Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China flies 103 military planes toward Taiwan in a new high in activity the island calls harassment

09/19/2023

China’s military sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period in what the island’s defense ministry called a recent new high. The planes were detected between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday, the ministry said. As is customary, they turned back before reaching Taiwan. Chinese warplanes fly toward the self-governing island on a near-daily basis but typically in smaller numbers. The Taiwan ministry didn’t explain what time period it meant by a “recent” high.

US finds debris from fighter jet one day after crash

09/19/2023

The U.S. military said it finally found debris from a crashed F-35 fighter jet in South Carolina on Monday, a day after asking for the public's help in locating the elusive wreckage. The pilot of the F-35B Lightning II jet had safely ejected from the aircraft on Sunday afternoon. Joint Base Charleston on Sunday asked people on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to "please call the Base Defense Operations Center" with any information to assist the recovery teams.

Russia updates Tu-22M3 bombers’ missiles to receive new payload: Aviation Commander

09/18/2023

Missiles for Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bombers have been updated to receive a new payload with an increased weight up to 1,700 kilograms, Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Commander Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash said on Sunday. “The next aircraft is Tu-22M3. We have updated this missile with a new payload which will increase its capacity to 1,700 kilos," he said according to state news agency TASS.

South Korean Fighter Jets ‘Storm’ The World; After FA-50, KF-21 Boramae Makes Big Impact In Aviation Market

09/18/2023

One notable area in which Seoul has significantly expanded its activities is the fighter jet industry, traditionally dominated by the United States and Russia. In particular, the country has been actively establishing a presence in the advanced jet trainer and light fighter market, with its T-50/FA-50 models gaining momentum and achieving success in the global export market.

BAE opens door to Saudi Arabia tie-up in Tempest fighter jet programme

09/18/2023

The boss of defence contractor BAE Systems has opened the door to Saudi Arabia becoming involved in the UK’s flagship fighter jet programme. Charles Woodburn, BAE’s chief executive, said the kingdom can ‘offer a lot’ and had a talented workforce that could boost the project. Woodburn was speaking after it emerged that the Saudi government is pushing to become a full partner in the international global combat air programme

Authorities searching for missing F-35 plane after Marine pilot ejected during flight over Charleston

09/18/2023

A South Carolina military airbase has appealed for the public's help in finding a missing Marines Corps fighter aircraft after its pilot ejected from it on Sunday afternoon. Marine Corps investigators have launched an inquiry after the 'mishap' which saw one of their pilots ejected from an F-35 fighter aircraft over North Charleston Sunday afternoon.

Taiwan Eyes New Chinese Aircraft Carrier as Major Threat

09/17/2023

A new Taiwanese military assessment highlights the threat posed to the self-governing island by China's third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is expected to enter service after completing sea trials sometime next year. The assessment, laid out in Taiwan's National Defense Report 2023, also calls for developing a decentralized command platform across military services based on lessons learned from observing Russia's war on Ukraine.

Ukraine war: Kyiv's army 10 km from Bakhmut, evacuations ordered in south, fighter jet training

09/16/2023

The Ukrainian army announced Friday morning it had recaptured Andriivka, a village on the eastern front some ten kilometres from Bakhmut. Russian forces suffered "significant" casualties and equipment losses, the Ukrainian General Staff wrote in its daily report. "During their assault, they [the Ukrainian Armed Forces] liberated Andriivka in the Donetsk region," it said.

The Fight to Get to the Fight: ANG Deputy Director on the Fighter Shortage, Homeland Defense

09/16/2023

During the final senior leader panel of the 2023 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, deputy director, Air National Guard, discussed the shortfall of fighter aircraft across the total force and its impact on the ANG’s role in homeland defense.

Denmark unboxes its fearsome F-35 combat aircraft and new Light Rail project

09/16/2023

Denmark’s first new F-35 fighter jets landed at the air station in Skrydstrup, Jylland on Thursday. In total, 27 of the state-of-the-art combat aircraft have been added to the Danish military arsenal to replace the earlier F-16 fleet. According to Ritzau, the F-35s, delivered by American manufacturer Lockheed Martin, cost some DKK 16 billion.

Once Inspired By F-35, Now Korean KF-21 Boramae ‘Challenges’ US Stealth Fighter For Polish Air Force Deal

09/16/2023

Poland is increasing its defense spending to four percent of GDP and intends to purchase two more squadrons of multi-role combat aircraft to secure the eastern flank of NATO. The frontrunners for the deal are the American F-35, F-15EX, and the South Korean KF-21 Boramae.

Russia’s Key Ally Loses Its ‘Entire’ Sukhoi Fighter Jet Fleet As Moscow Tries Rebuilding Mali’s Air Force

09/14/2023

The Mali Air Force lost another Su-25 Frogfoot in a crash on September 9, months after it received the aircraft from Russia. According to reports from the African country, tragedy hit Mali when the country’s sole Sukhoi Su-25 strike plane crashed in the Gao region. However, the aircraft’s pilot managed to escape and is reportedly safe. Unfortunately, the crash wiped out Mali’s Su-25 attack fleet.

