USAF 94FS deploys oversea first time with Raptor

It was a history-making week for the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base.For the first time, the squadron deployed overseas with the sleek, stealthy F-22 Raptor.In all, a dozen of the aircraft left the Hampton base this week for a four-month deployment in Kadena Air Base in Japan. The final six left Thursday, accompanied by two escort F-22s that will turn back over Louisville, Ky.Once in Japan, the F-22 pilots will train with and against F-15 Eagles based at Kadena, as well as the...

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Japanese aircraft on antipiracy mission arrive in Djibouti

Two Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C aircraft on an antipiracy mission landed Sunday at an airport in Djibouti, where they will be based during their first overseas mission. Following some training, the aircraft will start patrolling from mid-June in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia and convey relevant information to the MSDF destroyers that have been patrolling there since March as well as Japanese-related vessels and other navy vessels in the area. The dispatch of the P-3Cs will complete Japan’s antipiracy...

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Post 26/11, Pak moved 75 p.c. of air force to LoC'

Hindu Pakistan had mobilised 75 percent of its air force resources to the Line of Control (LoC) against India after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, a top Indian Air Force commander said here Sunday. "Pakistan had mobilised 75 percent of its air force against us after 26/11. Maybe because they were afraid of us," Western Air Command (WAC) chief Air Marshal P.K. Barbora told reporters at the WAC headquarters here. The outgoing commander of the WAC also said that after the Mumbai attacks, India also beefed up its operations in the Jammu and Kashmir...

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Indonesia aims to buy planes, submarines

Indonesia is in talks with the United States to buy Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport planes and might be in a position to buy fighter jets and submarines in 2-3 years, its defence minister said. Juwono Sudarsono told Reuters on Saturday after talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates that no final agreement had yet been reached on the transport planes, a possible first step in upgrading its military."With Gates we discussed the possibility of Hercules ... but because the market of that...

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US arms in use against Pakistani forces: ISPR

The military on Friday said US weapons stolen from Afghanistan were being used against security forces in Swat and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).Briefing newsmen, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said the terrorists in FATA and Swat were getting material and financial support across the Afghan border and said that some hostile foreign agencies were abetting them. Answering a question about the assertions over the security of strategic assets of Pakistan, he said the United States should stop worrying about the nukes and...

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Egypt may order new batch of F-16s

By Edmond LococoLockheed Martin Corp., the world’s largest defense company, may sell Egypt 24 F-16 jets to replace aging aircraft, Chief Executive Officer Robert Stevens said. “The case in Egypt is unfolding,” Stevens said today at the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York, without disclosing the potential contract value in the Webcast presentation. “As you fly these airplanes in operations, there is ordinary attrition that occurs.” Egypt began flying the F-16 in 1982,...

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RMAF To Receive Final Consignment Of Six Sukhoi Aircraft By Year End

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are expected to take delivery of final consignment of six Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighter aircrafts from Russia by year end.Chief of Air Force Jen Datuk Seri Azizan Ariffin said the final consignment of six Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighters will complete Malaysia's purchase of the 18 sophisticated aircraft and further bolster RMAF's inventory in defending Malaysia's air space.He added that the consignment was also in tandem with RMAF's development plans to remain relevant and...

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RAAF to redeploy AP-3 from Middle East to Africa

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN CONTRIBUTION TO INTERNATIONAL ANTI-PIRACY EFFORTSMinister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced that the Australian Defence Force would contribute to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.“The contribution will help to curb piracy in the region, protect Australian and international maritime trade and underline our commitment to targeted increased engagement with Africa,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.Australia will flexibly...

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PAF fighter jet crashes, pilots safe

A Chinese-built Pak Air Force FT-7 fighter jet crashed in central Pakistan on Friday during a training run but the pilots ejected safely, officials said. "The jet came down near Mianwali town in central Punjab province during a routine operational training mission," an air force spokesman said. He said both pilots ejected safely and that an inquiry had been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash. Pakistan's air force has a fleet of Chinese aircraft, including F-7P,F-7PGs and A-5s, US-built...

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Republic of Korea – F-16 Block 32 Aircraft Upgrades

On May 22, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Republic of Korea to support the upgrade of 35 F-16 Block 32 Aircraft. The estimated cost is $250 Million. The Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale to support the upgrade of 35 F-16 Block 32 aircraft to allow employment of Joint Direct Attack Munitions, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Improved Data Modem, and Secure Voice capabilities, test and support...

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Facing A New Missile Threat From China

By Andrew EricksonAuthoritative Chinese military documents suggest that Beijing has taken a serious interest in anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). U.S. government sources state consistently that Beijing is pursuing an ASBM based on a variant of the DF-21/CSS-5 medium-range solid propellant ballistic missile (MRBM). The DF-21’s 1,500 km+ range could hold ships at risk in a large maritime area, far beyond Taiwan into the Western Pacific. If fielded, the ASBM would be just one of a dizzying array...

