The fifth KAI KF-21 prototype takes on fuel from a Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) on 19 March 2024. This image is a screenshot from a Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) video of the event. (DAPA)  The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae has successfully completed its first in-flight refuelling (IFR) test.  South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the milestone was set by the fifth KF-21 prototype on 19 March. The aircraft “took off from the runw...

One of two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters that were delivered to Croatia on 3 February 2022. With a further two following from the same batch, Croatia has now signed for eight more helicopters. (Croatian Ministry of Defence)  Croatia has signed for eight additional Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks, bringing its total fleet to 12 helicopters.  Announced by the Croatian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the United States Embassy in Zagreb on 13 March, the deal came about three weeks after the US Department of State granted approval for the procurement on...

A USAF Boeing KC-135R refuels a flight of F-15C Eagles. (US Air Force)  The US Air Force (USAF) is seeking commercial satellite communications (satcom) options for its fleet of KC-135 aerial refuellers, with plans to allow these aircraft global, real-time access to the Pentagon's classified and unclassified networks.  USAF officials issued an initial list of strategic requirements to industry for the KC-135 Commercial Satellite Communication Access to Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) and Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) Networ...

Bombardier has unveiled its Smart Services Defense programme to provide fixed cost-per-flight-hour support for its Challenger and Global families of business jets. Above is a computer-generated image of Bombardier's Global business jet family. (Bombardier)  Bombardier has launched a new maintenance offering for government and military operators of its Challenger- and Global-series business jets. The Smart Services Defense (SSD) programme provides cost-per-flight-hour coverage of airframe system components, landing gear overhaul, and options t...

Seen on the flightline at RAF Valley in Wales, the Hawk T2 is due to be retired from UK service in 2024. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is weighing how to deliver pilot training after its planned retirement of the BAE Systems Hawk T2 (Mk 128) aircraft in 2040, with options to be presented later in 2024.  Answering questions in the House of Commons on 15 March, Minister of State at the MoD James Cartlidge said the Royal Air Force (RAF) had started its post-Hawk analysis, with several options for the continuation of p...

The UK has 28 Hawk T2 trainer aircraft, of which between six and 11 were recorded as being serviceable throughout February 2024. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported extremely low serviceability rates for the BAE Systems Hawk T2 trainer aircraft that it uses to train its fast jet pilots.  Answering questions in the House of Commons on 13 March, Minister of State for the Armed Forces at the MoD James Heappey disclosed that for February the serviceability rate for the advanced jet trainer aircraft had varied fr...

A file photo of AASM Hammer guided bombs (in their imaging infrared seeker configuration) of the type Russia now claims to have intercepted over Ukraine. (Safran)  Russia has claimed to have intercepted a Safran Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) Hammer launched at its forces in Ukraine.  Russian state-controlled media reported the claim on 6 March, quoting the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation as saying that ground-based air defences had shot down a single guided bomb “in the zone of a special military operation”.    The repo...

Italy is acquiring the latest AIM-9X Block II+ air-to-air missile to equip its fleet of F-35 (pictured) combat aircraft. (Italian Air Force)  The United States has approved the sale of 66 Raytheon AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to Italy, announcing a potential USD90.6 million sale on 15 March.  The US Department of State approval covers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of an additional 28 Block II+ missiles to add to the 38 previously approved, as well as training missiles, related equipment, training, and support...

The Djiboutian Air Force is to operate a pair of Grand Carvan EX aircraft (pictured), which the US is selling as part of a wider effort to increase security around the Horn of Africa. (Textron)  Djibouti is to receive two Textron C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft as the United States looks to enhance security across the Horn of Africa.  US Army Contracting Command awarded the contract on 13 March, with the manufacturer disclosing that the aircraft will be owned and operated by the Djiboutian Air Force (Force Aerienne du Djibouti: FAD).  “The t...

The acquisition of Bayraktar TB2 MALE tactical UAVs will allow the Maldives to patrol its exclusive economic zone for a range of up to 300 km. (BAYKAR/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)  The Maldives has inducted Baykar Bayraktar TB2 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while forming a new Air Corps to conduct air operations with the type.    Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu formally inducted three UAVs on 15 March and said the acquisition is part of an effort to enhance the military capab...

