MAY 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


France, Ukraine clinch deal for 55 Airbus helicopters

The Ukrainian government on Tuesday signed an agreement to purchase 55 helicopters from France, said the Ukrainian Interior Ministry in a statement. A preliminary deal was inked in late March, 2018.

Lebanon takes delivery of four additional A-29 Super Tucanos

The Lebanese Air Force (LAF) received on May 28 morning in Hamat Air base the second batch of four Super Tucano light attack aircraft offered as a donation from the US authorities, the Lebanese Army announced on its website.

Afghan Air Force starts using Precision Guided Munitions

Since March 22, 2018, the Afghan Air Force has both introduced and increased the use of precision guided munitions in southern Afghanistan, the NATO's Train Advise Assist Command – East Press Office said on May 21, 2018.

China to receive final ten Su-35 fighter jets in 2018

In 2017 Russia delivered to China ten multirole Su-35 fighter jets and will supply another ten this year, Rostec State Corporation said at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

UEC, Safran sign framework deal for new Be-200 engine

ODK-Saturn of the United Engine Corporation (UEC) and the French Safran Aircraft Engines signed a framework agreement on the design of SaM146 modification to replace the engine of Be-200 amphibious aircraft, the UEC said.

BAE Systems lands F-35 fighter jet EW systems support contract

BAE Systems has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to ensure the readiness of critical electronic warfare (EW) systems on the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. Under the five-year contract, BAE Systems will manage the supply chain and establish the infrastructure necessary to make sure the systems are mission capable and available to warfighters.

Russian Defense Ministry and Russian Helicopters discuss delivery of Mi-26T2V helicopters

Russian Helicopters Group is planning to sign a contract for the delivery of the first batch of upgraded Mil Mi-26T2V rotorcraft with the Russian Defense Ministry in 2019, Group Deputy CEO for Military Helicopters Sales Vladislav Savelyev told TASS.

Boeing wins new contract from Saudi Arabia for CH-47F Chinook helicopters

Boeing has been awarded a $25 million modification  to Foreign Military Sales contract for the delivery of eight CH-47F cargo helicopters for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command, the US Defense Department said on May 25, 2018.

Royal Thai Air Force receives F-5F Super Tigris prototype

Thailand's air force is modifying 14 of its F-5 E/F jet fighters following 40 years of service, said air force chief ACM Jom Rungsawang on Wednesday.

French and British Defense Ministers sign Test Pilot Exchange Agreement

The British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and French Minister of the Armed Forces Mme Florence Parly on May 17 held the first Defence Ministerial Council since the announcement of a permanent and regular forum for the discussion of UK-France defence cooperation in January 2018. During the meeting a bespoke technical arrangement which will oversee the exchange of test pilots between the two nations was signed.

French C-160G Gabriel electronic warfare aircraft against ISIS

A rare, official image of a secretive French C-160G Gabriel intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft supporting the ongoing U.S.-led campaign against ISIS on both sides of the Iraqi-Syrian border has emerged online. Only for a very short time...

Jordan offers two Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters to the Philippines

The Royal Jordanian Air Force has announced that it has decided to offer two Bell AH-1F Cobra combat helicopters to its Philippine counterpart, as well as a batch of TOW anti-tank missiles and ammunition. Already last year Jordan had offered three similar helicopters to the Kenyan air force.

Canadian CH-146F and CH-147F helicopters to operate in Mali

Helicopters and personnel from the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 450 and 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadrons completed an exercise to validate their capabilities in anticipation of an eventual deployment of a Task Force to Mali.

Three additional F-35s for Norwegian Air Force

On May 22, Norway took delivery of three new F-35 jet fighters at Ordland Air Base. The arrival of the fighters brings the total number of F-35s housed in-country for the Royal Norwegian Air Force up to six following initial delivery of the first three aircraft in November 2017. Another seven are stationed in the United States at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona where they are used for training and pilot/crew familiarity education.

Tender to upgrade Brazilian Air Force T-27 Tucanos

The Brazilian Air Force has issued a tender to upgrade the avionics on its Embraer T-27 Tucano (EMB-312) aircraft. The aircraft are used by the Air Force Academy to train pilots. Although Brazil currently operates 60 of the aircraft, the tender only calls for 50 to be upgraded. It is not clear what will happen to the remaining 10 aircraft.

SAAB Gripen of Swedish air force to be upgraded

SAAB has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) concerning the upgrade of the JAS 39 Gripen C/D system. The order is valued at approximately SEK 224 million ($25 million).

First operational strikes for F-35 by Israeli Air Force

The F-35, one of the three candidates for the replacement of the Belgian F-16s (along with the Rafale and the Eurofighter), made its baptism of fire, but not with the US Air Force: "We made the very first operational strike of the F-35," said General Major Amikam Norkin, Chief of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), whom he describes as a "pioneer" in this area.

US clears $45M FMS to Bahrain for Mk 80 series GP bombs

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of 3,200 General Purpose (GP) and Penetrator Warhead bomb bodies for an estimated cost of $45 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on May 18, 2018.

AVIC Z-19E attack helicopter achieves firing flight tests

China's domestic Z-19E armed helicopter has completed firing flight tests, its developer the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Aurora's AACUS unmanned helicopter completes first Operational Cargo Delivery to USMC

Aurora's Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) achieved a major milestone last week when it successfully delivered cargo to US Marines in the Integrated Training Exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California.

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