Acquisitions
USAF now plans to buy less than 100 F-15EXs
As part of its FY25 budget request, the USAF has revealed that it now plans to purchase 18 F-15EXs, rather than the 24 Eagle IIs that were initially set to be acquired. This would take the total planned F-15EX procurement from a total of 104 aircraft to just 98
Singapore to buy eight more Lightning IIs
Singapore will acquire eight examples of the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL)-configured F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter to supplement the 12 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-capable F-35Bs it has already purchased
Hungary orders four more Gripen Cs
Saab inked a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering an order for four more single-seat JAS 39C Gripen multi-role fighters for the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) on February 23
US to accelerate UH-60M deliveries to Australia
When the decision was made to expedite the withdrawal of its MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, the Australian Army Aviation Corps (AAAC) was left with a significant capability gap, which was partly filled through expedited UH-60M deliveries, including the accelerated delivery of nine additional Black Hawks by March 2024
US finally approves sale of F-16 Block 70s to Turkey
After a two-year delay, Turkey has finally gained approval from the US government to acquire 40 new-build F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters and 79 F-16V upgrade kits in a deal worth approximately $23bn
Portugal receives first second-hand P-3C Orion from Germany
The Força Aerea Portuguesa (FAP; Portuguese Air Force) received the first of six former Marineflieger (German Navy)-operated P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) on February 9
Ethiopia acquires Su-30K fighters and Akinci drones
The Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) has taken delivery of two Russian-built Su-30K Flanker-F multi-role fighters and an unspecified number of Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs)
Spain offers second-hand Eurofighters to Colombia
The Colombian Air Force received a new Eurofighter Typhoon proposal from the Spanish government in early December, with the proposed deal reportedly covering the supply of between 12-16 second-hand Tranche 2 Eurofighters from the Spanish Air and Space Force
Canada formalises MQ-9B SkyGuardian purchase
Canada became the latest customer to acquire the MQ-9B SkyGuardian UCAV from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) on December 19, when it agreed to purchase 11 MQ-9Bs, six ground control stations and related support equipment and services for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at a cost of $1.87bn
Peruvian Navy presses new Sea Kings into service
The Peruvian Naval Aviation Command pressed the first two of six ex-Spanish Navy SH-3G Sea Kings – which were acquired second-hand from the Spanish government for the symbolic price of €100 each – on November 29