The maritime reconnaissance version of the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 aircraft. (Janes/Patrick Allen)  The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to upgrade the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 fleet.  The contract, announced on 15 March, has a value of INR28.9 billion (USD348.6 million) and will cover the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 25 Do 228s in the Indian Navy, including the installation of associated equipment. According to the MoD, the MLU will include the replacement of the aircraft's...

A Bayraktar Akıncı takes off with a Roketsan Çakir cruise missile for the test-firing announced on 1 March. (Baykar)  The Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is carrying out firing trials with versions of the Roketsan MAM-L and MAM-T guided bombs that can be used against targets concealed by cloud cover, the UAV's Turkish manufacturer announced on 15 March.  Both the MAM-L, which is the standard munition for Baykar's UAVs, and the MAM-T, a small glide bomb, usually use semi-active laser guidance, but the company said it was...

The HAL Dhruv ALH has become a mainstay of the Indian Army's rotary-wing capabilities. In this image, an Indian Army Dhruv hovers as Australian Army troops from the 13th Brigade conduct a drill in India in 2022. (Commonwealth of Australia)  The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to acquire 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk IIIs.  The INR80.7 billion (USD973.8 million) contract was announced on 13 March and covers 25 ALH Dhruv Mk IIIs for the Indian Army with role-specific...

The UK is to get 14 new CH-47 Chinook ER helicopters, which will be similar in appearance to the ‘fat tank' Chinook HC5 variant (pictured) already in RAF service. (Janes/Patrick Allen)  The UK has recommitted to its previously announced plan to buy new Boeing Chinooks, with the Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, announcing a buy of 14 helicopters on 14 March.  Speaking during a visit to British forces exercising in Poland, Shapps reiterated the plan to buy the new CH-47 Chinook Extended Range (ER) helicopters, which had been subjec...

The Chinese PLA conducted air operation over the Western Pacific, in the vicinity of the Japan's southwestern islands and Taiwan on 9–10 and 12 March 2024. (Japan Ministry of Defense/Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/Janes)  The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a long-range operation over the Western Pacific with special mission and combat aircraft.  The operation, conducted over three days from 9 to 10 March and on 12 March, according to data from the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), was potentially an effort to gauge Japan...

The 36th F-35, delivered in 2014, was CF-19, the US Marine Corps' first F-35C carrier variant. The Milestone C decision has slipped for nearly a decade beyond initial projections, even as the production has continued. (Lockheed Martin)  The US Department of Defense (DoD) approved the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to enter full-rate production, according to a 12 March announcement, even as deliveries remain suspended.  William LaPlante, the DoD undersecretary of defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, signed the full-rate production/Miles...

The Indian Air Force's No 18 Squadron at Sulur Air Force Station operated 20 HAL Tejas FOC Mk 1 aircraft, such as this aircraft (LA-5018). This is a representative photo of the Tejas FOC Mk 1. (HAL)  The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reported its first loss of a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1 fighter aircraft to an air crash on 12 March.  The IAF said in a statement that the aircraft had crashed during an “operational training sortie”. According to the air force, the pilot “ejected safely”. The IAF added that a “court of inquiry has been...

Poland has been approved for USD3.68 billion of air-launched missile sales to equip its front-line fighter force, including the F-16 (pictured here). (Polish Ministry of National Defence)  The US government has cleared the sale of air-launched missiles to Poland for a combined USD3.68 billion. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the US Department of State approvals in three separate notifications on 12 March.  These notifications covered 821 Lockheed Martin AGM-158B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extende...

In a screenshot from a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) video, the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF's) first C-130J-30 Hercules emerges from the Lockheed Martin paint shop with RNZAF and squadron livery on 15 February 2024. (New Zealand Defence Force)  The New Zealand government has issued a tender for the sale of its old Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules aircraft as it prepares to induct five new C-130J-30s in 2024.    The tender specified that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) seeks to sell four of the five C-130Hs currently opera...

A Swedish Gripen and a German Eurofighter seen trailing a Russia Tu-134 during what was one of two maiden interceptions by SwAF combat aircraft since Sweden joined NATO the day before. (NATO)  Swedish Air Force (SwAF) Saab Gripen combat aircraft have intercepted Russian aircraft for the first time since the country joined NATO. NATO Allied Air Command announced that the milestone took place on 11 March, the day after Sweden officially joined the alliance on 10 March.  According to the alliance, SwAF Gripen C fighters operating alongside Belgi...