Monday, 31 January 2022

State Department has approved a possible FMS to Egypt of C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion

Clément Wld



The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Egypt has requested to purchase twelve (12) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with four (4) each Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (installed); twelve (12) Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares); thirty (30) Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS Security Devices (including 6 spares); and seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2) (including 3 spares). Also included are AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders; AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (MWS); AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS); AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR); AN/AAQ-22 (STAR SAFIRE 380); secure communications, cryptographic equipment, and GPS-aided precision navigation equipment; publications and technical documentation; software and mission critical resources; aircraft support and equipment; unclassified return and repair; integration and testing; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $2.2 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing airlift support for its forces by moving supplies, equipment, and people, thus strengthening its capacity in the security and humanitarian arena. This airlift capability would assist with border security, the interdiction of known terrorist elements, rapid reaction to internal security threats, and humanitarian aid. Egypt also intends to utilize these aircraft for maritime patrol missions and search and rescue missions in the region. Egypt, which already operates a mix of legacy C-130s, will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Marietta, GA. There are no known offsets proposed in conjunction with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of two (2) contracted Field Service Representatives (FSR) and one (1) Logistic Service Representative (LSR) for a period of three (3) years. The FSRs and LSR will have expertise in airframe, avionics/electrical, propulsion systems, ground maintenance systems, and logistics support.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Date: Jan 25, 2022


C-130J Hercules: Details
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Thursday, 27 January 2022

Boeing signs Apache long-term service contract with UK's Ministry of Defence

James Cutting


Boeing signs Apache long-term service contract with UK's Ministry of Defence - Aerotech News & Review

by Aerotech staff and wire reports 

• January 25, 2022 9:09 am - Updated January 24, 2022 1:17 pm

More lethal, agile, survivable and integrated, work is going full steam ahead to bring the British Army’s new attack helicopter into frontline service. Fifty Apache AH-64Es have been purchased to provide a state-of-the-art attack aviation capability that will be a key element of how the Army fights in the coming decades, as set out in the Future Soldier vision. The AH-64E features new, drivetrain and rotor blades to boost flying performance; improved sensors to detect the enemy; communications systems to share data with other helicopters, uncrewed aircraft systems and ground forces as part of a network; and embedded maintenance diagnostic systems to increase aircraft availability. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps will be the first unit to field the new AH-64E, with engineers and aircrew going on training courses in the USA to prepare themselves to work with the helicopter. The unit’s hangars at Wattisham Flying Station are busy with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers soldiers conducting engineering checks on aircraft delivered from the USA, with flight testing now getting underway. The AH-64E replaces the Apache Mk. 1 currently flow by 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, which entered service in 2001 and proved itself as a battle winning asset on Afghanistan and Libya.


Boeing and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence have signed an agreement for Boeing to provide long-term training, support and sustainment for the British Army’s new fleet of 50 Apache AH-64E helicopters.

The announcement was made by Minster for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP, as he visited Wattisham Flying Station to see the Apache AH-64E.

“There can be no doubt these impressive Apache helicopters will help the Army sustain its battle-winning capabilities in future operations”, said Defence Procurement Minister, Jeremy Quin. “In addition to its vital defence purpose, this cutting-edge technology will create and support hundreds of UK jobs.”

Under the new $348 million Long Term Training and Support Services (LTTSS) contract, Boeing will work closely with the British Army to provide maintenance and engineering support, supply chain and logistics management at Wattisham. Boeing will also deliver aircrew and maintainer training from its advanced facility at Middle Wallop.

The new agreement, which will run until 2040, will create more than 200 jobs in the UK during the initial four-years, including more than 165 at Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop and 45 at Wattisham Flying Station, plus dozens more with suppliers in the UK. Boeing already has more than 40 employees working alongside Army Air Corps personnel providing training for the Mk1 Apache.

In addition to the new Boeing roles, the training and support for the new Apache model will bring new roles and opportunities for Boeing’s UK supply chain. Yeovil-based Kuehne & Nagel will provide a Warehouse Management service at Wattisham with a dispersed store at Middle Wallop, creating 45 new jobs. H&S Aviation will carry out the repair and overhaul of the engines in Portsmouth, under subcontract to GE Aviation.

