Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

South Korean ‘Rookie’ FA-50 Fighters Get Into Action Mode, Holds Drills With F-35A Jets To Warn North

08/23/2023

South Korea’s newest light fighter jet, the FA-50, appears to be preparing for combat as part of the South Korea-US joint military drills that kicked off on August 21. The exercises aim to test combat readiness against a supposedly belligerent North Korea.

Indonesia Inks Memorandum of Understanding for F-15EX Purchase

08/23/2023

Indonesia is in the midst of a recapitalization of its combat aircraft fleet. The country retired its legacy F-5E/F Tigers and has opted for a two-pronged approach to modernizing its inventory. This involves the procurement of the Dassault Rafale and now, most likely, the Boeing F-15EX.

After Tu-95 Bomber, Russia’s Tu-22 M3 Backfire Destroyed In Ukraine Drone Attack – Reports

08/22/2023

A drone attack targeted the Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire swing-wing bomber based at Soltsy-2 on August 19. As soon as the news broke out, visuals appeared on social media showing thick black smoke billowing from the air base. However, it was initially unknown what asset at the base caught fire.

State Department approves AH-64E Apache sale to Poland, part of $12 billion package

08/22/2023

The US State Department has signed off on a potential $12 billion sale of military equipment to Poland, including 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and other military equipment. The announcement, posted on the website Defense Security Cooperation Agency today, does not represent a final sale. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases announced like these have been approved by the executive branch for review by Congress.

Ex-Russian Colonel: Any Ukrainian F-16 airfield will be wiped out during construction

08/22/2023

Any attempts by Ukraine to build airfields and facilities to accommodate the F-16 fighter jets that Western allies provide will be met with targeted attacks by Russian forces destroying the infrastructure during the construction before they are fully built, according to retired Russian Colonel Viktor Litovkin.

A potential first-of-its-kind fighter-jet purchase could be a sign Saudi Arabia isn't happy with what it's getting from the US

08/22/2023

Saudi Arabia has spent decades building an enormous air force composed exclusively of advanced US and British fighter jets. But Riyadh's reported interest in potentially purchasing a large number of French jets may be a sign it doesn't think its longtime patrons are as reliable as before.

Ukraine Will Get F-16 Fighter Jets From Denmark and Netherlands

08/21/2023

The Netherlands and Denmark said Sunday that they would donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine — the first countries to do so — in what President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said was a breakthrough in his nation’s quest to acquire the aircraft considered imperative in the war against Russia.

China military drills send ‘stern warning’ to Taiwan after US visit

08/20/2023

China has launched air and sea military exercises around Taiwan to send a “stern warning” to separatist forces on the island following a recent visit by Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai to the United States. Taiwan responded on Saturday saying the drills highlighted Beijing’s “militaristic mentality” and that combat aircraft, naval ships and land-based missile systems had been tasked with monitoring Chinese forces.

Drone attacks russian airfield in novgorod oblast and damages combat aircraft

08/20/2023

The Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked a military airfield in the novgorod oblast of the russian federation with drones, at least one aircraft was damaged. The Ministry of Defense of russia informs about this.

Zelensky: We are getting closer to Swedish Gripen aircraft appearing in our skies

08/20/2023

Ukrainian pilots have started testing Sweden’s Griping fighter jets, and Ukraine is getting closer to these fighter jets flying in Ukrainian skies. President Zelensky said this in his video address late on Saturday evening, August 19, Ukrinform reports with reference to the president’s press service.

For the first time F-15E Strike Eagle fighter bombers (flown by Raytheon Trophy winners) will take part in William Tell Competition

08/20/2023

After a 19-year hiatus, the 2023 William Tell Air-to-Air Competition is scheduled to take place Sep. 11-15, 2023, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia. As told by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Sirimarco-Lang, 4th Fighter Wing, in the article 4th Fighter Wing selects team to participate in William Tell competition, the historic fighter aircraft competition is named after legendary Swiss archer, William Tell.

Kicking Mules validate, verify hot refueling procedures

08/19/2023

The 95th Reconnaissance Squadron validated and verified recently developed RC-135 hot refueling procedures at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 14, 2023. Hot refueling is when an aircraft is refueled after landing and parking, while also leaving an engine running. “This was part of a larger system safety engineering analysis process we are going through with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center,” said Capt. Jon Comer, 95th RS maintenance director of operations.

Japan mulls long-range missiles on transport aircraft

08/19/2023

Based on available information, it is likely that the upgraded air-launched variant of Japan's Type 12 missile and the US-origin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range could be used to turn Japan's cargo aircraft into lethal platforms. (Janes) Transport aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) could be equipped with long-range missiles to improve the country's stand-off strike capabilities.

