NEWS 2022 March, 23

USA Sending Ex-Soviet Air Defense Missiles Systems to Ukraine

The Pentagon over the years has acquired Soviet equipment as part of a clandestine program, and now such weapons are going to Ukraine

The U.S. is sending some of the Soviet-made air defense equipment it secretly acquired decades ago to bolster the Ukrainian military as it seeks to fend off Russian air and missile attacks, U.S. officials said.

The systems, which said include the SA-8, are decades old and were obtained by the U.S. so it could examine the technology used by the Russian military and which Moscow has exported around the world.

wsj

Japan spots Russian amphibious ships traveling between its islands

Japan says Russian amphibious ships transiting through a narrow strait between its islands could be moving fresh forces from Russia’s far east to Ukraine.

Four landing ship tanks, including one with its deck full of military trucks, were seen sailing in the Pacific Ocean westbound in the middle of last week, according to a news release from the Joint Staff’s Public Affairs office within Japan’s Defense Ministry.

The ships were the Alligator IV-class Nikolay Vilkov; the Ropucha I-class Oslyabya and Admiral Nevelskov; and the Ropucha II-class Peresvet. All four belong to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet and make up the entirety of its major amphibious units.

Photos released by the ministry showed the top deck of the Nikolay Vilkov packed with at least 17 military trucks..

The ships were then detected by Japan on the morning of March 16, 220 kilometers northeast of Cape Shiryazaki.

The vessels were watched from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyer JS Shiranui and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft.

The route taken by the Russian ships appears to suggest they were heading from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Kamchakta Peninsula to Vladivostok, where they will most likely be loaded onto westbound trains if they are indeed bound for Ukraine.

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NEWS 2022 March, 22

USAF deploys F-16s from Aviano AB to Croatia

Two F-16s deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Croatia on March 16, taking part in  combat employment exercises and bolstering NATO’s southeastern flank, the Air Force announced.

The F-16 fighters’ arrival comes just a few days after a military drone crashed in the Croatian capital of Zagreb amid nearby war between Russia and Ukraine. Croatian officials say the drone had a bomb, but they have not determined whether it was Russian or Ukrainian. The incident has led Croatian leaders to criticize NATO for a perceived slow response.

On March 15, Newsweek reported that Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in a press conference that the U.S. would send the F-16s to “give support of Croatia’s security.”

A subsequent press release from U.S. Air Forces in Europe stated that the fighters would deploy to Croatia’s 91st Air Base at Pleso, just outside the capital.

This marks just the latest deployment of USAF fighters to Eastern Europe. In the lead-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, F-16s deployed to Romania, F-15s went to Poland, and F-35s landed in Germany. As the invasion first unfolded, F-35s from Germany were deployed to NATO’s eastern flank, including Romania. A B-52 also deployed to the region around the same time, as part of what USAFE called a “long-planned Bomber Task Force Europe mission over the Arctic and Baltic Sea regions.”

airforcemag 

NATO deploys Patriot missiles to Slovakia

The Patriot air defence system has started arriving in Slovakia from NATO countries.

The system will be operated by German and Dutch troops and will initially be deployed at the Sliac airport to help reinforce the defence of NATO's eastern flank.

The Patriot system will be part of a new NATO battlegroup in Slovakia, which neighbours Ukraine.

Russia has warned against any shipments of advanced air defences to Ukraine and has warned it may target Western arms supplies.

reuters

Production of first New Zealand P-8 has started

Boeing has “laid the keel” of the first P-8A destined for the New Zealand Defence Force, . New Zealand holds orders for four of the jets.

Aircraft keels run the length of fuselage bellies, though P-8 keels have “unique aspects of the P-8 configuration, such as the integration of an internal weapons bay”, Boeing says.

The New Zealand Defence Force will use the Boeing-built maritime patrol aircraft, powered by CFM International CFM56 turbofans, to replace six ageing Lockheed P-3K2 Orion turboprops.

