Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US-Philippines discuss ‘roadmap’ for weapon buys, including potential multi-role fighter sale

04/13/2023

The United States is helping the Philippines to develop an acquisition plan for a fleet of multi-role fighter aircraft as part of a broader “roadmap” for the next decade of defense acquisitions, top officials from both countries announced Tuesday in Washington, as the two countries continue to tighten up military ties.

North Korea fires ballistic missile, South Korea says

04/13/2023

North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Thursday, prompting an evacuation order that was later lifted in northern Japan. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired one mid-range or longer ballistic missile from near Pyongyang into the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula at around 7:23 a.m. local time Thursday. Japan’s government initially urged residents in the country’s northern prefecture of Hokkaido to take shelter after the North

Bulgaria Can Transfer Its MiG-29s To Ukraine, But Only If It Receives Western Fighter Jets - Media

04/12/2023

Bulgaria is ready to transfer its MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, but only if it receives guarantees of receiving modern aircraft from Western partners. Interfax-Ukraine writes about this with reference to the EFE agency. According to the agency, 16 MiG-29 fighters are in service with Bulgaria. At the same time, only 6 aircraft are in working order.

USAF begins long-sought A-10 retirements

04/12/2023

The US Air Force (USAF) has finally begun the long-sought retirement of its Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack jets. The service said on 10 April it had retired the first A-10C, commonly known as the Warthog, from the 74th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB after the airframe had logged 43 years of operational service.

China continues 'combat training' around Taiwan after drills end

04/12/2023

The Chinese navy continued with "actual combat training" around Taiwan on Tuesday, state media said, a day after Beijing announced the end of drills and as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen criticised China for its "irresponsible" behaviour. China began the exercises on Saturday after Tsai returned to Taipei following a meeting in Los Angeles with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Massive German-Hosted Air Exercise Will Feature 220 Aircraft, Simulated Combat

04/12/2023

U.S. and European allies will conduct a massive air exercise in Germany this June on a scale unseen since the end of the Cold War, military officials said. Some 220 allied aircraft and 10,000 personnel will take part in Air Defender 23, against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

First Polish crews of F-35 combat aircraft complete training

04/12/2023

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak attended a ceremony at the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznan, celebrating the completion of a specialist training cycle of Several Polish F-35 combat aircraft crews, during which he emphasized that Poland is consequently “creating a system that will deter an aggressor.”

USAF Deploys F-22 Raptors Close To Russian Border After Su-27 Downed MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Black Sea

04/12/2023

In a show of force, American F-22 Raptor fighter jets landed in Poland on a rotational mission to enhance NATO’s defense capabilities and counter potential threats from Russia. With the latest deployment, the Raptors are poised to soar over NATO’s Eastern Flank, close to Russia.

Raptor pilots test AF's next-gen helmet

04/11/2023

Developmental flight tests are underway for the Air Force’s new Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet here. Engineers with the 46th Test Squadron and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron oversee the helmet’s testing. Approximately five F-22A Raptor pilots from the 301st Fighter Squadron, a Reserve unit with the 43rd Fighter Squadron here, fly with the new lighter, cooler and more readily equipped helmet.

Turkey launches its largest warship, the world's first 'drone carrier'

04/11/2023

The Turkish navy officially added the TCG Anadolu light aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ship to its arsenal on Monday, touting it as the world's first "drone carrier". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ship is a turning point for the country’s defence industry, as 70 percent of the vessel was built using local resources over seven years.

F-15Es Deploy to Kadena as F-22s, F-16s Head Home

04/11/2023

F-15E Strike Eagles deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan in April, joining F-35s to bolster the Air Force’s fighter fleet on the strategically important island in the western Pacific. Meanwhile, the F-16CMs and F-22s that were previously forward deployed to Kadena have returned home, according to their respective home bases. The Air Force is rotating fighters through Kadena as it sends the aging F-15C/D fleet back to the United States after more than 40 years of permanent Eagle operations on the i

The Last of Them: The boneyard receives final MC-130H

04/11/2023

On April 2, the final MC-130H Combat Talon ll made its last flight, arriving at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona to retire at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). This aircraft was the last of the final six MC-130Hs transferred for storage at the 309th AMARG, known as the boneyard.

Japan Scrambles Jets After Chinese Planes Take Off From Aircraft Carrier

04/11/2023

Japan said Monday it had scrambled jets in recent days as Chinese fighter planes landed and took off from an aircraft carrier deployed near southern Japan and Taiwan. The Shandong aircraft carrier has been moving in waters southeast of Taiwan as China responds to a meeting between the island's president and the US House speaker.

