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Latest newsThailand: Air Force's thumbs-down on the Su-30, the F/A-18 is better
Bangkok, Thailand - As the Russian fighter is too big and fast, but Government would prefer to avoid to have the USA as the only military aircraft supplier
A fierce debate between Government and Air Force is occurring in Thailand about the purchase of new fighters. The possible selection of a Russia-made airplane causes a series of problems Administration... more
Latest newsMMA: Boeing intends to involve Italy
Washington, USA - While waiting even for a prospective Italian interest in the P-8A maritime patrolling aircraft and maybe even for the 737 AEW&C
Boeing would intend to involve Italy in the MMA programme (Multimission Maritime Aircraft), related to a new maritime patrolling aircraft based on the 737 airframe and named the P-8A, under development... more
Latest newsSaudi Arabia: the Typhoon to follow the Tornado
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - An agreement for the purchase of 48 Eurofighter aircraft with options for additional 24 airplanes to replace the ADV/IDS fleet
British Aerospace succeeded in convincing Saudi authorities about the quality of the Eurofighter programme and Saudi Arabia became the 6th customer of the European fighter, the first one outside the European... more
Latest newsAfghanistan: four Norwegian F-16s arriving in January
Oslo, Norway - They will ensure ISAF troop protection against the rebels
Norway will support ISAF’s activities in Afghanistan with four Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole light fighters. Decision was considered as a consequence of the favourable vote by the Norwegian P... more
Latest newsThailand. Government gave the lie to the purchase of the Su-30s: evaluations are still on going
Bangkok, Thailand - But in case the Russian offer won, the F-16s would be updated
Thai Government firmly gave the lie to the new spread by the international press and according to which some 12 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 fighters would have been purchased by the Asian country (see for... more
Latest newsJSF: first F-35 is "Shaping up"
Washington, USA - Construction of the first airframe is almost accomplished and its engine will be installed early in 2006
The Joint Strike Fighter programme is about to be accomplished concerning the construction of the first aircraft. Actually, all the airframe’s sections have been assembled and the Pratt & Whitney F-135 p... more
Latest newsSingapore: 12 F-15SG arriving by 2009
Singapore - It would deal with the most advanced Eagle version
The contract for the purchase of 12 F-15SG Eagle multirole fighters by Singapore has been officialized, a deal that also schedules options for additional 8 aircraft of this type. Such a version was exclusively... more
Latest newsFCA: a Request for Proposals to be addressed to Alenia and EADS on December 22
Washington, USA - The first step to the future selection between the C-27J Spartan and the CN-235/295
US Army proves willing to resume the process for the bid related to the FCA (Future Cargo Aircraft) programme, with reference to the new military transport airplane for the armed force intended to replace... more
Latest newsIran: strenght and weakness of military aviation
Teheran, Iran - Analysts think that the acquisition of missile and all-weather technologies is an attempt to counterbalance a super-power strategic superiority
Military analysts are asking themselves which capabilities can be implemented by Iran to face a prospective conflict. Air Force can rely upon a broad and various provision of aircraft to perform almost... more
Latest newsFrance, Germany and Spain agreed on an A-400M "Tanker"
Toulouse, France - The three countries requested the transformation of some among the new military cargo aircraft into aerial refuelling airplanes
The EADS-Airbus A-400M will not be simply a military tactical airlifter but also an aerial refuelling airplane. France, Germany and Spain have already ordered a series of conversion kits which are going... more
Latest newsSouth Korea: selection of the new AWACS has been postponed
Seoul, South Korea - Boeing and IAI are competing for a four-aircraft order
IAI and Boeing will have to wait till next May to know the South Korean Defence Ministry’s final decision on the first real surveillance, command and control aircraft of this country (an order for four a... more
