Military Aviation News Archive

Canada orders 14 Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft

12/02/2023

Canada has finalised a government-to-government agreement for 14 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft with an option for a further two aircraft after the county's government ruled out other options to fulfil maritime patrol and other roles.

PAF inducts JF-17 Block III aircraft

12/02/2023

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has started to induct into service the latest version of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)/Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) JF-17 ‘Thunder' fighter aircraft. The PAF said in mid-November that the new Block III aircraft provides the PAF with several improved capabilities over the earlier Block II version. These include, it said, “superior manoeuvrability, extended range, and enhanced combat capabilities”.

Russian Su-30 ‘Downs’ French Rafale Fighters For Kazakhstan Deal; Top Official Denies Interest in ‘Costly’ Jets

12/01/2023

Media reports recently suggested that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan might go for a Rafale acquisition following the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the two nations earlier this month. While both countries are in the process of modernizing their militaries, reports now say they might find the “expensive” and “complex” plane beyond their financial means.

2024 World Air Forces directory: how major conflicts impacted global fleet

12/01/2023

Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 161 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months. To download the full report, which includes detailed fleet listings totalling more than 53,000 aircraft, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Getting Ready for the New Test Surge

12/01/2023

The first B-21 Raider took off at dawn from Palmdale, Calif., Nov. 10 on its premier flight, touching down at nearby Edwards Air Force base more than 90 minutes later, after using a circuitous route to check out basic handling qualities. Edwards will be the bomber’s home for the next several years, as pilots and engineers test and assess its performance.

Eurofighter Typhoon electronic combat aircraft set to replace German Tornadoes

12/01/2023

Germany is set to replace its Tornado electronic combat/reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft with Eurofighter Typhoon Elektronischer Kampf (EK) for the task of suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) following parliamentary approval by the Budget Committee. The Typhoons will be fitted with Saab’s Arexis Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, a missionised pod, and the supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile Northrop Grumman/MBDA's AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile.

Boeing Wins $2.3B Contract to Build KC-46A Tanker Jet

11/30/2023

The Boeing Company’s Defense, Space & Security business segment recently secured a modification contract involving the KC-46A Tanker aircraft. The award has been offered by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

Why Iran Still Flies the Ancient F-4 Phantom Fighter (Made in USA)

11/30/2023

How Iran still flies the F-4 Phantom Since Hamas’ October 7 massacre in Israel, Iranian-backed militias across the Middle East have launched scores of attacks targeting the U.S. and its assets in the region. As America’s self-declared top adversary, the Islamic Republic of Iran poses perhaps the largest threat to U.S. national interests in the Near East.

Romania receives first F-16s from Norway

11/30/2023

Romania has received from Norway the first of 32 surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft it contracted in November 2022. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the transfer of the first three aircraft on 28 November, saying the jets were flown by Romanian Air Force pilots from Rygge Air Station to their future home operating station at the 86th Fetesti Air Base in eastern Romania.

US military aircraft with six aboard crashes off Japan island

11/29/2023

A US military aircraft with six people on board has crashed off Yakushima Island in south-western Japan. Japan's Coast Guard said one person had been found dead near the crash site. Japan's NHK broadcaster said the CV-22 Osprey hybrid plane had been trying to land at Yakushima Airport with one engine on fire. There is no US comment. Ospreys - which can function as a helicopter and a turboprop aircraft - have been involved in a string of fatal crashes over the years.

Russia's huge Air Force is still mostly intact, but it hasn't been building the jets it needs to win on the ground in Ukraine

11/29/2023

Despite its losses in the Ukraine, Russia's air force is still quite robust. It began the war with about 900 fighters and other combat aircraft and is estimated to have lost only about 90 jets between February 2022 and September. What Russia doesn't have is the support aircraft needed to find and attack enemies on the ground.

Iran Says ‘Deal Done’ To Acquire Russian Military Aircraft Inc Su-35 Fighters, Mi-28 Choppers

11/29/2023

Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister, Brigadier General Mahdi Farahi, announced that the arrangements to acquire a range of advanced Russian military aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet trainers, have been finalized, reported Tasnim News.

Su-57 For India: Lethal Capabilities, Enticing Economic Benefits Could Make IAF Relook At Russian Jets?

11/28/2023

India and Russia had once joined hands to develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) together under a contract signed in 2007. Under the agreement, it was envisaged that the Indian aerospace maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will collaborate with the Russian Sukhoi Design Bureau to develop an improved variant of the Su-57 stealth fighter. However, the project fell through the cracks over the years.

