Feds officially launch contract to supply 88 new fighter jets

Gripen - Saab

Feds officially launch contract to supply 88 new fighter jets - BNN Bloomberg: 

The 88 jets are to replace the country's aging CF-18s, which have been in service for more than 35 years.


OTTAWA -- Canada has formally asked four companies to submit bids to supply a new fleet of state-of-the-art fighter jets, the latest step in the country's almost decade-long quest to upgrade its air force.

The federal department responsible for procurement said Tuesday that Saab, Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing have until next spring to present initial proposals to provide 88 advanced fighters for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The jets -- part of a procurement package worth about $19 billion -- are to replace the country's aging CF-18s, which have been in service for more than 35 years.

A winning bidder will be chosen in 2022, with the first plane scheduled to arrive "as early as 2025," the government said.

"This is the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years," said a statement by Public Services and Procurement Canada. "With it, the government will deliver the aircraft that meet Canada's needs, while ensuring good value for Canadians."

Canada's efforts to buy new fighter jets have crawled along for close to a decade.

The previous Conservative government announced in 2010 it would buy 65 F-35s, which are built by Lockheed Martin, without a competition, The first one was to be delivered in 2015.

The Conservatives later backed off their plan over concerns about the price and the Defence Department's tactics in getting government approval for the deal.

During the 2015 federal election campaign, Justin Trudeau's Liberals vowed to launch a competition immediately to replace the CF-18s -- but not to buy the F-35. The Trudeau government, which replaced the Conservatives in 2015, later said the Lockheed Martin would be allowed to compete for the contract with its F-35 after all.

The Liberals launched the current procurement in 2016 and have been working on the details ever since.

Until the new jets arrive, the Liberal government has announced plans to upgrade Canada's CF-18s. It has also signed a contract to buy 18 second-hand jets from Australia, a deal that officials have pegged at around $500 million.

Conservative MP James Bezan, the party's critic for defence, criticized the Liberal government for delays in replacing the fighter jets. Other countries, he said in a statement Tuesday, chose their new jets in under two years.

"It is inexcusable that Justin Trudeau spent the past four years dithering on the fighter-jet file," Bezan said.

He added, without providing details about how this would work, that if the Conservatives win October's federal election they will "immediately select a new fighter jet through a fair and transparent competition."

The F-35 will be up against Airbus's Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab's Gripen and Boeing's Super Hornet. French company Dassault pulled its Rafale from contention late last year.

The big-ticket purchase is expected to provide a boost to the country's economy.

On Tuesday, the government said the investment will provide decades of support to Canada's aerospace and defence industries.

The government points out the bidders will have to show they have plans to invest as much in economic benefits for Canada as the eventual contract is worth.

The proposals will be evaluated on technical merit (60 per cent), cost (20 per cent) and economic benefits (20 per cent), the statement said.

The suppliers have until this fall to demonstrate that they can meet requirements for security and interoperability with allied countries' forces, and until spring 2020 to make what the government calls "initial proposals."

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F-35 Lightning II: Details
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: Details

Saab Gripen E: Details

Eurofighter Typhoon: Details

India asks Russia to upgrade its Sukhoi fighter jets

Su-30MKI - foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com

India asks Russia to upgrade its Sukhoi fighter jets: 

Known as Flanker-H in NATO countries, India purchased first batch of Su-30MKI jets in 1996 at the cost of $1.462 billion - Anadolu Agency


MOSCOW 

India has asked Russia to modernize its fleet of Sukhoi or Su-30MKI, supermaneuverable, multirole fighter jets, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said in an interview, released on Monday.

”We are very pleased with the upgrades of the MiG-21, MiG-27 and MiG-29. They have been equipped with modern weapons and avionics. In recent exercises we tried them and were very pleased with the results,” he told a Russian military daily Krasnay Zvezda.

Following the success of the MiG modernization, India has requested a proposal for the Su-30MKI modernization, he said. India has been operating Russian built Su-30 MKI for over past 20 years.

The IAF chief also said that his country is ready to discuss production of Russian arms in India, as it saves time and shortens manufacturing cycle.

Known as Flanker-H in NATO countries, India purchased the first batch of Su-30MKI jets in 1996 at the cost of $1.462 billion. Since then India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has produced 249 such aircrafts under license.

In 2017, India had cleared a proposal worth $435 million to equip the planes with new reconnaissance pods.

The IAF describes the Su-30MKI as its air dominance fighter, because it allows the service to perform multiple missions, owing to its extended range, speed, firepower and super-maneuverability. 

