Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Nigeria: Terrorism - FG Intercepts Weapons-Laden Russian Plane

12/08/2014

The Federal Government last night ordered the detention of a Russian cargo plane impounded in Kano for conveying arms and combat helicopters. The cargo aircraft, which was carrying two attack helicopters and consignments of weapons, was seized yesterday morning at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) when it made a technical landing to refuel.

France to Russia: No Aircraft Carriers for You!

12/08/2014

In 2008, Russian tanks crossed their southern border, invading and crushing the military forces of the tiny Republic of Georgia. Georgia's U.S. and European allies raised feeble objections to Russia's incursion - but little more. In fact, just two years after Russia's "short, victorious war" in Georgia, French defense contractor DCNS happily announced the signing of a $1.7 billion contract to sell the Russian Navy a pair of 16,500-ton Mistral-class amphibious warfare ships.

Haftar to be appointed Libyan military commander-in-chief: minister

12/08/2014

Libya’s Tobruk parliament is set to officially appoint Gen. Khalifa Haftar as commander-in-chief of Libya’s armed forces, a Libyan minister told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday. Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army group, only recently accepted the authority of premier Abdullah Al-Thani government, and had previously unilaterally announced the dissolution of the former Libyan government and the launch of “Operation Dignity."

Russian Jets Run Off By NATO Fighter Planes Over Baltic — Three Reported Incidents In Single Day

12/08/2014

Russian jets flying over the Baltic Sea dangerously close to the border of NATO ally Latvia were intercepted and run off by NATO fighter planes in three separate incidents reported by Latvia’s military Sunday. The encounters were just the latest in what has been a record number of confrontations in the skies between Russian and NATO aircraft this year.

Pakistan aiming for jet boost to defence exports

12/08/2014

A revamped version of Pakistan’s JF-17 jet fighter took centre stage at a defence exhibition in Karachi this week as the restive nuclear-armed state looks to boost its role as a military exporter on the world stage. Pakistan’s large, well-funded military has long been a major importer of defence equipment, particularly from key ally China.

Russian Inspectors to Conduct Observation Flight Over US

12/08/2014

Russian inspectors will conduct an observation flight over the United States under the Treaty on Open Skies, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center has announced. "Within the framework of the international Treaty on Open Skies a group of Russian inspectors plans to conduct an observation flight on a Russian Tupolev Tu-154M-LK-1 observation aircraft over the territory of the United States," Sergei Ryzhkov said.

Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Damascus Int'l Airport: Source

12/08/2014

The Israeli Air Force have conducted several airstrikes on Syria's Damascus International Airport, targeting an arms depot, a source in Syrian army's Joint Staff told Sputnik on Sunday. "The Israeli Air Force have conducted airstrikes on an arms depot, which caused huge blasts near the [Damascus] International Airport," the source said in a phone conversation.

Estonian Military Says Russian Air Force Planes Flying Over Baltic Sea

12/07/2014

Estonian military has observed a number of Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea in the international airspace, the general staff of Estonia’s defense forces said Saturday. “Today, a lot of Russian Air Force planes flying to [Russia's] Kaliningrad region have been observed in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The group of aircraft comprised of different planes, including strategic bombers,” the statement said.

Infrared search/track system gets production okay

12/07/2014

The Navy’s infrared search and track (IRST) system received Milestone C acquisition approval Dec. 2, authorizing low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the sensor pod. Approved by Vice Admiral Paul Grosklags, Principal Military Deputy for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), LRIP authorization provides the Navy’s IRST program with the six pods needed to achieve future initial operational capability (IOC).

Fire Scout Helo Deployments Intensify

12/07/2014

An entirely new level of activity is taking place right now with the US Navy’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter program — for the first time, Fire Scout will be at sea on at least four ships at the same time — and they’ll be different kinds of ships, and both aircraft variants will be active.

Canada rules out Syria airstrikes

12/07/2014

Canada has no plans to follow its neighbor the United States in expanding airstrikes against the Islamic State group into Syria, the country's top diplomat said Saturday during a visit to the Middle East. In an interview with The Associated Press, Foreign Minister John Baird said Canada has a responsibility to contribute to the U.S.-led bombing campaign in part because the Islamic State group has attracted Canadian fighters to its ranks.

India and Russia signed Inter-Governmental Agreement for developing Multi Role Fighter Aircraft

12/07/2014

India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement for designing, developing and producing the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft. The announcement was made by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on 5 December 2014 during the parliamentary session. Moreover, Indian Fighter aircraft MIG 21 is being phased out and aircrafts MIG 29 are being procured from Russia. With the fifth generation stealth technology, the aircraft strikes would be high as they cannot be immediately detected by radar.

