Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US B-52 bombers challenge disputed China air zone

11/27/2013

The US has flown two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new Chinese air defence rules, officials say. China set up its "air defence identification zone" on Saturday insisting that aircraft obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".

India, Malaysia Air Forces to enhance coop

11/27/2013

Operating similar Russian-origin Su-30 combat aircraft, Air Forces of India and Malaysia today discussed ways of further enhancing their cooperation during the meeting between their chiefs here. "Malaysian air chief General Tan Sri Dato Sri Rodzali bin Daud, who is on a four-day visit, called on IAF Chief NAK Browne here at the Air Headquarters where a wide range of bilateral issues related to the ongoing defence cooperation were discussed," an IAF release said.

Former Israel Air Chief Eyes Dogfighting Drones

11/27/2013

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have already superseded patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and are rendering gunships obsolete. But until they engage enemies in the air, it’s premature to speak about the end of manned platforms, according to a former Israel Air Force commander.

Aircraft carrier sets sail for South China Sea

11/27/2013

China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning set sail Tuesday en route for sea trials in the South China Sea for training purposes, in a critical step to strengthen its combat capability. The aircraft carrier left its home port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, the Xinhua News Agency reported. It was escorted by two missile destroyers, the Shenyang and Shijiazhuang, as well as two missile frigates, the Yantai and Weifang.

INS Vikramaditya sets sail for India

11/27/2013

Ten days after it was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the North Russian shipyard of Sevmash at Severodvinsk, INS Vikramaditya left the yard’s pier, setting course for its homeport at Karwar in Karnataka on Tuesday.

Canada contemplating buying fleet of armed drones, top general says

11/27/2013

As Canada moves to modernize its military, it plans to enter the new world of unmanned aircraft but still has not decided whether its fleet of drones should be weaponized, Gen. Tom Lawson, chief of the defence staff, says. In a speech Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, he indicated military leaders see no moral difference in the source of firepower, whether it comes from a rifle or a drone.

Israel hosts 4-nation warplane drill over Negev Desert

11/27/2013

More than 60 combat jets from Israel, the U.S., Greece and Italy participate in drill in the skies over southern Israel • U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro: We face the same threats in the Middle East and it is crucial that we operate together.

Top Gun: The 10 Most Expensive US-Made Military Aircraft [Video]

11/27/2013

The world's militaries this year will spend an estimated $1.84 trillion on everything from boots to battleships, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. That's approximately $700 billion more than the entire African continent's gross domestic product.

Russia, N.America Outline Plans for Joint Anti-Terror Drills

11/27/2013

Russian and North American military officials have held a first planning meeting for next year’s joint anti-terrorism drills involving the Russian, US and Canadian air forces, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. The Vigilant Eagle 2014 drills will take place in August and will practice coordination between the Russian armed forces and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in the event of a terrorist attack on a passenger airliner.

Russia Denies Plans to Place Strategic Bombers in Kyrgyzstan

11/27/2013

Russian defense officials denied Tuesday that they plan to deploy strategic bombers at an air base in Kyrgyzstan, addressing speculation over what military analysts had seen as an effort by Moscow to project its geopolitical influence across the region. Some media outlets had speculated that a Russian air base in Kant, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the capital Bishkek, could be used as a forward airfield for refueling and emergency maintenance of Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers.

China's Regional Aggression Takes Flight

11/26/2013

China on Friday announced a provocative new air defense zone in the East China Sea that covers Japanese islands. Over the past three years, China and Japan have been inching toward armed conflict over the Senkaku Islands, which Japan has claimed as its territory since 1895 and China has claimed since 1970.

Congressional Leaders Ignore Military Pleas, Raising Specter Of Death And Defeat

11/26/2013

This isn’t the Thanksgiving-week commentary I wanted to write. I wanted to compose an essay about how fortunate we Americans are. But with the clock ticking down to a mid-December deadline for negotiators to find a solution to the government’s fiscal impasse, a troubling pattern is emerging in the behavior of congressional leaders that I can’t ignore.

PAF contingent lands back after Dubai Air Show

11/26/2013

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Contingent, Sunday, landed back at Operational Base after participating in the static as well as aerobatic segment in Dubai Air Show 2013. PAF comprised three JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushshak, pilots and technicians. For Pakistani participants it was satisfying moment when curtains were lowered for the 13th Dubai Air Show-2013, one of the biggest air shows of the world, which also included an impressive display of PAF JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.

The Bear is Back: Russia Returns to Vietnam

11/26/2013

Putin met Vietnam’s top three leaders, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, President Truong Tan Sang and party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong. At the conclusion of his visit it was announced that seventeen bilateral agreements had been reached, including five in the oil, gas and energy sectors. These agreements were a reflection of the broad-based nature of bilateral relations developed ten years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Will Korea’s Partial Purchase of Lockheed’s F-35s Leave Chance for Other Bidders?

