Military Aviation News Archive

How Canadian Forces might train anti-ISIL fighters

11/24/2015

Canada’s options for a ground-training mission in Iraq range from putting regular forces into the country helping instruct troops to overseeing the creation of a Kurdish special forces unit to battle the Islamic State.

China Finally Signs for Sukhoi Su-35 Warplanes

11/24/2015

China has finally been confirmed as the first export customer for the Sukhoi Su-35 combat aircraft, with an order for 24 worth an estimated $2 billion. The deal was sealed at a meeting on November 17 between Russian president Vladimir Putin and Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission. The Chinese guest came to Moscow for 20th session of the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.

Indonesia joining South Korea's fighter aircraft program

11/24/2015

Indonesia is to participate in South Korea's KF-X program to develop a new jet fighter by the year 2025, South Korean newspapers report. Korea Aerospace Industries, chosen by the government as prime contractor for the fighter program, signed a preliminary contract Sunday with the Indonesian government through which Jakarta would provide 20 percent – about $1.5 billion -- of the project's cost, The Korea Herald reported.

Russia to Begin New Su-35 Communication Equipment Supplies to China in 2016

11/24/2015

According to Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation press service, UIMC will begin supplying China with state-of-the-art communication systems for its newly purchased jet fighters next year.

Russia Begins Securing Iranian Skies With S-300 Missile Deliveries

11/24/2015

On November 9, Russia signed a new contract with Iran on the delivery of "about 300" S-300 air defense systems, according to Russia’s state technologies corporation Roster. The delivery of Russian-made missiles is expected to be completed by the end of 2015, Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan said on November 10.

Israeli Jets Target Hamas in the Gaza Strip

11/24/2015

The airstrikes were confirmed by an Israeli military statement released on Monday, according to the Jerusalem Post. "The IDF views Hamas as being the party responsible for what takes place in the Gaza Strip," the statement said. The Israeli military also added that it "will continue to act with severity to keep the calm in southern communities."

UK To Have Its First Presidential Aircraft, Nothing Like Air Force One

11/23/2015

For the first time in British history, the country's Prime Minister will have his owe military aircraft and not have to rely on charter flights from privately owned air carriers. British Prime Minister David Cameron will be the first Prime Minister to be provided with an aircraft, "Cam Force One" that will be taxpayer funded and appoint to the Prime Minister. The UK is one of handful major countries that does not have a presidential fleet.

China and US clash over South China Sea

11/23/2015

China and the US clashed over the South China Sea at an annual meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders at the weekend, blaming each other for “militarising” the region as tensions over longstanding maritime disputes continue to simmer. China’s intense programme of reclamation on reefs in the contested waters, and the construction of airfields and other military facilities has sparked concern in Southeast Asian capitals as well as Washington and Tokyo.

The Latest: French Aircraft Carrier 'Ready to Act' in Syria

11/23/2015

France's defense minister says French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sent to help operations against Islamic State militants in Syria will be "operational" from Monday and "ready to act." France has intensified its aerial bombing in Syria since IS militants attacked a concert hall, cafes and restaurants and a stadium in Paris, killing 130 people and wounding hundreds.

French military aircraft crash-lands in Masvingo

11/23/2015

A French military aircraft believed to be laden with amour, en-route to Zambia, crash-landed at the Masvingo Airport on Saturday night after developing a technical fault, NewsDay established.

Eurofighters Gets An Arabian Lifeline

11/23/2015

In September Kuwait agreed to purchase 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. This includes (22 single seat and six twin-seat versions. This deal was made with the Italians, who are part of a multinational consortium that produced the Typhoon.

With wary eye on China, US military reconfigures Pacific war machine

11/23/2015

Satoshi Yamamoto took his 13-year-old daughter to the edge of the U.S. Air Force’s busiest runway in the Pacific on their summer vacation, hoping to give her a thrill while looking at the front lines of a military standoff in the western Pacific. It worked. After seeing four fighter jets roar into the skies of the East China Sea, she declared herself ready to enlist in the American military.

Hollande’s takeaway will be Rafale deal

11/23/2015

After an impasse over technicalities, India and France are working to finalise the agreement for the direct purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets before the visit of French President Francois Hollande to India as the chief guest of the next Republic Day parade here. “Negotiations are in an advanced stage and both sides are working to reach an agreement before the visit,” a Defence Ministry official told The Hindu.

