Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

War In Syria Highlights Why U.S. Needs Fifth-Gen Fighters

06/04/2013

The possibility that America and its allies might impose a no-fly zone over Syria just as they did during previous conflicts in Libya and Iraq is highlighting the importance of having survivable fifth-generation fighters in friendly air forces. Right now those forces consist mainly of older, non-stealthy fighters that Syrian surface-to-air missiles could shoot down in any battle for control of local airspace.

Study recommends F-16 transfer from Eielson to Elmendorf-Richardson

06/03/2013

A draft Environmental Impact Study released by the U.S. Air Force recommends moving forward with a proposal to transfer a F-16 fighter jet squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The study released Friday also recommends keeping Eielson as a temporary base for the aircraft several times per year for training exercises, the Fairbanks Daily New Miner reported.

Russian Aircraft Carrier To Redeploy to the Mediterranean

06/03/2013

The Russian Navy plans to deploy its single aircraft carrier in support of its newly formed Mediterranean task force, Commander Admiral Viktor Chirkov said, a declaration that could further escalate rhetorics over the Syrian conflict. The carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” will be ready to join the naval task force by the end of 2013. Defense-Update reports.

The Afghans Need American Air Support

06/03/2013

America's combat role in Afghanistan is scheduled to end in 2014. In anticipation of that transition, several media outlets have run stories predicting that without helicopter support from U.S.-led International Security Assistance Forces the morale and combat effectiveness of the Afghan National Army will be seriously degraded. That prediction is spot on. How do I know? I've already seen it come true.

Canada’s F-35 Debate Very Heated Compared To The One In Australia

06/03/2013

Firstly I like to say that I enjoy reading your Defence Watch page very much, as an Australian it is interesting to see the Canadian perspective on defence matters, including the regular reporting of defence matters here in Australia too. But I especially enjoy reading, what appears to be the very very heated public debate that is going on in Canada regarding the F35.

Replacing Carriers With Cruise Missiles

06/03/2013

The U.S. Navy is facing a cash crisis. Its current fleet is still full of Cold War era ships that are rapidly wearing out. The replacements cost more than the navy can afford, now or in the next decade or so. Looking for ways to manage the inevitable shrinking, some navy officials are saying the unthinkable, that the navy rely less on carriers, if only because it cannot afford to replace the ten it has now.

Globemaster to add to IAF’s airlift capabilities

06/03/2013

India is all set to get genuine strategic airlift capabilities with the induction of the gigantic C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft, which will allow it to transport heavy armoured vehicles, howitzers and combat troops to distant battlefronts or hotspots at the double. "The Hindon airbase will get the first C-17 aircraft from the US in mid-June, with another two following in July. The aircraft will be a huge strategic asset," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

Governments to sign first arms trade treaty regulating conventional weapons

06/03/2013

Governments will sign the world's first internationally binding agreement to regulate the trade in conventional weapons on Monday. Adopted by the UN in April after a vote of 154 to three, the arms trade treaty will seek to control the global trade in arms and ammunition. The treaty, which will regulate the sales of battle tanks, large-calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships and small arms and light weapons, will be signed by top arms exporters.

US to deploy more cutting-edge military tech in Asia in face of China's military growth

06/03/2013

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Saturday that the United States would live up to its promise and deploy more cutting-edge military technology in Asia and the Pacific, even in an age of austerity.

NATO Inspectors Fly ‘Open Skies’ Mission Over Russia

06/03/2013

US and Canadian military inspectors are expected to complete on Monday their two-day joint monitoring mission over Russian territory under the international Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The NATO inspectors fly on board a refitted C-130 Hercules transport aircraft along a designated route with a total length of 5,500 kilometers (3,417 miles), the ministry said.

Israel's UAV makers face export curbs

06/02/2013

Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles manufacturers, hailed as the world's leading exporters of military drones a few weeks ago, are grappling with new regulations on defense exports that will limit foreign sales. The Globes business daily reports that compliance by the defense and foreign ministries with the trade laws, which tighten oversight on defense exports, will curtail UAV sales by Israel Aerospace Industries, Aeronautics Defense Systems, Elbit Systems and others.

Hagel: Despite military cuts, U.S. to deliver on its Asia-Pacific security promises

06/02/2013

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel today sought to allay concerns among Asia-Pacific nations that steep military spending cuts will prevent the United States from delivering on its promises to place a new emphasis on security in the region. “It is true that the Department of Defense will have fewer resources than in the past,” Hagel said during his much anticipated speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

John McCain’s Middle East War Drumbeat: Iraq, Libya, and Now Syria

06/02/2013

This week, the distance between Barack Obama and the Republican he bested to first become president got a whole lot smaller. John McCain appears to be setting Obama’s foreign policy agenda, and that is plenty of reason to worry. McCain seldom does nuance, and Middle East regime change is his default mode even as less riveting, but vastly more threatening, concerns garner far less of his attention.