Latest newsThunderbirds. Vacant position announcement, wanted: personnel
Nellis, USA - There are some 34 different job types requested by the US Air Force's acrobatic squad
US Air Force’s acrobatic squad is searching for personnel for all the 34 job types scheduled by the team. The Thunderbirds are ready to preserve for applications six months including technical, public a... more
Latest newsUSA: Congress defending the C-17
Washington, USA - The purchase of additional 42 airplanes has been requested in order to keep the assembly line opened until 2012
The United States’ Congress firmly intends to save the C-17 Globemaster III military cargo assembly line, and some 161 Parliament’s members signed and sent a letter to President Bush asking him for car... more
Latest newsACS: platform selection maybe to occur on January 12
Washington, USA - US Army expected to decide and Embraer is anxiously waiting
US Army is likely to decide on the future of the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) programme on next January 12, a programme related to a fix-winged aircraft for surveillance, command, control and intelligence... more
Latest newsMeteor: it's Eurofighter's turn
London, UK - The air-to-air missile flew on the Typhoon after the Gripen for the first time
After the SAAB/BAe JAS-39 Gripen, it is the Eurofighter’s turn to carry on the MBDA Meteor air-to-air medium range active radar homing missile in flight (see for details AVIONEWS). The four-nations multirole m... more
Latest newsThailand selected the Su-30
Bangkok, Thailand - The traditional relations with the USA about the combat aircraft orders have been abandoned for the first time
Russian defence industry goes on growing in the Asian continent, most of all concerning combat airplanes and Sukhoi, in this field, is certainly a leading factor for Rosoboronexport. After selling fighters... more
Latest newsItalian Air Force's F-16 intercepted an "Absent-minded" Russian aircraft
Cervia, Italy - Apparently devoid of authorization to fly over Italian air space, but its pilot had forgotten to notify the due data to ground operators yesterday
Italian Air Force resorted to a scramble from Cervia (Ravenna) Base yesterday. A F-16 light fighter from the 5th Wing took off to intercept a Russian airplane apparently devoid of the due authorization... more
Latest newsPakistan: two F-16s from the USA, a special thanks for fighting terror
Islamabad, Pakistan - An updated version compared to the Fighting Falcons already in service with Pakistani Air Force
As a consequence of the great contribution ensured to the United States in the war on international terror, Washington decided to award Pakistan by transferring two updated F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole... more
Latest newsJapan: two SAAB 340s for SAR missions
Tokyo, Japan - Deliveries by the end of 2006
Japanese Coast Guard will deploy two SAAB 340 airplanes for Search and Rescue operations. The order addressed to Swedish SAAB schedules to modify two civil version-based airframes, which will be endowed... more
Latest newsTaiwan: anti-ship missiles against the Chinese harbours in case of invasion
Taipei, Taiwan - It could be the new Formosa's defence strategy in case of attack by the Chinese People Republic
Equipping more military aircraft with anti-ship missiles to hit the Chinese People Republic’s harbours. It would deal with the new Taiwan’s defence strategy against the risk of an invasion by the Beijing’s armed... more
Latest newsUSAF: a "Bonus" to the F-15 to postpone retirement
Washington, USA - The fighters to be upgraded when considering the reduction of the Raptors' number ordered by the armed force
The recent combat readiness of the first unit provided with the F-22A Raptor fighters (see for details AVIONEWS) certainly generated excitement among US Air Force, but the armed force’s representatives p... more
Latest newsF-22A: Air Dominance era begins
Washington, USA - A 16 stealth fighters-based Squadron is combat ready, and they are actually re-deployable anywhere worldwide
The F-22A Raptor has become combat ready with US Air Force since yesterday. A Squadron consisting of 16 stealth fighter interceptors can be deployed for any exigency with reference to US air space air... more
Latest newsIndia: "Heavier" orders for the new fighter?