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The Sukhoi Su-30MKI first took off on July, 1, 1997
Sukhoi Crash In Nashik: Fighter pilots eject safely from Rs 300 crore combat jet - Watch Video

The Indian Air Force not keen on getting more Su-30MKI fighter jets
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Modernized Su-30MKI to be fitted with Su-35 Engines

Su-30MKI: Details

Pratt & Whitney wins $254m to remanufacture foreign F100 engines

Norman Graf

Pratt & Whitney wins $254m to remanufacture foreign F100 engines

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Military Engines won a $254 million contract to remanufacture an undisclosed number of F100 engines for Foreign Military Sales customers of the USA.

The F100 engine family is used by 22 nations allied with the USA to power Boeing F-15E Eagles and Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. The recent remanufacturing contract will support engines in Chile, Indonesia, Taiwan, Poland, Greece, Iraq, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Thailand and Morocco, according to a Department of Defense notice online.

The contract will support the overhaul of a wide variety of F100 variants, including the newest type, the F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP). The -229 EEP lengthens the power plant’s maintenance interval from 4,300 to 6,000 total accumulated cycles, which P&W claims extends the typical depot interval from seven to 10 years and provides a 30% reduction in life-cycle costs.

Work will be performed at P&W’s facilities in East Hartford, Connecticut, Midland, Georgia, and Midwest City, Oklahoma. The work is expected to be completed by 30 July 2024.

The F100 provides up to 29,160lb-thrust (130kN). The F-16C/D lightweight fighter is powered by one F100, while the F-15E air superiority fighter is propelled by two.

F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP)

Pratt & Whitney

F-16C/D: Details

F-15E / Advanced F-15 (2040c): Details

South Korea to build its own aircraft carrier

ROKS Marado - twgram.me

South Korea to build its own aircraft carrier - Rambler / news :

Translated by google

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (RK) approved a program for the creation of large warships LPX-2, within which a light aircraft carrier will also be created, which will house naval modifications of fifth-generation F-35 American fighter jets. Although the  military department emphasized aircraft carrier is not accepted, but acknowledged the fact of approval of the program, within which will be created the largest warship of the Korean Navy.

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on July 12 a meeting of the commanders of the headquarters of the branches of the armed forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea (RK) was held under the chairmanship of the Head of the Joint Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the RK Pak Khan Gui. During the meeting, it was decided to approve the program for the creation of large transport warships for the country's Navy LPX-2. Relevant funds for the implementation of the program will be reflected in the mid-term modernization plan of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan over the next one to two years.

As it became known, the main project of the LPX-2 program will be the construction of a large ship with a displacement of about 30 thousand tons. It will become the largest ship of the Navy of the Republic of Korea, for which currently the largest are the helicopter carriers "Tokto" and "Marado" with a displacement of 19 thousand tons.

According to sources, the new ship will be able to receive fighters with vertical takeoff and landing, as well as a number of devices that make it a light aircraft carrier. It is assumed that it will be based on marine modifications of the American fighter of the fifth generation F-35 - F-35B. South Korea has already purchased 40 F-35 A “stealth fighters” from the USA, having received four first cars. In this regard, it is very likely that Koreans will continue to take these models, this time to equip their aircraft carrier.

According to the plan, the construction of a new ship will begin in the mid-2020s, and it will be launched into the water by 2030. It turns out that in 11 years South Korea will have its first aircraft carrier.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan carefully avoids admitting that it will be the aircraft carrier that will be built, saying only that "the largest ship" will be built. "Nothing has been decided yet what aircraft will be based on the ship and when exactly it will be put into service ... In general, we plan to use it to respond to various security threats, conduct amphibious and maritime operations, support activities for combat units, and for rescue operations and humanitarian missions, "- said in a statement the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan.


At the same time, experts are unanimously confident that this is precisely the construction of the first South Korean aircraft carrier, but for now Seoul does not want to provoke neighboring countries. Plans to create similar light aircraft carriers already exist in Japan, actively developing the program of building aircraft carriers and China. 

LPX Dokdo - globalsecurity.org

South Korea's Navy to explore the possibility of operating F-35B on Dokdo-class vessel

S. Korea's military mulls operating F-35B stealth aircraft aboard new amphibious assault ship

Dokdo Class (LPH): Details

F-35 Lightning II: Details

Russian "Burevestnik" cruise missile - a weapon of retribution

rusdozor.ru

Russian "Burevestnik" cruise missile - a weapon of retribution - Fort Russ: 

MOSCOW, Russia – The “Burevestnik” cruise missile, equipped with a nuclear-powered engine is a retaliation weapon to be used by Russia after a possible nuclear attack on its territory, said military expert and editor-in-chief of the “Arsenal Otechestva” magazine, Aleksey Leonkov.

