Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Eroding combat plane strength compromising national security: Panel

12/23/2014

National security is being "compromised" with a "fast-eroding" combat aircraft squadron strength of the Indian Air Force vis-a-vis the neighbouring countries, leading to a "very grim" situation, a parliamentary panel said on Monday. "With regard to existing squadron strength, it is learnt that we are down to 25 squadrons today even though the authorisation is for 42 combat squadrons.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Named Partner in Russia-India Helicopter Deal

12/23/2014

India's state-owned aerospace and defense giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be one of the major partners in the Russia-India helicopter deal, the spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in India told Sputnik Monday. "India has told us that the one major partner will be Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Deal for high altitude UAVs likely

12/22/2014

India and the U.S. are negotiating a deal for the purchase of high altitude, long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). An agreement or announcement to this effect is likely when U.S. President Barack Obama visits India as the chief guest for the Republic Day ceremony next month, sources informed The Hindu.

India-Russia talks on to finalise copter deal

12/22/2014

Following the in-principle agreement reached by India and Russia for the production of Russian helicopters in India, both sides are carrying out discussions to work out the details to quickly conclude a deal. Initially the helicopters will be used to cater to the requirements of the Indian armed forces and only after that will exports happen, Russian embassy officials told The Hindu.

Video shows A-10 Thunderbolts and C-17 Globemasters in action over Nevada Test & Training Range

12/22/2014

The footage in this post shows A-10 Thunderbolt and C-17 Globemaster aircraft in action over Keno Airfield on the Nevada Test & Traning Range during JFE (Joint Forcible Entry Exercise) 14B on Dec. 6, 2014. Featuring some 100 aircraft, JFE is a US Air Force Weapons School large-scale air mobility exercise with the aim to test the ability of the participants in the weapons school courses to plan and execute complex air operations.

President's budget grounds eight C-17s at Joint Base Charleston

12/22/2014

One of the four C-17 flying units assigned to Joint Base Charleston is being grounded, along with another in Washington state, the Air Force announced. The decision was based on the President Barack Obama's defense budget for fiscal year 2015, according to a statement from the Air Mobility Command.

Serbia Lacks Money To Purchase New Equipment For Its Army

12/22/2014

Serbian army will spend 55 billion dinars (452 million euros) next year, which is 5 billion less than this year – it is provided by the draft state budget for 2015. Three billion dinars, intended for new weapons and equipment, will be sufficient only for smaller purchases. There will be no money for the purchase of radars, aircrafts, air defense systems or other modern systems.

Canada increases global reach with new military transporter

12/22/2014

Canada's defense minister announced Friday the addition of a fifth military transport jumbo jet to its fleet, as the nation continues expanding its combat and humanitarian reach around the world. Its four existing Globemaster III C17 aircrafts were purchased in 2008-2009 and have been used recently in Canadian and allied airlifts in Afghanistan, the Arctic, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Lithuania, Mali, Sierra Leone and Ukraine.

Most target practice flights piloted by civilians

12/22/2014

Civilians like Matthew LaCourse, who was killed last month when the F-16 he was flying was lost in the Gulf of Mexico, have flown more sorties for the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron this year than active duty military pilots. After initially declining to answer questions about the use of civilians in military airborne missions, Tyndall officials responded to emailed questions.

Navy helicopter crashes in Kuwait training flight

12/22/2014

A U.S. Navy helicopter crashed Sunday morning while on an overland training flight at Camp Buehring in Kuwait. The MH-60S is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, and all six personnel aboard the aircraft survived the crash. Three had minor injuries and received treatment. All have been released.

House panel pulls up MoD for lack of IAF squadrons

12/22/2014

The Standing Committee on Defence has pulled up the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a “lackadaisical and callous approach” towards “upgradation of Air Force squadrons”, the numbers of which stand at 34 against the sanctioned strength of 42. The MoD on the other hand has blamed “delay in LCA programme” as one of the major reasons for the shortfall in capability building of the IAF, besides the delay in induction of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).

Kurds push into Sinjar; Iraqis battle for airport

12/22/2014

Kurdish fighters are pushing their way into the town of Sinjar, backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against Islamic State militants who captured the town last summer. Loud explosions and intense gunbattles were heard from inside the town on Sunday.

SAS hit squad sent to Iraq to hunt down ISIS jihadists after militants 'started learning how to avoid air strikes'

12/21/2014

Up to 60 SAS fighters are heading to Iraq to hunt down Islamic State leaders after militants started learning how to avoid airstrikes, it has been reported. The full squadron of troopers had initially been dispatched to Afghanistan for a separate operation, but have been diverted to battle Isis fanatics.

