Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

S. Korea has lost 2.5 fighter jets per year since 2000: report

10/22/2013

The South Korean Air Force has lost an average of 2.5 fighter jets in crashes every year since 2000, with many of them involving aging, soon-to-be retired aircraft deployed over three decades ago, a report showed Monday. A total of 35 combat jets have crashed nationwide since 2000, killing 38 pilots and one mechanic, according to the Air Force report submitted to parliament for an annual audit.

French/US Air Forces hone aerial combat skills

10/22/2013

In the skies above Djibouti, members of the U.S. and French Air Forces joined together in an unlikely training scenario, pitting helicopters against fighter aircraft in a simulated hostile rescue situation. Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron partnered with French air force Mirage 2000-5 fighter pilots here to conduct a combat exercise in which U.S. HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters recovered downed aircrew while being engaged by enemy fighters.

Lockheed Martin Receives Order for Two C-130J Super Hercules for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

10/22/2013

Lockheed Martin has entered into an agreement — known as an Undefinitized Contract Action — with the U.S. Government for the Foreign Military Sale of the first two of 25 potential C-130J Super Hercules airlifters for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, this contract action is for the purchase of two KC-130J refueling tankers.

New headquarters of NATO’s Air Policing mission opened in Šiauliai Air Base

10/21/2013

On 18 October a new headquarters building was opened at Šiauliai Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force for NATO’s Air Policing mission in the Baltic States, the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has informed. The new object, a part of the vital infrastructure of NATO’s Air Policing mission, will ensure more convenient service conditions for air contingents deployed to protect the Baltic airspace.

China's arms industry makes global inroads

10/21/2013

From the moment Turkey announced plans two years ago to acquire a long-range missile defense system, the multibillion-dollar contract from a key Nato member appeared to be an American company's to lose. For years, Turkey's military had relied on Nato-supplied Patriot missiles, built by the American companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to defend its skies, and the system was fully compatible with the air-defense platforms operated by other members of the alliance.

Foray to South Korea signals arms export ambitions of India

10/21/2013

For six decades, slow progress in developing indigenous defence equipment and a Nehruvian squeamishness about exporting arms have together made India’s presence in the international arms only that of a buyer — last year the world’s biggest. That has begun to change. A large Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) team is heading to Seoul, in South Korea, where it will be one of the biggest exhibitors at the Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX-2013) later this month.

Turkey Could Face Huge Fighter Bil

10/21/2013

Turkish ambitions to develop and build the first ever made-in-Turkey fighter aircraft and at the same time buy a new generation, multinational combat jet may go beyond Turkey’s financing capacity, industry sources and experts said.

India Deployed Combat Jets Mistaking Migratory Birds for Drones

10/21/2013

India had scrambled scores of fighter jets to tackle migratory birds for weeks mistaking them for enemy drones in a sensitive border region. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed fighter aircraft after radars flagged unsolicited intrusion into Indian territories along the border region in the western state of Gujarat.

German, Latvian Military Inspectors to Overfly Russia, Belarus

10/21/2013

A group of military inspectors from Germany and Latvia is set to fly above Russia and Belarus starting from Monday under the international Open Skies Treaty, a Russian Defense Ministry official said.

US to sell $10.8bn in missiles to Saudis, UAE

10/20/2013

The move follows a series of US weapons deals in recent years that have bolstered the air power and missile arsenals of Gulf States, which view Iran as a menacing rival with nuclear ambitions. The pending sale comes as the United States and five other major powers pursue high-stakes diplomacy on Iran’s disputed nuclear program, with talks this week portrayed as positive by both sides.

Saudi Arabia Turns Down UN Security Council Seat

10/20/2013

In declining to accept a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council that it had actively sought for two years, Saudi Arabia pouted that it could not abide by the Security Council’s “double-standards.” Saudi Arabia had just won the seat last Thursday at a UN General Assembly election, along with Chad, Chile, Lithuania and Nigeria.

Red Eagles: America’s secret MiGs

10/20/2013

The title is both subtle and clever, red for the communist aircraft designs flown and eagles for the pilots from the USA who tested them. The aircraft addressed by author Steve Davies (one of the Red Eagle pilots) are the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 17 “Fresco”, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 21 “Fishbed” and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 23 “Flogger” — each individual aircraft given a program name which began with HAVE (e.g., HAVE DOUGHNUT for the MiG 21 flight testing in early 1968).

Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over NATO Territory

10/20/2013

Russia will begin Sunday monitoring flights over NATO members Slovakia and the Czech Republic under the international Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry said. “A group of Russian inspectors is scheduled to conduct surveillance flights over Slovakia and the Czech Republic on board an An-30B aircraft from October 20 to 26 as part of the implementation of the international Open Skies Treaty,”.

Russia Close to Ink Air Defense Deal With Brazil – Minister

10/20/2013

Russia and Brazil are at the final stages of talks on the delivery of Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense systems to the Latin American country, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. A Russian delegation, led by Shoigu, visited Brazil to discuss prospects of bilateral defense and space cooperation, including the sales of Pansir-S1 and Igla missile systems, during the Latin American tour on October 14-17.

War heats up between Lockheed Martin and Boeing in bid to replace Canada’s fighter jets

10/19/2013

Boeing Co. officials were in Ottawa this week to promote the Super Hornet fighter jet as the best choice to replace Canada’s CF-18s, using the U.S. budget crisis to raise doubts about the long-term viability of the rival Lockheed Martin F-35 program.

Boeing still in running for Korean jet fighter tender

10/19/2013

Boeing says it is still very much in the running for Korea’s multibillion-dollar fighter jet tender, despite opposition from the military. The firm looked to be in pole position to secure a massive order of F-15 Silent Eagle fighter jets, but Seoul pulled the plug and restarted the tender process after former military top brass and ruling party lawmakers criticised the plane for lacking stealth capabilities.

Grand delusions plague Armscor

10/19/2013

South Africa’s official arms procurement agency, was once again in the news for the wrong reason as a court reinstated the fired chairman retired General ‘Mojo’ Motau - for the second time - along with deputy chairman Refiloe Mokoena. But military expert Helmoed Römer Heitman argues that Armscor’s crisis goes much deeper.

UK Air Force Retire its C-130Ks

10/19/2013

The Royal Air Force will axe the final C-130K special force Hercules from its fleet of airlifters by the end of this month. The Defence Ministry is cannibalizing the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft of its defensive aids suite to fit into some of the C-130J models being equipped to fill the role according to the MoD.

At 'tip of spear,' passion keeps pilots sharp

10/19/2013

It's a dark night over Baghdad. Storm clouds rumble with the sound of thunder. In poor weather, Air Force pilots move in to escort a navy strike package, dodging surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery fire, wondering whether they will make it back alive. This is part of the job for Air Force fighter pilots, but a love for the job and good training keep pilots ready to fight.

Naval LCA set for carrier compatibility tests

10/19/2013

The naval variant of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is gearing up for carrier compatibility tests at the shore-based INS Hansa in Goa, according to sources in the Aeronautical Development Authority (ADA) which is developing the aircraft. The first prototype completed its maiden flight on April 27, 2012.

PH buying SK fighter jets

10/19/2013

President Benigno Aquino III said the Philippines was close to finalizing a deal with a state-owned Korean aerospace firm to buy a squadron of FA-50 fighter jets worth P18.9 billion—a move seen to bolster the country’s aerial power and defend its territory in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Russia to Deploy Combat Helicopters at Armenian Base

10/19/2013

Russia will strengthen its air contingent at the Erebuni air base in Armenia with a helicopter squadron in the next few months, the base commander said Friday. Russia’s 3624th Air Base at the Erebuni airport in Yerevan currently hosts at least 16 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets operating under the framework of air defense agreements concluded between the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Russian Military to Get $20M Flight Simulators Next Month

10/19/2013

Russia’s armed forces will receive aircraft flight simulators in November worth almost 670 million rubles ($20.1 million), a federal agency said Friday.

PACAF Airmen wrap up busy year

10/18/2013

Throughout fiscal 2013, the key aspect of Pacific Air Forces was engagement as more than 45,000 Pacific Air Forces Airmen conducted a broad spectrum of operations, from humanitarian relief to decisive combat employment, in an area covering 13 time zones and 100 million square miles.

PH, South Korea sign 3 agreements on 1st day of Aquino state visit

10/18/2013

The Philippines and South Korea on Thursday signed agreements on flood mitigation, defense and sports development as President Aquino began a two-day state visit here. Aquino arrived here at noon on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight and met with President Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female leader.