Romania pushes forward with quest to acquire F-35As
Romania’s Ministry of National Defence has formally submitted a request to the Romanian Parliament to approve the purchase of 32 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II multi-role stealth fighters, local media reported on August 9
Northrop Grumman to deliver three unique E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes to France
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $387m (€352m) contract modification to produce three uniquely configured E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for the French Navy
RAF Chinooks take part in Vortex Warrior at El Centro
Chinook HC5/HC6s and air/ground crews from the RAF’s No 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, recently deployed to Naval Air Facility El Centro in California in August to conduct specialist desert flying training in Exercise Vortex Warrior
Japanese F-35As mark first overseas deployment for Australian exercise
Four F-35A Lightning IIs from the 3rd Air Wing departed Misawa Air Base – the unit’s home base – for Australia on August 25 to participate in the two-week Exercise Bushido Guardian 2023, marking the first overseas deployment for the type in operational Japan Air Self-Defense Force service
Germany deploys EF-2000s to Iceland for Rapid Viking 2023
The German Air Force has deployed six Eurofighter EF-2000s and 30 personnel from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 73 (TaktLwG 73; Tactical Air Force Wing 73) ‘Steinhoff’ to Iceland as part of Exercise Rapid Viking 2023
Rostec plots out upgrade plan for Russia’s fifth-gen Su-57 fighter
Vladimir Artyakov, the First Deputy General Director of the Rostec State Corporation, recently told Russian media outlet, Izvestia, that the company plans to have a total of 22 serial-production Su-57 Felon fighters in Russian Aerospace Forces service by 2024
Vietnam’s first L-39NG jet trainers now ready for delivery
Aero Vodochody formally rolled out the first of 12 L-39NG advanced jet trainers for the Vietnam People’s Air Force in the Czech Republic on August 7
RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Bears over the North Sea
The RAF scrambled Typhoon FGR4s on Quick Reaction Alert duty at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, to intercept two Russian long-range maritime patrol aircraft – comprising a Tu-142MZ Bear-F and a Tu-142MRM Bear-J – as they transited north of the Shetland Islands on August 14
Luftwaffe moves to axe troublesome A340-313X fleet after latest issues
The German Air Force has said that it will bring forward the retirement of the two Airbus A340-313Xs used by the Special Air Mission Wing of the Federal Ministry of Defence (FBS BMVg) for VIP transport duties
Japanese F-15J marks 100 years of the Italian Air Force
As part of preparations being made for welcoming a detachment of Italian F-35A Lightning IIs to Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force painted one of its F-15J Eagles in special markings to commemorate the centenary of the Italian Air Force