Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pilatus delivers additional PC-21 trainer to Royal Saudi Air Force

02/25/2015

Pilatus Aircraft has shipped another PC-21 expanded envelope trainer aircraft off its final assembly line for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). The aircraft represents the 100th turboprop trainer PC-21 to be rolled off the company's final assembly line in Switzerland, and an overall 1000th aircraft to have been manufactured to date by Pilatus.

Saab Bets on Cost-Conscious Weapons Buyers

02/25/2015

Exporting combat jets is a multibillion-dollar business involving some of the biggest names in the global defense industry. U.S., French and British competitors dominate the trade, often banking on their political leaders to court potential customers, from Latin America to Asia. And then there’s Sweden. With little in the way of a global marketing machine, the tiny Nordic country has had outsize success in winning export orders. That’s thanks to Saab AB’s Gripen combat jet.

USMC MV-22 Osprey and KC-10 aircraft conduct first in-flight refuelling

02/25/2015

The US Marine Corps' (USMC) MV-22 Osprey has conducted a first in-flight refuelling with a US Air Force KC-10 aircraft. Refuelling was carried out as part of Cobra Gold 2015, which involved five MV-22 Ospreys. The aircraft flew more than 2,200nm, travelling from Clark Air Base, the Philippines to Utapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand. During this process, the KC-10 aircraft delivered 40,000lb of fuel in mid-flight.

More Aust military trainers for Iraq

02/25/2015

Australia is poised to send extra troops to Iraq to train its security forces in the fight against Islamic State. The New Zealand government on Tuesday announced it would send 143 soldiers as part of a 400-strong joint Australia-NZ training team, subject to agreement from Canberra.

Boeing, Royal Australian Air Force Test Extended Range Weapon

02/25/2015

The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) demonstrated significant range increase while maintaining its expected accuracy during flight testing conducted by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The testing centered on a new wing kit that, when used in conjunction with the weapon’s guidance kit, increases the bomb’s range from approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) to more than 45 miles (72 kilometers).

Jordan assumes leading role vs. Islamic State militants

02/24/2015

Jordan’s small air force has been playing an outsize role in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State group, not only flying more missions than any other partner nation but also opening its bases to other allies to allow them to mount more sorties.

Indian Air Force receives first BrahMos integrated Su-30 MKI aircraft

02/24/2015

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the first BrahMos missile integrated Su-30 MKI multi-role combat aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft was handed over at the ongoing Aero India 2015 exhibition at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru.HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju said: "The successful completion of the first Su 30 aircraft integrated with BrahMos missile shows the synergy between DRDO, HAL and IAF.

Selfridge Supporters Scramble to Keep Aircraft

02/24/2015

Over the years, Selfridge Air National Guard Base has been a survivor of multiple base closing rounds: adding and subtracting aircraft, changing missions, morphing into a headquarters for Coast Guard personnel, Customs and Border Patrol and more. But for the third year in a row, the Air Force has proposed grounding its entire fleet of A10s, a venerable aircraft that happens to be the sole attack jet left flying out of Selfridge.

‘It was a routine show without big planes or deals’

02/24/2015

“Dead on arrival” was how a disappointed veteran of previous Aero India shows in Bengaluru described the 10th edition of the event. As the curtain came down on it on Sunday, defence analysts, business visitors and many spectators summed up the last five days to The Hindu as: “slack”, “flat”, “no show”, “dull”, “drab” and “lacklustre”, each for a reason.

French aircraft carrier joins anti-Isis mission in Gulf

02/24/2015

France has deployed an aircraft carrier in the Gulf as part of the US-led military campaign against Islamic State (Isis) in Iraq, a defence ministry official said. “The integration of the Charles de Gaulle in the operation ... [in Iraq] begins this morning,” a member of staff of the defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told AFP as his entourage made its way to the carrier.

Israel snaps up 14 F-35 stealth fighters

02/23/2015

Israel has signed a deal to purchase 14 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from the US, with the option of another 17, the Defense Ministry announced on Sunday. In an agreement inked over the weekend, Israel will obtain the aircraft as part of a total $2.82-billion package that began with the purchase of 19 of the fighters in 2010.

No new bombing for CF-18s in Iraq, concern grows whether Iraqis can retake Mosul

02/23/2015

It’s still quiet on the CF-18 front in Iraq, at least for now. The Canadian Forces doesn’t have any new updates on bombing runs. Feb. 13 was the last one (at least publicly released) with the jets leading other coalition fighter planes in an attack on a building suspected of being used by ISIL to make improvised explosive devices or IEDs. There could be a new technical briefing sometime this upcoming week. (Defence Watch will update when new information is released).

Russia Lurking In India as Dassault Celebrates in Egypt

02/23/2015

When Egypt signed an agreement to purchase 24 Dassault Rafale fighters, it marked a milestone for the program: the first international sale of the jet, which has struggled to find a market outside of its home nation of France. But what should be a celebratory attitude at the company's Paris headquarters has instead turned glum, as the crown jewel of its expansion plans — a $12 billion deal with India that has been in the works since 2012 — now appears in danger.