In an article for the “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” newspaper, Leonkov pointed out that the attack with “Burevestnik” cruise missiles would be carried out only after the nuclear warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were launched to and activated within the opponent’s territory............read rest of article


Russia conducted a partially successful test of its nuclear-powered cruise missile Burevestnik
Russia 'Burevestnik' nuclear-powered cruise missile prototypes with potentially unlimited range - Video

Argentina selects Korean FA-50 fighter

RTAF T-50TH - Teerapat MAVERICK Saengmanee

Argentina selects Korean FA-50 fighter | Jane's 360

The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina - FAA) has selected the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle to be its new interim fighter aircraft, Jane's has been told.

An informed source said that the supersonic, twin-seat light fighter and attack aircraft has been selected following an evaluation that Jane's first reported in September 2016.

The source said he expects the government to sign off on the planned procurement "in the near future", with deliveries to commence shortly after. Argentina has national presidential elections at the end of October, and the source noted that these may slightly prolong the timeline, but that he still expects the deal to go through.

While Jane's was not told numbers, Argentine national media has reported an anticipated deal for 10 aircraft.

The FAA has a pressing need to acquire a new fighter type to replace the Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 fleets that were retired in late 2015, and the ageing Douglas A-4R Fightinghawk fleet that is proving increasing difficult and costly to maintain.

An Argentine delegation first visited the Republic of Korea Air Force's (RoKAF's) 16th Fighter Wing at Yecheon on 7 September 2016, when an FAA pilot tested a TA-50 Golden Eagle operational trainer variant of the FA-50.

Other aircraft types that the FAA has reportedly considered include the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Kfir, the Dassault Mirage F1, the Alenia M-346FT, the Aero L-159 ALCA, the CAC FC-1/PAC JF-17 Thunder, the Saab Gripen, early-model Eurofighter Typhoons, and the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' (although this is widely believed to have been a hoax).

KAI to conclude an export contract with Argentina for 600 billion won for 12 FA- 50

Argentina halts talks linked to Kfir buy

Argentina interested in buying six French Super-Etendards

Argentine reportedly agreed to purchase 8 refurbished Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard fighter from France

KAI T-50 and FA-50 Golden Eagle: Details

Gulf country in running to buy Turkey’s F-35s after U.S. suspends delivery

f-16.net

Gulf country in running to buy Turkey’s F-35s after U.S. suspends delivery | Ahval

There is a potential that a ‘Gulf country’ may buy U.S. F-35 fighter jets whose transfer to Turkey was suspended by Washington this week in retaliation to the arrival of Russian S-400 missile systems, reliable Western defence sources told Ahval.

"There is a potential that a 'Gulf country’ will pick up the contracts that Turkey lost. A country with a good knowledge on aerospace industry and infrastructure. The set of contracts to produce components for the F-35," the sources said.

The first parts of Russian S-400 surface-to-air long range missiles began arriving at Mürted Air base outside the Turkish capital Ankara on July 12. This is followed by a White House statement on July 17 that  U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration would follow through on its threat to curtail Ankara’s participation in the F-35 effort.

“Unfortunately, Turkey’s decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defence systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible,” said the statement. 

The United States has suspended Ankara from the aircraft effort while it initiates the process to formally remove the nation from the programme.

Washington says the S-400s could compromise its Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets, an aircraft Turkey is helping to build and planning to buy. 

Reliable Western sources now believe that a Gulf country may pick up the F-35 contract that Turkey lost.

Yet it is unclear whether a possible deal with a Gulf country will involve purchase of four F-35s that United States planned to deliver to Turkey by November this year .

By now, Turkey, which has also been taking part in the project, has ordered 30 out of a planned 100 US F-35 fighters.

Along with the United States, eight countries, including Turkey, are taking part in the project.

Over time can the United States resume transfer of F-35s?

Though the United States made clear that Turkey will be deprived of F-35s in response to buying the S-400 missile systems, Ankara is speculated not to have lost its faith that if not now in the future Washington may resume the fighter’s delivery.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on July 14 that Russian S-400s to be fully deployable by April 2020.

It is not clear why Turkey will install and make operational the first squadron of S-400s in April 2020, 10 months after the parts of the systems  have already begun arriving.

One likely scenario is that Turkey may be trying to buy time to ease US pressure.


F-35 Lightning II: Details