Royal Saudi Air Force pilots flew a series of 10 evaluation flights in Textron AirLand’s production-representative third prototype while the aircraft was en route to participate in the Dubai Air Show. It is believed the UAE Air Force and Air Defence then also briefly evaluated the aircraft. Jon Lake reports.
Calidus, an Emirati industrial machinery and equipment company located in Abu Dhabi, unveiled its new B-250 light attack aircraft on the first day of the Dubai Air Show, after a campaign of teasing advertisements. Jon Lake reports.
A deal for between four and six P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was reportedly signed during a visit to Saudi Arabia by US President, Donald Trump, and his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. Jon Lake reports.
Today’s asymmetric and counter-insurgency operations have placed a premium on persistent, cost-effective, armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and close air support aircraft that are able to detect and engage fleeting targets, and that can operate from semi-prepared forward airstrips. As Jon Lake reports, among the many aircraft types developed to meet these requirements are at least three derivatives of humble agricultural crop-sprayers.
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has inducted the first of its newly acquired Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role fighters and BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers, ushering in a new era for one of the UK’s oldest and closest regional allies. Jon Lake reports.
In addition to its openly acknowledged procurement of three Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft, based on Bombardier’s Global 6000 platform, the UAE is also set to receive two further Global 6000s converted for electronic intelligence (ELINT) or signals intelligence (SIGINT) duties under a more secretive programme. Jon Lake reports.
The Iraq Air Force is aiming to decrease its overseas training requirements. It aims to improve its ability to train its pilots and maintenance technicians while significantly reducing costs and also enhancing its ability to take over the sustainment of its aircraft and reducing its reliance on foreign partners.
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has completed the latest in a reciprocal series of joint exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF). Jon Lake reports.
Iran paraded many new defence products and capabilities during a major show in April but what was actual achievement and what was merely propaganda? Babak Taghvaee sorts out the fact from the fiction.
When operations by the so-called Islamic State (also known as Daesh) began to ramp up in 2014, the Iraqi Air Force was sorely lacking in close air support and ground attack capabilities.
Denel Dynamics' annual report has revealed that 600 Al Tariq guided weapons have now been delivered to the United Arab Emirates, under a programme that was earlier delayed by technical challenges.
The Syrian Arab Armed Forces are receiving 10 examples of the Sukhoi Su-24M2 'Fencer-D' attack aircraft from Russia, augmenting an unknown number of existing 'Fencers'. Jon Lake reports.
ALAN WARNES in TURIN. – Among the many guests at the unveiling of the 500th Eurofighter at Leonardo's Turin-Caselle facility, on Tuesday was a small Kuwait delegation. It was headed up by the Kuwait Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Sheikh Ali Khalid Al Sabah, who was presented with the first component to be built for the first Kuwait Air Force Eurofighter.
In recent years, the UAE has embraced a more active military role on the world stage, deploying forces in the Balkans and Afghanistan, as well as in Libya during the 2011 civil war. As Jon Lake reports, the nation has also played a major role in operations against Daesh and in the Saudi-led Pan Arab coalition fighting Islamist and Iranian backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
After a failed coup attempt and a series of subsequent purges, Turkey's air force has undergone a major reorganisation, with several units disbanded and large numbers of personnel arrested. As a result, the force now faces serious pilot shortages. Jon Lake looks at the coup attempt and its aftermath.
Saab has expanded its range of airborne early warning and maritime patrol aircraft and now offers its Erieye and Swordfish mission systems integrated on Bombardier's Global 6000 business jet. As Jon Lake reports, these operational solutions look set to enjoy significant market success.
On July 29, the US Department of Defense announced that the Sierra Nevada Corporation had been awarded what was referred to as an “undefinitized contract action” for the modification of a PZL Mielec M28 aircraft for the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
