Military Aviation News and Discussion

[T.C.P]

Various news about Bangladesh buying J-10Cs. Not surprised they were offered, but RUMINT at the moment as nothing is final or concrete.

I will believe it when I see it. I started my defencetalk account back in the early 2009-10 periods and I have been fed on rumours about plane acquisitions since then.

In that time frame, we had a stable govt come and fall, and during that govt, every single branch of the military made major acquisitions, except for one, the air force.

We are now extremely broke with a caretaker govt in charge, who has no real strength and ability, and does not have the financial or political muscle to make this purchase. On top of that, our relationship with China right now is unsure, the previous govt, depite being labeled as pro Indian sell outs, had stronger relationship with China than any other previous govt. The current caretker govt is headed by a guy who has a one sided love affair with the West, who could not care less about him.

Dont expect any major military acquisition, until the govt situation is resolved.

 

[Ananda]

Namibia takes delivery of two Y-9E tactical transports

Namibia has become the first international customer of the Shaanxi Y-9E tactical transport, taking delivery of two examples.

www.flightglobal.com

China finally got first export customer for Y-9E, the aircraft that originally base on An-12. China use An-12 to develop Y-8 which then develop to Y-9E. This is seems being market by China as relatively cheaper alternative from C-130J.

 

[John Fedup]

The latest on Boeing’s efforts to deliver new AirForceOnes, just adding more delays. Supply chain issues as an excuse is getting a little tired IMO. The recent strike, sure that is going to add some delay, but not the amount Boeing is adding to delivery. Boeing is opening to door for another major airframe vendor and we all know it will be China. Boeing can look forward to being number three. There is some good news though, the new AirfForceOne won’t be flying Donald around.

First delivery for Air Force One slides to 2029, source says - Breaking Defense

Even more delays may lie ahead for Boeing’s efforts to convert two 747s into flying West Wings.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The latest on Boeing’s efforts to deliver new AirForceOnes, just adding more delays. Supply chain issues as an excuse is getting a little tired IMO. The recent strike, sure that is going to add some delay, but not the amount Boeing is adding to delivery. Boeing is opening to door for another major airframe vendor and we all know it will be China. Boeing can look forward to being number three. There is some good news though, the new AirfForceOne won’t be flying Donald around.

First delivery for Air Force One slides to 2029, source says - Breaking Defense

Even more delays may lie ahead for Boeing’s efforts to convert two 747s into flying West Wings.

breakingdefense.com

|"likely pushing the delivery of the first jet out to 2029 or even later, ...."|
Unbelievable....and these two 747-8s are already finished ones, years ago, Boeing only had to convert/modify them.

If there will be more delays, then maybe the chinese president can get his Comac C929 earlier...

 

[Ananda]

There is some good news though, the new AirfForceOne won’t be flying Donald around.

Yes, but it could be Vance flying with it . Seriously though even with COMAC strive and all Boeing continues quality and industrial chains problems, don't think it can be overtaken as number two. It will take more the Boeing continuous screew up even for COMAC to overtake Boeing #2 possition on a decade.

However it will be distant #2 possition with Airbus. They will continue distant themselves as #1. The twist of all of this if previously Boeing want to take over Embrear commercial business. After a decade it could be Embrear in position to put a bid to take over Boeing commercial.

Not going to happen unless US government already lost hope against them. However it will be the irony that Boeing that often accuse Airbus on Euro Nations subsidies, can turn out has to relies with US subsidies (direct or indirect ones) to survive this decade.

 

[Terran]

|"likely pushing the delivery of the first jet out to 2029 or even later, ...."|
Unbelievable....and these two 747-8s are already finished ones, years ago, Boeing only had to convert/modify them.

This isn’t like adding the interior of a Business jet. Although the interior will likely resemble a Private Boeing 747-8I. The modifications will be extensive including a number of military and defensive systems not found on any commercial aircraft, not even Israeli. EMP hardened with state of the art countermeasures and the latest communications technology the US DOD has available. As a result the first step is actually to disassemble the entire aircraft down to nuts and bolts and rewire rebuild and especially recertification of all of it. Even had Boeing built brand new 747-8I for the mission it would still have required that.

If there will be more delays, then maybe the chinese president can get his Comac C929 earlier...

Considering that as of November 2024 Flight Global magazine reported that the first fuselage assembly was slated for 2027. Unless the General Secretary of the CCP was receiving a C929 prototype without any special equipment just a Buisness jet interior there is no way for delivery before 2033. If you said a C919 or a C909 fine no argument however if we use the C929 as a reference it began assembly in 2015 with first flight in 2017 and didn’t enter revenue service until 2023.

Boeing is opening to door for another major airframe vendor and we all know it will be China.

Boeing is in trouble yes. But Comac has its own problems and it’s not in any position to take the slack of Boeing.
They only have the C919 with the C929 only on paper. Even with the C919 the production capacity is short and it would take at least another decade to make up for Boeing. Farther if they did try they would have to meet the production requirements and national security concerns of the west. Which would likely be a big problem. Yes the C919 is over half western but Comac is still using Russia as a supplier for it’s products including the C929.

