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JuLY 2023 news
Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry |
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The Slovenian Ministry of Defense announced on July 13, 2023, its new acquisition plans for the years 2023 to 2026, aimed at enhancing the country's military capabilities. Among the planned acquisitions are six multipurpose helicopters, potentially including the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar model, and a C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft manufactured by Italy's Leonardo.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on July 19 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.90 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
According to an article published by Al Arabiya on July 10, 2023, the Turkish defense company Baykar has begun the construction of a factory in Ukraine to produce Bayraktar drones, as announced by Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin. This move comes as a result of a previously negotiated agreement between Türkiye and Ukraine.
According to a tweet published by Haluk Bayraktar on July 18, 2023, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have signed an export and cooperation agreement for the Bayraktar AKINCI Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), as announced by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense.
On July 18, as reported by Hungary Today, the Hungarian Defense Forces received their first two Airbus H225M helicopters at the Szolnok air base. The helicopters, configured as medium transport (Troop Transport Helicopter) aircraft and registered as 70 and 71, were warmly welcomed by the MH Kiss József 86th Helicopter Brigade.
The OPTIMISE project has proposed a combination of technologies to provide alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems for military navigation when Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are disrupted.
The U.S. Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopter is and will remain the Army’s Attack helicopter for the foreseeable future. Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, the helicopter was redesignated as AH-64E Guardian. The Apache Project Office, or Apache PO, has steadily upgraded the helicopter since it was first fielded in the 1980s. The upgrades have produced the world’s premier attack helicopter which is used by the U.S. Army and more than 16 allies around the globe. Belinda Bazinet, U.S. Army, reports.
For three decades, the B-2 Spirit, built by Northrop Grumman, has been the backbone of stealth technology for the U.S. Air Force and has been commemorated in the Pioneers of Stealth Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Air Force Memorial Park, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The Memorial, dedicated on July 17, the 34th anniversary of the B-2’s first flight, celebrates Northrop Grumman’s groundbreaking role in the development of stealth technology in the late 20th century.
The Australian government announced on July 10th, 2023, that the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, developed from a Boeing B-737 and equipped with a multi-role active electronically scanned array radar provided by Northrop Grumman, will be deployed to Ramstein, Germany, starting from October. This initiative aims to ensure the protection of international aid convoys bound for Ukraine by conducting surveillance flights over Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and potentially Hungary. It is important to note that the aircraft will operate outside Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian airspace.
According to Hurriyet Daily News, in a video posted by the Chadian Defense Ministry, the Armée de l'Air Tchadienne (Chad Air Force) showcased the new equipment to President Mahamat Déby.
On July 7, 2023, the Czech Republic announced its intention to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities by providing Mi-24/35 attack helicopters, artillery ammunition, and F-16 simulators. The announcement was made during a meeting in Prague between Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to an article published by the Kyiv Independent on July 9, 2023, citing the Wall Street Journal, anonymous sources have disclosed a recent transfer of approximately 10 Mi-24 attack helicopters from Poland to Ukraine. The transfer was intended to remain undisclosed, but photographic and video evidence emerged online, confirming that the helicopters are currently being transported to Ukraine by road. Several helicopters were observed on tractor-trailers traveling on Poland's highways.
According to Taiwan's defense ministry, China deployed navy ships and a significant number of warplanes, including J-10, J-16 fighter jets and H-6 bombers, toward Taiwan on Tuesday, July 11th, and Wednesday, July 12th., 2023. This military movement occurred just ahead of Taiwan's annual military exercises, which aim to enhance its defensive capabilities against potential invasion threats.
At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023, an agreement was reached among 11 NATO member nations to back the establishment of a training school for F-16 pilots. This initiative aims to train pilots from NATO and allied countries, including Ukraine.
The US Department of State announced on July 7, 2023, that it has given its approval for a potential foreign military sale to the Swedish government involving Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment, with an estimated value of $605 million.Â
The Government of Norway received approval from the State Department on June 28, 2023, for a potential Foreign Military Sale. The sale includes the acquisition of 600 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) and related equipment, totaling an estimated cost of $293 million.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced that the indigenously developed Tapas-201 MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is now ready for user evaluation trials. This information was reported by the Times of India on June 28, 2023.
As reported by Liu Xuanzun in Global Times, echoing taiwan.cn, a news website affiliated with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China’s most advanced J-20 fighter jet reportedly flew for the first time with a pair of newly developed WS-15 engines for the first time recently.
As part of a U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sale (FMS), Boeing received a contract to produce 18 CH-47F Block I Chinooks for South Korea and one additional aircraft for Spain. As Boeing continues transitioning to building the advanced Block II configuration, the deal valued at up to $793 million represents the final aircraft to be ordered on the current CH-47F Block I FMS contract with the U.S. government.
Korean Air recently delivered its first AH-6 helicopter fuselage commissioned by Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). Korean Air signed a contract with Boeing in December 2021 to manufacture a total of eight fuselages for AH-6 helicopters that will undergo final assembly by BDS.
