPS-guided or “smart” weapons in the weapons bay for the first time and are ready for use.

China Could Join Russian Anti-Daesh Campaign in Syria

01/14/2016

China is concerned about a growing number of "Chinese-origin" terrorists within Daesh group, which is banned in a range of countries, including Russia and the United States, the newspaper said on Wednesday.

Turkey Conducts Airstrikes Against Kurdish Positions in Northern Iraq

01/14/2016

According to the sources four F-16s and two F-4 combat aircraft were involved in the operation. Turkish warplanes destroyed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) shelters and warehouses in the Avasin-Basyan, Gare and Zap camps in northern Iraq. The positions were identified by drones prior to the attack.

Russian Knights Aerobatic Team Ready to Steal Bahrain Air Show

01/14/2016

The Russian aerobatic team Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) on Wednesday completed preparations for a performance at the international air show in Bahrain, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service said in a statement.