Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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).

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.