October 21, 2015 Military Aviation News

U.S., China agree to avoid unintended war

10/21/2015

Behind the provocative rhetoric by American and Chinese officials over the plan of the United States to test freedom of navigation in the South China Sea after China reclaimed some 2,900 acres of land in the disputed waters, there are efforts by both countries to avoid war. Especially hostilities breaking out over unintentional incidents as tension increase in the area claimed by China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Beijing Reaches for Military Upper Hand in Asia

10/21/2015

In 1996, when China tried to intimidate voters on Taiwan by firing missiles close to the island, U.S. President Bill Clinton swiftly sent in two aircraft-carrier battle groups. His blunt message to Beijing: back off. America was at the zenith of its power, while China was virtually defenseless at sea and in the air, so the Pentagon could afford to act with swagger. A conflict, had China been foolish enough to provoke one, would have exposed its chronic military backwardness.

Chinese Arms Companies Are Picking Up the Pace in Africa and the Middle East

10/21/2015

The state-owned Chinese company International Aero Development Corporation (IADC) recently launched an ambitious new expansion plan in Africa, according to Defense News. This includes an aviation training center, two regional marketing offices, two maintenance and support centers, and three spare-parts warehouses to promote sales and maintenance for Chinese-made aircraft.

China, Russia, Iran Closing Gap with Smaller, Older U.S. Military

10/21/2015

U.S. adversaries including China, Russia, and Iran are developing military capabilities that will allow them to compete with shrinking and aging American forces in the coming years, according to a new report. The report, authored by the American Enterprise Institute and the Foreign Policy Initiative, warns that U.S. adversaries have been bolstering their militaries and purchasing cheaper weapon systems as the United States cuts its defense budget and delays acquisition of new equipment.

Trudeau Victory Threatens US F-35 Jet Deal With Canada - Reports

10/21/2015

US defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s prospects for selling its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter-bomber to Canada took a serious blow when Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party won Canada’s general election, according to media reports.

New PM Tells Obama Canada to Withdraw Fighter Jets From Syria, Iraq

10/21/2015

Mere hours after defeating Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau has told US President Obama that he will withdraw Canadian jets from Syria and Iraq.

US-Russia Deconfliction Memorandum to Be Shared With Anti-ISIL Coalition

10/21/2015

US Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza said that members of the US-led coalition against ISIL will receive the text of the Memorandum of Understanding on deconfliction of operations in Syrian airspace.

US Deploys A-10 Ground Attack Airplanes to Turkish Airbase

10/21/2015

The US military is deploying A-10 ground attack aircraft to the Incirlik airbase in Turkey, Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook told reporters on Tuesday. About a dozen of the planes arrived to Turkey over the weekend and are expected to fly missions against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria, according to media reports.

Breakthrough: Russia, US Sign Memorandum on Military Flights Over Syria

10/21/2015

Moscow hopes that the memorandum will concern all countries taking part in the US-led coalition's air campaign against ISIL. The US vowed to share the safety rules with all parties operating in Syria, Konashenkov added. "We believe that the signing of such a document is an important step that has practical importance."

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