Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US UAV Programme Updates

08/04/2011

The US military, the most powerful defence organisation on the planet, is set to account for 69% of worldwide UAV procurement in the next decade, according to the Teal Group consultancy, and 77% of research and development spending. Though the US plans to withdraw completely from its two wars over the next several years, US UAVs will have a presence over Iraq and Afghanistan for decades to come. And the rise of China brings increased pressure to bear on maritime forces.

India plans to buy military aids worth $100 billion

08/04/2011

India plans to purchase military equipment, including fighter planes, warships, helicopters and artillery guns, worth $100 billion in the next ten years, which would make the country one of the world’s most lucrative arms markets.

Czechs paid for CASA planes twice more than Portugal

08/04/2011

The Czech Republic has paid for the Spanish-made CASA transport planes twice more than Portugal, the daily Lidove noviny (LN) reports today, referring to The Military Balance prestigious yearbook published by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Russia's MiG starts on new batch of carrier fighters for Indian Navy

08/04/2011

Russia's MiG aircraft corporation has launched production of a new batch of MiG29K/KUB carrier fighters for the Indian Navy, a MiG spokesman said on Wednesday. The fighters are to be delivered under a 2010 contract, the spokesman said. Under the $1.5-billion contract, Russia will supply 29 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D jets to New Delhi starting in 2012.

IAF ordered 40 Tejas Mk-I aircraft: Antony

08/03/2011

Indian Air Force has ordered 40 Tejas Mark-I aircraft and two such planes would be ready for induction by March 2012, Defence Minister A K Antony said. "Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas has been completed in December 2010. So far 1,659 flight tests have been completed. IAF has ordered 40 Tejas Mk-I aircraft. Two aircraft will be ready by March 2012 for induction," Antony informed the Lok Sabha yesterday.

Pakistan to Acquire State-of-the-Art Chinese J-10B Aircraft

08/03/2011

China will give Pakistan a squadron of the advanced J-10B multi-role, all-weather fighter aircraft in a bid to boost the strategic reach of its close ally, a media report has said. China has made the offer to Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen Waheed Arshad, who has just concluded a week long visit to China, the Pakistani Urdu daily Jang said.

Czechs threaten canceling deal to buy 4 EADS military transport planes amid malfunctions

08/03/2011

The Czech defense ministry is threatening to cancel a $200 million deal to buy four EADS military transport aircraft because they could not be deployed to Afghanistan as a result of technical problems.

Clinton offering F-35s to India?

08/03/2011

Clinton is understood to have made a strong pitch for more US military sales to India, especially in the wake of American companies recently losing out in the race for a $ 10.4 billion order by the Indian Air Force for 126 fighter aircraft.

Military Aircraft Purchases Pitfalls in Transparency and Governance

08/03/2011

In the wake of the shrill debate about the purchase or otherwise of military aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces, it may be important to pause and ask ourselves whether we needed to reach the current low depths of accusations and counter accusations.

Four months of war in Libya

08/03/2011

NATO’s military operation against Libya, conducted mainly by the armed forces of the US, France and Britain, is speeding up the formation of a new system of international relations. At the same time the war serves as a firing ground for testing the strategy of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) in real combat situation as well as the efficiency of new weapons …

Over 200 aircraft to be showcased at MAKS-2011

08/03/2011

More than 200 Russian and foreign aircraft will be exhibited at the MAKS-2011 air show near Moscow in August, an organizer of the event told RIA Novosti. The MAKS-2011 air show will be held at Zhukovsky outside Moscow on August 16-21. In all, 627 aerospace industry companies, including 473 Russian and 154 foreign, have registered to take part in the air show as of June 1.