New Dheli, India - Specifications for the 126 multirole aircraft could be updated from a light to a medium class
Some newness regarding the Indian programme for the purchase of 126 multirole light fighters. It seems that specifications can be extended to a medium-light class and in this sense Dassault, the Eurofighter... more
Latest newsEurofighter: entering service today to monitor the Italian skies
Rome, Italy - The new fighter will be used by the Grosseto-based 4th Wing
Italy will be the first Eurofighter consortium member to operationally use the new European fighter-bomber starting on tomorrow. Italian Air Force’s Grosseto-based 4th Wing, which operates the EF-2000 T... more
Latest newsIraq: election protected by the US fighters
Baghdad, Iraq - Reconnaissance and attack missions have been already performed against rebels yesterday
The US armed forces significantly increased surveillance and close support activities against rebels in Iraq while waiting for today’s election, and some 54 missions were accomplished all over the Iraqi t... more
Latest newsABL programme: fire simulation with the anti-missile laser it's ok
Washington, USA - Next step regards an in-flight trial aboard the YAL-1A
Partners from the ABL programme (Airborne Laser) and US Air Force completed a series of tests with the airborne laser cannon designed to hit and destroy ballistic missiles. The laser proved capable of... more
Latest newsF-22A Raptor: just name changed, not so the essence
Washington, USA - The fighter's name has been modified from the previous F/A-22
After winning some difficulties in approving the programme and making the first aircraft enter service, the Raptor’s official name has been involved by a change that, according to experts, will not affect t... more
Latest newsItalian F-16's pilots training in Turkey
Ankara, Turkey - A bilateral agreement of one year extendable to two both for flight activities and technicians-dedicated maintenance courses
Italian Air Force F-16’s pilots will be trained in Turkey. An agreement between Italian Defence Ministry and Turkish Chief of General Staff Office schedules a committment lasting for one year extendable t... more
Latest newsGreece: the F-16C/D Block 52 has been selected
Athens, Greece - Some 30 fighters in addition to 10 options for a total value worth around USD 1.99bn and deliveries scheduled in 2009
Greece has finally decided to purchase new F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole light fighters. Greek Air Force will take delivery of 30 new F-16C/D Block 52s in 2009 and the Greek-US agreement is worth about... more
Latest newsGripen, the first fighter to carry a Meteor during flight
Stockholm, Sweden - The first test for the new MBDA's medium range air-to-air missile has been successfully accomplished
The SAAB/BAe JAS-39 Gripen 4th generation multirole light fighter is the first aircraft to test in flight a MBDA Meteor medium range active radar homing air-to-air missile. It does not deals with a test... more
Latest newsIs USAF unbeatable? Yes...or almost so
Washington, USA - Experts would think so by indicating a list of US Air Force's strong points
Some analysts intended to verify which strategy can be used by potential rivals of the United states (such as Iran and China) to face US Air Force. Experts would be convinced about the fact that a good... more
Latest newsEgypt promoter of Chinese aerospace industry in the Arab world and Africa
Cairo, Egypt - Around 80 K-8 Chinese-Pakistani trainers have been manufactured by Egyptian industry since 2000
In case one proves doubtful about Chinese aerospace industry’ capability in penetrating defence markets, it would be better if changes one’s mind when considering the relations between China and Egypt abo... more
Latest newsIraq has its first Hercules' crew
Baghdad, Iraq - Iraqi armed and security forces are presently operating with a total number of more than 320,000 soldiers
Reorganization of the Iraqi armed forces achieved an important goal: the first Iraqi Air Force’s crew devoted to fly the C-130 Hercules is ready. While waiting for the next Parliament election (on December 1... more
Latest newsIris-T: the future of Luftwaffe's dogfight
Berlin, Germany - The first air-to-air IR-guided short range next generation missile has been delivered
Luftwaffe has taken delivery of its first Iris-T IR-guided missile. It deals with one of the most important European programmes regarding armaments for military aircraft devoted to dogfight and it involves... more
Latest newsChange of head at USAF base of Ramstein
Berlin, Germany - The new commander of US Air Forces in Europe took office
General William T. Hobbins assumed command of United States Air Forces in Europe from General Robert H. Foglesong. Hobbins took office by the American air base of Ramstein (Germany), which the US logistic... more
Latest newsUSAF's aerial refuelling aircraft: Boeing talking about a "KC-777" again
Washington, USA - In case USAF decides to change requirements, the 767 Tanker could be replaced by a special version of its "Big brother"
Something about it had been already spread in the past but now this nes appeared again in a more self-evident manner. Boeing could design an aerial refuelling military version of the 777 (see for details... more
Latest newsNetherlands Air Force acquired two used C-130s
Amsterdam, Holland - It signed the agreement with Derco Aerospace at the end of November
The Netherlands Air Force is about to receive from Derco Aerospace two Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 used by the US Navy under an agreement that will double its fleet of transport planes. Contract with... more
Latest newsIndia: Mig group's strategies
New Dheli, India - Technical assistance warranties, updates and upgrades for the Mig-29 and the Mig-27 have been offered in an important period for the armed forces' modernization
India purchased 16 Mig-29K Fulcrum shipped fighters for its Navy and such combat aircraft are manufactured in facilities located in the Indian territory. Mig Group intends to consolidate its presence in... more
Latest newsIndia: a bid for the new maritime patrolling aircraft coming soon
New Dheli, India - Indian Navy needs at least two airplanes with options for additional two vehicles
Indian Government needs at least two maritime patrolling aircraft with options for additional two vehicles. Requirements are clear and Indian Navy schedules, among them, air-to-surface attack capabilities,... more
Latest newsWill the Eurofighter "throw the JSF overboard"?