The Pentagon’s 2016 Budget Will Focus on the Pacific

12/06/2014

The Pentagon’s 2016 budget proposal will focus investments heavily on pivoting the military to the Pacific and continuing security operations in the Middle East, according to defense officials and experts. That means continued investments in high-end weapons, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Air Force’s new Long-Range Strike Bomber.

America’s Toughest, Ugliest Warplane Is Going Back Into Battle

12/06/2014

For more than 30 years, the A-10 Thunderbolt II—better known as the Warthog because it’s so ugly—has performed a crucial role: attacking hostile targets that threaten troops on the ground, a task called close air support. The plane, designed for the Cold War, is old. It’s slow. And it’s about as sophisticated as a hammer. But it is heavily armored and wickedly armed, making it a ruthlessly effective weapon.

Shortage Of Aircraft

12/06/2014

The requirement of aircraft is periodically reviewed to ensure that the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are met. The IAF is in the process of inducting additional Su-30 MKI aircraft, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). These would augment the operational strength of the IAF. In order to enhance the air-lift and heli-lift capability of the IAF, cases regarding procurement of additional transport aircraft and helicopters are also being progressed.

Manohar Parrikar: ’20-30 Tejas aircraft to be commissioned soon’

12/06/2014

As many as 20-30 indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, which will replace the aging MIG fighters, will be commissioned soon, government informed the Lok Sabha today. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Programme, which has been running behind schedule. During Question Hour, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said "20-30" Tejas aircraft are to be commissioned soon.

1st LD: Al-Shabaab burns Kenya's military aircraft in Somalia

12/06/2014

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed on Friday that its combat aircraft which crashed in southern Somalia on Thursday after developing mechanical problems came down within Al-Shabaab territory who later set it on fire. KDF spokesman Colonel David Obonyo said the Al-Shabaab set the plane on fire and the fate of the pilot remains unknown. The aircraft crashed at 3:15 p.m. (1215 GMT) in Jamaame, Southern Somalia.

Iran Possesses Drones That Can Roam Up to 1,800 Miles: Military Official

12/06/2014

Speaking with university professors in Tehran,Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami stated that Iran is able to produce a pistonless engine for unmanned aerial vehicle without the use of UK or US technology.

Russian MiG-29 Jet Fighter Crashes Outside Moscow, Both Pilots Survived

12/06/2014

A Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum trainer jet has crashed outside Moscow and both pilots survived, a military source told RIA Novosti on Thursday. “A MiG-29 jet fighter crashed near the settlement of Chemodurovo in the Voskresensky region. Both pilots have been hospitalized,” the source said.

China’s New Hypersonic Strike Vehicle Takes Flight Again

12/06/2014

China has performed the third test of its new Hypersonic Strike Vehicle (HGV), which is capable of traveling up to eight times the speed of sound and dodging the US anti-missile defense system; the test was monitored by US intelligence.

What’s in the defense bill?

12/05/2014

A look at some key points in the annual defense budget being considered by Congress: PAY RAISES — Troops will see a pay increase of 1 percent as proposed by the White House, instead of the 1.8 percent indexed to private-sector growth, and which some in Congress had hoped to preserve.

China Wants To Grow Its Navy To Over 350 Ships By The End Of The Decade

12/05/2014

China has plans to grow its navy to 351 ships by 2020 as the Chinese continue to develop their military’s ability to strike global targets, according to a new report. The 2014 US-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended to Congress the US Navy respond by building more ships and increase its presence in the Pacific region – a strategy they US military has already started.

China's Xi Jinping wants faster weapons development to make world's largest army stronger

12/05/2014

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged faster development of advanced new military equipment to help build a strong army, state media reported, as the country steps up an ambitious modernisation plan that has rattled nerves across the region. Speaking at a two-day conference of the People's Liberation Army, Mr Xi said that military reforms should be "guided by the objective of building a strong army", the official Xinhua news agency reported late on Thursday.

Does the JF-17 Finally Have Buyers?

12/05/2014

The JF-17, a joint Sino-Pakistani fighter project, is a single engine fighter developed, conceptually, as a modern MiG-21. Given how global fighter fleets have deteriorated since the end of the Cold War, the idea seemed sound; a low-cost fighter that didn’t present major technical challenges, and that could serve as a cheap option for revitalizing many air forces.

Ghana Announces Plans for Combat, Trainer, Transport Aircraft Buys

12/05/2014

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama says his government has set aside $300 million for the purchase of new combat, trainer and transport aircraft to support United Nations peacekeeping operations.