September, 2024 Military Aviation News
09/30/2024
Utah residents may notice a new aircraft in the skies starting this weekend. Several F-5 Advanced Tiger fighters were scheduled to arrive Saturday at Hill Air Force Base to begin a year of training alongside F-35A Lightning IIs from the 388th Fighter Wing.
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09/30/2024
While some international media are busy announcing the definitive retirement of the MiG-29 fighters, nothing has been said in the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) regarding the retirement or sale to third parties of the emblematic fighter-bombers of Russian origin. Offers have been received, such as that of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), which proposed to sell them in exchange for U.S.-origin equipment, an idea that did not go beyond the headlines.
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09/30/2024
Neighboring rivals India and Pakistan are helping two other rival countries in the South Caucasus region build up their modest air forces with fighter jet exports and upgrades. Beaming and giving a thumbs up from the cockpit of a newly-delivered JF-17C Block III at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku on September 25, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev conclusively confirmed years of rumors that his country would acquire that combat aircraft from Pakistan.
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09/29/2024
Perhaps all the world's advanced armies pay great attention to the development of unmanned systems, as the war in Ukraine has shown their effectiveness and indispensability in the conditions of modern combat operations.
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09/28/2024
It has been announced that the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) F-35 Lightning II fighter jets have reached Full Operational Capability (FOC). The fighters are now capable of performing a range of critical defense missions, from airspace monitoring to counterterrorism operations, and even contributing to NATO’s nuclear deterrent strategy.
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09/28/2024
In June of this year, the Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing in Portland, Oregon received America’s first operational F-15EX Eagle II – a revamped iteration of the legendary air superiority fighter intended to replace the nation’s aging fleet of F-15C and D fighters. These non-stealthy but highly capable fighters will be tasked with assuming the homeland defense role, but both Boeing and the Air Force are already looking at the possibility of expanding the responsibilities.
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09/28/2024
A group of Ukrainian pilots have completed a six-month training in France, the French Air Force announced last week. It is the second leg of a three-part training program, with the first phase in the UK and the third in Romania. The group began training in France in March on the Alpha Jet aircraft, a light attack jet and advanced jet trainer.
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09/28/2024
When a Russian warplane ventured near Alaska earlier this month, it faced a familiar—if perhaps unexpected—sight. On a trip into the Alaska Air Identification Zone (ADIZ) in September, a Russian Ilyushin Il-38 maritime surveillance aircraft was photographed by the U.S. military flying alongside a fighter with navy blue, light blue, and gray camouflage, complete with bright red numbering—the colors of the Russian Aerospace Forces, or VKS.
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09/27/2024
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is progressing in evaluating the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft following the successful showcase of Embraer‘s platform at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition.
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09/27/2024
Pakistan’s military announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract to sell JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The aircraft, co-produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and developed in collaboration with China, with whom Islamabad has grown increasingly close as ties with traditional military ally the United States have weakened over the last few years.
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09/27/2024
The Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is pursuing a larger fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs and the replacement of older Eurofighter Typhoons alongside additional M-346 advance trainer/Lead-In Fighter Training aircraft, according to the recently unveiled Defence multi-year planning document (DPP, Documento Programmatico Pluriennale) 2024-2026.
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09/27/2024
Taiwan's defence ministry said Thursday that 29 more Chinese fighter jets and drones were detected around the democratic island, following a 24-hour period that saw a surge in military movement by Beijing's forces. The incursions came as for the first time a Japanese warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait to assert its freedom of navigation.
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09/27/2024
You only had to walk into the exhibit hall at last week’s Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) convention in Maryland to realise that US air power is having a moment. A prime spot to the left of the entrance was occupied by the company Anduril. Now in its second year as an exhibitor, the startup’s exhibit was as large as any of the major defence companies.
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09/26/2024
Greece's F-35 program is moving forward, with the Hellenic Air Force set to receive its first batch of the Lockheed Martin stealth fighters by 2028. The initial aircraft will be built in the U.S., followed by assembly in Italy. With a total order of 20 F-35s and an option for an additional 20, Greece is modernizing its air force alongside upgrades to its F-16 fleet and the acquisition of French Dassault Rafale fighters.