ISIL Militants Surrender to Kurds En Masse Amid Major Supply Route Cut

11/23/2015

ISIL militants have been surrendering to advancing Peshmerga troops on the regular basis since supply routes connecting Iraq and Syria have been cut off heavy pounding by the US-led coalition airstrikes, a frontline commander of Kurdish forces in Gwer, Qadr Qadr, told Kurdish media outlet Bas News on Sunday.

UK to Spend $300Bln Over 10 Years on Strengthening Defense Capabilities

11/23/2015

London will allocate about 200 billion pounds ($300 billion) over the next ten years to strengthen its defense capabilities, including for the fight against terrorism, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said. “We cannot leave the burden and risks of protecting our country to others,” Cameron said in an article for The Telegraph.

Russia’s Tu-95 Bomber Upgraded to Carry New Nuclear-Tipped Missiles

11/22/2015

Russia’s Aviakor aviation factory has delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces the first modernized Tu-95MSM strategic bomber/missile carrier, the company’s press office reported.

China displays biggest combat drone

11/22/2015

China displayed its latest and biggest military unmanned aircraft at an industry expo that closed in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Friday, in an attempt to attract more buyers for its combat drones. The CH-5 combat drone, developed by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, made its first flight in August, becoming the heaviest and strongest military drone in China.

UN Security Council approves 'all necessary measures' to fight the 'global and unprecedented threat' of ISIS in wake of Paris attacks

11/22/2015

World leaders have united against ISIS in a United Nations Security Council resolution calling on countries to take 'all necessary measures' to fight ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The Security Council unanimously agreed to the resolution, which states that the barbaric group 'constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security'.

India Adds New Anti-Submarine Warfare Planes To Navy

11/22/2015

India has added eight Boeing P-81 Poseidon planes to its naval fleet this month. The planes will be housed at the Rajali Naval Air Station and are classified as the Indian Naval Air Squadron 312-A unit. The unit will be managed by Commander Venkateshwaran Ranganathan.

Chinese Collateral Damage In South Korea

11/22/2015

The United States recently stepped in and blocked an effort by Uzbekistan to buy twelve South Korean T-50 jet trainers. These aircraft go for $34 million each (including training, spare parts, and some tech support). The United States was able to block the T-50 sale because the aircraft uses American jet engines and a lot of American electronics. All this stuff requires American permission before it can be exported as part of an aircraft.

Round-the-Clock Russian War on Terrorism in Syria

11/22/2015

Russia continues waging effective war on terrorism in Syria round-the-clock - compared to America’s phony war, creating and supporting its scourge, used to advance its imperial interests. After transforming a neglected Latakia, Syria airfield into the Khmeimim strategic hub, Russian aerial operations against ISIS and likeminded groups continue effectively without letup.

George Osborne to bring forward fighter jets purchase

11/22/2015

The purchase of new fighter jets is to be speeded up, Chancellor George Osborne said, as he promised funding to ensure the Royal Navy can deploy one if its new aircraft carriers at all times by 2023. Details of the upgrade will be at the centre of the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), due to be set out to the Commons by Prime Minister David Cameron tomorrow.

Syrian Army Advances as Russia Intensifies Air Strikes in Region - Media

11/22/2015

"The upgrade has significantly boosted the combat capabilities of the aircraft and the operating conditions for the crew," Alexei Gusev, CEO of Aviakor, said. The aircraft was named Dubna (after a town outside Moscow). The adjustment of the Tu-95 for the new armament and new military requirements took three months. The second aircraft is currently being upgraded by Aviakor and will be delivered to the Defense Ministry later in 2015.

'Bear's Newest Claws': Russia Unleashes Bigger, Better Missile on ISIL

11/22/2015

Experts across the world seem to be impressed by the latest addition to Russia's war arsenal – the Kh-101 cruise missile, which has been spotted in footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defense earlier this week.

Russia 'Paralyzes' Lebanon Airspace with Exercise

11/21/2015

The government of Lebanon is warning that a Russian military maneuver being conducted this weekend "will have a direct effect on Lebanon's airspace and will bring air traffic to and from Beirut's airport to a complete halt." According to a post on the Lebanese government's website, "specialized authorities at Rafik Hariri International Airport received information from the Russian navy notifying them that they will be carrying out training and maneuvers for three days, starting midnight tonight.