Airbus has its own problems. Though it’s ahead of the game right now it’s stretching to meet demand and bother Airbus and Boeing have long backorder books.
Embraer might be able to take a bite out the 737 order book but they are rather on the small side. Sure their modern products have the range some could if the Pilots unions agreed even go intercontinental, but the seats would be an issue.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

On 20 December 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) finalised an agreement to purchase 25 additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft.

The order consists of 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft.

Spain signs for Halcon II Eurofighters

Eurofighter and Spain have finalised a contract for 25 new combat aircraft to be acquired under the Halcon II programme.

www.janes.com

Spain invests in additional Eurofighter Typhoon

Spain invests in additional Eurofighter Typhoon On 20 December 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) finalised an agreement to purchase 25 additional Eurofighter Typhoon figh...

scramble.nl

The Ejército del Aire y del Espacio now has around 68-69 EF2000 fighters.

 

[Ananda]

Flying Legend Vietnam

Discover the innovative TP150 aircraft, proudly manufactured in Vietnam to meet international standards.

www.flyinglegend.vn

During Vietnam Defense Exhibition, a light training aircraft call TP-150 being shown. This is come from Italian-Vietnam JV company call Flying Legend Vietnam. Light traning aircraft that seems also prepared for light recon duty set up.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Flying Legend Vietnam

Discover the innovative TP150 aircraft, proudly manufactured in Vietnam to meet international standards.

www.flyinglegend.vn

During Vietnam Defense Exhibition, a light training aircraft call TP-150 being shown. This is come from Italian-Vietnam JV company call Flying Legend Vietnam. Light traning aircraft that seems also prepared for light recon duty set up.

So from which i understand, the TP-150 is 100% designed by the Italian company, but they plan to build a production/assembly plant in Vietnam. And there is a big chance that the Vietnamese airforce will order this aircraft.

Italian Flying Legend TP150 Set to Become the Vietnamese Air Force's Next Trainer Aircraft

Italian Flying Legend TP150 Set to Become the Vietnamese Air Force's Next Trainer Aircraft

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Ananda]

ESR-500A Radar Flight Tests Commence for FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft

LIG Nex1 has announced the commencement of flight tests for its air-cooled AESA radar,

www.businesskorea.co.kr

Put it here not in ROKAF thread, as this is more likely effort to increase FA-50 attractiveness in export market. Personally I still see FA-50 or plan single seater F-50 as much better chances with export market then KF-21

 

[swerve]

I remember the Vixen 500E being shown next to the T-50, many years ago. Then LM butted in, because its contract gave it a say, & Vixen 500E disappeared, to be replaced by the AN/APG-67(V)4, then the Elta EL/M-2032.

I expect KAI has sworn to be more careful what it signs up to in future.

 

[Ananda]

expect KAI has sworn to be more careful what it signs up to in future.

Having domestic supplies chains is clearly aim to that direction. KAI also want to secure their flexibility on export market for more domestic system.

KAI also asside FA-50 work hard on their Puma based Helicopter Surion. They just secure deal from Iraq. No info on the quantity, but looking on to deal value I suspect around 4-6 Helicopters.

KAI signs $93mn Surion helicopter export deal with Iraq - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse)

The Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has achieved the first exports of the KUH-1 Surion transport utility helicopter, the country’s aerospace and defense manufacturer disclosed on Monday. KAI KUH

pulse.mk.co.kr

The potential SEA country for another Surion deal is Indonesia from what I gather in here. Seems there's rumours on getting either Surion and KT-1 Turboprop trainer assembly line as 'compensation' deal if Indonesia decided to drop out from KF-21.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Having domestic supplies chains is clearly aim to that direction. KAI also want to secure their flexibility on export market for more domestic system.

KAI also asside FA-50 work hard on their Puma based Helicopter Surion. They just secure deal from Iraq. No info on the quantity, but looking on to deal value I suspect around 4-6 Helicopters.

KAI signs $93mn Surion helicopter export deal with Iraq - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse)

The Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has achieved the first exports of the KUH-1 Surion transport utility helicopter, the country’s aerospace and defense manufacturer disclosed on Monday. KAI KUH

pulse.mk.co.kr

The potential SEA country for another Surion deal is Indonesia from what I gather in here. Seems there's rumours on getting either Surion and KT-1 Turboprop trainer assembly line as 'compensation' deal if Indonesia decided to drop out from KF-21.

Oh no...besides the Bell 412, NAS332/EC725, Mi-17 and S-70, another transport helicopter....

Better KT-1B assembly line....if not one for the T-50

 

[Ananda]

Better KT-1B assembly line

If the rumours on negotiations come through, potentially this is the one that being aim. Seems KAI wants to find partner for this line. KAI seems want to focus more to TA/FA-50 and KF-21 lines. For DI another turboprop line I suspect still manageable Investment. KF-21 line in DI seems more and more will depend on how the result of lobby competition between KAI and Dasault, and my money more in Dasault.

For Surion I believe it is more to KAI lobby, and I don't think they can beat Airbus Helicopter lobby though. Still seems Indonesian will want to keep defense co-op with ROK, thus Surion chances is can't be overide yet.