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09/26/2024
The U.S. Air Force has paused the development of its sixth-generation fighter, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project, due to its projected cost of $300 million per unit. The goal is to redesign and lower costs to around $100 million, closer to the price of the F-35 Lightning II or F-15EX.
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09/25/2024
On September 25, Azerbaijani President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev was presented with the new JF-17C (Block-III) fighter jets at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The advanced, all-weather multi-role aircraft, developed in collaboration between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), has officially entered service with Azerbaijan’s Air Force, according to the country’s defense ministry.
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09/25/2024
On 23 September F-15J and F-35A fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defence Force’s Northern Air Defence Force were scrambled to intercept and escort a Russian Navy Ilyushin Il-38 ‘May’ maritime patrol aircraft that violated Japan’s airspace north of Rebun Island off Hokkaido. During a five-hour patrol in the area the Russian aircraft strayed into Japan’s airspace three times, flying above Rebun Island, just off the coast of Hokkaido – the northernmost of Japan’s main islands.
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09/25/2024
Algeria has reportedly donated its surplus MiG-29 fighter jets to Sudan's Air Force in preparation for the arrival of Russia's Su-57 stealth jets. The move strengthens Algeria’s regional influence while modernizing its air force with advanced fifth-generation aircraft, making it the first nation outside Russia to operate the Su-57.
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09/25/2024
A Belarusian Yak-130 fighter jet [NATO reporting name "Mitten"] likely breached Ukrainian airspace from Belarus on Monday, Sept. 24, sparking an air alert in northern Ukraine. The incursion was reported by Ukraine’s Air Force and confirmed by monitoring channels. At 2:28 p.m. local time, Ukrainian authorities detected an aerial object crossing into Ukrainian territory, near the border of the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions.
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09/25/2024
Four Russian military aircraft were tracked operating in the Alaska air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, according to a release by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on the same day. Meanwhile, Japanese news agency Kyodo News on Monday reported that the commanding officer of a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer was sacked for an incident in July in which the destroyer sailed into Chinese territorial waters.
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09/23/2024
ATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept five Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea without flight plans or active transponders, the Latvian Air Force confirmed on Saturday.
The Russian planes were identified on two separate occasions, on Friday and Saturday, prompting a rapid response from NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.
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09/23/2024
The U.S. has kept an increased military presence in the Middle East throughout much of the past year, with about 40,000 forces, at least a dozen warships and four Air Force fighter jet squadrons spread across the region both to protect allies and to serve as a deterrent against attacks, several U.S. officials said.
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09/23/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force may soon be flying Dassault Mirage, JAS 39 Gripen, and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, according to Ukraine’s top defense official. A few weeks after the delivery of the first batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Ukraine, Kyiv is in advanced discussions with its international partners for the transfer of additional types of fighter jets to effectively combat Russia’s aggression.
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09/22/2024
China’s next-generation carrier-borne stealth fighter jet, the J-35, has reportedly commenced trial operations on the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning. An Indian defense expert has warned that its potential deployment would pose an omnidirectional stealth threat to India’s security.
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09/21/2024
The US Pentagon has approved the sale to the Moroccan kingdom of 40 of these highly accurate, highly adaptable and highly effective remotely guided missiles. According to reports in various media, such as Le 360, the contract for the sale of this military weaponry is valued at 250 million dollars and is intended to increase the military potential of Morocco, considered ‘an important non-NATO ally that remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa.'
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09/21/2024
The F-15 Eagle is one of the most iconic and successful fighter jets in aviation history, renowned for its superior air-to-air combat capabilities and incredible versatility. With over 50 years of service, this fighter jet has earned an unmatched reputation for dominance in the skies. Originally designed to outperform Soviet aircraft during the Cold War, the F-15 has proven its worth in multiple conflicts across the globe, achieving an astounding air-to-air combat record with over 100 confirmed
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09/20/2024
VMFA-251 is the first East Coast operational unit to receive the F-35C, whose arrival at MCAS Cherry Point marks the beginning of the 2nd MAW’s transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the fifth generation stealth jet.
