Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Rearms for a New Era

12/25/2015

Russia has bolstered its military and asserted itself on the world stage with a forcefulness not seen since the Cold War, ratcheting up tensions with the West. Here is what Russia has been doing to reclaim its influence.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas To Be Showcased At Bahrain Air Show 2016

12/25/2015

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) will be showcasing its indigenous fighter jet Tejas at the Bahrain International Air Show next month. Two Tejas fighter jets will demonstrate their agility and other attributes at BIAS 2016, Sakhir Airbase, commencing on January 21, 2016 — the first by any made-in-India aircraft. In the run-up to the aerobatics display, Asian Age news daily reported Thursday.

China Tests Electronic Warfare Variant of J-16 Fighter Jet

12/25/2015

A new electronic warfare variant of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation J-16 twin-seat strike fighter made its first flight on December 18, IHS Jane’s reported, citing Chinese sources.

More Tiger combat helos for France

12/23/2015

The French military has ordered seven additional Tiger combat helicopters, which will bring their fleet of the aircraft to 67. The order, which is to strengthen the capability of French forces in air-land operations, was made to Airbus Helicopters by the French Directorate General of Armaments, or DGA, through the European Union's Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation.

With Eye On China, India Seeks 100 Armed Drones From US

12/23/2015

India has sought from the US 100 latest unmanned aerial vehicles, both armed and surveillance versions, worth USD 2 billion to bolster its arsenal amid recurring incursions by Chinese troops. Industry sources familiar with New Delhi's interest and ongoing talks between the two governments, said that India is interested in the latest Avenger drones, which is basically an unmanned combat air vehicle, and is mainly being sought with an eye on China.

India’s Defence Trade with Russia

12/23/2015

Speculation is rife about the defence deals likely to be signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow. The front runners are S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence systems, Ka-226 ‘Kamov’ helicopters, and Grigorovich-class stealth frigates. The lease of a second nuclear-powered attack submarine is also believed to be on the cards.

The Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Might Have Another Buyer in Asia

12/23/2015

Christmas is a time for reflection, celebration and… buying really expensive gadgets which might or might not be obsolete in a few years. As Robert Farley noted earlier, several states in Asia are getting in the holiday spirit with the presentation of so-called “fifth generation” combat aircraft.

F-16, F/A-18, Su-30 Ranked World’s Most Sold Fighter Aircraft

12/23/2015

US F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 and Sukhoi Su-27/30 family of fighter jets are ranked most popular combat aircraft in the world. According to a report published by Flight International analytical center Monday, US F-16 fighter jet makes up 16 per cent with 2264 jets ranked at number one is followed by F-18 with 1,047 aircraft making up seven per cent jets around the world.

Italian Air Force Receives Two More Predator Drones - US Defense Contractor

12/23/2015

General Atomics drones have now amassed more than 2.1 million cumulative flight hours and recorded the highest mission capable rate of any aircraft in the US Air Force's inventory, Pace added. "With the delivery of these aircraft, GA-ASI completes over two decades of delivering Predator A capabilities to the United States and allied countries," said GA-ASI Aircraft Systems President Frank Pace said on Tuesday.

Philippines to Spend Big on Massive Military Modernization

12/23/2015

Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday promised that an 83.9-billion-peso ($1.77 billion) allocation for military modernization projects would be spent by 2017 as the country is in the midst of a territorial dispute with China.

Israel, Russia Develop Coordination Mechanism to Prevent Air Incidents

12/23/2015

In late November, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said that an aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces task unit deployed to Syria had entered by mistake the Israeli-controlled airspace over Golan Heights and left it. According to Yaalon, a communication channel established between the military of the two countries was involved to settle the issue.

India to Deliver 4 Russia-Built Helicopters to Afghanistan Within Days

12/23/2015

Afghanistan expects to receive four Russian-made combat helicopters from India within days, an acting Afghan Charge d’Affairs to Russia told Sputnik. "The agreement to deliver helicopters from India is in place, it has been signed," Ahadzada Abdul Ghayour said. "The transfer of the four helicopters from India should take place in the coming days."

Enlisted Airmen Will Now Get To Fly Drones

12/22/2015

For the first time since World War II, the Air Force will use enlisted airmen as pilots. Rather than climbing into cockpits, though, they'll be seated at workstations in places like Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento, CA.

Aquino pledges a stronger, more capable military

12/22/2015

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has vowed leave behind a stronger and a more capable armed forces to face maritime challenges in the South China Sea when he leaves office next year. Aquino, ineligible to run for re-election under the constitution, promised to spend about 83.90bn pesos ($1.77bn) in a five-year period until 2017 to strengthen the military as China asserts its claims to most of the waters.

F-35 Rising: The Pentagon's Biggest Weapon Program Made Major Progress In 2015

12/22/2015

The F-35 fighter, destined to replace the Cold War tactical aircraft of three U.S. military services and ten overseas allies, is ending 2015 on a positive note. An omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last week to fund government programs for the rest of the fiscal year added $1.33 billion for eleven more of the planes.

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.