Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Japan says it will watch China’s military activity after Beijing admits violating Japanese airspace

11/21/2024

Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan’s airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence. Tokyo protested and sought an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japanese airspace off the southern main island of Kyushu on Aug. 26.

The Slow Death of the A-10 Warthog Has Started

11/21/2024

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, or Warthog, is approaching retirement as the U.S. Air Force shifts focus toward modernizing its fighter fleet for the Indo-Pacific. By the end of FY2025, the 25th Fighter Squadron's A-10s at South Korea's Osan Air Base will be phased out.

US approves $6 billion sale of F-15K upgrades and support to South Korea

11/21/2024

The State Department this week approved the possible sale of a host of U.S.-made upgrades to South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle fighter aircraft. The possible $6.2 billion sale includes high-speed mission system computers; Active Electronically Scanned Arrays, or AESA, radars; missile-warning systems and continued maintenance and software support, according to a news release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Tuesday.

Denmark commits to delivering 13 more F-16s to Ukraine soon

11/20/2024

Danish F-16s have begun arriving in Ukraine, with the Royal Danish Air Force delivering the first batch of six advanced fighters. This was confirmed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Frederiksen also revealed that an additional 13 F-16s are slated for delivery in the near future, underscoring Denmark’s continued commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s aerial defense capabilities amidst the ongoing conflict.

Peru may close order for South Korean KF-21 and FA-50 fighter jets

11/20/2024

Relations between the governments of Peru and South Korea have taken another decisive step toward supplying new fighter jets to the South American country’s air force. New agreement signed by manufacturer KAI and Peruvian SEMAN paves the way for jets to replace aging Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft.

Vietnam receives first US military aircraft

11/20/2024

A batch of five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II - the first military aircraft provided by the U.S. to Vietnam - has arrived in Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, witnesses told Radio Free Asia. One witness, who didn’t want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said he saw five training aircraft, all painted with Vietnamese air force markings, at the civilian airport in the southern hub but was told they’d be moved to a military airbase soon.

Airbus delivers first of up to 82 H145M helicopters to the German Armed Forces

11/19/2024

Less than a year after the contract was signed, Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of up to 82 H145M helicopters ordered by Germany at its Donauwörth site. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have named their new H145Ms “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (light combat helicopter), or LKH for short. The helicopter’s missions include training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack.

Carrier air wing arrives in Japan as USS George Washington steams toward new homeport

11/19/2024

Carrier Air Wing 5, the aviation arm of the USS George Washington, arrived home Sunday at this air base with a new addition, a squadron of advanced F-35C Lightning II multirole fighters. Strike Fighter Squadron 147, the Argonauts, is the first unit of F-35C aircraft stationed in Japan, although other variants of the Lightning II are well-known here, squadron commander Cmdr. Christopher Case told Stars and Stripes during a flightline briefing.

Peru seeks to advance in the production of components for the manufacture of the new KAI KF-2

11/19/2024

Industrial relations in defense production between Peru and South Korea are undergoing a process of deepening, consolidation, and sustained expansion. One of the most recent milestones achieved by both nations, aimed at opening doors to new development and manufacturing programs, is Peru’s confirmation of its intent to join the KF-21 Program of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) through the production of various components for the new fighter jet.

Ukrainian F-16s shot down about ten air targets during a massive Russian attack

11/18/2024

F-16 multi-role fighter jets of the Ukrainian Air Force shot down about ten air targets while repelling a massive air attack on Ukraine in the morning of November 17. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported on this. “Today, our F-16 pilots shot down about ten air targets. The aftermath of the combined attack on our infrastructure in the Rivne, Lviv, Dnipro, Volyn, and Odesa regions are being eliminated,” the statement reads.

Poland scrambles fighter jets due to large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine

11/18/2024

The Polish military emphasises that "regular pairs of fighter jets have been scrambled, and ground-based air defence and radar systems have been placed on high alert". "Attention, Polish and allied aircraft have begun operating in our airspace due to a large-scale attack by the Russian Federation, which has launched cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against targets located, in particular, in western Ukraine," Operational Command said.

U.S. Navy’s 6th-Gen Program Gets ‘Roaring Success’! Operates First MQ-20 Avenger UAV From A Supercarrier

11/18/2024

At a time when budget considerations are holding back the US’s big-ticket aviation modernization plan under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, the US Navy inched closer to its ambition of teaming crewed aircraft with unmanned aircraft operating from aircraft carriers. The US Navy successfully operated an uncrewed aircraft for the first time using a drone control system, which is now being installed on its Nimitz and Ford-class supercarriers.

J-10C Fighter: After Iran, Azerbaijan Shows Interest In Chinese Vigorous Dragons; Has Already Inducted JF-17s

11/17/2024

Despite China unveiling its latest stealth aircraft, the J-35A, at the ongoing Zhuhai Air Show, the J-10C ‘Vigorous Dragon’ fighter jet has evoked significant interest from prospective buyers. The Azerbaijani Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, was photographed on November 15 examining the export variant of the J-10C fighter jet—known as the J-10CE—at the Zhuhai Air Show 2024.