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09/20/2024
Based on various images published over the past year that caught the attention of specialists in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and analysts, it was noted that the Russian Aerospace Forces were covering their combat aircraft with tires while stationed at their airbases. This sparked a wide range of theories aimed at explaining this unusual practice. Recently, U.S. officials have stated that this is intended to confuse Ukrainian missile sensors.
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09/20/2024
The US Air Force (USAF) is closing in on selecting its first pilotless fighter jet, and now the service has revealed how it intends to use them. Pentagon leaders envision fielding hundreds or thousands of so-called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) to bolster a conventional fighter fleet comprised of ageing aircraft and size-limited due to the staggering cost of developing and producing piloted fighters.
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09/20/2024
U.S. Air Force aerial warfare experts are ordering additional modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for F-16 jet fighter aircraft under terms of an $16.7 million order announced on Tuesday. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter Bomber Directorate, F-16 Division, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the Northrop Grumman Corp. Mission Systems segment in Linthicum Heights, Md., for production radars and spare parts.
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09/20/2024
On September 12, Chinese state media released footage of — what it claims is an interception of a foreign military aircraft by Chinese fighter jets near its territorial waters. The video, reportedly from a 2022 incident, shows a Chinese J-16 fighter jet intercepting an aircraft believed to be an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane in international airspace over the South China Sea.
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09/18/2024
According to information shared on its social media, K-8 attack aircraft and F-16 fighters from the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB) of Venezuela carried out an interception and neutralization operation of a suspicious aircraft linked to drug smuggling during a border reconnaissance mission.
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09/18/2024
According to the latest confirmed data, Bulgaria will receive its first F-16 fighter jets by mid-next year. This will undoubtedly be big news when it happens. However, some experts in Bulgaria have begun to evaluate the costs of Romanian F-35s and Bulgarian F-16s on a price-per-unit basis. Currently, Bulgarian military experts estimate that one Romanian F-35 will cost Bucharest approximately $203 million. In comparison, a single Bulgarian F-16 will cost Sofia about $208.7 million.
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09/18/2024
Italy is to purchase 25 extra F-35 jets as well as new Eurofighters as its defense procurement spending rises 16.8% this year to €9.3 billion, or $10.3 billion, a new budget document revealed on Tuesday. Rome will also invest half a billion euros in 2024 on development of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter, the document stated.
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09/18/2024
Ukraine is taking a cautious approach toward employing its new F-16s, the top U.S. Air Force officer in Europe said Sept. 17. “The pilots are new to it, so they’re not going to put them at the riskiest missions,” Gen. James B. Hecker, the head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command, told reporters Sept. 17 at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. “Ultimately, that’s a Ukrainian decision. But I think that’s the approach that they’re taking.”
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09/17/2024
Türkiye has formally requested permission from the United States to purchase engines from GE Aerospace for use in its domestically produced military aircraft, according to Turkish officials cited by BNN Bloomberg. This move is considered crucial for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to modernize Türkiye's air force and strengthen the country's defense industry, a member of NATO.
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09/17/2024
On May 1, 1983, an Israeli Air Force F-15D Eagle survived a mid-air collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during a training exercise over southern Israel. The F-15's right wing was almost completely sheared off. Despite this, pilot Zivi Nedivi managed to regain control of the aircraft by engaging the afterburner and made an emergency landing at Ramon Air Base. The incident highlighted the F-15's robust design, with engineers later noting its wide lifting body.
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09/17/2024
The Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter—once envisioned as a hyper-expensive, exquisite platform—could be restructured to slash its price to less than an F-35, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. Kendall and other senior service officials also said decisions about the future of NGAD, begun just two months ago, must happen fast in order to inform the Air Force’s fiscal 2026 budget request.
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09/17/2024
Even as tensions between the US and Russia continue to boil, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported, on September 15, the detection of Russian military aircraft near the coast of Alaska, marking the fourth such incident in the past week. NORAD revealed that two Russian IL-38 military aircraft were detected and tracked while operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
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09/16/2024
The US State Department on Sep. 13, 2024 approved a possible sale of nine KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers, worth $4.1 billion, to Japan under a FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program, according to the U.S. DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency)Cooperation Agency). This adds to six refuellers already on contract with Tokyo, four of which have been delivered to the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) in Nov. 2021.