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Taiwan President phones American lawmakers, asks for F-16s

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday he hoped to see Washington sell F-16C/D fighter jets to Taiwan, emphasizing that improved cross-strait relations did not clash with Taipei’s relationship with the international community.The president’s remark came after he stressed the need for Taiwan to continue acquiring weapons from the US in a videoconference call with China experts in Washington on April 23.Ma, who is on a 10-day state visit to Central America, mentioned the need to purchase the...

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Sukhoi's flight data recorder sent to London for analysis

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent the flight data recorder of a frontline Sukhoi Su—30 MKI combat jet to Britain and its ejection chip to the original equipment manufacturer in Russia to analyse the cause of the April 30 accident that broke the 12—year accident—free record of the fighter aircraft. A senior IAF official said the initial probe indicated that the digital flying control system failed leading to the crash and the failure of the ejection of the rear seat of the aircraft. "The court...

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First Iraqi ISR aircrew members graduate

The first class of Iraqi Air Force Squadron 87 King Air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircrew members completed their yearlong training May 17. The Iraqi King Air program, headed by Air Force and Navy aircrew instructors, trained four Iraqi pilots, seven co-pilots and five mission sensor operators. "We are about at the half way point where we can call (the Iraqis) independent and autonomous," said Col. John Rutkowski, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander, when speaking...

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Beijing's missile stockpile growing

The Australian CHINA has begun expanding its nuclear warhead and strategic missile capacity at a pace not seen for 20 years. The build-up has begun as North Korea joins the ranks of nuclear-armed powers and Japan's Government is under pressure to respond with more aggressive missile deployment. Jane's Intelligence Review, the most authoritative publication of global strategic analysis, said that new DigitalGlobal imagery revealed Beijing was developing up to five intercontinental nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. The growth of China's space launch...

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10 Mark V (90’ MKV) patrol boats for the Kuwaiti Navy

United States Marine in Gulfport, MS received a $61.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for detail design and construction of 10 Mark V (90’ MKV) patrol boats for the Kuwaiti Navy under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. The vessels are designed for coastal patrol and interdiction, and other special operations at sea. USMI manufactures both 82-foot Mark V Special Operations craft and a Mark V Patrol Boat. The Mark V Special Operations operations craft has a maximum speed of 47 knots and provides...

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France Inaugurates Joint Military Base in Persian Gulf

“With this permanent military presence, France resolutely commits itself to the security of her Emirati friends,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated on May 26, in Abu Dhabi, during the inauguration of the first French permanent military base in the region. The French commander-in-chief was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Bernard Kouchner, the Minister for Defense, Herve Morin, and General Jean-Louis Georgelin, chief of the defence staff. “This joint base is the...

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Boeing KC-767J Aerial Refueling Tankers Join Active Air Wing in Japan

The Boeing Company today announced that three KC-767J aerial refueling tankers recently achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been placed in an active air wing in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).“This is a historic achievement for the nation of Japan and a significant accomplishment for Boeing’s tanker program,” said Dave Bowman, vice president and general manager of Boeing Tanker Programs. “These wide-body KC-767Js are now providing the JASDF with its own aerial refueling...

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IAF Mig-21 crashes near Jodhpur

In the third IAF fighter aircraft mishap in less than a month, a Mig-21 'Bison' plane on Wednesday crashed near Jodhpur but the pilot ejected safely. The war plane, which had taken off for a routine sortie from the Jodhpur airbase, crashed on a barren stretch of land in Luni village in Mordijoshyan, near here, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Kaviraj said. There was no damage on the ground, he said. This is the third IAF fighter aircraft accident in less than a month, the previous mishaps being...

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India invite bids for attack and heavy-lift helicopters

By Nitin Luthra India has invited initial bids, estimated to be worth up to $2 billion, from global helicopter companies to supply its air force with 22 combat helicopters and another 15 for heavy-lift duties, a senior official said Tuesday."The two (separate) requests for proposals have been issued," the senior air force official, who didn't wish to be named, told late Tuesday. The official declined to elaborate or name the companies that had been invited to bid.Attack helicopter makers such as Russia's Kamov and Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Italy's...

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Israel fears Hezbollah could deploy SHORADS in Lebanon

The defense establishment is concerned that Hezbollah will try to smuggle advanced anti-aircraft missiles into Lebanon in the near future - yet another reason for the rising tension on the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel has made it clear in past statements that it will consider such a development as crossing a red line, which might necessitate preventative measures. It is believed that Hezbollah would like to deploy SA-8 batteries in Lebanon. Such weapons could pose a threat to Israel Air Force jets flying over the country. In recent years, the...

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China to celebrate PLA Air Force's founding anniversary, aeronautic centennial

China's largest state-owned aircraft maker said on Tuesday that it has started to extend the China Aviation Museum for a series of celebrations to mark the nation's rarely-known aeronautic centennial and the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force. The extension will increase the exhibition area to more than 10,000 square meters for a military air show and an aviation exhibition around Nov. 11, said Lin Zuoming, general manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The project will be jointly conducted...

