Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Marrakesh Air Show invites Pakistan to showcase JF-17 Thunder fighter jet,Morocco expresses interest to buy

12/11/2015

Pakistan has been invited by the organizers of the upcoming Marrakesh Air Show being held from 27 April next year to showcase the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet it has jointly developed with China. The JF -17 is a lightweight multi-role combat aircraft manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Pakistan. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jets Practice Air-to-Air Combat Over Kamchatka

12/11/2015

A group of MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor aircraft from Russia's Pacific Fleet Kamchatka-based naval aviation squadron has practiced air combat maneuvering at different speeds and heights, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Stunning Photos Show the F-22 Raptor training with the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale in the U.S.

12/11/2015

The photographs in this post were taken recently in the skies near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. They show a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and a French Air Force Dassault Rafale, flying together during the inaugural Trilateral anti-access/area denial exercise scheduled for Dec. 2 – 18.

Government refusing to say which planes will stay in anti-ISIS fight despite US call for more help

12/11/2015

Despite a call from the U.S. defense secretary for allies to do more in the fight against ISIS, the Canadian government is refusing to confirm whether it will keep surveillance and refuelling aircraft in Iraq and Syria after the CF-18s are pulled from the mission.

Jet Engine Technology a Top Priority in India-US Talks

12/11/2015

US cooperation in engine technology was a top issue for Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar when he met US Defense Secretary Ash Carter Wednesday and Thursday in Washington, said an Indian Defence Ministry source.

Bombing ISIS: Arabs lag far behind West

12/11/2015

By September of last year, President Barack Obama had had enough of ISIS. The terror group had beheaded two American journalists and was seizing strategic cities and territory in Syria and Iraq. "We will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," Obama vowed, expanding his bombing campaign from Iraq into Syria as well.

UK Confirms Determination to Respect Flight Safety Rules Over Syria

12/11/2015

The UK Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday the intention to respect flight safety rules over Syria signed by Russia and the United States, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Thursday following the talks between Russian and British defense officials.

Russia Delivers 5 Mi-171 Multirole Helicopters to Bangladesh

12/11/2015

All the helicopters supplied to Bangladesh are equipped with modern navigation systems, which enable the aircraft to be operated at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, the company said.

Middle Eastern Countries Interested in Russian Armed Vehicles, Aircraft

12/11/2015

Many Middle Eastern countries have expressed increased interest in Russian military hardware, including armored vehicles and aircraft, at the Gulf Defence & Aerospace exhibition in Kuwait, the deputy head of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Thursday.

Germany Oks military mission against Islamic State group

12/10/2015

Germany stepped up its contribution to the fight against the Islamic State group on Friday, with lawmakers overwhelmingly voting in favor of sending reconnaissance jets, a tanker plane and a frigate to provide broad noncombat support to the U.S.-led coalition flying airstrikes against the militants. The move answers a call for help from France following last month's deadly attacks in Paris. IS militants claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds.

Singapore fighter jets take part in training with Indian Air Force

12/10/2015

Six F-16 fighter aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) are taking part in a Joint Military Training (JMT) with four Su-30 fighter aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Nov 12 to Dec 17. The bilateral exercise conducted at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, India, also involves more than 100 RSAF personnel.

Russian Jet Fighters in Asia: Why Politics Still Matters

12/10/2015

Russia is known for exporting combat aircraft throughout the world. From the beginning of the Cold War onward, Soviet and Russian MiGs, Sukhois and Yaks have formed the backbone of many air forces throughout the world. This was partly due to old Cold War politics, where states were basically obliged to acquire military equipment from whichever bloc they were aligned with.

Why Britain Should Expand Airstrikes To Syria

12/10/2015

British forces have successfully executed air sorties from Cyprus against ISIS targets in Iraq since September 2014 — over the subsequent fourteen months of “Operation Shader,” Britain was just above France and the Netherlands and second only to the United States in total number of airstrikes against enemy targets. British press reports indicate that if Parliament approves the expansion, the Defense Ministry will double its manned combat aircraft numbers (Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets).

Russian aircraft in Syria hit 204 targets over 24 hours — defense ministry

12/10/2015

Russian warplanes have made 82 sorties, including 32 under night cover, in Syria over the past 24 hours, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov told journalists on Wednesday. "Over the past 24 hours, Russian warplanes have made 82 combat sorties to attack 204 terrorist targets located in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama and Homs," the general said adding that 32 sorties had been made at night time.