Air force to spearhead defence of the future

02/23/2015

“We must expect to be the force of first resort more often than ever before,” he will tell an air force conference in Melbourne today. “Governments now require increasingly rapid military responses, whether in the form of humanitarian missions or combat forces capable of deploying over vast distances and being able to immediately operate with our major allies.

Argentina, China Could Jointly Develop Fighters

02/23/2015

London's successful blocking of the Gripen fighter sale to Argentina appears to have done little to stop Buenos Aires' determination to replace its aging attack and fighter fleet. Nor has it halted its threats to use force to "liberate" the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands from British control. In October, Argentina's Defense Minister Agustin Rossi announced plans to procure 14 Saab Gripen fighters to replace its single-engine Dassault Mirage III/5, which saw combat during the 1982 Falklands War.

Typhoon Set For £165M Upgrade, New Missile

02/23/2015

The Typhoon combat jet will receive a £165 million makeover with a new package of enhancements that will include integration of the Brimstone 2 missile, representatives of the four-nation program announced on the opening day of the IDEX defense show on Sunday. The single largest part of the package is the £72 million deal with BAE Systems to complete integration of MBDA's air-to-ground Brimstone 2.

Harry gives up flying combat aircraft

02/23/2015

He once described his role as an Apache pilot fighting the Taliban as “the best experience ever”. But Prince Harry has now decided never to fly a combat helicopter again. The Prince, who spent five months in the cockpit of a gunship in Afghanistan, has opted to hang up his flying goggles, even though the Army is short of pilots. Prince Harry, 30, or Captain Wales as he is called in the Forces, was expected to return to the skies with the Army Air Corps after arranging the Invictus Games.

US-Led Anti-ISIL Coalition Carries Out Six Airstrikes in Syria, Iraq – DoD

02/23/2015

The US-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group conducted six airstrikes on insurgents' positions in Iraq and Syria, the US Defense Department said in a statement Saturday. According to the statement, two fighting positions of the insurgents were destroyed in Syria.

Last Chance: France to Attempt Negotiate Rafale Deal With India This Week

02/23/2015

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Drian will meet his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in the week of February 23 looking to prevent the collapse of a deal to sell 126 Rafale fighter jets. Three years ago, French company Dassault Aviation won the right to start exclusive negotiations with India to supply 126 Rafale fighters in a deal which could be worth as much as $12 billion.

Nigerian military announces recapture of Baga from Boko Haram

02/22/2015

Nigeria’s military has announced it has recaptured Baga from Boko Haram, more than a month after the town was overrun in the worst massacre of the Islamist terror group’s six-year insurgency. Defence spokesman Chris Olukoladesaid many terrorists had drowned in Lake Chad as they tried to flee bombardment from Nigerian air force jets.

More than 600 Firms To Exhibit at Avalon

02/22/2015

Some 200,000 people are expected to attend the Australian International Air Show, where about 600 companies from more than two dozen countries will show their wares between Feb. 24 and March 1, said Ian Honnery, CEO of Aerospace Maritime and Defense foundation of Australia (AMDA), which organizes the show. The event is the 12th in the biennial series at Avalon, which is south of Melbourne and close to the regional city of Geelong.

IDEX 2015: UAE shows ‘readiness to use force’ in Syria

02/22/2015

According to the Emiratis’ state news agency, UAE F-16E/Fs targeted IS oil refineries on 16 February from an unnamed Jordanian airbase. The agency said ‘similar’ attacks had been carried out on 10 and 12 February. The airstrikes come just weeks after reports indicated the country had suspended its involvement.

Watchdog report: Air Force 'cooked books' on A-10 retirement

02/22/2015

A government watchdog report on the Air Force’s proposed retirement of the A-10 says the service “cooked the books” by releasing manipulated statistics that painted the plane as unreliable and a killer of civilians and American troops. When the Air Force released its budget for fiscal year 2016 earlier this month, it detailed a plan to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly referred to as the Warthog, by 2019.

Mideast Strife Fuels Land Warfare Market

02/22/2015

Concerns about the Islamic State group, Iran's growing influence and Yemen's upheaval are boosting the regional defense market's land sector ahead of the massive International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, analysts said. Playing into the rivalry between the Arabian Peninsula states and Iran, Yemen's Houthi takeover has stoked deep fears of a radical Shiite front, analysts said.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is willing to take full responsibility for the Rafales.

02/22/2015

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chairman T Suvarna Raju on Thursday said that HAL is willing to take full responsibility for the Rafales that it manufactures if the contract with French Defence major Dassault is signed. The comment assumes significance in the backdrop of a disagreement between India and Dassault over who would take guarantee for the Rafale fighter jets.