Military Aviation News Archive

Berlin May Send 1,200 Military to Syria to Participate in Air Campaign

11/29/2015

The German armed forces may send up to 1,200 servicemen to enable the country’s Air Force take part in combat missions in Syria, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Volker Wieker said.

IR Missile-Jamming System Tested on Military Transport Plane

11/28/2015

A defensive laser and imaging system from Elbit Systems Ltd. was successfully implemented on an Airbus C295 military transport plane, jamming IR, ground-to-air, heat-seeking man-portable missiles (MANPADS) during a test flight. Elbit's MUSIC series of directed IR countermeasure (DIRCM) systems was integrated with an IR missile warning system able to detect, acquire, track and jam trial test equipment on the ground during extreme conditions.

Germany to Support Military Campaign Against ISIS After French Appeal

11/28/2015

Germany will join the military campaign against ISIS militants in Syria by deploying Tornado reconnaissance jets, refueling aircraft and a frigate to the region, after a direct appeal from close partner France for Berlin to do more. The decision to commit military personnel and hardware is a shift for Germany, which has resisted such direct involvement in the conflict. It still has no plans to join France, the United States and Russia in conducting air strikes in Syria.

Pakistani JF-17 To Rely On Russian Technology

11/28/2015

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) has strongly rejected reports claiming that they are planning to replace the Russian-made engine of JF-17 fighter jet with a new Chinese-made engine. Those reports were mainly from the Chinese media, however, PAC officials have shown their satisfaction with the Russian-made RD-93 engines that are currently in the jets.

First New Fighter Jets to Touch Down in Philippines

11/28/2015

The Philippines has lacked fighter jets for 10 years, but that situation—which has long embarrassed the military here—is set to end Saturday when two Korean-built FA-50 fighters touch down at Clark Air Base north of Manila.

Red Air For Hire: The big business of private air forces

11/28/2015

America is home to three military air forces including the United States Air Force (USAF), United States Naval Air Forces (USN, USMC), and United States Army Aviation (USA). With roots stretching back to the early 20th century, these air arms are well understood by most Americans.

Canadian government could keep military refuelling aircraft, Aurora surveillance planes in war against ISIL

11/28/2015

The Canadian government is leaning towards keeping a military refuelling aircraft and Aurora surveillance planes overseas and allowing them to continue taking part in the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The move would placate coalition allies, particularly the United States, who view the refuelling plane and the surveillance aircraft as valuable contributions to the ongoing air campaign.

In boost for 'Make in India', Dassault may manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft in India

11/28/2015

India's largest-ever military deal is likely to bring in big business for the private sector with the French side looking to set up a production centre for the Rafale fighter aircraft as well as a low-cost executive jet in India, besides sharing vital aircraft technology for the indigenous Tejas project.

UAE Grows Its Military Muscles, Ready to Assert Itself in Middle East

11/28/2015

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) slowly but surely are becoming a force to be reckoned with not only in the Middle East, but well beyond the region, Nafeesa Syeed wrote for Bloomberg.While Saudi Arabia and Iran are scrambling for leadership in the Middle East, the UAE has continued to increase its military power.

NATO and Russia Should Start Talks After Su-24 Accident - Latvian Analyst

11/28/2015

The recent attack on a Russian Su-24 bomber will hardly provoke a military conflict between NATO and Russia. But the both parties need to come to the negotiating table soon, otherwise similar incidents will follow and may eventually lead to a war, Latvian political observer Karlis Dauksts said in an interview with Latvian Radio-4.

Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes

11/26/2015

The decision was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at a televised government meeting. Gazprom said it had halted gas deliveries to Ukraine because it had used up all the gas it had paid for. But Ukraine said it had stopped buying from Gazprom because it could get cheaper gas from Europe.

India, Japan to finalise aircraft pact during Shinzo Abe's India visit

11/26/2015

India and Japan are set to firm up an agreement to jointly produce amphibious military aircraft during the upcoming visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, in what could be the first defence deal between the two countries. The US 2 amphibious aircraft, that has applications for search and rescue, surveillance as well as intelligence gathering, will be produced in India not only for domestic orders but will also be pitched jointly for exports in the region and beyond.

Zimbabwe’s French plane ‘crash landing’ explained

11/26/2015

A French military aircraft which crash-landed at Masvingo Airport on Saturday night after developing a technical fault, was coming from South Africa and wanted to refuel in Harare, where the officials also intended to drop some items at their embassy, sources told NewsDay.

