Military Aviation News and Discussion

[Terran]

The Cost and resource allocation isn’t worth it. the Typhoon would make a great addition to the Indian Air Force as a potential replacement for the Flanker and Fulcroms but the added weight and modifications to the landing gear, tail hooks and more would just be the poorer choice for the Navy.
Especially given the STOBAR system compromises. Elements of that model may come to pass for ground Typhoons but for the Navy? Best just to buy more Rafale M and invest that R&D into a proper CATOBAR carrier down the line.

 

[koxinga]

Didn't see this coming. In the wider context of the region, it is likely funded by external parties such as Saudi / Turkiye and comes on the heel of Israel's recongition of the rival Somaliland.

Somalia moves to buy 24 Pakistan JF-17 fighter jets in $900m deal months after Israel recognised Somaliland

Somalia, ranked among the world’s weakest militaries, is negotiating with Pakistan to acquire up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets in what could mark its most significant defence investment in decades, according to Defence Security Asia

africa.businessinsider.com

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Didn't see this coming. In the wider context of the region, it is likely funded by external parties such as Saudi / Turkiye and comes on the heel of Israel's recongition of the rival Somaliland.

Somalia moves to buy 24 Pakistan JF-17 fighter jets in $900m deal months after Israel recognised Somaliland

Somalia, ranked among the world’s weakest militaries, is negotiating with Pakistan to acquire up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets in what could mark its most significant defence investment in decades, according to Defence Security Asia

africa.businessinsider.com

Certainly seems like a broad leap in capability for a military that hasn't operated fixed wing aircraft in two-to-three decades, let alone multirole light fighters
I'm going to assume it will be quite a while before they exhibit anywhere bear an operational competence

 

[koxinga]

Agreed. There are limited, training facilities in Somalia. If the purchase goes ahead. They will need a sponsor to run the whole operations from the start, right from selecting candidates.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I expect most of the aircraft maintenance technicians, pilots and other specialists will be mercenaries/employees from china and Pakistan, provided by the manufacturer. A small semi-failed Fourth World Country like Somalia lacks everything to have a proper functioning educational system for the people, to train enough people for 2 light fighter squadrons in a couple of years is just impossible.

 

[swerve]

There's a large Somali diaspora, probably a lot better off & better educated than the residents of Somalia itself. Doesn't mean they'll be able to rustle up enough personnel for a couple of fighter squadrons in a couple of years, but we shouldn't dismiss the possibility of it being possible to recruit some skilled Somalis, & more willing & able to learn from the foreigners who I agree will be necessary if this project is actually going to happen.