11/26/2013

The Korean army decided to purchase 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters as Korea’s next-generation fighter aircraft. The purchase came just two months after the Boeing F-15 SE Silent Eagle was reviewed as the preferred bidder for the FX-III project, but failed to pass muster. The reason for the rejection is because the Korean Air Force has asked the government to buy combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.

Tanzanian Air Force takes delivery of 14 new J-7G fighter jets

11/26/2013

The Tanzanian People's Defence Force (TPDF) has swapped 12 old Chinese-made J-7 fighter aircraft with 14 new J-7Gs, as the country forges ahead with the modernisation of its aerial defence capabilities. IHS Janes reports that the new fighter aircraft fleet includes 12 single-seat Chengdu J-7G jets (designated F-7TN in Tanzanian Air Force service) and two dual seat J-7Ns (designated FT-7TN in Tanzania) which were ordered in 2009 and delivered in 2011.

Boeing Delivers C-17 Cargo Compartment Trainer to Royal Australian Air Force

11/26/2013

Boeing has delivered a full-scale C-17 Globemaster III Cargo Compartment Trainer (CCT) to the Royal Australian Air Force, ensuring that RAAF loadmaster training can be cost-effectively completed in Australia instead of in the U.S.. The CCT is a fully functional replica of a C-17 fuselage in a dedicated facility at RAAF Base Amberley. It can realistically simulate both day and night operating and loading conditions for loadmaster, aeromedical evacuation and aeromedical specialist training.

Eastern Military District to Receive 40 Helicopters by 2014

11/26/2013

Russia’s Eastern Military District will receive more than 40 combat helicopters by the end of 2013, a spokesman said Monday. “Over 40 new Mi-8AMTSh and Ka-52 helicopters will be delivered to air bases in the Eastern Military District by the end of this year,” Lt. Col. Alexander Gordeev said.

Russian Navy Gets New Carrier-Based Fighters

11/26/2013

The Russian navy has taken delivery of its first four series-produced MiG-29K/KUB carrier based fighter jets, the Defense Ministry said Monday. “The MiG aircraft-manufacturing corporation has handed over two MiG-29K single-seat and two MiG-29KUB twin-seat carrier-based fighter aircraft,” a spokesman said.

Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Turkey

11/26/2013

Russian military inspectors will make a monitoring flight over Turkey under the international Open Skies Treaty on Monday, a Russian Defense Ministry official said. “A group of Russian inspectors is scheduled to conduct a surveillance flight over the Republic of Turkey on board an An-30B aircraft in the period November 25 to 29 as part of the implementation of the international Open Skies Treaty,” said Sergei Ryzhkov, head of the ministry's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center.

Could Israel go it alone on Iran?

11/25/2013

Would Israel be able to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability? The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, says all options are on the table. Strong words with only one real meaning - the military option. Over the years I have spent many hours talking to defence analysts, pilots, government officials and experts in military strategy about what that military option might mean.

In South Korea, Delays Drag a Project to Build Homegrown Fighter Jets

11/25/2013

Facing the threat of North Korea and feeling squeezed by China and Japan on its flanks, South Korea has always dreamed of a “self-reliant” defense force. The catchphrase dates to the days of President Park Geun-hye’s father, the military strongman Park Chung-hee, who ruled the country from 1961 to 1979.

Combat jetmaker Saab plans to build drones

11/25/2013

Military equipment manufacturer Saab plans to break into the growing multi-billion dollar market for unmanned aerial vehicles, known as drones, according to a Swedish media report. "Already today we market and sell helicopter system Skeldar and explore collaboration on the larger system MALE [Medium-Altitude-Long-Endurance]," Saab's product manager Mikael Franzén told business daily Dagens Industri.

China raises ante in rift with Japan

11/25/2013

Upping the gamesmanship with Japan over disputed East China Sea waters, China said Saturday it had established an air defense identification zone that would allow its military to take "emergency defensive measures" against unidentified aircraft. The Chinese Defense Ministry said that aircraft flying through the zone would be required to identify themselves and implied that those in violation could be shot down.

Military alters training to deal with budget woes

11/25/2013

The skies above Shaw Air Force Base in central South Carolina and the fields across Fort Campbell on the Tennessee-Kentucky line have been a bit quieter in recent months. Budget cuts to the military have forced installations around the country to alter training exercises and daily routines to save money. For airmen and pilots, that means fewer flights. For soldiers and Marines, it means fewer drills or a delay in them until a deployment nears.