Airbus Military to add Winglets on all C295 in 2014

06/02/2013

Airbus Military has launched a new member of the C295 medium transport and surveillance aircraft – the C295W. The company will make its public debut at the Paris Air Show later this month. The new model, equipped with uprated engines and winglets will be available in 2014. Company sources said that the new version will become standard for all Seville assembled CN295 beginning from the fourth quarter of 2014, following the completion of certification, expected by the middle of next year.

Breathtaking Cockpit Photo Of A Marine's F-18 Firing A Live Missile

06/02/2013

The reason is obvious: is an absolutely stunning photograph, just released by the U.S. Marine Corps, showing Capt. Christopher Prout with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing as he shoots an AIM-7 Sparrow missile from an F/A-18C Hornet near Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, on May 16, 2013.

US warns Russia not to send air defence missiles to Syria

06/01/2013

The United States and Germany on Friday warned Russia not to endanger a planned peace conference for Syria or alter the balance of power in the Middle East by providing an advanced air defence system to President Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the transfer of S-300 missiles from Russia to Syria would prolong the country's civil war.

Combat Ready Dates for F-35 Jets Set by U.S. Military

06/01/2013

The U.S. military services today set dates for when the first squadrons of Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 fighter jets, from the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, will be combat-ready. Congress was notified this morning that the initial short-takeoff and vertical-landing model for the Marine Corps will be ready no later than December 2015. The target for the Air Force’s version of the jet is December 2016, and the date for the Navy model is February 2019.

Bidding to start on South Korean aircraft procurement deal

06/01/2013

The South Korean government says bidding on a $7.5 billion contract for next-generation fighters is about to start. An official with the Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency said the bidding process was moved forward one week amid "speculation" that opening the bidding process later in the month could result in prices beyond the country's budget for the purchase, The Korea Herald reported.

IAF inducts PC-7 Mk-II turbo trainer aircraft

06/01/2013

Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II turbo trainer aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a ceremony held at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad on Friday. The aircraft, which meets all basic training functions of ab-initio pilots including aerobatics, tactical and night flying, has been customised to meet the requirements of IAF.

Constellium, Lockheed Martin celebrate F-35 fighter plane

06/01/2013

Even despite criticisms in recent years over the performance and safety of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to push for the development and deployment of the fighter plane. Representatives from the company teamed up with Constellium Rolled Products yesterday to celebrate their partnership, which yields one of the military’s most advanced fighter aircraft.

Recent Aerospace Defense Drills ‘Satisfactory’ – Putin

06/01/2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday described as “satisfactory” the results of this week’s snap check of the Aerospace Defense Forces, after hearing that nine out of 11 missiles were intercepted during the drills. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed the president of the results at a meeting in the Kremlin. The exercises checked the combat readiness of aerospace defence units, air force units and air defences in the Western Military District.

MiG Signs Attack Drone R&D Contract

06/01/2013

Russian military aircraft maker MiG is to go ahead with a research-and-development project for an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) based on its Skat prototype, after signing a deal with the Industry and Trade Ministry earlier this month, the firm said Friday. "We signed an R&D contract for UCAVs on May 15," said MiG's head, Sergei Korotkov. "The contract requirements include a mock-up for a future UCAV for the Defense Ministry. We are already ahead on this, based on our Skat program."

Syria Wants to Revive Fighter Jet Deal with Russia

06/01/2013

The Syrian authorities want to revive a contract to purchase MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets from Russia in light of the upcoming expiration of an EU embargo on arms sales to Syria, representatives of aircraft maker MiG said Friday. “A Syrian delegation is currently in Moscow. We’re discussing details and timeframe of a possible contract,” MiG head Sergei Korotkov told journalists, but did not elaborate.

Russia Receives Payment Under Iraqi Arms Deal

06/01/2013

Russia has started fulfilling its recent arms exports contract with Iraq after receiving an advance payment from Baghdad, Russian Technologies (Rostech) CEO Sergei Chemezov said. “The contract is being implemented, the production [of ordered equipment] has started,” Chemezov told RIA Novosti at the opening ceremony of a Russian grenade-launcher assembly facility in Jordan on Thursday.

More Sukhoi Fighters for China, Indonesia

05/31/2013

Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy director at Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, told journalists attending the IDEX 2013 exhibition in Abu Dhabi that Russian defense minister Sergei Choigu signed an intergovernmental agreement on the Su-35 with China in January. Dzirkaln, who headed the Russian delegation to the arms show, added that the work on firm contract is ongoing “in a planned manner” as the sides are “detailing” delivery terms.