Cheltenham-based Pennant will also provide additional simulated training systems to Boeing as part of the contract, delivering several new and upgraded Part Task Trainers with E model compatibility, sustaining around 50 highly-skilled jobs in the local area.

More lethal, agile, survivable and integrated, work is going full steam ahead to bring the British Army’s new attack helicopter into frontline service.
Fifty Apache AH-64Es have been purchased to provide a state-of-the-art attack aviation capability that will be a key element of how the Army fights in the coming decades, as set out in the Future Soldier vision.
The AH-64E features new, drivetrain and rotor blades to boost flying performance; improved sensors to detect the enemy; communications systems to share data with other helicopters, uncrewed aircraft systems and ground forces as part of a network; and embedded maintenance diagnostic systems to increase aircraft availability.
3 Regiment Army Air Corps will be the first unit to field the new AH-64E, with engineers and aircrew going on training courses in the USA to prepare themselves to work with the helicopter. The unit’s hangars at Wattisham Flying Station are busy with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers soldiers conducting engineering checks on aircraft delivered from the USA, with flight testing now getting underway.
The AH-64E replaces the Apache Mk. 1 currently flow by 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, which entered service in 2001 and proved itself as a battle winning asset on Afghanistan and Libya.


The AH-64E is the most advanced variant of the Apache. It is designed and equipped with an open systems architecture, including the latest communications, navigation, sensor and weapon systems. It also features advanced digital connectivity, a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and new composite main rotor blades. With 14 of the new variant already in the UK, the new Apache AH-64E fleet will grow to 50, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2024.

“We are proud to deliver the necessary support needed to ensure mission readiness and optimise the full capability of the AH-64E Apache fleet, which will provide a significant uplift in capability to the British Army,” said Anna Keeling, managing director of Boeing Defence UK. “The new Apaches join the Poseidon fleet at RAF Lossiemouth, the Wedgetail modification work in Birmingham, Chinooks undergoing major upgrades across Hampshire, and the C-17s at RAF Brize Norton underpinning the UK’s strategic airlift capability ñ all Boeing platforms, serving the UK’s armed forces and providing economic benefits up and down the country.”

Two of three Longbow Crew Trainer simulated devices for the E model are already in the UK. The first was declared “ready for training” at the end of 2020 and the second is undergoing testing and installation. The third and final is scheduled to be delivered in 2022. Situated with front-line Army Air Corps Apache squadrons, the devices will play a key role in transitioning the crews to the new variant.

More lethal, agile, survivable and integrated, work is going full steam ahead to bring the British Army’s new attack helicopter into frontline service.
Fifty Apache AH-64Es have been purchased to provide a state-of-the-art attack aviation capability that will be a key element of how the Army fights in the coming decades, as set out in the Future Soldier vision.
The AH-64E features new, drivetrain and rotor blades to boost flying performance; improved sensors to detect the enemy; communications systems to share data with other helicopters, uncrewed aircraft systems and ground forces as part of a network; and embedded maintenance diagnostic systems to increase aircraft availability.
3 Regiment Army Air Corps will be the first unit to field the new AH-64E, with engineers and aircrew going on training courses in the USA to prepare themselves to work with the helicopter. The unit’s hangars at Wattisham Flying Station are busy with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers soldiers conducting engineering checks on aircraft delivered from the USA, with flight testing now getting underway.
The AH-64E replaces the Apache Mk. 1 currently flow by 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, which entered service in 2001 and proved itself as a battle winning asset on Afghanistan and Libya.


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The eleventh RTO project 21631 "Buyan-M" will go to serve in the Baltic

Serpukhov / Alex Guikalov (cropped)


Одиннадцатый МРК проекта 21631 «Буян-М» отправится служить на Балтику


Zelenodolsk shipyard is preparing to launch another small missile ship (RTO) project 21631 "Buyan-M". The ship will join the fleet towards the end of the year.


In Zelenodolsk, the construction of the RTO "Naro-Fominsk" is being completed, the ship is being prepared for launching and completion already afloat. The ship will have to go to trials in the first half of this year, and join the Navy in the fall, the exact dates have not yet been determined, they depend on the completion of outfitting work. The RTO was laid down on February 23, 2018.