Yes, Really, Destroy ISIS With Turboprop Light Attack Aircraft

12/10/2015

First, the United States has a problem—there are no bases in Iraq which currently support the coalition’s fast-jet fighters. The existing fighter bases which served us through Operation Iraqi Freedom are generally too close to the enemy or no longer in the hands of the Iraqi government. Fighters operating over Mosul in northern Iraq have to come from Kuwait, a carrier in the Persian Gulf or airfields in the Gulf states—a one-way trip covering 500 to 1,000 nautical miles, depending on the base.

Why the Blue Angels Don't Want the Navy's New Planes

12/10/2015

?The U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, may be getting new planes. According to Flightglobal, the Navy wants to replace the existing F/A-18 Hornet fighters with the newer F/A-18 Super Hornet. However, the Blue Angels may be less than enthusiastic about the switch.

U.S. ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help retake Ramadi

12/10/2015

The United States is prepared to deploy advisers and attack helicopters if requested by Iraq to help it "finish the job" of retaking the city of Ramadi from Islamic State, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday. Carter's remarks were the latest sign of U.S. preparations to intensify its military campaign against the group, which controls wide swaths of Iraq and Syria and has orchestrated and inspired attacks abroad.

Boeing Delivers Final Peace Eagle AEW&C Aircraft to Turkey

12/10/2015

Boeing delivered the fourth and final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force at Konya Air Base today, completing the Turkish AEW&C fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airspace surveillance and battle management capabilities. This final aircraft includes upgraded software for the platform and the final element of the ground support segment, the Software Support Center. Previously delivered Peace Eagles will receive the upgraded software soon.

Russia Releases Video of First-Ever Submarine Launch of Kalibr Missiles

12/10/2015

The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of its first-ever submarine launch of Kalibr cruise missiles. The missiles, launched by the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don from the Mediterranean Sea, obliterated two Daesh (ISIL) command posts in Syria.

Taliban launch attack on Kandahar Air Field, Afghan official says

12/09/2015

An Afghan official says the Taliban have launched an attack at the airport in the southern city of Kandahar, where clashes are still underway. Samim Khopalwaq, the spokesman for the Kandahar provincial governor, says Tuesday's attack started with the Taliban targeting the facility's main gate. The sprawling Kandahar Air Field has both a military and a civilian section.

Tracking Terrorists: Congress Presses Pentagon To Speed Replacement of JSTARS Radar Planes

12/09/2015

Something unusual happened shortly before Thanksgiving in the often fractious debate of defense priorities on Capitol Hill. Sixty legislators from both parties signed a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter complaining that the Pentagon is dragging its feet on replacing a small fleet of radar planes that could prove vital to tracking and targeting terrorists.

Russia launches new airstrikes in Syria; 1st from submarine

12/09/2015

Russia has unleashed another barrage of airstrikes on Syria, including the first combat launch of a new cruise missile from a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. The Kalibr cruise missiles launched by the Rostov-on-Don submarine successfully hit the designated targets in Raqqa, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin. The submarine was in a submerged position during the launch, he added.

Russia’s Sukhoi optimistic about Tata for India joint venture

12/09/2015

Russia's top aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi is exploring the possibility of investing in an Indian joint venture (JV) for the maintenance and spares production of its combat aircraft Su 30 in what could make India a hub for the fighter fleets operating in the region. Atop Sukhoi executive told ETthat the liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) norms have opened the possibility of a JV and the Russian manufacturer is in talks with Indian private sector companies.

Kratos Demonstrates Cooperation of UCAV with Manned Aircraft

12/09/2015

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced this week the completion of a second test flight of a jet-powered unmanned aerial combat vehicle (UCAV) on November 23, 2015. the flight that took place on the US Navy test range at China Lake, CA involved a newly developed jet-powered drone developed by Kratos, and a US Navy/Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier manned jet fighter.

Lockheed Martin Selected to Help Australia’s Future Pilots Take Flight

12/09/2015

The Australian Department of Defence has awarded the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System contract to Lockheed Martin-led Team 21 to train the next generation of Australian Defence Force pilots. The initial seven year program is valued at AU$1.2 billion. Performance-based options for up to 25 years will provide the opportunity to extend the length and increase the value of the total contract.