Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Chinese military’s three-day show of force increases headache for Taiwan

07/15/2023

China’s military has been on a surge of activity around Taiwan this week, sending dozens of warplanes past the median line of the Taiwan Strait and into the key regions of the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity has a range of implications, none of them positive for Taiwan or cross-strait stability, analysts say.

U.S. Air Force Leaders Talk Export Policy For New Programs At RIAT

07/15/2023

A sweeping U.S. Air Force modernization program is underway, and the time has come to start discussing options for sharing the technology with allies. Export policy for some of the Air Force’s “more sensitive” new technology is being discussed this weekend at the Royal International Air Tattoo with the leaders of international partners, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said July 14.

GCAP cooperation with Aussies and US? UK official touts ‘unique’ options for next-gen fighter

07/15/2023

The UK Ministry of Defence’s Director of Future Combat Air sees “unique opportunities” for future partnerships on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) program — but indicated that doesn’t have to mean adding more nations to the core membership of the UK, Italy and Japan.

India Clears The Way For Naval Rafale Fighter Purchase

07/14/2023

The French-made Rafale M from Dassault Aviation is set to be the Indian Navy’s next-generation carrier fighter after New Delhi gave the initial go-ahead to purchase 26 of the jets. The navalized Rafale M — the land-based is already flown by the Indian Air Force — seems to have fought off competition from Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and is planned to be acquired as part of a major French arms package that will also include three Scorpène class diesel-electric attack submarines.

US Military Aircraft ‘Roars & Soars’ Over Taiwan Strait As Chinese Fighter Jets Watch Like A Hawk

07/14/2023

With the Chinese military drills in full force near the self-ruled Taiwanese Island, the Chinese military reportedly monitored a P-8A maritime reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Taiwan Strait yet again. On July 13, as China conducted a third day of continuous military drills to the south of the island that began earlier this week, Chinese fighter planes watched the US Navy patrol plane fly across the contested Taiwan Strait, which China continues to claim as its sovereign territory.

Next Swedish Fighter Decision Remains Several Years Away

07/14/2023

A decision point remains several years away for the Swedish Air Force’s acquisition strategy for a next generation fighter, the commander of the Swedish Air Force told Aviation Week on July 13. Although advanced studies have been started by government and industry teams, the Air Force has no need in the near-term to decide whether to buy or join a foreign program, develop a new Swedish fighter or continue buying more JAS-39E Gripens from Saab, Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman said on the sidelines.

How North Korea’s Fighter Fleet Re-emerged From Obscurity

07/13/2023

On July 10, the North Korean Defense Ministry alleged that U.S. military drones and reconnaissance aircraft had conducted close-up surveillance of North Korea for eight consecutive days from July 2 to 9, with one aircraft having “illegally intruded into the inviolable airspace of the DPRK… [by] tens of kilometers.” (DPRK is an abbreviation of North Korea’s formal name: the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.)

Chinese air force, navy stage large-scale drill, Taiwan says

07/12/2023

China’s air force and navy staged another large-scale drill involving fighters, bombers and warships to Taiwan’s south and southwest on Tuesday, the island’s defense ministry said, as Beijing keeps up its military pressure on Taipei. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has over the past three years regularly sent warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, to try and force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty.

Australia will send a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail to Germany to support surveillance in Ukraine

07/12/2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on June 10 that his country will send a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail to Germany to support aerial surveillance on the border with Ukraine – which has been fighting to retake territory seized by Russia since February 2022. . The early warning and air control (AEW&C) aircraft, accompanied by 100 crew and support personnel, will be deployed in Germany from October. The aircraft will be in Europe for about six months.

Turkey Finally Looks Set To Get New F-16s

07/12/2023

Turkey looks set to receive the F-16 fighters that it’s long sought from the United States, as part of an apparent deal in which Ankara has finally conceded to Sweden’s entry into NATO. Turkey had requested a $20-billion deal for 40 new F-16s, as well as around 80 modernization kits for existing jets, since October 2021, but the deal had been held up by Congress amid worsening relations between Ankara and Washington.

Indonesia-S Korea in a turbulent fighter jet marriage

07/12/2023

Cash-strapped Indonesia is staying the course of its participation in South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae advanced jet fighter program, underscoring Jakarta’s perceived urgent need to modernize and improve its air force. This month, Janes reported that Indonesian state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) said that Indonesia is still committed to South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae 4.5 generation fighter, despite missing a payment deadline for the project.

Ukrainian pilots' F-16 training to start in August, officials say

07/12/2023

A coalition of 11 nations will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in August in Denmark, and a training centre will be set up in Romania, officials said on Tuesday on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania. NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands have been leading international efforts to train pilots as well as support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately enable the supply of F-16s to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Chinese J-10 Fighters Participate In Joint Air Combat Drills ‘Falcon Strike 2023’ As Beijing Bolsters Military Ties With Thailand

07/12/2023

On July 9, China and Thailand commenced an annual joint air combat exercise to strengthen military cooperation between the two nations and uphold “regional peace and stability.” During the joint air combat exercise, the air forces of China and Thailand will engage in training activities related to joint air defense, air support, and large-scale deployments, Chinese media reported.

