Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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).

Taiwan reports Chinese fighter planes, bombers nearby as election campaign heats up

11/23/2023

Taiwan again reported Chinese military activity around the island on Nov 22, with 11 aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait as the island’s election campaign kicked into high gear. Democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past four years of regular Chinese military patrols and drills near the island.

From Russia With Love: Soviet MiG Defector Dies at Age 76

11/23/2023

Classes for the fall high school semester had just begun when on September 6, 1976, a "special report" flashed across the airwaves in that pre-internet, pre-24-hours cable news era. A young fighter pilot had landed the then-Soviet Union’s most advanced combat aircraft, a Mikoyan MiG-25 (NATO codename Foxbat), on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. He announced his intention to defect and to hand the aircraft to the United States with both man and machine.

Uzbekistan reportedly eyes acquisition of 24 Rafale fighters from France

11/23/2023

Uzbekistan expressed interest in acquiring 24 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the country on November 2, 2023. The prospect, first reported by Intelligence Online citing French governmental sources, would mark a significant diplomatic shift for Uzbekistan, a country historically aligned with and armed by Russia.

Russian Aerospace Forces gets additional combat aircraft

11/23/2023

The Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association’s (NAPO) plant, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) within the Rostec State Corporation, has completed the manufacturing and delivery of another series of Su-34 bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense, as confirmed by the corporation’s press service.

Philippines launches joint sea, air patrols with US military

11/22/2023

The militaries of the Philippines and the United States launched joint patrols on Tuesday in waters near Taiwan, officials of the Southeast Asian nation said, a move likely to fan further tension with China. Security engagements between the treaty allies have soared this year, including a decision to almost double the number of Philippine bases the American military can access, some facing Taiwan, and their largest-ever joint military drill in April.

Ukrainian pilots already undergoing F-16 training in Denmark – Ihnat

11/22/2023

Ukrainian pilots are already undergoing training to fly the F-16 fighter aircraft in Denmark. The relevant statement was made by Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine - Ukrinform. “Prior to that, there were NATO-standard light-engine aircraft, which help to transition more easily to the F-16s. Now these are already dual flights.

ANALYSIS: Russia Registers Two-Seater Patent of Su-57 Stealth Fighter: What’s the Significance?

11/22/2023

In the patent, the company outlined the technical specifications of the new design as well as the details surrounding its role and capabilities, namely, that it’s an aerial command center capable of launching and/or controlling unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying bombs and other combat aircraft.

A ‘Swiss Army knife’ for the skies: Ukrainian pilot races to get to grips with F-16 jet

11/22/2023

It can take years to fully train an F-16 fighter pilot. “Moonfish” – a Ukrainian military aviator – has about six months. Moonfish is the call sign of a Ukrainian pilot who is training to fly the United States-designed multirole aircraft. He spoke with CNN via Zoom from an undisclosed location, where he is in his second month of training.

British intel: Russia will likely bring the Soviet-era M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service

11/20/2023

According to British Intelligence, Russia is likely considering bringing the Soviet-era M-55 MYSTIC B high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service to rectify a critical failure to establish an adequate Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.

Taiwan reports increased Chinese military drills nearby

11/20/2023

Taiwan has reported renewed Chinese military activity including nine aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait and warships carrying out “combat readiness patrols”. Democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past four years of regular Chinese military patrols and drills near the island, as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei over its sovereignty claims.

Ukraine’s Air Force says F-16 fighter jets will turn the tide of war with Russia

11/20/2023

F-16 fighter jets will change the course of the war very seriously, as they will help push back Russian aircraft and cover Ukrainian ground troops from the air, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said on Sunday. “I would like to argue with all the critics of this jets issue. The planes will change the course of the war and they will change it very seriously,” Yurii Ihnat said as cited by state news agency Ukrinform.

Has Russia Deployed Sukhoi Su-57 Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighters in Ukraine?

11/19/2023

Russia’s first and only operational stealth fighter, the Sukhoi Su-57 twin-engine multirole fighter (NATO code name Felon), experienced a ten-year development hell when it officially entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in 2020.

Norwegian F-35 jets scramble to intercept Russian planes

11/19/2023

NATO Air Command disclosed on Friday an urgent scramble of Norwegian F-35 fighter jets from Evenes base as Russian military aircraft encroached upon the fringes of NATO Allied airspace. The Norwegian 5th Generation F-35 fighters were mobilized in response to the identification of two Tu-160 strategic bombers, accompanied by two MiG-31 interceptors and two Il-78 Midas aerial refueling aircraft.

Pakistan in talks to buy Chinese light combat jet

11/19/2023

During the 2023 Dubai Airshow, China’s Hongdu Aircraft Company confirmed that Pakistan is engaged in formal negotiations to acquire light attack aircraft from China. This potential acquisition aims to replace the aging F-7PG fighters currently used by the Pakistan Air Force for combat pilot conversion. According to Hongdu, Pakistan wants to buy a light attack aircraft version of the L-15 trainer.

NATO Picks E-7 as Its New AWACS; Six Aircraft to Start

11/18/2023

NATO has selected Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail as its next airborne moving target indicator and air battle management aircraft, succeeding the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS, the alliance announced this week. The first of six aircraft will be operational by 2031, but the fleet may grow beyond that number.

Boeing's F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Is a Special Fighter Plane

11/18/2023

The McDonnell Douglas F-18 multi-role fighter has been the versatile workhorse of the US Navy for nearly 40 years. To stay relevant and competitive over four decades, multiple iterations of the F-18 have been released, each an upgrade from the previous. The original Block I “Hornet” was a fourth-generation fighter, designed in the 1970s, that became operational in 1984. The upgraded Block II “Super Hornet” was delivered in 2005.

China’s new carrier-based AEW aircraft undergoes intensive trials

11/18/2023

Recent updates on developing the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) KJ-600 carrier-based airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft indicate intensive trials underway for this critical component of the new domestically built Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian.

Australia considers supplying Ukraine with combat aircraft a "complicated issue"

11/18/2023

Australian Defense Minister announced on Thursday that Ukraine's request to enhance its air combat capabilities is a "complex issue," casting doubt on the proposal to support the Ukrainian army with outdated warplanes. Australia has increased its support for Ukraine on the sidelines of the NATO summit held in Lithuania. It pledged to send an additional 30 Bushmaster armored vehicles worth $67 million US dollars.

Russia concerned about prospect of Ukraine deploying Western-provided combat aircraft – UK intel

11/18/2023

For the first time, Russia has likely started using A-50 MAINSTAY D, its Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, to identify targets over Ukraine for its SA-21 long-range ground-based air defence missile system.

The F-35 Is About to Get Even Better

11/16/2023

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is already considered by many to be among the most capable combat aircraft in service anywhere in the world today, but the United States Navy has called for the aircraft to be potentially even deadlier.

China's J-10 Fighter: Why Won't Any Air Force Buy It?

11/16/2023

Earlier this month, Beijing sent seven of its J-10C jet fighters to the Middle East. The aircraft weren't deployed as part of any Chinese military operations – and rather were from the People's Liberation Army Air Force's August 1st Aerobatics Team, which performed during the Dubai Air Show. Named for the date of the founding of the PLAAF – the first of August 1927 – and established in 1962, the elite aviation team has performed at air shows around the world.