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AUGUST 2023 news
Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry |
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On August 19, the Indian Air Force reported the successful testing of the new Heavy Drop System (HDS) from a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. This achievement was announced by IAF officials on the same day. The HDS is a product of the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically developed by one of its laboratories.
On August 20, 2023, Denmark and the Netherlands committed to donating F-16 multirole fighter jets to Ukraine, with Denmark providing 19 and the Netherlands 42. This joint effort, backed by the United States, is intended to respond to the Ukrainian President's continuous requests over the past months.
On August 17, 2023, the United States greenlighted the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. This move is part of efforts to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian invaders. The decision comes as Ukraine has been actively seeking US-made F-16 fighter jets to counter Russian aerial dominance.
Amid an increasingly complex geopolitical context and in pursuit of enhanced defense autonomy, Taiwan, through its National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), has unveiled the Tien Chien V (Sky Sword V) missile. This is Taiwan's innovative response to long-range air-to-air missiles. This move is part of an effort to enhance the island's aerial defense against a constantly changing regional landscape.
In Gostomel, technicians of the Ukrainian company Antonov are removing the surviving parts from the remains of the unique 6-engine An-225 Mriya aircraft. This world's largest transport aircraft was destroyed at Gostomel airport in the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine which failed to capture Kyiv and other intended targets. However, some spare parts of the aircraft survived. Therefore, it has been decided to remove them in view of later building a new similar aircraft: the Antonov company earlier announced the start of design work for the construction in the future of a new large transport aircraft of the Mriya type.
Numerous media outlets, including Audrey Decker's coverage on defenseone.com, have reported that the U.S. Air Force has made a strategic decision to engage California-based startup JetZero in the construction and testing of an innovative aircraft with a wing-shaped structure. This groundbreaking initiative carries the potential to significantly influence the blueprint of the Air Force's forthcoming mobility planes.
At the Army-2023 Military-Technical Forum currently taking place in the Patriot Park near Kubinka, the Russian Helicopters holding company of the Rostec State Corporation is presenting its Ka-226T multi-purpose modular helicopter. In 30 minutes, right at the airfield, you can completely change the "profession" of this rotorcraft.
Boeing has initiated the manufacturing process of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter at its Mesa, Arizona facility. In the year 2020, Boeing successfully delivered 22 AH-64E Apaches to the Indian Air Force and inked an agreement to produce an additional six AH-64Es for the Indian Army, with the anticipated delivery set for 2024, as reported by bharatshakti.in.
Priam Nepomuceno, from the Philippines News Agency, reported on August 16 that Sweden has again offered its Saab JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft for the modernization needs of the Philippine Air Force.
According to an article from Taipei Times on August 15, 2023, the United States has included four MQ-9A Reaper reconnaissance drones in a military aid package valued at $345 million destined for Taiwan. The revelation comes from an undisclosed military source who has provided insights into the contents of this aid package.
MD Helicopters (MDH) on August 9 announced a contract signing with a Middle East customer to provide six Cayuse Warrior Plus Attack/Scout helicopters with precision weapons capability, and six MD 530F glass cockpit upgrades. The twelve aircraft will support counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations by providing area security, tactical reconnaissance, convoy escort, and drug interdiction throughout the country. The Armed MD 530F aircraft will receive glass cockpit upgrades at MD Helicopters in Mesa, AZ. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024 for all twelve aircraft.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced on August 16 that it has conducted air-to-air refuelling training with the Indonesian Air Force for the first time, reflecting the close and positive relationship between the regional partners. The air-to-air refuelling (AAR) Currency Event 2023 was held from 6 to 12 August 2023.
According to an article by China Arms on August 13, 2023, China has publicly disclosed the manufacturing process of its advanced PL-15 air-to-air missile. The broadcast, which was aired on China's state broadcaster CCTV, carries potential strategic implications, particularly in the context of China's complex relationship with the United States.
According to an article by Overtdefense on August 9, 2023, Turkish defense company Havelsan has secured a contract to supply its Baha Sub-Cloud Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to an undisclosed African country, marking the first instance of Havelsan exporting this drone to an African nation. The choice of the Baha UAV for deployment is likely based on its capabilities and potential contributions to the recipient country's defense strategy.
According to Asia Pacific Defense Journal, there have been developments involving the Australian Army and their acquisition of utility helicopters. The details pertaining to a batch of three Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk multi-role helicopters, which have been delivered to the Australian Army as part of an agreement between Australia and the United States that was publicly disclosed in January of the year 2023.
In an interview with the Romanian newspaper Antena 3 on August 10, 2023, the Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, announced that the ministry had sought parliamentary approval for the acquisition of 32 F-35 Lightning II multirole fighter jets. This initiative aims to significantly enhance the country's aerial capabilities and fully embrace its strategic role on NATO's eastern flank.
According to a PR published by Dassault Aviation on August 11, 2023, Indonesia's order for 42 Rafale aircraft, signed in February 2022, has officially progressed with the latest inclusion of 18 more jets. This follows their initial order of 6 aircraft in September 2022, bringing the current total to 24.
According to a tweet from Air Operations Syndicate on August 4, 2023, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) unveiled its procurement of the Kemankes loitering munition from Türkiye's defense company Baykar. The Kemankes missiles are planned to be paired with Pakistan's existing fleet of Bayraktar TB2 drones, procured in 2021.
According to a tweet posted by animeyer on August 5, three old F-117A Nighthawks stealth fighters arrived at Duluth Air National Guard Base that same afternoon, immediately taxiing toward the 148th Fighter Wing’s installation on the NE side of the field in view of taking part in Northern Lightning 2023 exercise.
India is developing its own medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and will begin military trials during this month of August. The TAPAS-BH-201 is being offered to all three Indian military services. Testing will take place at the Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka's Chitradurga. India's state-run Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is leading the TAPAS UAV program.