Ukraine war prompts new US air tactics in Europe

08/19/2023

Nineteen months into Russia’s war on Ukraine, its lessons are shaping how the U.S. Air Force thinks about combat over Europe. The conflict is pushing the Pentagon to focus on tactics instead of the strategic-level chess moves that have defined the U.S.-Russia military relationship in Europe since the end of the Cold War, Gen. James Hecker, the Air Force’s top officer in Europe, told Air Force Times in a recent interview.

Unveiling the Tempest: Sixth-Generation Combat Aircraft and Saudi Arabia’s Unexpected Interest

08/19/2023

Initially comprising the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, the program now grapples with a dilemma as Saudi Arabia expresses its desire to become a participant. The kingdom’s request has ignited debates, raised concerns, and exposed divisions among the existing partners.

Lessons From Ukraine For The Future Of War – Analysis

08/18/2023

The war in Ukraine has reinforced the age-old lesson that geography is one of the most important variables in warfare. Any battle plan that Ukraine’s or Russia’s commanders might draw up remains subject to the dictates of space and terrain. As they have over the centuries, mountains, rivers, rain, mud, and snow continue to set humanity’s boundaries in fighting wars.

Japan at the Center of Airpower Defense Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific

08/18/2023

From August to October 2022, the German Air Force conducted its first large-scale deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, known as Rapid Pacific. This was defense diplomacy by the German Air Force, symbolized by the “Air Ambassador” paint scheme on one of the six Eurofighters deployed to strengthen ties with allies and partners in the region, including Japan. Thus, Rapid Pacific marked the beginning of full-fledged airpower defense diplomacy in the region.

ncreased Russian Attacks Lead Ukrainian Pilots to Frequent Air Base Changes - FT

08/18/2023

Ukrainian pilots constantly disperse combat aircraft to various air bases and civilian airports to counter the Kremlin’s intensified strikes on air installations, runways, and pilot training centers in the western regions of Ukraine, as reported by The Financial Times.

With Eye On China, Pakistan Air Battles, India Forward Deploys Its LCA Tejas Fighters For Ultimate Clash

08/18/2023

A final decision on deploying the Tejas squadrons in fighter air bases along the borders with Pakistan and China will be taken later. But the Indian Air Force (IAF) has already begun sending the existing two LCA squadrons on detachments to forward air bases along the western and northern frontiers, as was witnessed recently with a squadron in Awantipur in Jammu and Kashmir for training.

China’s newly built Paracels airstrip could host drones, analyst says

08/18/2023

A newly built airstrip on a disputed island in the South China Sea is only long enough for China to stage patrol aircraft, but it could still boost Beijing’s ability to collect intelligence over an area that includes Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, a security analyst told Radio Free Asia. Satellite photos from Earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC this week showed that a 600-meter (2,000-foot) airstrip was built on Triton Island in the Paracel chain between July 12 and Aug. 15.

Sweden offers JAS-39 aircraft for PH Air Force modernization

08/17/2023

Sweden has again offered its Saab JAS 39 "Gripen" multi-role fighter aircraft for the modernization needs of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) which is looking to beef up its fleet. This developed following Monday's courtesy call of Sweden Ambassador to Manila Annika Thunborg to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Russia Pitches Su-57 ‘Felon’ & Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ To Key Partners; Keen On Co-Production Of Stealth Fighters

08/17/2023

Alexander Mikheyev, the chairman of Rosoboronexport, told TASS on the sidelines of the Army-2023 symposium that Russia is in discussions with several partners about cooperation on its fifth-generation fighter jets, the SU-57E and the Su-75 Checkmate, including their joint development and manufacturing.

Russia risks war with NATO in Black Sea, former top commander in Europe warns

08/17/2023

Moscow risks sparking a direct war with NATO by intercepting ships in international waters and seeking to impose an economic stranglehold on Ukraine, NATO's former Supreme Allied Commander Europe is warning. Ex-U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, who led the alliance's forces on the continent between 2009 and 2013, told POLITICO that escalations at sea — including the boarding of a Turkish ship on Sunday — could force Kyiv's partners to intervene to prevent Ukraine's economy being crippled.

Nearly Invisible! Australia To Make Its F-35 Stealth Fighters Stealthier, Announces $100M Investment

08/16/2023

The Australian government is investing $100 million to establish an aircraft-coating facility at the Royal Australian Air Force base in Williamtown, New South Wales, aiming to keep its fleet of F-35 fighters ‘nearly invisible.’

India, Pakistan 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Race Heats-Up; Will PAF Beat IAF To Acquire Next-Gen Warplanes

08/15/2023

Turkey recently announced it is starting negotiations with Pakistan to make it an official partner in combat aircraft development. The culmination of a series of bungling by the Indian defense establishment and top brass of the Indian Air Force (IAF) over the years has resulted in the force staring at two lost decades of technological advancement.