December 18, 2012 Military Aviation News

Air Force OKs F-35 training school at Eglin

12/18/2012

The Air Force on Monday gave their F-35 training school the go-ahead to officially open its doors to teach pilots how to fly the military’s newest stealth fighter jet. Gen. Edward Rice, who heads the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command, visited Eglin Monday to give his formal approval.

Bilateral distrust between US, China at an all-time high

12/18/2012

A real life game of chess is being played out in the Pacific between China, the United States and its allies. China is dramatically modernizing its military, especially its navy, and has been engaged in confrontations in recent months with Japan over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea and the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal. Both Japan and the Philippines have defense treaties with the U.S.

India's Defense Procurement Policies and the Failure of Autarky

12/18/2012

India has long believed that an advanced and self-sufficient defense sector is essential to its status as an emerging power. Yet, as Richard A. Bitzinger writes, the country remains saddled with a bloated and inefficient defense-industrial base that has contributed little to its great power aspirations.

India, Algeria, Vietnam still biggest buyers of Russian arms

12/18/2012

Russian arms exports reached a record $14 billion in 2012, President Vladimir Putin said, and India, Algeria and Vietnam remain the biggest buyers, Kommersant reported on Tuesday. However, the leading buyers were joined by Iraq, which entered into a contract to buy 42 Pantsir-S1 air defense systems and 30 Mi-28NE combat helicopters worth a total of $4.2 billion, or about 30% of all contracts, the paper reported.

US Navy pulls two aircraft carriers from Syria shores

12/18/2012

Two aircraft carriers stationed off the Syrian coast were sent back to the US this week in a move that the Obama administration thought would ease tensions, but angered Turkish officials who hoped for significant US military presence in the region. The USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier and the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and its 2,500 marines were recalled after being stationed on the Syrian coast, allegedly in preparation of potential military invasion.

Embraer selects Cobham Passenger Audio Systems for KC-390 military transport aircraft

12/18/2012

Officials at Embraer Defense and Security in Brazil needed an audio system for the Embraer KC-390 military transport aircraft to ensure broadcast announcements are heard throughout the aircraft’s cockpit and cabin. They found their solution at Cobham. Cobham won a contract to provide the Passenger Address System (PAS) for the KC-390.

India To Mandate Anti-Collision Tech on Military Planes

12/18/2012

The Indian Air Force will install anti-collision technology in all aircraft procured from now on, according to Defence Minister A.K. Antony. “The type of equipment will depend on the role and operational employability of the aircraft,” Antony wrote in a Dec. 17 letter to Parliament.

Fighter jets: Government will get best value for tax dollars

12/18/2012

The men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces need the tools to do their jobs. These tools are expensive, and buying them is often a complex process involving numerous federal departments. We must ensure that public money is well spent, military needs are met, and jobs are delivered for Canadian workers.

Russia to Start Testing New Helicopter Gunship Engine

12/18/2012

Russia’s leading aircraft engine maker OAO Klimov will soon start testing an advanced engine for attack helicopters, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Monday. The VK-2500 is produced under a special federal program to develop the country’s defense sector and allied industries, he said, adding that it is built using exclusively Russian-manufactured components. “We are completely moving away from imported components,” Rogozin said.

Russian Arms Sales at $14 Bln in 2012

12/18/2012

Russia’s overseas arms sales exceeded $14 billion this year, outperforming forecasts by more than $500 million, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday. The country’s defense industry also sealed export contracts worth another $15 billion in 2012, Putin said in Moscow.

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