According to Izvestia, The Ministry of Defense has already decided on the place of further service of the Naro-Fominsk RTOs, the eleventh Buyan-M will go to serve in the Baltic, although it was originally planned to send the ship to the Black Sea Fleet or the Caspian Flotilla. A crew has already been formed for the ship, and the necessary infrastructure has been prepared at the naval base in Baltiysk. Most likely, Naro-Fominsk will become part of the 36th RTO Brigade, which includes the 1st Guards Missile Boat Battalion and the 106th Small Missile Ship Battalion.

To date, the Russian Navy has nine RTOs of project 21631 Buyan-M, three more are being completed in Zelenodolsk. The tenth "Grad" and the eleventh "Naro-Fominsk" fleet will receive in 2022, another one - the twelfth "Stavropol" - in 2023.

Earlier, the Navy announced that RTOs of project 22800 Karakurt were ordered to replace the Buyan-M.

Ships of Project 21631 Buyan-M are a modernization of Project 21630 Buyan and belong to multi-purpose ships of the river-sea class. Designed to protect the economic zone of the state. The main armament is the Kalibr-NK universal long-range missile system for eight vertical shafts. Displacement 949 tons. Length 74.1 meters, width 11.0 meters, height 6.57 meters, draft 2.6 meters. The maximum speed is 25 knots. Cruising range - 2500 miles, autonomy - 10 days. Crew - 52 people. A water jet has been installed.


Buyan Class Corvettes: Details
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Wednesday, 26 January 2022

DEFIANT Executes U.S. Army Air Assault Mission Profile - YouTube

Screenshot


DEFIANT Executes U.S. Army Air Assault Mission Profile - YouTube
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Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Russia sends Su-35 fighter jets to Belarus for exercises

Vladislav Perminov



Moscow. January 22. Interfax-AVN - Russian Su-35 fighter jets have begun redeploying to Belarus to participate in the Allied Resolve-2022 joint exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

      "The crews of Su-35S multi-role fighters of the Eastern Military District, involved in checking the response forces of the Union State, have begun to relocate to the territory of the Republic of Belarus," the Russian military department said.

     "The crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces will work out flights to the maximum range, landing at Belarusian airfields, as well as joint preparation for repeated flights with Belarusian specialists," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

     They noted that in preparation for the redeployment, the engineering and technical staff of the air regiment carried out a detailed check of the operation of all aircraft systems and equipment.

     Su-35 is a super-maneuverable 4++ generation multirole fighter. It is capable of speeds up to 2.5 thousand km / h, the flight range reaches 3.4 thousand km. The fighter is armed with a 30 mm cannon and has 12 hardpoints for bombs and missiles.

     Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced plans to send 12 Su-35 fighters and a division of short-range air defense systems "Pantsir-S" to Belarus for exercises.

     On January 21, the transfer of two S-400 divisions to the exercises in Belarus began. Upon arrival, they will take up combat training duty as part of the unified regional air defense system of Russia and Belarus.

     As Interfax reported, Russia and Belarus are checking the response forces of the Union State. According to Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexander Fomin, at the first stage - until February 9 - it is planned to redeploy and create groupings of troops. At the second stage - from February 10 to February 20 - a joint exercise "Allied Resolve-2022" will be held.

     The number of participants in the maneuvers was not called.

     Almost all the Armed Forces of Belarus, as well as parts of the Eastern Military District, the Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Airborne Forces (VDV) of Russia, will be involved in the exercises, Andrei Nekrashevich, head of the main combat training department of the Belarusian army, said on the eve.

     According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, "the number of military personnel and equipment involved in exercises subject to the Vienna Document 2011 does not exceed the parameters determined by it, which are subject to notification."

     Joint military maneuvers between Russia and Belarus should not cause any concern, including in the context of the situation around Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on January 19.

     “We have a Union State with Belarus, we have relevant plans, these plans must be implemented. Various events are being held, among these events there are surprise inspections, and much more,” Ryabkov said.

     The United States, other NATO countries and Ukraine have spoken about the concentration of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border and the threat of a Russian invasion.

     In December, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said that Russia had no aggressive plans.

