All articles by Greg Waldron
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NewsTurkey has ten F110 engines for Kaan fighter, as it continues talks for more
Ten GE Aerospace F110 engines have been delivered for Turkey’s developmental Kaan fighter, but negotiations for 80 additional powerplants face potential obstacles linked to Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 missiles.
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NewsLIG Nex1 wins EW system and missile contracts
South Korean defence contractor LIG Nex1 has been awarded two significant contracts worth a combined $1.19 billion to develop an electronic warfare system for a national aircraft programme and a prototype short-range air-to-air missile for the KF-21 fighter.
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NewsKAI secures upgrade contract for Philippine FA-50s
Korea Aerospace Industries has secured a W93 billion ($64.5 million) contract to upgrade 11 FA-50PH light attack jets operated by the Philippines air force, with work running until 2029 to enhance munitions capabilities and network integration.
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NewsSouth Korea commits $3.4 billion to indigenous fighter engine
South Korea has committed W3.4 trillion ($3.4 billion) to develop an indigenous fighter engine producing 24,000lb thrust with afterburners, with the programme running from 2027 to 2040 and targeting the KF-21 Block 3 variant.
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NewsPentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress
The US Department of War’s latest annual assessment of Chinese military capabilities reveals significant progress in airpower development, including testing of two sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advances in airborne early warning systems.
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NewsHanwha Systems wins F-15 cockpit display contract from Boeing
Boeing has selected South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to provide the Eagle Large Area Display for Seoul’s F-15K fleet and the US Air Force’s F-15EX, marking the Korean manufacturer’s first export of digital avionics equipment.
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NewsKAI secures contract for KF-21 strike capabilities
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has secured a W686 billion ($465 million) contract from Seoul’s defence procurement agency to expand the KF-21 fighter’s weapons capability beyond air-to-air systems, with air-to-ground testing now accelerated to early 2027.
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NewsUSA approves $11.1bn Taiwan arms package including loitering munitions
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has outlined eight potential defence equipment sales to Taiwan totalling $11.1 billion, including $1.1 billion worth of Anduril loitering munitions and $96 million in spare parts for Bell AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters.
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NewsIndia stands up second squadron of MH-60Rs
The Indian navy has stood up its second squadron of Sikorsky MH-60R naval combat helicopters.
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NewsRAAF C-130J fleet achieves FOC with Block 8.1 upgrade
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has achieved Final Operational Capability for its upgraded C-130J tactical transport fleet, with 12 aircraft brought to the Block 8.1 configuration under the AIR 5440 programme. The improvements enhance reliability and readiness ahead of new aircraft deliveries later this decade.
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NewsNetherlands crew demonstrates F-35A weapons loading for USAF aircraft
Netherlands air force maintainers have successfully demonstrated weapons loading procedures on a US Air Force F-35A, highlighting growing interoperability capabilities among European F-35 operators during a demonstration at Germany’s Ramstein air base.
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NewsMQ-28A nailed AMRAAM shot with minimal human input: four commands
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force have revealed details of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat’s first successful air-to-air missile firing, demonstrating autonomous engagement capabilities in a multi-aircraft formation.
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NewsRotron Aerospace partners with LIG Nex1 on medium UAV
UK propulsion specialist Rotron Aerospace has signed a collaboration agreement with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 to jointly develop and export unmanned air systems, focusing on the Medium UAV Common Platform.
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NewsChina, Russia conduct joint bomber patrol near Japan
Chinese H-6 and Russian Tu-95 bombers conducted a joint patrol through the strategic Miyako Strait on 9 December, prompting Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters to scramble in response to the incursion.
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NewsBoeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat destroys drone in air-to-air weapons test
Australia’s Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat has successfully destroyed a drone target using an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile during testing at Woomera range, as the nation commits A$1.4 billion to develop the collaborative combat aircraft into an operational military asset.
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NewsUS clears $1bn munitions sales to Denmark, Italy, South Korea
The US government has approved potential sales of air-launched munitions worth over $1 billion to three allied nations, with Denmark securing clearance for 200 AIM-120C-8 missiles in the largest package.
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NewsThai air force strikes Cambodian military targets amid border tensions
Royal Thai Air Force combat aircraft have struck military targets in Cambodia as border tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours escalate, with Thailand conducting multiple missions against Cambodian forces.
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NewsChinese J-15s target Japanese F-15Js with radar lock near Okinawa
Japan has formally protested after Chinese shipborne fighters locked their radars onto Japanese F-15J aircraft during carrier operations near Okinawa, marking an escalation in regional tensions.
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NewsUS clears Canada for $2.7bn bomb purchase
The US government has approved a potential $2.7 billion sale of bombs and guidance kits to Canada, covering thousands of munitions including 907kg (2,000lb) BLU-117 bombs and Small Diameter Bombs.
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NewsSouth Korea advances indigenous air-launched weapons
South Korea has formally launched development of a short-range air-to-air missile for its KF-21 fighter under a KRW436 billion programme, while separately awarding a KRW225 billion production contract for Cheongnam anti-tank missiles.