Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Why Iran-Afghanistan tensions have suddenly reached boiling point

05/29/2023

Tensions between Afghanistan and Iran escalated over the weekend after a heavy exchange of gunfire near a border post that killed at least three people and wounded several others. The clash appeared to have its roots in a simmering dispute over the rights of the two neighbors to their shared water resources.

Malaysia signs contracts for light combat aircraft and MALE UAVs

05/29/2023

Malaysia’s MoD signed several contracts for aircraft – Italian-built maritime patrol aircraft, Turkish MALE UAVs and South Korean light combat aircraft – at LIMA 2023 in Langkawi on 25 May. The deal for three Anka-S MALE UAVs was worth MYR423.8 million ($91.6 million) to Turkish Aerospace, and it was much awaited given that the two parties signed a letter of intent in around October 2022 after the RMAF had selected the Anka-S.

How China Integrates Drones Into PLA Operations Surrounding Taiwan

05/28/2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become synonymous with modern warfare. During the early phases of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the latter’s Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2s made international headlines by destroying scores of Russian tanks, armored vehicles, and air-defense systems with seeming impunity.

Ukraine Secures ‘Deadly’ Sidewinder Missiles That Tore Apart Chinese MiG Fighters During Taiwan Conflict

05/28/2023

The Canadian defense minister Anita Anand announced at the 12th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting on May 25 that Canada will supply the Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to Kyiv. The announcement was part of a larger military assistance program for Ukraine.

Philippines and Australia: From a comprehensive to a strategic security partnership

05/27/2023

While in Manila, Senator Penny Wong declared that Australia is committed to continuing its presence in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea to maintain peace and stability in the region. She added that Australia is open to cooperating with all like-minded states to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight over the South China Sea. And in this respect, Australia considers the Philippines a long-standing and important security partner.

Egypt in advanced talks to purchase 12 Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter jets

05/27/2023

Egypt is in advanced talks with China for the purchase of around 12 of the latest version of the J-10 Vigorous Dragon multirole combat fighter jet, The New Arab reports. Talks between the two sides started last year and the North African country is expected to send representatives of its Air force to the Chinese state-owned Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group at the International Maritime and Aeronautical Exhibition in Malaysia later this week, the London-based media stressed.

F-16 Training, Aircraft, to Fill Ukraine's Mid-Term, Long-Term Defense Needs

05/27/2023

Today, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder explained in further detail that the training, and any eventual transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine is meant to support mid- and long-term defense needs, rather than defense in the short term for an expected counter-offensive against Russian forces.

‘Better Suited’ Than F-16 Fighting Falcons, Ukrainian Fighter Pilots Could Finally Get Their Hands On JAS-39 Gripens

05/27/2023

Swedish defense minister has revealed that the Scandinavian country is considering training Ukrainian pilots on its JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets as an international coalition to train and deploy Western aircraft to Ukraine is slowly taking shape.

Poland Takes Aim at Russian Missiles with Swedish GlobalEye AWACS Purchase

05/26/2023

Sweden and Poland are negotiating the sale of the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. These aircraft will allow Poland to detect, monitor, and target low-flying objects like Russian cruise missiles. However, GlobalEye provides much more than that; it is a multiplier of combat capabilities for air, land, and sea units.

Air Force selects 173rd Fighter Wing as F-35 training squadron

05/26/2023

The Air Force has selected the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing as the preferred location to host the service’s next F-35A Lightning II training squadron. The F-35A is the Air Force’s latest and most-capable fifth-generation fighter. The basing decision announced today becomes final when a Record of Decision is signed upon favorable completion of an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal now underway.

Dassault CEO opposes Belgian participation in SCAF fighter aircraft programme

05/26/2023

The CEO of French group Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, is opposed to European countries that have opted for the US F-35 fighter jet – Belgium in particular – joining the Future Air Combat System (SCAF) programme, which links France, Germany and Spain.

National Guardsmen hit 2 Su-25s near Melitopol, destroying one Russian attack aircraft

05/26/2023

The National Guard reports the destruction of one and damage to another Russian Su-25 attack aircraft on the Zaporizhzhia front. One of them was shot down by the Hero of Ukraine, a guardsman with the call sign Bandyt, nicknamed Zaporizskyi Mesnyk (Avenger from Zaporizhzhia).

US Arms Taiwan’s F-16 Vipers With Lethal AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles To Counter Chinese PLAAF Threats

05/24/2023

Taiwan has equipped its most sophisticated fighter jet, the F-16 Viper, with new air-to-air missiles in what is being seen as a response to People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes routinely flying sorties close to the self-governing island.