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09/16/2024
The North American Aerospace Defense command intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska three times over the last week in what appears to be an uptick in activity amid tensions between the US and Russia. On all three occasions the aircraft remained in international airspace in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and were “not seen as a threat” according to NORAD.
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09/16/2024
The Armenian government is reportedly exploring the purchase of Indian-made missiles, including the highly acclaimed indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile. Armenia is keen to bolster its air defense systems amid regional security concerns, and the Astra missile—designed for engaging enemy aircraft at long distances—has emerged as a key component of its modernization efforts.
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09/16/2024
In a new incident in the Baltic region, German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Eurofighter jets once again intercepted aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces, specifically a Tu-142MK anti-submarine warfare and patrol aircraft and Su-30SM fighter jets from the Russian Navy’s Naval Aviation. The involvement of these aircraft is significant, as Russia recently launched the large-scale Ocean 2024 exercise across various parts of Europe and the Pacific.
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09/15/2024
The F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III is the latest upgrade to the U.S. Navy's premier multirole strike fighter. Enhancements include a longer lifespan of 10,000 hours, improved survivability with reduced radar cross-section, and advanced networking capabilities with the Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked system.
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09/15/2024
The U.S. State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Romanian Government for fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment, for an estimated cost of 7.2 billion dollars. According to the release by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Romanian Government requested the purchase of 32 F-35A Lightning II.
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09/15/2024
The People’s Liberation Army Navy has begun testing a navalized variant of its advanced J-35 fighter jet, according to Chinese state media. China Central Television reported that the new fighter has already started trials on a Chinese carrier, CNS Liaoning. Revealed through a video clip released on Friday (Sept 13), Zhang Naigang, a senior non-commissioned officer aboard the Liaoning, expressed his pride at the development.
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09/15/2024
The United Arab Emirates does not expect to resume talks with the U.S. about a multi-billion dollar deal for F-35 warplanes, irrespective of who is elected to the White House in November, a senior UAE government official said on Saturday. Reuters reported on Friday that the UAE was planning to resume negotiations to purchase F-35s and armed drones if Donald Trump wins a second presidential term, according to several people familiar with the matter.
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09/14/2024
The L-39ZA jet - which had been modernised to NATO standards in 2022 - burst into flames after crashing into a wooded area near the military base. "Two pilots were killed during training for a demonstration flight," interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists at the southern Graf Ignatievo air base.
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09/14/2024
On Sept. 5, 2024, at 10:01 AM LT the first C-390 Millennium for the Hungarian Air Force arrived at its new home, Kecskemét Air Base, Hungary. The aircraft, escorted by two HUAF Gripen fighters, touched down to mark the delivery of the first of two C-390s ordered by Hungary. This significant arrival underscores the expansion of Hungary’s aerial capabilities with the advanced C-390 Millennium.
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09/14/2024
The United States scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected near Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Wednesday that it detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
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09/13/2024
Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time in five years, Tokyo said on Sept 13. From the morning of Sept 12 until afternoon, the Russian Tu-142 aircraft flew from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards the southern Okinawa region, a Defence Ministry statement said.
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09/13/2024
The Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga will spend about six weeks off the coast of San Diego this fall testing F-35B fighter jets with operational support from the U.S. Navy, according to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The testing will occur from Oct. 5 to Nov. 18, during which time Japan’s largest warship might pull into San Diego Bay. It’s not uncommon for foreign warships to make such visits.
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09/12/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 10) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 13 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.
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09/12/2024
An aircraft selection decision relating to Poland’s air dominance fighter jet program could be made as soon as the end of the year, according to a Boeing official. Warsaw has long committed to acquiring 32 new multirole jets for the effort with rival bids from the manufacturer’s F-15EX Eagle II fourth generation type and the Eurofighter Typhoon on the table. A third option — another F-35A order — building off the $4.6 billion deal with Washington in 2020, has not been ruled out either.