Current operators include the armed forces of Australia, India, Norway, the United Kingdom and the USA. Customers yet to begin flying the jets include Germany, New Zealand and South Korea.

flightglobal

MiG-31 Still Strong launching Kinzhal Hypersonyc Missiles in Ukraine war

Russia announced the use of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) air-launched high-speed ballistic missile for the first time against a target in Ukraine on 19 March.

A video released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Russian Federation purportedly showed the missile being used against a Ukrainian ammunition depot in the west of the country.

janes

NEWS 2022 March, 20

Slovakia agrees to Provide S-300s and MiG-29s to Ukraine

Slovakia has agreed to provide its S-300 air defense systems and MiG-29s to Ukraine “immediately” if it can get “proper” replacements in a timely manner, according to Slovak defense minister in a joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary.

“We are willing” to provide what he called the “legacy” systems to Ukraine, Slovak defense minister said. “We’re willing to do so immediately when we have a proper replacement.

Slovakia is set to receive 14 new F-16 Block 70 fighters, but the delivery of those jets has been delayed a year, from 2023 to 2024.

Javorcik said the MiG-29s will be phased out in October 2023, regardless of whether the new jets are available.

airforcemag

United States to supply Ukraine with anti-armour vehicles 'Kamikaze drones'

A new US government aid package to Ukraine may include AeroVironment Switchbladedrones

designed to take out light-armoured vehicles.

The White House on 16 March disclosed it will provide Ukraine with an additional $800 million in the form of “direct transfers of equipment”, building atop a previous $200 million.

The latest package calls for Washington to supply the embattled government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an assortment of military equipment, including “100 tactical unmanned aerial systems”.

flightglobal

Egypt likely to receive F-15s

A top US general today told lawmakers that he believes the US will provide F-15 fighter aircraft to Egypt.

“In the case of Egypt, I think we have good news in that we’re going to provide them with F-15s,” Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. It “was a long, hard slog” to get such a deal set up, he added.

The United States, in recent history, has hesitated to provide arms to Egypt largely due to the 2013 military coup aimed at removing the country’s then-president Mohamed Morsi. The State Department halted several pending sales of helicopters, fighter jets, tank components and anti-ship missiles immediately following the Egyptian military’s actions to voice displeasure over human rights crackdowns that followed the coup.

The successful sale of F-15s to Egypt could also have second-order effects on the 2018 deal Egypt made with Russia for $2 billion in Su-35 fighter jets.

breakingdefense

NEWS 2022 March, 16

USAF F-35 have encountered with PLAAF's J-20 over East China Sea 

A top USAF general said that F-35s have had at least one encounter with Chengdu J-20s, and that the Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft has a key role in long-range air-to-air kill chains. He did not, however, told when the F-35/J-20 encounter took place.

“It’s a bit early to say what they intend to do with the J-20, so really all we’ve seen it do is air superiority,” he said.

flightglobal

USAF B-21 'Raider' begins ground test phase

The first B-21 'Raider' has entered the ground test phase, paving the way for its expected rollout this year and subsequent first flight.

Northrop Grumman has six of the stealthy aircraft in various stages of production

The next step will involve getting the B-21 ready for flight. This includes carrying out engine runs as well as low-speed and then high-speed taxiing.

After that, the actual first flight from Plant 42 to Edwards Air Force Base in California will take place. Formal flight testing will be held at Edwards.

defensenews

NEWS 2022 March, 15

Spanish Navy acquires 8 MH-60R, 32 Hellfire Missiles

The State Department has made a determination approving a possibl Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters with Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $950 million. The deal includes; twenty (20) T-700-GE-401C engines (16 installed, 4 spares); thirty-two (32) AGM-114R(N) Hellfire missiles, all up rounds; two (2) Hellfire II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); one hundred (100) WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II Guidance Sections, all up rounds; and more equipment.

dsca

Turkey’s Future Unmanned Fighter “MIUS” On Final Assembly Line

Baykar revealed the latest photos of MIUS (Muharip Insansiz Ucak Sistemi – Unmanned Combat Aircraft System), Turkey's future unmanned jet aircraft, on the final assembly line.