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The Central Military District will receive new complexes "Iskander-M"

Russian MoD


ЦВО получит новые комплексы "Искандер-М" -

OTRK "Iskander-M" Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Yekaterinburg. January 24th. Interfax-AVN - The Central Military District (TsVO) will receive two divisional sets of Iskander-M missile systems in service in 2022, Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District, told reporters.

"The missile forces and artillery of the district will be reinforced with two Iskander-M divisional sets," Lapin said.    

     The operational-tactical missile system "Iskander-M" was developed in the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (holding "High Precision Systems"). It was reported that the missiles of the complex can carry a nuclear warhead. In the version for the Russian army, the complex includes two types of missiles: ballistic and cruise.

     In November 2019, the Russian military officially announced that all missile brigades of the Russian Ground Forces had completed the rearmament from Tochek-U to Iskander-M systems.

     "Iskander-M" is designed to destroy small and area targets at a distance of up to 500 km: missile systems and multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery, command posts and communication centers, as well as aircraft and helicopters at airfields.

     The Central Military District is deployed on the territory of three federal districts and 29 subjects of the Russian Federation. The district includes a number of foreign facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, a joint military base in Kyrgyzstan, as well as units on the territory of Kazakhstan. The headquarters is located in Yekaterinburg.

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Sunday, 23 January 2022

Exclusive: U.S. seeks way to speed delivery of new fighter jets to Taiwan

阿福福


Exclusive: U.S. seeks way to speed delivery of new fighter jets to Taiwan | Reuters

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali, Yimou Lee

A pilot of a F-16 fighter jet attends a military drill at Zhi-Hang Air Base in Taitung, Taiwan January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo


WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The United States is looking for ways to potentially accelerate delivery of Taiwan's next generation of new-build F-16 fighter jets, U.S. officials said, bolstering the Taiwanese air force's ability to respond to what Washington and Taipei see as increasing intimidation by China's military.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they have not yet come up with a solution on how to speed delivery of Block 70 F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) and equipped with new capabilities. The aircraft are currently slated to be delivered by the end of 2026.

Taiwan's government has privately expressed its wish for a faster delivery to U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, a senior Taiwanese official said, as the self-ruled island's air force scrambles jets to intercept increasingly aggressive Chinese military flights.

More missions mean more wear-and-tear on Taiwan's aircraft.

"It's all about risk assessment ... and it's clear where the risks are," the Taiwanese official said, referring to tensions across the sensitive Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China. The F-16 is considered a highly maneuverable aircraft proven in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

Taiwan is on track to field one of the largest F-16 fleets in Asia once it takes delivery of 66 new-build F-16 C/D Block 70 aircraft under an $8 billion deal approved in 2019. It would bring the island's total number of F-16s, including older versions, to more than 200 by 2026.

Any move to accelerate deliveries of new aircraft could ultimately come down to a determination by Biden's administration that Taiwan's defense needs are more urgent than those of other U.S. allies and partners, according to experts.

"That's a Biden administration decision," said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, an organization that encourages trade and business ties between the two. "They would have to decide that the threat from China was more important than the threat from Iran or the threat from the Russians."

The Block 70 aircraft are the newest F-16 configuration, with new avionics, a modernized cockpit and an improved engine, according to Lockheed Martin.

A move to accelerate the aircraft delivery would be seen in Beijing in part through a political lens, according to Abraham Denmark, a former senior Pentagon official.

"It is yet another clear signal of U.S. determination to support Taiwan's ability to defend itself," added Denmark, now an analyst at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank.

DWARFED BY CHINA

Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States is the island's main international backer and arms supplier. That defense relationship angers China, which has ramped up military and diplomatic pressure against the island that it claims as "sacred" Chinese territory.

In the face of Chinese pressure, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has prioritized modernizing the armed forces, which are well-armed but dwarfed by China's military.

Lockheed Martin declined to comment on any potential future requests to change the production schedule, referring queries to the U.S. government and Taiwan's defense ministry.

The U.S. State Department, which oversees foreign military sales, declined to comment on any internal discussions about potential changes to the delivery timeline.

Lockheed Martin's new F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina has several customers in the production queue ahead of Taiwan, including Bahrain, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

The U.S. government has not asked Lockheed Martin for delivery timeline changes for the Taiwanese F-16 jets, a person familiar with the situation said.