China conducts simulated strikes on Taiwan as second day of military drills end

04/10/2023

China’s military conducted mock attacks on key targets in and around Taiwan on Sunday, state media said, the second day of its planned three days of “encirclement” patrols and joint drills near the self-ruled island. Chinese state-run television said that the “combat readiness patrols” and drills — which came just days after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s landmark meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California — were ongoing.

India, US forces to hold air exercises with Japan as observer

04/10/2023

The Indian and US air forces will hold exercises with Japan as an observer, keeping up the high pace of multilateral and bilateral military drills among the countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad. India, the United States, Japan and Australia make up the Quad. Called Cope India, the exercises are being held after a gap of four years for 11 days starting on Monday at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.

Rolls Royce makes big offer for India’s fighter aircraft engine program

04/10/2023

In order to ensure that India will own all Intellectual Property (IP), Rolls-Royce has expressed its willingness to co-develop a new engine that will not be based on the Eurojet EJ200, a low-bypass turbofan used as the powerplant of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The EJ200 was developed by four companies under a multi-national engine manufacturing consortium.

Turkey: Possible US Sale Of F-16 Aircraft – Analysis

04/09/2023

In February 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly confirmed that the Biden Administration supports a possible sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Turkey, and has engaged Congress on the issue. According to January 2023 media reports citing unnamed U.S. officials, the Administration informally notified Congress of its intent to sell 40 new F-16s in the Block 70/72 Viper configuration (F- 16Vs) and Viper upgrade packages for 79 existing fighters, along with 900 air-to-air missile.

US, Australian military planes arrive in PH for Balikatan preps

04/09/2023

Military aircraft from the United States and Australia have arrived in the Philippines days before the start of the Balikatan exercise next week. This year’s Balikatan, with a focus on maritime defense, coastal defense, and maritime domain awareness, will be held from April 11 to 28 in various areas in the country, including Palawan, Antique, and parts of Northern Luzon.

Defenders Of Ukraine Eliminate Another 570 Invaders, Down Combat Aircraft And 7 UAVs. General Staff Reports Enemy Losses

04/09/2023

Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine during the battles at the front on April 7 eliminated 570 servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces. In total, in the full 408 days of the war, the defenders have destroyed 177,680 occupiers.

Strike Eagles join Lightning II’s at Keystone of the Pacific

04/09/2023

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 8, 2023, to ensure continuous fighter presence through the phased return of Kadena’s fleet of F-15C/D Eagles to the United States.

FIRST FLIGHT TEJAS TRAINER FOR INDIAN AIR FORCE

04/09/2023

On 5 April 2023, the first production Tejas LCA-T Mk1, serial LT5201, took to the air for a 35 minute flight. This trainer is the first of eight aircraft that were ordered in the first batch of 40 Tejas LCA Mk.1 fighter aircraft, consisting of 32 single seat and 8 dual seat.

China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after the leader's trip to the U.S.

04/09/2023

China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan on Saturday, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.

Leonardo at LAAD with multi-domain platforms and technologies to suit operational needs

04/08/2023

Leonardo is participating at the 13th edition of LAAD Defense & Security, in Rio de Janeiro 11-14 April, the most important trade exhibition in Latin America. After the recent selection of the Centauro II 120mm armoured vehicle made by the CIO Consortium - of which Leonardo has an equal share with Iveco Defense Vehicles – and in the frame of the Brazilian programme “VBC Cav - MSR 8×8”, the company is now focused on its land defence systems.

3rd Light Combat Aircraft production line opened, 100th Su-30 MKI ROH handed over to IAF

04/08/2023

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Friday inaugurated the third light combat aircraft (LCA) production line and also handed over the 100th Sukhoi-30 MKI repaired and overhauled (ROH) aircraft to the Indian Air Force at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Nashik Division. Aramane appreciated the HAL's efforts in taking up the challenge of setting up an ROH facility for Su-30 MKI and also establishing a new production line for LCA manufacturing.

Russia believed to have sabotaged Slovak MiG-29s provided to Ukraine

04/08/2023

The minister said that while there were parts of the engine Slovak experts could access, there were also parts only accessible to Russian experts. Defects appeared only in the parts where the Russian experts could access, he said. The Slovak army stopped using the planes in August 2022 and they were transferred to Ukraine in March 2023.