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Japan wants "first strikes" against enemies

A Japanese ruling party panel is to propose that pre-emptive strikes against enemy bases be allowed despite the country's pacifist constitution, Kyodo news agency said on Monday, weeks after a North Korean missile launch. North Korea fired a ballistic missile in April that flew over northern Japan after warning that it planned to launch a satellite, prompting the government to deploy missile interceptors to the area ."Japan should have the ability to strike enemy bases within the scope of its defense-oriented policy, in order not to sit and wait...

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Israel's Barak to US next week for Iran talks, F-35 sale on the cards

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak will fly to Washington next week for talks with his counterpart Robert Gates and senior officials set to focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions, an official said. The defence minister was also planning to meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Obama's National Security Adviser James Jones and special Middle East envoy George Mitchell, the official told on condition of anonymity. Barak's visit comes on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's White House meeting...

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IAF drops Russia from $1 bn Multi-Role Tanker Transport deal

Russia is set to lose a billion dollar (Rs 48,000 crore) defence deal for midair refuellers, signalling a break in its over 50-year-old monopoly as India’s preferred military supplier. The former communist giant has clearly lost favour with the Indian military, as the air force has decided not to field any more Russian Ilyushin-78 refuellers to keep fighter jets airborne for considerably longer periods by tanking them up during flight. After operating Il-78 tankers for almost six years, the Indian...

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Syria says MiG-31 deal with Russia still on

Syria denied on Sunday a Russian media report that Moscow no longer wants to sell it eight advanced MiG-31 planes because of pressure from Israel. "This is part of attempts to undermine the friendly relations and cooperation between Syria and Russia," an official Syrian statement said. The statement was issued as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited the Syrian capital and met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kommersant newspaper quoted an unidentified person close to Russia's state arms...

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First of IAF AWACS Arrives in India

The first of the three Indian Air Force AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) platform arrived in India from Israel today. The giant IL-76 configured in its new avatar was escorted by three Mig-29 and Jaguar aircraft each that took off from an advance fighter airbase of South Western Air Command (SWAC). The fighter formations caught up with the AWACS mid-air and escorted it as it entered the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region), till safe touchdown at the Jamnagar airbase, close to midday,...

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Earthquake Signals Second North Korean Nuclear Test

It has been confirmed by the Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) that North Korea has carried out its threat to conduct a second nuclear test this morning, May 25th. Lee Dong Gwan, a Blue House spokesperson stated in a press briefing that an “artificial earthquake” measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was felt in South Korea at 9:54am, strongly suggesting the presence of a test at Poongkye-ri in Kilju, North Hamkyung Province, where the first test was also carried out.CNN reported that the U.S. Geological Survey has announced the existence of a “4.7-magnitude...

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Mullen: Iran is close to nuclear weapons capability

Complete Transcript: Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me move on to the issue of Iran. You said that Iran is on a path to building nuclear weapons. But the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate concluded with a high degree of confidence that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons programs. So do you believe that intelligence estimate is outdated? Is it no longer accurate?MULLEN: Well, I believe then and I still believe that Iran's strategic objective is to achieve nuclear...

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Dassault in talks with Emirates over Rafale jets

Dassault Aviation is in talks with the United Arab Emirates over a possible order for its Rafale fighter jets, the company said on Saturday, in what would be the first sale of the aircraft to a foreign buyer.Newspaper Le Parisien reported earlier on Saturday that France was finalising the sale of 60 Rafale jets in a deal worth 6-8 billion euros ($8-11 billion).The paper said President Nicolas Sarkozy would personally push the issue in a visit on Monday and Tuesday to Abu Dhabi.Dassault declined...

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Iran Successfully Test-Fires Two stage Sejjil 2 Missile

FARS NEWS AGENCY: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced on Wednesday that the country has successfully test-fired a new missile called Sejjil 2, underlining that the advancement would highly increase the country's deterrent power. Addressing a large and fervent congregation of people in Iran's eastern province of Semnan, Ahmadinejad said when he and his cabinet ministers were on the flight to Semnan, the defense minister told him on the phone that "we have launched a Sejjil-2 missile,...

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16 Arjun Tanks to be handed over to Army on May 25

The third set of 16 Arjun Tanks, India&aposs Main Battle Tank (MBT), will be handed over to the Army on May 25, DRDO sources said today.K Sridhar, DRDO scientist and spokesperson for the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), which is building a total of 124 such tanks, said here that chief controller R&D, DRDO, A Sivathanu Pillai would flag off the consignment at CVRDE&aposs Avadi unit on Monday. The CVRDE, a laboratory of DRDO, had already delivered 29 MBTs...

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MEA shoots down defence ministry's helicopter export

The prospects for India’s most promising defence export — the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) — have just been dealt an unexpected blow. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has turned down a Bolivian request for a line of credit to buy seven Dhruvs from Bangalore-based manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).Senior officials in India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) are livid. India’s defence exports languish at about Rs 300-400 crore per year, barely 1 per cent of the Rs 30,000...

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