The source declined to speculate about how much sooner Taiwan could get new-build F-16s even if a decision were made to accelerate deliveries. Any such effort would be complicated by production constraints, which include long lead times to source materials for Taiwan's specific configuration of fighter aircraft.

Taiwan's Air Force did not respond to questions on potential accelerated deliveries but told Reuters in a statement that the Taiwanese military's major weapon purchases are "rigorously planned in accordance with actual combat needs and planning schedules."

The U.S. sale of F-16s to Taiwan was guided by U.S. law and "based on an assessment of Taiwan's defense needs and the threat posed by (China), as has been the case for more than 40 years," a Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement.

'WEARING OUT THEIR OPPONENT'

The missions to intercept Chinese aircraft are putting stress on Taiwan's air force, which last year had several mishaps, including three fatal crashes. Over time, fuel costs, pilot fatigue and wear and tear on Taiwanese aircraft will threaten the readiness of the island's air force if this pressure continues, Taiwanese and U.S. military analysts said.

Last March, a senior Taiwanese official said Taiwan's military had stopped intercepting every Chinese aircraft.

Taiwan's air force last week suspended combat training for its entire F-16 fleet after a recently upgraded model of the fighter jet crashed into the sea in the latest of a series of accidents.

"They (the Chinese) are wearing out their opponent without firing a shot," said Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation.

Taiwan's air force in 2020 scrambled 2,972 times against Chinese aircraft at a cost of T$25.5 billion ($905 million).

Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington and Yimou Lee in Taipei; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham and Mary Milliken


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Aerospace Forces delivered new Su-57 fighters

Vladislav Perminov


Воздушно-космическим силам поставили новые истребители Су-57 — Naked Science

At the end of 2021, two new Su-57s were handed over to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The delivery of the first serial fifth-generation fighter was announced in 2020.

New Su-57 / © KnAAZ

The story of the transfer of new Su-57 fighters to the Aerospace Forces seems to have reached its logical conclusion. As it became known, two new aircraft of this type were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2021. This was reported by the blog bmpd with reference to the report of the Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Alexei Krivoruchko.

Earlier, a video with one of the two aircraft built last year appeared in a commercial for the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant named after Yu. A. Gagarin (KnAAZ). The car received tail number "52 blue". It is possible that another transferred aircraft has tail number "51 blue".

New Su-57 / © KnAAZ 

De facto, they became the third and fourth serial machines. The very first aircraft on order crashed during testing in 2019, leading to serious litigation. Thus, the military received a new type of vehicle only a year later.

Su-57 delivered a year ago / © Svetlana Balaeva

The bmpd blog reports that the handover of two new Su-57s is consistent with KnAAZ's planned target for last year: the information that the company was supposed to hand over four aircraft is not true. This year, according to reports, the transfer of four new type of winged machines has been planned.

The Russian Ministry of Defense and Sukhoi signed a contract for the supply of 76 serial Su-57 fighters in 2019. The deadline for the implementation of the agreement is 2027.

The Su-57 is the first and only serial Russian fifth-generation fighter to date. It was developed to replace the Soviet Su-27 in the VKS. The Su-57 prototype made its first flight on January 29, 2010.

The aircraft can solve a wide range of tasks. This includes the fight against air, ground and sea targets. Sometimes the Su-57 is called the carrier of promising hypersonic weapons systems.

In the future, the car will receive the so-called second-stage engine, or "Izdeliye-30", which will significantly increase its performance. The first test flight of the Su-57 with the new engine took place on December 5, 2017.

Recall that recently the first modernized Su-30SM2 fighters were delivered to the Russian military. Such aircraft are sometimes referred to as the 4++ generation, as well as the "crossover" between the fourth and fifth generations.

Su-30SM2 / ©russianplanes

The most notable Russian novelty from the world of military aviation was the promising Su-75 Checkmate fighter, officially presented at MAKS-2021. But the photos shown in November, you can compare the size of the Su-57E and a new type of machine.