South Korea Signs Contract With Malaysia For 18 FA-50 Light Aircraft After LCA Tejas & Hurjet Concede

05/24/2023

South Korea has signed a contract with Malaysia for the export of 18 FA-50 light attack jets, with South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup attending the signing ceremony. Earlier, India’s LCA Tejas and Turkey’s Hurjet were considered key contenders for the Malaysian contract but eventually lost to South Korea.

US Rejects F-35 Stealth Fighters For China’s ‘Strategic Ally’ In Indo-Pacific; Offers F-15, F-16 Instead: Reports

05/24/2023

The United States Department of Defense has reportedly turned down Thailand’s request to procure advanced fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, reported Bangkok Post, citing a Royal Thai Air Force source. However, the US has extended an alternative proposal, offering the Southeast Asian nation the opportunity to purchase F-16 Block 70 and F-15 Eagle fighters, the report said.

Portugal will avoid supplying F-16 fighters to Ukraine

05/23/2023

During a meeting with his European Union counterparts in Brussels, the head of the Portuguese diplomacy considered his nation lacks available combat aircraft to send to Ukraine, although it is open to train pilots for the F-16s, according to television reports. Portugal does not have an unlimited number of combat aircrafts, only the necessary ones, in order to fulfill national defense tasks and commitments within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the official noted.

Japan’s fighter jet ambitions soaring with GCAP

05/23/2023

In December 2022, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to partner in the development of a sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft. The goal of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is to produce aircraft ready for export and deployment by 2035. This represents a new frontier for Japanese weaponry co-development and is a prime opportunity to enhance regional security cooperation.

Air Force Will Pick Just One NGAD Design in 2024, Kendall Says

05/23/2023

Only one company will be chosen next year as the overall designer and developer of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) crewed fighter, despite years of prototype work on different designs by several companies, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said May 22.

F-16 fighter jets: Biden to let allies supply warplanes in major boost for Kyiv

05/22/2023

The US says it will allow its Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including American-made F-16s, in a major boost for Kyiv. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden "informed his G7 counterparts" of the decision at the bloc's summit in Japan on Friday. US troops will also train Kyiv's pilots to use the jets, Mr Sullivan said.

US Air Force Begins Sixth-Gen Fighter Aircraft Competition

05/20/2023

The US Air Force has formally begun the competition for its highly-classified Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter aircraft. A contract solicitation for the program’s engineering and manufacturing phase was recently issued to industry partners. The solicitation marks the start of the source selection process and provides interested vendors with the requirements for the sixth-generation aircraft development.

Denmark, Portugal join 'fighter jet' coalition

05/20/2023

Denmark will train Ukrainian pilots on U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets and is open to discussions on their possible transfer, Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on May 19. Speaking with Danish media outlets DR and Ritzau, Poulsen didn't provide any further details on the training, saying its format would be finalized with allies during the next month. "We are open to discussing – once we have made the training efforts – whether we should go one step further and donate F-16 fighter jet

Bowing to pressure, Biden relents on F-16s to Ukraine

05/20/2023

After months of U.S. insistence that Ukraine did not need F-16s to fight its war with Russia, Washington finally relented to pressure, agreeing not to stop allied nations from sending Kyiv the advanced Western fighter jets it has long desired.

B-2 ‘Safety Pause’ Lifted, Flights Set to Resume Within Days

05/19/2023

The B-2 Spirit is returning to the skies, Air Force officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The first aircraft is projected to take off May 22 after a break in flying operations due to a safety pause. The return to flight was recently approved by Air Force Global Strike Command boss Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, after a roughly six-month safety pause following a mishap in December.

NATO Defense Ministers to discuss fighter jets for Ukraine at meeting in June – Stoltenberg

05/19/2023

NATO Defense Ministers will discuss the issue of a possible transfer of Western fighter jets to Ukraine at a meeting in June, which will precede the Alliance summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Spiegel. Commenting on the issue of a possible transfer of Western fighter jets to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said the supply of weapons developed as the war progressed, the European Pravda publication said.

Ukrainian civilians subject to ‘unbearable routine’ of Russian attack

05/19/2023

Adedeji Ebo was briefing the Security Council on the issue of Western weapons supplies to Ukraine, called by permanent member Russia – the fourth time it has been presented for discussion in light of the ongoing conflict. The Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said the transfers of weapons systems and ammunition from Western governments backing Kyiv, was no secret, including battle tanks, combat aircraft, missile systems and helicopters.