Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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?

Report: Russia using Iran air bases for waging war in Syria

12/19/2015

Russian warplanes are using an Iranian air base to launch attacks on anit-Assad regime rebels in Syria, according to a report. “The Iranian armed forces appear to be allowing Russian aircraft to use their military airfields in support of combat operations over Syria,” said a report by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) titled “The Russo-Iranian Military Coalition In Syria May Be Deepening.”

Iraqi military says coalition aircraft struck its soldiers

12/19/2015

The Iraqi military said an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition hit its forces Friday, the first time it has reported a friendly fire incident since American jets began bombing Islamic State militants in the country last year.

Russia, France to Maintain Military Contacts on Anti-Daesh Operations

12/19/2015

Contacts between the militaries of Russia and France on operations against the Islamic State (ISIL) group (also known as Daesh) in Syria will be maintained, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Pentagon: Russia’s S-400 Air Defense in Syria Forces US to Ground Warplanes

12/19/2015

As part of Russia’s anti-terror campaign in Syria, the Kremlin has deployed sophisticated air defense systems to protect its aircraft. According to the Pentagon, those units have effectively grounded US aircraft.

France Agrees to Reinvest 50% Worth of Rafale Contract in Indian Economy

12/19/2015

The French side agreed to reinvest in the Indian economy 50 percent worth of the contract on the delivery of French-built Rafale fighters for Indian Air Force, the Indian Ministry of Defense said Friday.

Russia, India Likely to Sign Deal on Ka-226T Helicopters Next Week

12/19/2015

An agreement on joint Russian-Indian production of Ka-226T helicopters is likely to be signed either during or after the December 23-24 visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow, a source close to the Indian Defense Ministry said.

Russian Helicopters To Overhaul Egyptian Air Force Mi-8T, Mi-17 Fleet

12/18/2015

Russian defense and aerospace equipment manufacturer Russian Helicopters says that,over the next two years, it will undertake comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul works on 41 Mi-8 T and three Mi-17 helicopters of the Egyptian Air Force at the country's main military industrial complex outside Cairo.

What happens when the most advanced fighter jets in the U.S., France and Britain prepare for war

12/18/2015

The rumble started early Tuesday, as one fighter jet after another ascended from a runway here near the Atlantic Ocean and into a bright, clear sky. The mission: Prepare for war against potential adversaries like Russia, which is now patrolling the same skies as the United States over Syria and flexing its muscles in eastern Europe.

Australia plays key part in Ramadi fight

12/18/2015

Australian combat aircraft, special forces and training troops have contributed to operations which have killed about 1000 Islamic State insurgents in bitter fighting around the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

Indian Defense Ministry admits almost half its planes can't fly

12/18/2015

Only about 55 percent of India's military aircraft are in operational order, with a large number grounded due to technical issues according to reports. The surprisingly dismal state of India's military aircraft fleet was reported to a parliamentary panel by Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar in a notice, according to The Economic Times. This means just over 350 of India's 700 combat aircraft are cleared to take flight.