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Saturday, 22 January 2022

US may approve Turkey's request for the purchase of F-16 fighters, media write

Rami Khanna-Prade


США могут одобрить запрос Турции на закупку истребителей F-16, пишут СМИ - РИА Новости, 20.01.2022

CNN-Turk: US may approve Turkey's request for the purchase of F-16 fighters

© AP Photo / Wally Santana


ANKARA, January 20 - RIA Novosti. The United States admits the possibility of selling F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in order to strengthen NATO in the Black Sea , CNN-Turk reports, citing its American sources.

"The parties held meetings both in Ankara and Washington . There is information that the US may approve Turkey's request for the purchase of 40 Block 70 F-16 fighter jets and 80 Block 70 upgrade kits. The reason for the approval is to equip NATO allies against the growing threat to Black Sea," the statement said.

In April, Washington officially excluded Turkey from the program to supply the latest F-35 fighters , because it did not refuse to buy Russian S-400 air defense systems . After that, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the United States offered his country to acquire the F-16 and that Joe Biden promised to make every effort to convince the US Senate to support this deal.


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UAC shareholders approved the merger with Sukhoi Corporation and RAC MiG

Alexey (other)


Акционеры ОАК одобрили присоединение к корпорации "Сухого" и РСК "МиГ"

Moscow. January 20th. INTERFAX.RU - A meeting of shareholders of the United Aircraft Corporation approved the merger of the MiG and Sukhoi companies, UAC reported.

"To reorganize the United Aircraft Corporation PJSC in the form of joining the Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company JSC and the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG JSC (RSK MiG JSC) to it," the decision of the shareholders says.

On November 30, the board of directors of the corporation decided to merge UAC, MiG and Sukhoi into one organization.

It is assumed that UAC, in addition to performing the functions of a corporate center, "will become an operating company, will directly manage production sites and design offices, implement aviation programs and develop advanced technology." The brands "Dry" and "MiG" and their design schools in the UAC promised to keep.

Simplification of the UAC corporate structure will make it possible to eliminate duplicative administrative functions and reduce the corporation's general business expenses.

The Sukhoi company mass-produces Su-35 fighters and Su-34 bombers in the interests of the Ministry of Defense, and also fulfills export contracts. In addition, Sukhoi is working on the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, the Su-75 Checkmate light fighter, and the Okhotnik heavy attack drone.

According to the results of 2020, the company received revenue of 140 billion rubles (46% higher than in 2019) and net profit of 5.6 billion rubles (26% more than a year earlier), the UAC reported.

The MiG Corporation produces combat aircraft of the MiG-29 family for export deliveries and the MiG-35 light fighter for the Ministry of Defense (a contract for six aircraft was signed in 2018). The company is also modernizing the MiG-31 high-altitude fighter-interceptor, which became the first aircraft carrier of a hypersonic weapon - the Kinzhal missile.

In addition, at the site "MiG" LAZ them. Voronin in Lukhovitsy, the final assembly of the regional passenger aircraft Il-114 is being carried out.

According to UAC, in 2020 the company's revenue amounted to 70 billion rubles, exceeding the level of 2019 by 19%.


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Friday, 21 January 2022

Major progress! China has submitted a formal offer to Argentina, 12 latest versions of Xiaolong $600 million

Chris Lofting



2022-01-05 14:06
   
Not long ago, it was reported that the United Kingdom may "refuse to provide ejection seats" to prevent China from selling 12 Xiaolong fighters to Argentina! It's a pity that China is not South Korea. It doesn't eat this set at all. Simply replacing the imperial ejection seat used by Xiaolong with a domestic one can easily break the British blockade. And China's next move is even more relieved. According to the foreign media "full flight" (full aviacion), China has officially submitted an offer for the Xiaolong fighter to Argentina, and this time it submitted a fourth-and-a-half generation standard. The Xiaolong Block3.



It is reported that this batch of 12 Xiaolong Block3s includes 10 single-seat aircraft and 2 two-seat aircraft, with an average unit price of about 50 million US dollars. On the surface, this price should be the most expensive among all Xiaolong orders, but this is a fourth and a half generation fighter jet, and Argentina is the first time to consider buying fighter jets outside the European and American systems, so this order In addition to including the necessary weapons, accessories and technical support services, it should also include the establishment of a logistical maintenance system, an overhaul plant, and technology transfer. Looking at all the current four-and-a-half-generation fighter contracts, the price of $50 million is definitely the cheapest, and it is very likely that China will not make any money this time.