MIUS could fly combat missions from the Turkish Navy's TCG Anadolu LHD / drone carrier.

Baykar unveiled the MIUS project on June 2021. The announcement came along with several surprising renderings showing the future Turkish TCG Anadolu helicopter landing dock. This was an unexpected development, as Baykar is reportedly working on the TB3 Bayraktar UCAV to be deployed aboard TCG Anadolu, and MIUS will be a second option for aircraft operations.

navalnews 

AUSTRALIA RECEIVED FIRST F-35 DELIVERIES OF 2022, FLEET RISES TO 48

The Royal Australian Air Force has confirmed its receipt of four additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft, taking the total size of the fleet to 48.

The jets, which touched down in RAAF Base Williamtown late last month, travelled from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam following Exercise Cope North 22.

The jets were accepted by No. 77 Squadron of No. 81 Wing

The arrival of the four additional F-35 jets came amid concern over the fleet’s operational capacity.

Budget estimates documents filed by the Department of Defence revealed the expected flying hours of the aircraft have been revised down over the next four years.

Flying hours have been cut by 25 per cent in the 2021-22 financial year (FY22) and are set to be reduced by 17 per cent in FY23, 14 per cent in FY24, and 13 per cent in FY25.

australianaviation

Russian drone ‘entered Poland's airspace’

A Russian drone flew over Poland before entering Ukrainian air space where it was shot down, Ukraine’s military claimed last night.

In a statement the Ukrainian air force command said that the drone flew into Nato airspace, accusing Moscow of a “provocation”.

The drone first circled over the site in Yavoriv, western Ukraine, which was hit by a salvo of cruise missiles on Sunday, in an apparent attempt to assess the result, it said.

It then delved into Poland before returning to Ukrainian air space, where it was shoot down by Ukrainian defenses

thetimes

NEWS 2022 March, 14

Germany to buy up to 35 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets to replace its Tornados

Germany will purchase F-35 fighter jetsto replace its ageing Tornado aircraft, according to two government sources, with one of the sources saying Berlin aims to buy up to 35 units.

The Tornado is the only German jet capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, stored in Germany, Berlin is planning to phase it out between 2025 and 2030.

The decision could also upset, concerned a deal could undermine the development of a joint Franco-German fighter jet that is supposed to be ready in the 2040s, the FCAS programme.

reuters

First RQ-4B for JASDF arrives in Japan

The delivery comes nearly a year after Northrop Grumman flew Japan’s first RQ-4B in April 2021.

Japan is buying three examples of the RQ-4 Block 30(I) UAV. A Foreign Military Sales programme deal for the ISR aircraft was approved by the US Department of State in 2015.

Other customers for the RQ-4 are NATO and South Korea.

The US Air Force (USAF), NATO and South Korea are also customers for the RQ-4. The US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force are customers for the MQ-4 Triton, which is designed for the maritime patrol mission.

flightglobal

NEWS 2022 March, 12

 Pakistan inducts J-10 'The Dragon from the East' into service

Pakistan on Friday formally inducted the multirole J-10C fighter jets, acquired from China, into its air force to improve the country's combat capabilities

Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a ceremony held at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Minhas Kamra in Attock district of Punjab to induct the new jets.

At the induction ceremony, the Pakistan Air Force described the J-10C as the ‘Dragon from the East’. The Pakistan Air Force signed an agreement with China to buy the J-10C in June last year. It claimed the aircraft was “omni-role” and had “matchless manoeuvrability” and advanced electronics and weapons.

While claims of Pakistan buying the J-10 or a variant of the fighter have circulated for over a decade, an acquisition was only confirmed late last year. In late December, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had announced the PAF would be inducting 25 J-10C fighters as a response to India's induction of the Rafale jets.

theweek

Aircraft additions to US Navy and Marines with new federal bill spending package

The new spending bill includes $900 million for a dozen Super Hornets. It also nixes $10 million the Navy had requested to shut down the production line.