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09/12/2024
A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappeared off radar over the Black Sea on late Tuesday, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed. According to reports from the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, which cited Russian media sources, the jet had been conducting missile launches towards Ukraine before it vanished. The Su-30SM, a multi-role fighter aircraft, reportedly fired four Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles toward mainland Ukraine during its mission.
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09/11/2024
This statement was made by the Italian Navy’s Chief of Staff, Admiral Enrico Credendino, aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour, docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, as part of the national Carrier Strike Group’s operational projection campaign in the Indo-Pacific.
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09/11/2024
Since last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed several official visits to Turkey.
A multitude of reasons have been offered by officials. Some have said Putin has been avoiding any countries that were not part of the Soviet Union since the Ukraine war began. Others have put it down to the Russian elections earlier this year. However, sources familiar with Russian thinking told Middle East Eye that Putin’s conditions to visit Ankara are the primary reason for the constant delay.
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09/11/2024
Weeks after Ukraine received its first batch of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from European allies and more than a year after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the start of test trials on Sweden’s prestigious Gripen multipurpose variants, Stockholm signaled that their possible transfer to Ukraine remains on the table.
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09/11/2024
A Taiwan air force Mirage fighter jet crashed off the island's northwest coast on Tuesday night and the pilot, who successfully ejected, was rescued and taken to hospital, the defence ministry and official Central News Agency said. The defence ministry said the French-built Mirage was conducting nighttime exercises when it suffered a suspected loss of power and the pilot then bailed out.
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09/10/2024
On September 6, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands, involving 246 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles and related equipment, for an estimated cost of $691 million. The AIM-9X Block II, introduced in 2003, is an air-to-air missile with a lock-on after-launch (LOAL) capability, suitable for various platforms, including the F-35 Lightning II, which the Netherlands recently announced plans to purchase more of.
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09/10/2024
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 8) and 6 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9). Of the 21 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 16 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. These included fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.
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09/10/2024
The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) delivered two upgraded F-16 Vipers to the Hellenic Air Force on Monday, while another fighter jet is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. In recent months, EAV has accelerated deliveries to get back on schedule. EAV officials estimate that they may even exceed their goal for 2024 by delivering an additional Viper, bringing the total number of fighter jets delivered this year to 16.
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09/09/2024
India-China relations have been at lows since the Galwan skirmish four years ago. There is an uneasy calm at present and an attempt to re-engage, but a range of divergences persist between the two Asian giants. China is aggressively building infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese want to add air power to the conflict.
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09/09/2024
In a surprising development, the US Navy recently revealed for the first time that it previously tried to acquire second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Greece without any success. The revelation came through a press release issued on September 5, which also highlighted a major advancement for the Navy Reserve’s Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC)-13.
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09/09/2024
Romania and Latvia, both members of NATO, on September 8 accused Russia of violating their countries' airspace with military drones, escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, incidents of Russian military drones or missiles flying across or crashing into neighboring states of Ukraine have been reported. Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions, as recently as July this year.
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09/08/2024
Egypt has reportedly signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. According to various reports, the deal for the Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” was signed on August 19, 2024. This acquisition would make Egypt the second international customer for the J-10C, following Pakistan.
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09/08/2024
The Ukrainian military has released footage of a MiG-29 fighter jet after it made an emergency landing in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the spring of 2024. The pilot safely exited the aircraft without injury, according to local sources. The exact condition of the aircraft remains unclear, but some sources suggest that the airframe sustained damage. The fighter jet has reportedly been transferred for possible repairs, though its future remains uncertain.
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09/08/2024
The Air Force would only bed down 25 F-35s in fiscal 2026 under a plan included in a recent Pentagon report on the fighter. The plan calls for the service to field some 700 of the jets by the end of the decade and never buy more than 48 in any given year.
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09/07/2024
The Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance fighter is facing fiscal headwinds and conceptual turbulence, with service leaders recently announcing a pause in the program designed to field a sixth-generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor. “We are taking another look at the NGAD platform itself, and before we make the commitment that we’re close to making, we want to make sure we get the right design concept there,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in July.
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09/07/2024
As the first Egypt International Air Show wrapped up Thursday, industry analysts debated the significance of China’s presence, which included the most complete demonstration of its advanced Y-20 transport aircraft and the first showcase of its J-10 fighter jets in Africa.