Xiaolong 3 with PL10E mounted



It is worth mentioning that this batch of Xiaolong will be equipped with the domestic HTY-5D ejection seat used by the J-10. Easily cracked the British conspiracy to use the ejection seat to try to block the contract.

Domestic ejection seat



The reason why we gave this very cost-effective offer should be considering the great political significance of this order. On the one hand, my country's high-end weapons have successfully entered the traditional sphere of influence of the United States in South America again, which is of great significance for enhancing my country's international influence. On the other hand, it is also a response to the United Kingdom's active response to the United States' participation in the containment of China, which has seriously interfered in my country's internal affairs many times. Especially recently, it dispatched the Queen's aircraft carrier formation, which will enter the South China Sea soon to engage in the so-called "freedom of navigation" provocative behavior. a powerful countermeasure. This order is worth it even if it doesn't make money.

Queen's aircraft carrier formation set off for global voyage



Where is the Xiaolong Block3 upgrade?

Compared with the Xiaolong Block2, the Xiaolong Block3 basically has no difference in appearance and aerodynamic layout, but the interior has been reborn. The biggest change is the installation of the KLJ-7A electronically scanned active phased array radar, which works in the X-band, the antenna diameter exceeds 600 mm, and integrates about 1,000 T/R components. The detection distance in air-to-air mode reaches about 170 kilometers, and it can track 15 targets at the same time, and guide and attack 6 of them at the same time. The maximum detection distance of stealth targets such as F35A can reach more than 80 kilometers. Overall performance is comparable to the APG-81 radar used by the F-35.

It is worth mentioning that the KLJ-7A has a standard version of "single-sided array" and a wide-angle version of "three-sided array". The latter installs a slightly smaller radar front on each side of the main antenna, which greatly expands the detection angle range of radar waves. The area has basically achieved seamless coverage, and the battlefield awareness has been qualitatively improved. It can more stably track high-mobility targets and stealth targets at large angles and large maneuvering conditions. If the Xiaolong Block3 quoted to Argentina this time uses this version of the radar, it will greatly improve the medium-range air combat capability of the Argentine Air Force, especially the ability to fight stealth targets like the F35.

Two versions of the KLJ-7A radar



In addition, Xiaolong Block3 will also upgrade the new equipment of the J-10C level, including large diffraction HUD, helmet sight, electronic warfare system and missile warning system. In addition, the Xiaolong Block3 has also been upgraded to a three-axis four-degree telex system, which further improves the maneuverability of the aircraft.

The cockpit of Xiaolong Block 2



For the engine, Xiaolong Block3 chose the Russian RD-93MA engine, the maximum afterburner thrust can reach 9300 kg, which not only makes up for the reduced mobility caused by the weight gain of the aircraft, but also solves the problem of active phased array radar. power consumption problem.



Different from the Xiaolong Block2 sold to Myanmar and Nigeria before, this time it is provided to Argentina with a fixed fuel pipe. After an aerial refueling, the maximum range can be increased by at least 30%, and the combat radius can be increased to more than 1,200 kilometers. The F35B used by the British aircraft carrier are all short legs. According to the data disclosed by the United States, the F35B takes off in a short-distance taxi with full internal fuel and full internal weapons, and the maximum combat radius is only 833 kilometers.

F35B is a small short leg



In other words, if Argentina equips Xiaolong with CM-400AKG hypersonic anti-ship missiles with a range of 290 kilometers (maximum speed of Mach 5), with the superb skills of Argentine pilots, it can completely pose a huge threat to the British aircraft carrier formation. Obviously, equipping Xiaolong Block3 can give Argentina a lot of advantages in the future confrontation with the United Kingdom in the Malvinas Islands.

Xiaolong can carry two CM-400AKG hypersonic anti-ship missiles with a range of 290 kilometers



Now that quotations have started, will a formal contract be far behind? Xiaolong's fourth user is coming soon. And through this contract, we will not only officially enter the ranks of the global high-end fighter export club, but also use this order to carry out a strong countermeasure against the United Kingdom, which is seriously interfering in my country's internal affairs, and kill two birds with one stone.


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