Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Azerbaijan To Buy JF-17 Thunder Block III Jets In $1.6B Deal; Rival Armenia Boosts Defenses With Indian, French Weapons

02/25/2024

Azerbaijan has signed a contract to purchase Pak-Chinese fighter jets, JF-17 Thunder Block III (also known as FC-1 Xiaolong.” Azerbaijan will purchase the fighter jets for US $1.6 billion. The deal encompasses pilots’ training and acquisition of armament. The rumors have been going on for some time, but Azernews said that the export of JF-17 to Baku will take place after the completion of 62 fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force by 2024.

Ukraine says it has downed second Russian A-50 spy plane in weeks

02/24/2024

Ukraine says it has downed a Russian A-50 military spy plane - the second such claim in just over a month. The plane was hit between the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar, Ukrainian military sources said, over 200km (124 miles) from the front line. Emergency services reportedly found plane fragments in Kanevskoy district and put out a raging fire.

China Navy to deploy J-35 fighter jets on its aircraft carrier Liaoning

02/23/2024

According to information published by Global Times on February 19, 2024, China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is on the verge of completing a significant upgrade, with recent reports revealing the presence of a stealth fighter jet mockup, identified as the J-35, on its deck.

Saab waits out political drama over sending Gripen fighters to Ukraine

02/23/2024

Six months after Ukrainian pilots tested the Swedish Gripen fighter jets, the aircraft’s vendor says government and industry movements are continuing to provide them to Kyiv in what could be a relatively quick transfer. Stockholm has been touting the possibility of sending the Gripen JAS39 to Ukraine for several months now, but has made any decision on this contingent upon the country’s accession to NATO.

F-15EX Eagle II: The Air Force's New Fighter Can Almost Hit Mach 3

02/23/2024

The new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet's potential to reach nearly Mach 3, announced at the Singapore Airshow, evokes memories of the golden era of jet technology. This speed is achievable in a "clean" configuration, without external add-ons, emphasizing the jet's aerodynamic efficiency. With twin GE F110-GE-229 engines providing 29,500 pounds of thrust each, the F-15EX's speed approaches that of historical aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird, albeit with limitations.

Ukrainian pilots to complete F-16 fighter jet training in the U.S. by summer 2024

02/22/2024

The first four Ukrainian pilots will complete their F-16 fighter jet training program by summer 2024, CNN reported on Feb. 20, citing the Arizona National Guard. The training kicked off in mid-October 2023 at the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, Arizona. The Pentagon said that the extensive training regimen would last several months.

Air Force B-52 bomber, Philippine fighters make show of force over South China Sea

02/22/2024

An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress and three Philippine FA-50 fighters flew a joint patrol over the South China Sea this week, a move Chinese state media labeled a political show. The Philippine air force posted photos and video of Monday’s patrol on social media the next day. It covered an area 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur province, and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro province, the service wrote on Facebook.

Turkey's KAAN fighter jet conducts first flight

02/22/2024

Turkey's KAAN, its first national combat aircraft, completed its first flight on Wednesday, part of the country's efforts to upgrade its air force. NATO member Turkey launched its TF-X project to produce a national combat aircraft in 2016. Turkish aerospace firm TUSAS signed a deal with Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab worth $125 million in 2017 to develop the next-generation fighter jet.

Ukraine took out another Russian fighter jet, bringing its kill streak to 7 in a week

02/22/2024

Ukraine said it destroyed another Russian fighter jet on Wednesday, bringing its kill streak to seven in one week. The commander of Ukraine's air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Wednesday that Ukraine had taken out a Su-34 fighter bomber.

Thai Air Force faces a choice between F-16 and Gripen to replace aging fleet

02/21/2024

The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 new fighter jets — either the US F-16 or the Swedish Gripen — to replace an aging fleet in the coming years after failing last year to procure its No. 1 choice: the most advanced US F-35. The acquisition plan would be released when the Air Force issues a White Paper on its long-term air defense strategy at the end of February, according to Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, the commander-in-chief of the Air Force.