Ukraine Crisis in Mind, Lithuania Establishes a Rapid Reaction Force

12/21/2014

Maj. Linas Pakutka walked back and forth behind the line of soldiers lying in the snow-crusted field, a row of distant pines forming a jagged horizon in the twilight sky. His command to fire was barely audible in the fierce wind. The assault rifles, German-made G36s, crackled to life, punching invisible holes in a row of targets almost lost in the gloom.

Iran warns its ‘supersonic’ missiles can reach ‘hostile’ aircraft carriers

12/21/2014

A senior member of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) warned on Friday that the Iranian military had the ability to target aircraft carriers using supersonic missiles. “We can easily target hostile aircraft carriers with our supersonic missiles and we have advanced technology that would leave our enemies in awe,” Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami, the IRGC deputy commander, said during a speech carried by the official Iranian news agency IRNA.

Rafale Deal Nosedives in Negotiation Combat

12/21/2014

he much-awaited multi-billion dollar Rafale combat aircraft deal with France has once again run into rough weather. After negotiations of almost three years, it has now hit a ‘deadlock’ with both India and France refusing to concede to the other’s demands. When Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in January 2012, all eyes were on the inking of this deal that was touted as the ‘mother of all defence deals’.

Aussie jets drop more than 100 Iraq bombs

12/20/2014

ustralian combat aircraft operating over Iraq have dropped more than 100 bombs, each striking an Islamic State target. Commander, Air Commodore Steve Roberton, says there is real and direct feedback of the air task group achieving good results in its operations. The group comprises 200 personnel, six Super Hornet combat aircraft, a KC-30 air-to-air refuelling plane and an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control plane.

Feds buy another C-17 military transport plane

12/20/2014

The Royal Canadian Air Force is getting another C-17 military transport aircraft, bring the fleet total to five. Defence Minister Rob Nicholson announced the purchase in a hanger at CFB Trenton Friday. Nicholson said the C-17 Globemaster III is vital to the armed forces since it can fly long distances and land on short runways. He said it will be used in combat missions, and provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief both at home and overseas.

IAF got 81 Sukhoi planes against 112 due till 2012-13: CAG

12/20/2014

Indian Air Force received 81 Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft as against 112 due till 2012-13 from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) because of delay in receipt of technical documents from Russian manufacturer Rosoboronexport (ROE). Due to delayed delivery of the fighter planes, the Defence Ministry recovered liquidated damages of Rs 96.26 crore from HAL, which, however, could not recover the amount from ROE "in the absence of enabling provision" in their contract.

Russia Will Have 55 Stealth Sukhoi T-50 Fighters By 2020, But Are They As Good As The US Stealth Jets?

12/20/2014

Russia’s announcement this week that it will be operating a sizable contingent of its first stealth fighter, the Sukhoi PAK-FA (also known as T-50), by 2020 has intrigued from the defense world. The first deliveries will begin in 2016, and in four years' time the Russians will field 55 of the impressive-looking jet, which resembles closely the American F-22.

Su-30MK2 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, Russia

12/20/2014

The Su-30MK2 multi-role fighter aircraft is an improved version of the Su-30MKK, a member of the Su-30 aircraft family. The multi-role variant offers enhanced combat capabilities against aerial, ground and sea-based targets. The aircraft was developed by Sukhoi in 2002 and is manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO). The aircraft are operational with Vietnam, Indonesia, Uganda, Venezuela and China.

US, Australia, Japan Seal F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Programme

12/19/2014

The United States selected Australia and Japan to render maintenance and upgrade of its F-35 Lighting strike fighter based or operating in the Pacific region as part of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme or JSF. Australia will be providing heavy air frame maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade to F-35 aircraft based in the Southern pacific. Japan will render the same service to aircraft based in the northern Pacific.

German Typhoons not subject to Russian aggression

12/19/2014

The German Air Force (GAF) is not seeing a more confrontational attitude from Russian pilots it is intercepting over the Baltic region, despite concerns being raised by Western leaders of increased aggression over recent weeks. Speaking during a media tour of Amari Air Base, Estonia, on 17 December, the GAF's detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Schnitger said that the Russians that his pilots have encountered since they took on the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission in September.

Netherlands commits to first operational F-35s

12/19/2014

The Netherlands announced on 15 December that it will sign a contract in April 2015 for an initial eight Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs). In total the Netherlands is planning to buy 37 F-35s, with the first of the eight initial aircraft expected to enter service in 2019. Full operational capability (FOC) is expected to be attained in 2024 with all aircraft delivered.

Talks on Rafale aircraft deal 'put on fast track', says French Ambassador

12/19/2014

Discussions on the transfer of Rafale fighter jets from France to India have made "good progress'' and are "put on fast track'', the Ambassador of France to India, Francois Richier, has said. According to him, discussions had started in early 2012 and have taken three years due to the "importance and complexity" of the deal.