Russia Moves Air Defense System Within Miles Of Turkish Border

11/26/2015

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered state-of-the art air defense missile systems to be deployed at a Russian air base in Syria following the downing of one of its warplanes by Turkey, a move that raised the threat of a military confrontation between the NATO member and Moscow.

Rafale deal to be signed on eve of Hollande’s India visit

11/26/2015

India and France are set to sign the deal for 36 Rafale fighter aircraft on the eve of French President François Hollande’s visit to India for the Republic Day celebrations. The draft contract, which envisages supply of the first fighter within 36 months of signing the deal, has been finalised.

Britain offers France use of airbase in Cyprus to support air war on ISIS in Syria

11/26/2015

In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, Britain has offered France the use of its airbase in Cyprus, strategically located on the island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Syria, to support air strikes on ISIS. Primarily, the base is going to act as a reserve diversion airfield for the jets operating from the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle that has been operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, from where it launched the first raids against ISIS earlier this week

Moscow, Ankara Should Resolve Dispute, Join Anti-ISIL Efforts - Spanish FM

11/26/2015

Turkey and Russia should resolve the Su-24 downing crisis and join their efforts in countering Islamic State militants, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Garcia-Margallo said Wednesday. On Tuesday, a Russian Su-24 combat aircraft crashed in Syria while carrying out precision strikes against terrorists. Moscow said it was downed by an air-to-air missile, fired from a Turkish F-16 fighter in response to alleged violation of Turkish airspace.

Missing Russian jet pilot 'alive and well'

11/26/2015

The pilot is "alive and well" at a Russian air base in Syria, it says. His co-pilot and a marine involved in a rescue were killed. Turkey said the jet had strayed into its airspace but Russian President Vladimir Putin says the plane was flying over Syrian territory. It is not clear what has happened to the body of the other pilot, who was killed by gunfire as he parachuted from his burning plane.

4 dead in U.S. Army helicopter crash at Fort Hood

11/25/2015

Four crew members on an Army helicopter died when it crashed at Fort Hood, the Texas base's press office said. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter went down sometime after 5:49 p.m. Monday in the northeastern part of the Fort Hood Range. Emergency crews conducted "an extensive search" that ended with the discovery of the four deceased crew members.

Islamic State Plans Suicide Aircraft Strikes in Iraq

11/25/2015

Islamic State terrorists are seeking experts to repair captured military aircraft for future use in suicide attacks against U.S. and allied forces in Iraq. The terrorist group that occupies large areas of Iraq and Syria has two Russian-made Sukhoi aircraft and three Russian helicopters that it plans to use in the attacks, according to a recent report in a London-based Arabic language news outlet.

The Russians Are Coming? Cypriots Want Russian Military Base

11/25/2015

Marius Fotiu, head of the organization, pointed out that Cyprus is the closest EU member-state to Syria so the probability of terrorist attacks in the country is extremely high. Activists asked Anastasiades to “invite units of Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy to Cyprus territory,” according to Izvestia newspaper.

UK Chooses Boeing P-8 for MPA Without Competition

11/25/2015

The UK will acquire nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) after a Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) that restored a capability that was eliminated in a similar review five years ago. That previous decision was controversial, and so is this one, because the P-8 has been chosen without a competition. The new SDSR was otherwise unremarkable, with a slight increase in defense spending confirmed, after an 8 percent cut in real terms from 2010-15.

Marium Mukhtiar, Pakistani female fighter pilot, dies in crash

11/25/2015

Marium Mukhtiar was on a routine training mission when her plane met an "in-flight emergency" over Mianwali district, the air force said. She and her co-pilot ejected. She later died from her injuries in hospital. Flying Officer Mukhtiar was one of a small number of women to work as fighter pilots in Pakistan, and the first to die on operational service.

Pakistan to Stick With Russian Engine for JF-17 Fighter Jet

11/25/2015

Pakistan will not replace the JF-17’s Russian-made Klimov/Sarkisov RD-93 power plant with a new Chinese engine in the foreseeable future despite Chinese reports to the contrary, IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly reveals. “We are completely satisfied with this Russian-made engine,” a representative of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex recently told IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly. The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft was jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation.

Air Force’s 2 FA-50 fighter trainer jets to arrive in PH Nov. 27

11/25/2015

Two FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets will be arriving in the country on Friday as part of the Philippine Air Force’s efforts to modernize its aircraft. The aircraft will land for the first time on Philippine soil at Clark Air Base, officially becoming property of the PAF. The two jets are the first of the PAF’s 12 newly ordered fighter jets from the Korea Aerospace Industries worth P18.9 billion.