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09/06/2024
In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29. The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.
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09/06/2024
The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it, acquisition boss Andrew P. Hunter and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in July the Air Force would take a “pause” on its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program, rather than commit to the program as planned.
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09/05/2024
The Ukrainian Air Force is thriving after receiving its first F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from NATO in August, using them to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones. In addition to these new capabilities, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 36 MiG-29 Fulcrum jets from Serbia via France, expanding its fleet significantly. While the Ukrainian Air Force is poised to benefit from these acquisitions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of trained pilots.
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09/05/2024
Poland is in discussions with Boeing to acquire F-15EX fighter jets as part of its military modernization, driven by concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-15EX, an advanced version of the F-15 with cutting-edge avionics, radar, and targeting systems, offers Poland enhanced air defense capabilities. With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs and 12 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs, the F-15EX can address evolving threats.
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09/05/2024
The Azerbaijan Air Force is set to boost the lethality of its upcoming JF-17 fighter aircraft with the purchase of Turkish Bozdogan and Gökdoga missiles. Defense magazine Turkish Century announced the procurement on X, noting that the warplanes are also getting an advanced avionics suite made by Ankara.
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09/05/2024
Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Sept. 4, during exercise BAANA 2024.
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09/05/2024
The Indian Air Force’s largest international exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ has entered its second phase. Debuting in the desert phase of the wargames is the iconic Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog.’ In what could be its first and last appearance, the Warthog has been flying with Russian-origin fighter jets – Sukhoi 30MKI.
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09/04/2024
The Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) is preparing to deploy a contingent of Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Austria. The deployment, scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, will see VTANG participating in the prestigious Airpower Air Show, followed by a multinational training exercise.
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09/04/2024
According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 fighter will continue to represent the backbone of Western air forces until 2080. At that date, the 5th generation fighter, which entered service in 2015, will be 65 years old, and will have seen more than three generations of pilots. This dynamic is far from exclusive to the F-35. Thus, the Rafale Dassault Aviation, which entered service in 2000, will continue to fly with the French air force until 2060, as will the Typhoon European or the American F-15EX.
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09/03/2024
That’s why interest among responsible powers is growing in collaboration generally but also with advanced new programs specifically. A case in point is with collaborative combat aircraft, known as CCAs. These highly capable autonomous unmanned fighters are set to revolutionize air dominance and other fields in the coming decades. Understanding how will also help explain allied nations’ desire to work together on building them.
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09/03/2024
Maintaining air superiority is critical for U.S. military success, especially against near-peer adversaries with advanced integrated air defense systems. The F-22 Raptor, with its unmatched stealth, speed, and situational awareness, exemplifies America’s air superiority capabilities, but the limited number of combat-coded F-22s and their aging structures necessitate the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system.
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09/03/2024
The Czech Republic has signed a Joint Declaration with Sweden to extend its lease of 14 JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft beyond 2027. Two double-seated and 12 single-seated units were delivered to Prague on the 31 August 2005; the fleet is stationed at Cáslav Air Base.
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09/02/2024
China has deployed an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Intelligence (EW/ELINT) aircraft for an overseas exercise for the first time, with the deployment of one of its newest dedicated special mission aircraft to Thailand for a bilateral air exercise.
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09/02/2024
"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29 that the F-16, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by pilot Oleksii Mes, had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.
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09/01/2024
With more than 300 combat aircraft ordered for export to date, the Rafale of Dassault Aviation has become, since 2015, a great international success for the aircraft manufacturer and the entire French defense aeronautical industry. The commercial spearhead of Dassault has already exceeded the total export sales of the Mirage 2000 by 281 aircraft, and now aims to do better than the Mirage F1, sold in 450 units on the international scene.
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09/01/2024
Amid the acute need for 5th generation fighters in modern combat scenarios against peer adversaries, the U.S. Air Force is looking to upgrade its F-22 Raptor with a series of sensors to make it more survivable and relevant. The service announced on Aug. 29, 2024, the award of a $1 billion contract to RTX‘s Raytheon for new sensors that are categorized as “Group B hardware”, together with spares and support equipment.
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