Third C-17 delivered to UAE Air Force for humanitarian missions

08/03/2011

The UAE has received its third C-17 Globemaster III airlifter and took deliver from Boeing's final assembly facility in Long Beach, California

'LCA development got us technological logical freedom'

08/02/2011

The development of light combat aircraft (LCA) is a step towards the technological freedom for the country. The LCA project will not only boost the aviation industry, it will also help develop a range of technologies which could be implemented in other sectors, such as automobile and healthcare, said senior scientist Kota Harinarayana here on Monday after he was felicitated with prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award.

BAE Systems to provide Flight Controls for Embraer's KC-390 Aircraft

08/02/2011

Aircraft manufacturer Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have selected BAE Systems to provide flight control electronics for the KC-390 military transport aircraft.

Japan sees further expansion of China maritime activities

08/02/2011

Japan expects China to further expand its maritime activities in the South China Sea and the Pacific, its annual defence report said on Tuesday, the latest expression of regional security concerns about China's military buildup.

First Four Lockheed Martin F-16s Produced For Morocco Depart On Ferry Flight

08/02/2011

The first four of 24 new Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] advanced Block 52 F-16s produced for the Royal Moroccan Air Force have left the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Morrocco. An arrival ceremony will be held in Morocco later this week.

Russia, U.S., Canada to hold second air force anti-terror exercise

08/02/2011

The Russian Air Force and NORAD, the U.S. and Canadian joint air defense command will hold a second round of anti-terrorism exercises on August 8-11, the Commander in Chief of the Eastern military district, Igor Muginov said on Monday.

Browne new IAF chief, will push for modernization

08/01/2011

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne's task is well cut-out. From bolstering IAF's combat potential and strategic reach to infusing some much-needed "synergy" with Army and Navy, he will have to ensure his force can establish the primacy of "aerospace power" in "shaping" battlefields of the future.

China Officially Offers J-10 Fighters to Pakistan

08/01/2011

China is offering Pakistan a squadron of J-10B, the advanced multi-role, all-weather fighter aircraft. The official offer was presented to the Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen Waheed Arshad, during a week long visit to Beijing. If such delivery takes place, Pakistan will be the first country, after China, to operate the J-10B, considered as one of China’s most advanced, operational combat aircraft.

Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale fight to be India's next fighter jet

08/01/2011

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon have to make up its mind between two fighter jets - the Eurofighter Typhoon and the French Dassault Rafale. Both these aircraft are competing fiercely to don IAF colours in what is being touted as the world's biggest defense deal.

Sikorsky's X2 Technology helicopter demonstrator program ends

08/01/2011

Officials at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced that company's X2 Technology demonstrator made its final flight, marking the end of the program. The X2 Technology demonstrator helicopter program will be transitioning to its first application, the S-97 Raider.

UK's first Stealth fighter in successful catapult test

07/31/2011

The tailhook version of the F-35 Lightning II stealth combat aircraft – which, following the recent UK defence review, is now planned to fly from new Royal Navy carriers in years to come – has successfully completed its first catapult launch test.

China to give squadron of J10-B fighters to Pakistan

07/31/2011

Taking bilateral defence relations to a new high,China will givePakistan a squadron of the advanced J-10B fighter aircraft, a media report said. The offer was made by senior Chinese military leaders to visiting Pakistan Army's Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen.Waheed Arshad, the Urdu daily Jang reported on Saturday, quoting defence sources.

Taiwan Insists It Will Buy U.S. Military Aircraft Despite China’s Objections

07/31/2011

The government of Taiwan said it will follow through on its commitment to purchase F-16 jet fighters from the U.S., despite fears that such a transaction would anger Mainland China. "The defense ministry has constantly appealed to the U.S. to sell the F-16 C/D jets through various channels. Our determination to maintain self-defense has never changed," the Taipei government said in a statement.

Number of dogfights between Greece, Turkey hits record low

07/31/2011

The number of dogfights between the military planes of Turkey and bailed-out Greece hit a record low this year. While the annual number of dogfights was between 300 and 500 in previous years, this number is currently at 79 and is not expected to exceed 100 by the end of the year.