Tensions on the Belarus border: A look at military spending and arms import patterns

09/14/2023

Relations between Belarus and its NATO neighbours deteriorated further over the summer. Troops have been deployed on both sides of the Belarus–Poland border, and each country has accused the other of escalating tensions. Lithuania this month closed two of six border crossings with Belarus. Belarus’s defence minister, Viktor Khrenin, went as far as suggesting that ‘the possibility of a direct military clash with NATO in the future has become quite obvious’.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier, Warships Massing for Major Exercise Near the Philippines

09/14/2023

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Philippine Sea, being shadowed separately by Republic of China Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyers, according to both countries.

Israeli tech-transfer to China turns the J-10 into a ‘Chinese’ F-16

09/13/2023

The first prototype of the J-10 was completed in June 1997. Its first launch, a significant event in aviation history, occurred on 23rd March 1998. Despite the J-10 fighter jet’s status as the highlight of China’s native fighter jet program, various reports suggest a possible connection between Israel Aerospace Industries and the Chinese Aeronautical Construction Consortium during the J-10’s design phase.

With JF-17 ‘Out Of Action’, Russian Su-30SME Fighters Supplied To Myanmar Can Support Combat Ops – Expert

09/13/2023

Charlie Chan, the trade minister of the Myanmar junta government, shared details about the delivery of Su-30SME fighter jets with a Russian media outlet on September 10, as reported by Reuters. Chan made this revelation while attending the Eastern Economic Forum, an annual event held in Russia to promote regional economic cooperation and attract foreign investments.

US Air Force receives first new Compass Call electronic warfare plane

09/13/2023

The U.S. Air Force has received its first EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft from contractors BAE Systems and L3Harris Technolgies, industry officials announced Tuesday. BAE Systems said in a release that the Air Force will next start combined developmental and operational testing for this Compass Call, the first of 10 aircraft planned for the Air Force.

UK, Japanese, Italian partners agree next steps for fighter jet

09/13/2023

Britain's BAE Systems, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Italy's Leonardo have agreed the next steps to deliver the concept phase of a next-generation combat aircraft, BAE Systems said on Tuesday. The three nations agreed in December 2022 to collaborate to build an advanced front-line fighter to enter service around the middle of the next decade.

Rafale For Bangladesh? 1st Time In 33 Years, French President Visits Dhaka As Dassault & Eurofighter Compete For BAF Deal

09/12/2023

Bangladesh plans to modernize its armed forces under the Forces Goals 2030. Under the plan, the BAF already inducted 16 Chengdu J-7 fighter jets from China. Apart from this, Bangladesh floated a tender for eight Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) in the financial year 2017-2018. The tender can order four more aircraft in the second tranche.

Boeing to integrate BAE Systems electronic warfare (EW) avionics aboard upgraded Japan F-15 jet fighter

09/12/2023

Electronic warfare (EW) avionics experts at the Boeing Co. will produce EW avionics for modernized Japan air force F-15 jet fighter aircraft that will help protect the aircraft from radar-guided missiles. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced a $474.5 million five-year order Thursday to Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis to add the BAE Systems Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System.

AFA NEWS: Collaborative Combat Aircraft Will Be 'In A Lot of Places,' Air Force General Says

09/12/2023

To confront potential threats in the Indo-Pacific, Pacific Air Forces is focused on expanding agile combat employment — an operational scheme to develop network of small bases and facilities. One component of the scheme is the collaborative combat aircraft, or CCA, and a top Air Force official said a lot are coming.

Insight: What does the future hold for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft?

09/12/2023

The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A has been adopted by Middle Eastern air forces as well as the European partner nations. Shephard Defence Insight analyses its next-generation radar, cockpit technology and future upgrade plans.

Frustrated China steps up warship and fighter plane activity around Taiwan

09/12/2023

China has sent a carrier strike group and dozens of warplanes into the region around Taiwan in one of its biggest operations in months. The activity comes as Beijing accuses the US and Canada of “inciting conflict” by sailing through the Taiwan Strait, and as Xi Jinping calls for “comprehensive” military combat readiness of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The Rise, Fall & Rise Of F-15 Fighters: How Eagles Continue Their Relevance Even After Decades In Service

09/11/2023

Boeing Aerospace announced on September 7 that Poland was actively interested in buying the F-15EX Eagle II fighters. The announcement was made at the press conference at the annual MSPO defense trade exhibition without divulging specific details. Tim Flood, Boeing’s senior director of Global Business Development for Europe and Americas, said in a statement: “Poland’s interest in the F-15EX confirms its dedication to the preparedness and effectiveness of its military forces.

Myanmar receives first shipment of Russia's Su-30 fighter jets, RIA reports

09/11/2023

Myanmar has received the first shipment of two Russian Su-30 fighter jets, Charlie Than, Myanmar's trade minister, told the Russian RIA state news agency in remarks published on Sunday. "Two aircraft have already been delivered," Than told RIA on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, Russia's annual forum aimed at developing economic cooperation in the region and encouraging foreign investment, which starts on Sunday in the port of Vladivostok.