5/21/2024

Ukraine Wants a Fleet of 130 F-16 Fighters to Battle Russia

Ukraine's war effort is set to receive a boost with the imminent addition of F-16 Fighting Falcons to its fleet. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for 120 to 130 F-16s to achieve parity with Russia, but only around 85 have been pledged so far by countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.

5/21/2024

KF-21 Boromae fighter fires IRIS-T missile for first time

South Korea’s latest fighter jet, the KF-21 Boromae, which is still under development, has deployed the short-range German IRIS-T missile for the first time this month. IRIS-T (infra-red imaging system – tail/thrust vector controlled) is an air-to-air guided missile manufactured by Diehl Defence as part of a German-led multinational programme.

5/21/2024

Russian Fighter Deal Reflects Indonesia’s Goal of a ‘Sanctions-Proof’ Economy

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares confirmed last week that a $1.14 billion contract signed for the acquisition of 11 Su-35S fighter aircraft from Russia remains in force, in spite of widespread unconfirmed reports and speculation since early 2019 that it had been terminated due to threats of sanctions by the United States Treasury Department.

5/20/2024

A NATO Warbird: Belgium is Now Operating the F-35 Fighter

Belgium's third F-35A, designated AY-03, has completed its first flight, advancing the country's transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for its air force. The aircraft, featuring subdued Belgian national markings, will join Belgium's fleet of F-35s, replacing the aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.

5/18/2024

Pakistan Eyes More J-10C Fighters; Continues To “Lead” Indian Air Force In Combat Jet Acquisition Since 1954

After JF-17 and J-10C fighters, cash-strapped Pakistan turns to China for the Light Combat Aircraft JL-15 and has been eyeing to have the Chinese J-31 stealth fifth-generation aircraft by 2029. Pakistan earlier ordered 36 Chengdu J-10CE ‘Vigorous Dragon’ multi-role fighters (20 delivered, 16 to come). There are reports that they will order 14 more to make it 50.

5/18/2024

Egypt goes shopping for pick and mix...

Egypt is in the market for new fighters, but budgetary constraints mean that they may have to settle for a mixture of new and second-hand aircraft. Before 1979, when then President Anwar Sadat signed a historic peace agreement with Israel, the Egyptian Air Force was primarily equipped with aircraft of Soviet design, some of them supplied by China after the loosening of ties with Russia in 1976.

5/18/2024

Another Dead End for Airborne Lasers: Air Force Scraps Effort to Mount Directed-Energy Weapon on Fighter Jet

After years in development, the U.S. military's latest attempt at an airborne laser weapon to protect troops on the ground from incoming ballistic missiles appears to be headed for the scrapyard.

5/17/2024

F-22s Practice Dogfights over the Korean Peninsula with ROK F-35s

A pair of U.S. F-22s practiced dogfighting with South Korean F-35As on May 16, making a rare appearance over the peninsula’s inland airspace. The training saw the four stealthy fighters engaging in close-range air combat maneuver, taking turns in offensive and defensive posture in simulated confrontation scenarios, the Republic of Korea Air Force said in a release.

5/17/2024

Belbek Airfield Attack Destroyed Fighter Aircraft, Missile Systems and Fuel Dump

Further to a Kyiv Post report posted on Wednesday, the Russian Telegram channel Astra said that on the night of May 14 / 15, Ukrainian missile attacks against a Russian air base and nearby military locations in occupied Crimea destroyed an S-400 “Triumf” air defense system, two MiG-31 fighters, and a fuel and lubricant depot. The ASTRA account said that two Russian soldiers were killed, and 14 others were injured.

5/16/2024

Due to successive delays, Congress is considering reducing the number of F-35s destined for the U.S. Armed Forces for Fiscal Year 2025

The U.S. Congress’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 originally included the purchase of 68 stealth fighter jets F-35, but this acquisition could be reduced to as few as 48 aircraft. Problems with upgrades and failure to meet promised deadlines by Lockheed Martin would significantly reduce the number of aircraft intended to equip the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.