Defense News Aerospace 2024
US Marine Corps picks up first of 22 ex-Swiss Air Force F-5 Tiger fighter jets for OPFOR role
Switzerland has handed over its first decommissioned Northrop F-5 Tiger fighter jet to the US military. The transfer marks the initial step towards...
Indian Air Force to receive first HAL LCA Mark1A fighters by March 31
The acquisition is part of a significant agreement valued at Rs 48,000 crore between the Defence Ministry and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) f...
India signs two major contracts to modernize Dornier 228 multirole aircraft fleet
In March 2024, the Indian Ministry of Defence decided to strengthen its aerial fleet by signing two major contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limi...
Italian Air Force and Navy F-35s to be armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on March 15 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign ...
Bell Textron to supply Nigeria with 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters
Bell Textron has secured a $455 million contract to supply 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters to the Nigerian Government, according to Harry McNeil in Air...
India strengthens air capabilities with 34 Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv deal
On March 15, 2024, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of 34 Advanced Lig...
F-35 program achieves Milestone C and Full Rate Production
On March 12, 2024, the Milestone Decision Authority, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William A. LaPlante, approved ...
US Air Force to reduce fleet by 250 aircraft in 2025
Chris Goron from Air & Space Forces Magazine reports a significant shift in the U.S. Air Force's strategy as it enters fiscal 2025, with plans ...
US Department of Defense aims to deploy 1 000 AI-controlled fighter jets to support human aviators
Christopher McFadden, in an Interesting Engineering article, reports the U.S. Department of Defense's announcement to invest in creating an artific...
First batch of TB2 Drones delivered to Maldives sparks regional tensions
Following India's withdrawal request of its forces from its territory, the Maldives has announced the acquisition of the Bayraktar TB2 drone from T...
Greek Air Force joins two EDA European Defence Agency projects in air domain
Greece has officially joined the C-27J Spartan Cooperation program under the European Defence Agency (EDA), starting in March. This membership will...
India sanctions development of 5th-Gen locally made Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
On March 7, 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, authorized the development of the Advanced Medium C...
KAI to develop single-seater FA-50 light combat aircraft with new investment plan
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has unveiled plans to develop an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) and a single-seat version of its FA-50 light...
Lockheed's F-16 Block 70 jets soar towards Bahrain in historic first
On March 6, 2024, Lockheed Martin announced the departure of the first set of three F-16 Block 70 jets from Greenville, South Carolina, to Bahrain....
Poland receives First Saab 340 early airborne surveillance aircraft
On March 6, 2024, the Polish Air Force welcomed the first of two Saab 340 Early Airborne Warning (AEW) aircraft, marking a strategic procurement fr...
Germany will receive the complete CH-47F fleet over the next eight years
Germany is set to receive its complete CH-47F fleet within the next eight years. The German Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of the CH...
Andersen Air Force Base spearheads training program for hypersonic weapon systems
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress crew members from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron underwent specialized trai...
China's Naval Force showcases rare Gaoxin-8 EW aircraft with advanced low observable coating
According to a report from China Arms, the Northern Theater Command's Navy aviation force in China recently conducted flight training involving sev...
Canada and Germany to receive Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft
On February 29, 2024, Boeing was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy valued at $3.4 billion for the production of 17 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission ma...
GA-ASI’s XQ-67A OBSS Off-Board Sensing Station completes first flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the first time on Feb. 28, 2024. OBSS is a...