Kenya in need of capable air superiority aircraft

11/16/2024

The Kenyan Air Force (KAF) is in urgent need of a capable air superiority aircraft to replace its aging fleet of F-5s, acquired decades ago as a stop-gap measure for air defense and aerial control. Over the years, there has been no replacement in sight, despite the clear need for modernization.

Norwegian F-35s called into action as NATO scrambles jets after Russian aircraft spotted off Norway and over Baltic Sea

11/16/2024

Norwegian F-35s were called into action on Tuesday as NATO scrambled jets in response to Russian aircraft "not adhering to international norms," NATO's Air Command said in a post on X. Italy's air force intercepted a Russian Coot-A plane flying over the Baltic Sea, while the Norwegian F-35s identified multiple Russian aircraft off the coast of Norway, NATO Air Command said.

Iran Expands Airbase Infrastructure to Host russian Su-35 Fighters (Satellite Images)

11/16/2024

Recent satellite imagery from September 2024 has unveiled the construction of large arched shelters at the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force’s 3rd Tactical Air Base near Hamadan. These structures, measuring approximately 25 meters by 30 meters, appear oversized for the F-4 Phantom aircraft currently stationed there. This suggests that Iran is building these shelters to house russian Su-35S fighters, which perfectly match the dimensions.

RAF jets scrambled to Russian military aircraft spotted close to UK airspace

11/16/2024

RAF fighter jets were scrambled to a Russian military aircraft spotted flying close to UK airspace. Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray took to the skies over the North Sea to closely monitor an approaching Russian Bear-F aircraft on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The U.S. Air Force will retire its last A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft from South Korea in 2025

11/15/2024

Through an official statement issued on November 12, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) confirmed it will retire its last A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft from South Korea in 2025. Osan Air Base will be the last overseas base maintaining this type of aircraft in operation. Specifically, a fleet of 24 units stationed there will begin to be withdrawn starting in January.

To Whom Was russia Able to Sell its Su-57, If Indeed It Was Able to After 16 Years of Trying

11/15/2024

Alexander Mikheev, the head of the Rosoboronexport - a russian state-owned company focused on the trade of russian weapons on the international market, said that currently there are already "signed contracts" for the export of the Su-57 stealth multirole fighter aircraft (NATO reporting name: Felon). This news was extremely unexpected, especially given the fact that russian weapons are actively losing their traditional markets.

US F-35Cs complete first known combat mission

11/15/2024

Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters from the US Marine Corps took part in recent US air strikes against targets in Yemen, marking the first known combat flight for the carrier-based variant of the prolific multi-role stealth fighter. The strikes, which took place on 9 and 10 November, involved a number of platforms, including F-35Cs and unspecified US Air Force (USAF) assets, according to the Pentagon.

Russia Inks First Su-57 Supersonic Fighter Jet Export Deals

11/15/2024

Russia’s Rosoboronexport has revealed its first export contracts for the Sukhoi Su-57 supersonic aircraft for foreign military customers. The state-run company verified the sales at an aerospace exhibit in China, where the aircraft was also displayed for the first time outside the federation’s territory. “The system of military-technical cooperation should bring new types of weapons and military equipment to the market,” Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheye commented during the event.

Germany took step toward clearing Turkey's Eurofighter jet buy, Turkish official says

11/15/2024

Germany has mandated its sales authority to work on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey after initially being opposed to the move, a Turkish defence ministry source said on Thursday, but added this did not mean the process was concluded. Last year, Ankara said it was in talks with the Eurofighter consortium members Britain and Spain to buy 40 Typhoons, though Germany objected to the idea. It has since complained of a lack of progress on the issue over Berlin's reluctance.

Implications of the Air Force’s Suspension of NGAD

11/14/2024

Earlier this year, the Air Force put its planned Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Fighter on hold. NGAD is a critical element in the Air Force’s plan to maintain air dominance. Several reasons were given by Air Force officials for the suspension, including cost; yet this action is symptomatic of problems that the U.S. military is facing due to decades of defense underfunding.

Spain's Order For Eurofighters Opens Second Chance For Ukraine to Get Used F/A-18

11/13/2024

Spain's plans to decommission its F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft could be an opportunity for Ukraine to strengthen its air force. A total of 80 jets are nearing the end of service life, waiting to be replaced by new Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighters. A new deal on 25 additional Eurofighters potentially frees up to two squadrons of aging yet operable aircraft that could become a powerful reinforcement to Ukraine's air combat capabilities

Norway receives new F-35A fighters to strengthen air force capabilities

11/13/2024

Two new F-35A fighter jets arrived at Ørland Air Station on Friday afternoon, joining Norway’s expanding fleet. The aircraft landed at 15:30, with two more F-35s scheduled to arrive in the coming days from the Lockheed Martin production facility in the United States.

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