China is looking to buy "a large batch" of Ilyushin Il-76 transports and Il-78 inflight refuelling tankers, says Ilyushin general director Victor Livanov. The deal is thought to cover the production of up to 30 Il-76s and six Il-78s at the TAPO facility in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, with after-sales support to be provided by the Ilyushin design bureau.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