Sweden seeks hundreds of AMRAAM air-to-air missiles

07/11/2023

Sweden is looking to restock its supply of air defence capability with an order for hundreds of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from US defence prime RTX, recently rebranded from Raytheon, in a deal worth in excess of $600m (Skr6.5bn). In a 7 July release from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notifying of the possible FMS, it was stated that Sweden was seeking to procure 250 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles and up to six AMRAAM C-8 guidance sections.

Embraer Eyes European Market For KC-390 And Super Tucano Sales

07/11/2023

Embraer is looking to grab a slice of Europe’s defense modernization pie with sales of the C-390 airlifter and A-29 Super Tucano. Previously, the Brazilian OEM’s European market presence was limited to sales of its Tucano basic trainer, its Xingu light transport and the AMX light-combat aircraft that was developed with Italy during the 1980s.

Defence minister announces arrival of first FA-50 combat aircraft

07/11/2023

The first consignment of South Korean FA-50 light combat jets has arrived in Poland, the country's defence minister has announced. Mariusz Blaszczak broke the news on Twitter on Monday. "The first two FA-50 aircraft for the Polish Armed Forces are already in Poland!," Blaszczak tweeted. "The light combat aircraft ordered from South Korea, which replace the post-Soviet equipment, will strengthen the potential of the Air Force."

Europe would be 'cheering' on Australian fighter jets sent to Ukraine, according to NATO host

07/10/2023

Any decision by Australia to send retired fighter jets to aid Ukraine's resistance to invading Russian forces would be welcomed by "cheering" from Europe, according to Lithuania's foreign minister. The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is hosting the NATO leader summit this week, less than 40 kilometres from the border with Kremlin ally Belarus.

Russian fighter jets harass American drones over Syria — again

07/10/2023

Russian fighter jets have “harassed” American drones over Syria for the third day in a row this week, the U.S. military said. Tension between Russian and U.S. troops is not uncommon in Syria as both countries conduct patrols on the ground as well as overflights. Syria’s 12-year conflict has left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded.

U.S. drone strike kills ISIS group leader in northwest Syria, defense official says

07/10/2023

A U.S. drone strike killed an Islamic State group leader in Syria hours after the same MQ-9 Reaper drones were harassed by Russian military jets over the western part of the country, according to the Defense Department. Three Reapers had been flying overhead searching for the militant on Friday, a U.S. defense official said, when they were harassed for about two hours by Russian aircraft. Shortly after that, the drones struck and killed Usamah al-Muhajir, who was riding a motorcycle.

Outliers Turkey, Hungary threaten NATO unity in standoff with Russia

07/10/2023

When the leaders of NATO nations gather in Lithuania this week, President Biden and his closest allies will endeavor to send Russia a forceful message: that the West is united against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. But jeopardizing their show of cohesion will be several of the same leaders joining Biden for the Vilnius summit, whose refusal to admit Sweden as the 31-nation bloc’s newest member underscores the divisions that could erode NATO’s deterrent power.

Unexpected turn: Pakistani JF-17s replace Iraq’s aging F-16 fleet

07/10/2023

In an unexpected turn of events, Baghdad has inked a deal with Islamabad after two years of diplomatic discourse to purchase their combat aircraft. As reported by The News International [Pakistan], Iraq has joined the growing list of countries, becoming the fifth nation to acquire the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan.

More than 25 combat clashes recorded in four sectors of front over past day - General Staff

07/09/2023

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in an evening update published on Facebook. According to the update, throughout the day, the Russian military used S-300 guided missiles and Iranian-made Shahed attack drones against Ukraine. Units of Ukraine's air defense forces destroyed five Shahed attack UAVs.

Fighter aircraft from Pakistan: Iraq fifth country to initiate deal for JF-17

07/09/2023

Iraq has become the fifth country that initiated deal for purchasing JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan and concluded it successfully. Pakistan has been jointly manufacturing the aircraft with China as Islamabad is also set to export its JF-17 Block III aircraft to Malaysia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, and Myanmar. Sensing the Thunder’s might, several countries have shown interest in Pakistan’s pride. Earlier, Argentine had also studied the combat aircraft.

A looming US-Turkey F-16 deal is about much more than Sweden’s NATO bid

07/09/2023

The NATO Summit in Vilnius starting on July 11 will mark milestones in several strategic processes of vital importance to the Alliance. These include assessing progress on the Strategic Concept adopted in Madrid last year, recognizing Finland’s successful accession, debating the path forward on Ukraine’s application, and consideration of the end game towards Swedish membership.

Keeping up pressure, China sends warships and fighter jets near Taiwan during Yellen’s Beijing visit

07/09/2023

China’s People’s Liberation Army sent 13 aircraft and 6 vessels into airspace and waters around Taiwan over the past 24 hours as of early Saturday, overlapping with United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to Beijing aimed at mending strained relations.