London, UK - A "Plan B" could be ready in case MoD does not succeed in achieving a technology transfer for the naval version
The United Kingdom and the United States are still debating about the British request for getting the technology transfer with reference to the Joint Strike Fighter programme. The USA have not provided... more
Latest newsSerbian military cargo violated Italian air space, scramble for an Air Force's F-16
Trapani, Italy - It happened yesterday in Sicily and the Serbian aircraft was escorted to Northern Bari province
A Serbian military airlifter was intercepted by an Italian Air Force’s F-16 fighter yesterday early in the afternoon. The Serbian airplane, an Antonov An-26, was flying from Lybia to the Balkans when i... more
Latest newsJSF: the right answer to the future Australia's defence strategy
Sydney, Australia - The only combat airplane able to fully meet all the requirements put forward by Government
If some clouds seems to appear in the F-35’s sky in Europe (see for details AVIONEWS), one cannot say the same in Australia. Analysts put into evidence that Australian Government was well aware about w... more
Latest newsIndia found out the Mirage 4000's hidden talent
New Dheli, India - Indian military representatives would be particularly willing to acquire the Dassault's fighter deposed by the Rafale as the Mirage 2000's successor
The news has a sensational feeling though with some plausible reason. Indian Government intends to provide with a new air superiority interceptor. Indian military authorities would be particularly interested... more
Latest newsFinland: Hornet, almost a public holiday
Helsinki, Finland - Finnish authorities celebrated ten years activities with the US multirole fighter
Finnish political and military authorities celebrated ten years operational activities with the F/A-18 Hornets for Finnish Air Force. It is almost a public holiday as the purchase of the US fighter in... more
Latest newsIsrael hopes to find an aviator disappeared in Cyprus 19 years ago
Nicosia, Cyprus - Banners offering reward appeared on the island
The Israeli navigator Ron Arad disappeared 19 years ago while he was overflying Southern Lebanon. His plane, according to following narrations, had been downed by the artillery fire of Lebanese militiamen... more
Latest newsMalaysia selected the A-400M
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - A contract about to be signed to purchase four military cargo aircraft
The EADS-Airbus A-400M got its third non-European customer after South Africa and Chile: it deals with Malaysia which is about to sign a contract (maybe next week) to purchase four new tactical airlifters,... more
Latest newsSAAB and BAe launch an "All-Danish" Gripen
Copenhagen, Denmark - A competitive offer has been suggested to replace the F-16s with the JAS-39s
Danish Air Force requested SAAB and BAe to provide technical information about the JAS-39 Gripen multirole light fighter and the two companies, by the Gripen International’s promotional activities, created t... more
Latest newsSpain to supply Colombia with military air forces
Madrid, Spain - It talks about 21 airplanes and 4 helicopters in all
The following day of the historic agreement with Venezuela which has irritated so much the United States (see for details AVIONEWS), Spain’s Defence Minister Jose Bono, announced to have achieved a deal w... more
Latest news"Hercules feeds the griffon": aerial refuelling test between a C-130 and a JAS-39 proved successful
Stockholm, Sweden - A Hercules will be available for Swedish Air Force to perform such operations starting in 2006
The SAAB/BAE JAS-39 Gripens of Swedish Air Force will be able to be refuelled in flight by a dedicated version of the C-130 Hercules. Recent tests on the Baltic Sea would have shown the full compatibility... more
Latest newsNorway: is the Eurofighter ready to "dethrone" the JSF?
Oslo, Norway - Government would be carefully evaluating the four-nation fighter though it still industrially cooperates for the F-35
After the possible hard hit against the Joint Strike Fighter programme in Great Britain (see for details AVIONEWS), another one could follow in Norway in case the United States and Lockheed Martin do not... more