Russia's MiG-31: Hypersonic Missile Truck or Obsolete?

11/28/2023

The MiG-31 is Still a Capable Combat Aircraft - Even as the Kremlin has been seen more as a paper tiger than a truly fearsome bear after it failed to achieve a quick victory in Ukraine, it still fields some impressive combat platforms. Among those is the Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO reporting name "Foxhound"), a warplane that was developed during the Cold War era as a home defense interceptor

France offers its fighter aircraft to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan

11/27/2023

France offers its Rafale fighters to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing French sources. According to the publication, the French Dassault Aviation company has been working in this direction for "several months", while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have begun to show interest in Rafale fighters.

German unions back Turkey’s effort to buy Eurofighters amid fears workforce will be lost

11/27/2023

Aviation unions in Germany are backing Turkey's efforts to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoons over fears its specialist workforce will be lost if contracts for the jets are not drawn up and signed. The Eurofighter Typhoon jets are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler said he has been in talks with Britain and Spain to buy the Typhoons but Germany has objected to the idea.

Chinese fighter jets 'orbit' Philippine patrol aircraft, Manila says

11/27/2023

Two Chinese fighter jets were monitored "orbiting" a Philippine aircraft participating in patrols with Australia in the South China Sea but did not cause any untoward incident, Manila said on Sunday. The militaries of the Philippines and Australia carried out a second day of sea and air exercises in the Southeast Asian country's exclusive economic zone, days after Manila held patrols with the U.S. as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China.

MiG-35s Join Ukraine War! Top Russian Official Says Bid To Revive Capable But Forgotten Successor To Legendary MiG-29s

11/27/2023

Russia has used its MiG-35 fighter in air strikes against Ukraine, according to its top aeronautical designer. Over the years, the fighter has nearly gone out of prominence in operational service in Russia and has also not found foreign customers. Only Ukraine has used the model’s predecessor in the war, the Soviet-era MiG-29, from both its own and Polish inventory.

3rd Fleet: Aircraft Intact as Navy Prepares to Investigate P-8 Poseidon Mishap in Hawaii

11/26/2023

The Navy will convene an investigation into Monday’s incident in Hawaii where a Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft overshot a runway and ended up in Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay, officials said. Three pilots along with a crew of two officers and four enlisted personnel were aboard the aircraft at the time, but no injuries were reported, officials said.

Embraer delivers upgraded fifth E-99 aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force

11/25/2023

Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, November 23, 2023 – Embraer (NYSE: ERJ, B3: EMB3) has delivered to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) its fifth EMB 145 AEW&C aircraft, upgraded and designated as E-99M in the FAB. The aircraft has been updated to perform Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) functions, as well as participate in intelligence, surveillance, and airborne reconnaissance missions.

F-22 Raptor: How Fast Can This 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Fly?

11/25/2023

How fast can the F-22 Raptor fly? Just how fast is the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, the plane that took out China's Spy Balloon? Widely regarded as the most capable air superiority fighter in service anywhere in the world, the Lockheed Martin F-22 was developed to be capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It has been designed to combine stealth, performance, agility, and integrated avionics in a single and highly capable airframe.

MBDA and KAI sign agreement on fighter missile integration

11/25/2023

MBDA and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation, which will see new missile systems integrated into South Korea’s fighters, as well as potential joint export opportunities. In a 24 November release, European missile manufacturer MBDA stated that the company is already working with KAI to integrate its Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile on the KAI-led KF-21 Boromae fighter aircraft.

F-15EX: The U.S. Air Force’s Missile Truck Has Arrived

11/24/2023

The U.S. House of Representatives in July voted on the National Defense Authorization Act. As part of the bill, Congress accepted an amendment to add $30.6 million to the funds allocated for the U.S. Air Force to procure the F-15EX. The funding is slated for two Eagle IIs that would be delivered to the 127th Wing based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.

Turkey sought Eurofighters after uncertainty over U.S. F-16 buy -source

11/24/2023

Turkey began talks with European states on buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets after recognising that its request for F-16 jets from the United States might not work out, a Turkish defence ministry source said on Thursday. Defence Minister Yasar Guler said last week that Turkey was in talks with Britain and Spain to buy Typhoons, though Germany objected to the idea.

US approves South Korea missile requests

11/23/2023

The US State Department has approved two potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) packages to the South Korea for air- and ship-launched missiles. The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 14 November that approval had been given to South Korea’s request to buy up to 38 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles, MK.21 Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters and other associated equipment and support. The estimated total program cost is US$650 million (A$1.005 billion).