The bill includes $570 million for two CH-53K King Stallion and four MV-22 Ospreys for the Marines.

The bill also has $40 million for two additional MQ-9A Reaper to provide the Marines with greater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability while spread across greater distances.

The Navy would get $323 million for two additional MQ-4 Triton UAVs, $117.8 million for four F-35B Joint Strike Fighter engines, as well as $50 million to accelerate setup of a maintenance depot for F-35Bs.

defensenews

NEWS 2022 March, 11

US Army Sends Two Army Patriot missile batteries to Poland Amid Ukraine War

The Pentagon is sending two Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries to Poland to counter potential threats to U.S. and NATO forces in the alliance’s territory.

Roughly 4,700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were dispatched to Poland last month to bolster NATO’s deterrence posture as Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Poland’s border has been a conduit through which man-portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons have traveled to Ukrainians fending off the Russian military.

The Patriot systems will come from the Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Germany. Russia has fired more than 600 missiles into Ukraine, and the Patriot system could also guard against a stray shot if the war creeps closer to Polish borders.

armytimes 

Philippines receives 2 T129 helos from Turkey

The first T129B attack helicopters arrived in the Philippines , six months later than originally expected.

Two Airbus A400M airlifters of the Turkish Air Force touched down at Clark Air Base outside the Philippine capital Manila , carrying two T129Bs along with logistics support equipment.

The Philippines has six helicopters on order under a $269 million government-to-government contract with Turkey that was signed in July 2020. 

The helicopters are manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries and is based on the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta design. The new helos will be assigned to the Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing. 

The T129Bs will complement a pair of used Bell AH-1S HueyCobra attack helicopters acquired from Jordan, along with armed light observation and transport helicopters in the Philippine Air Force’s inventory.

The Philippines has also been recapitalizing its transport helicopter fleet with S-70i Black Hawks built under license by Poland’s PZL Mielec to  complement the Air Force’s fleet of Bell UH-1 Huey utility/transport helicopters.

defensenews

US National Guard gets funds to  get 20 more C-130J transport aircraft

Sixteen of the added C-130Js would go to the Air National Guard to modernize two operational wings. The remaining four would go to the Reserve.

The Air National Guard is now in the midst of a multiyear effort to upgrade its mobility fleet and replace its three-decade-old C-130H Hercules planes with modern C-130Js.

In November 2020, the Air Force announced it had selected Air National Guard bases in Kentucky, West Virginia, Texas and Georgia to receive 24 C-130Js to replace their aging “H” models. 

The budget deal also would considerably increase spending on C-130 modifications including upgrading older C-130s with eight-blade propellers and engine enhancements to make C-130Hs more efficient as well as to provide more thrust during takeoff and while climbing.

defensenews

Turkey revives insterest in developing developing domestic new generation combat aircraft

War between Russia and Ukraine, two Turkey’s partners, has given an unexpected jolt to the country’s quest for new fighter jets and its domestic program to make new-generation aircraft.

The war has practically killed all potential Turkish-Russian deals in strategic weapons systems.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Turkey has maintained a delicate balance with Russia and Ukraine.

Turkey faced suspension from the U.S.-led multinational program that builds the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, as it insisted on becoming the first NATO ally to deploy on its soil the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. Meanwhile, Turkey supplies armed drones to Ukraine.

The U.S. suspension of Turkey’s partnership in the F-35 program has left the country with limited options, given its fleet of F-16s will be phased out in the early 2030s. A Turkish request to acquire a new fleet of F-16 Block 70 aircraft will likely face opposition from U.S. lawmakers. In the past, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan indicated his government’s interest in Russian aircraft in place of the F-35.

One stopgap option for Turkey is to buy scores of the Eurofighter Typhoon and, in return, bargain for European know-how for its own fighter program, the TF-X.

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