China Approved Patent for Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing Fighter

02/21/2024

In May 2023, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) approved a utility model patent for China’s first Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) Fighter. Chengdu Aircraft Research & Design Institute (CADI) – also known as Chengfei – submitted the patent on December 29, 2022, for a twin-engine tandem vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Taiwan tracks 24 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation

02/20/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 24 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 20). Of the 24 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, while seven entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Two PLA aircraft also were tracked in the northeast corner of the ADIZ.

Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships

02/20/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Feb. 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19). Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

German IRIS-T air-to-air missile to be integrated into Korean FA-50 and KF-21 Boramae fighters

02/20/2024

Germany’s Diehl Defence and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), manufacturer of the FA-50 series and the KF-21 fighter aircraft, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the purpose of intensifying their integration and commercialization efforts, addressing the potential of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on FA-50 and KF-21 aircrafts.

S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market

02/20/2024

South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50.

Ukraine's Air Force shoots down two more Russian warplanes

02/20/2024

Ukraine's Air Force destroyed two Russian aircraft that were dropping guided bombs on the positions of our troops this morning. [The warplanes in question were] one Su-34 fighter-bomber and one Su-35S fighter jet."

Japan looks to limit third-country defense exports to next-gen fighter jet

02/19/2024

Japan is considering a plan to limit — at least for now — exports to certain countries of finished defense equipment co-developed with other nations to its next-generation fighter jet, which will be built with Britain and Italy, sources have said.

Construction of 120 KF-21 Boramae for the South Korean Air Force will begin in 2024

02/19/2024

The contract between DAPA, the South Korean arms agency, and the aircraft manufacturer KAI, for the mass production of the KF-21 Boramae fighter, will be signed soon, according to an official South Korean press release. It will make it possible to begin manufacturing the 120 fighters expected by the South Korean air force before the end of the first half of 2024, with the last aircraft due to be delivered in 2032.

Russian Su-34 Fighter Jet Nosedives in Flames

02/19/2024

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) claim to have shot down a fourth Russian fighter aircraft in less than 48 hours. On early Sunday morning, video of aircraft reported to be a Russian Su-34 crashing in the Luhansk region made the rounds of social media. Ukrainian defenders “brought down” another Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. It happened this morning, according to Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Forces of the AFU, cited by the RBC Ukraine news outlet.

Embraer Views Asia Pacific As Key Growth Driver

02/18/2024

Embraer's growth target of 80 percent over the next seven years would result in $10 billion in revenue by 2030, thanks largely to its presence in the flourishing Asia-Pacific region. Speaking with AIN just ahead of this year's Singapore Airshow, company president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto noted the company’s high-profile presence at the Changi Exhibition Center reflects its ambition to meet that goal.

China’s Fighter Goals Soar on the Wings of the Dragon

02/18/2024

By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.

China sends 7 fighter jets, 5 navy ships, 1 balloon around Taiwan

02/18/2024

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels, and one balloon around the country between 6 a.m. Friday (Feb. 16) and 6 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). The defense ministry said that seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets had been detected in the Taiwan Strait. However, it did not indicate that any had entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or crossed the median line.

Vayu Shakti: Air Force displays growing combat prowess at Pokhran desert

02/18/2024

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday displayed its firepower capability at a mega exercise featuring over 120 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets and attack helicopters in Rajasthan's Pokhran desert. In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF also demonstrated the capabilities of its long-range drones and air-to-air missiles as well as its increasing strength in the rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting weapons like M-777 ultra-light howitzers and other military platforms.

Air Force commander: Ukraine downs 3 Russian warplanes

02/18/2024

Ukraine's military shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter jets and another Russian Su-35 combat aircraft on Feb. 17, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported. The destruction of the jets is the latest in a recent uptick of downed Russian planes, including a Beriev A-50 military observation plane in January, which reportedly cost $330 million to produce.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in Arctic Circle jail, says Russia

02/17/2024

Russia's most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in an Arctic Circle jail, the prison service has said. President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic, he was serving 19 years on extremism charges that were widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny was moved to one of Russia's toughest penal colonies late last year.