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Chinese media indicates that Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) has achieved a major milestone in the development of the JF-17 Thunder Block-III. The aircraft is said to enter into the “preliminary design stage.”

The Block-III is supposed to be the first major upgrade of functions and features of the JF-17. It will involve new electronic subsystems, active electronically-scanned array (AESA)…

On Dec 19, 2017, the US aviation giant Boeing released the first photo of the MQ-25 “Stingray” prototype. It is an unmanned aircraft designed to refuel Navy jets flying from aircraft carriers. The prototype is developed at the secretive “Phantom Works” facility. This unveiling opens competition between Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Atomics to build a fleet of drone oil tankers capable of…

Lockheed Martin and Tata Becomes Partners to Make F-16 in India

The US based Lockheed Martin and Indian company Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed an agreement in which both companies affirmed the intent to jointly produce the F-16 Block 70 in India. The F-16 Block 70 is considered to be the best fit for the Indian Air Force, which is looking for a reliable single-engine medium multi-role medium range aircraft to meet its growing needs.

The fighter…

Indian Air Force Loses It’s Eighth Su-30

A Su-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force was reported missing after it lost contact with radar in Assam’s Tezpur area, which is near China border.

“The Sukhoi aircraft went missing near Tezpur while on a routine training sortie when it lost contact with radars. Two pilots were onboard the plane,” a senior IAF official said, while hinting that the jet might have crashed.

An Indian Air Force…

PAF Mirage Crashes Near Jhang

Today, a fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed near Jhang on Tuesday. The pilot ejected unhurt before the aircraft hit the ground.

The Mirage was on routine training mission when it crashed in the Athara Hazari area. According to spokesman, the crash caused no physical damage on the crash site as the pilot judiciously swept the plane away from the populated area.

Two seat…

Pakistan to Provide 52 Super Mushshak Trainers to Turkey

In the 2017 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), the Turkish Undersecretary for Defence Industries (SSM) awarded a contract of 52 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The ceremony took place in Istanbul.

The contract signed by Turkey and Pakistan extends basis for the collaboration between PAC and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

This stays as the…

South Carolina to Get the F-16 Production Facility

Lockheed Martin is shifting production of its F-16 fighter jet from Texas to boost the South Carolina aerospace industry. As per News media outlets Greenville will be the house of the plane nicknamed as Fighting Falcon. The move is likely to produce about 250 jobs in Greenville.

The relocation will make room in Fort Worth for the newer F-35 jet fighters. “The space we use for the F-16 will be…

Boeing Presents the Advanced F-15 2040c Air Superiority Fighter

The United States Air Force is focusing on keeping its air superiority capabilities in the best form. The challenge at hand is, its fighter platforms aging rapidly without suitable replacements available for the force. On the other hand, foreign nations like China and Russia are quickly closing the technology gap.

To stay ahead of its rivals, the Congress has asked the air force to to explore the…

PAF Tail Choppers Get 16 JF-17 Thunder Jets

A ceremony arranged at Minhas Airbase in Kamra witnessed induction of 16 new JF-17 Thunder fighter jets in the No. 14 Squadron (Tail Choppers ) of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The No. 14 Squadron is the oldest squadron of the Pakistani Air Force. It was formally known as “Shaheens” before. It was equipped with different planes in the past like: F-86 Sabre, Shenyang F-6, FT-6, F-16, F-7P and now…

Myanmar Air Force Negotiating Purchase of 16 JF-17s

Myanmar is having advanced level negotiations with Pakistan to developed JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft for meeting needs of its air force as per IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly.The South East Asian country is likely to purchase 16 units of the JF-17.

Quoting sources in the Myanmar Air Force (MAF), the report said the initial batch of the 16 JF-17s, which were ordered two years ago in 2015 are expected…

Russia Is Expected to Refurbish Pakistan Air Force’s Refueler

A photo of a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Ilyushin IL-78 plane surfaced online today. The aircraft is in-flight re-fueling tanker, which was parked at the 360th Aircraft Repair Plant in Ryazan city most likely indicates that Russia would be refurbishing the PAF’s IL-78 four-engine tanker.

In a post by a Russian aviation observer, the 360th Aircraft Repair Plant was spotted with Pakistan Air Force…

Pakistan Is Preparing to Sell Another 100 Super Mushshak

Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Production (MoDP) Rana Tanveer Hussain was recently reported by Pakistani media outlining Pakistan Aeronautical Complex’s (PAC) plans to export 100 new MFI-395 Super Mushshak trainers.

Previously, Pakistan secured 52 plane orders from Nigeria, Qatar, and Turkey in total. PAC is now in talks to sell Super Mushshaks to Azerbaijan and the Maldives.

PAF MFI-395 Super…

RJAF F-16 Pilot Dies In the Crash

A Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) fighter pilot was killed when his F-16 was on a routine mission and crashed.

RJAF F-16

The incident happened at noon on Monday. According to official statement, the reason behind the crash was a malfunction. The statement by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army identified the pilot as Major Ayed Ahmad Nassar Daajah, adding that the plane crashed after taking off…

India Test Flies Rustom-II UAV

India has successfully test flown its home-grown medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The new drone is named as RUSTOM-II.

In the official press release, the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) informed that the RUSTOM-II flew from Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), which is 250 km away from Bangalore.

RUSTOM-II. Photo credit: Defence Research…

Qatar Shows Interest in the JF -17 Thunder and MFI-17

Qatari Defence Minister called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif this Thursday and showed his interest in buying Mushshak and JF-17 Thunder aircraft to strengthen bilateral defence ties.

“We are desirous of buying Super Mushshak and JF-17 Thunder aircraft from Pakistan and also want to set up military cooperation and production of equipment in Qatar with the assistance of Pakistan and Turkey,” a PM…

PAF Mirage Fighter Jet Crashes in Karachi

A pilot of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Squadron leader Baqir Ali was killed as his aircraft Mirage fighter jet crashed near Karachi’s Musharraf Colony.

The jetbearing tale number 921 took off from Masroor Base in Karachi, before it crashed near Musharraf Colony. The pilot died on the spot, police officials stated.

The site of the crash

“The pilot ejected from the aircraft and sustained fatal…

USAF to Ground Over Twelve F-35 Fighter Jets

The fifth generation fighter, Lockheed Martin F-35, was recently deemed “ready for combat”. However, the US Air Force (USAF) is grounding 12 plus of these warplanes and taking steps to halt the production of 42 more, raising concerns of improper manufacturing processes.

The F-35 warplane was criticized by many veterans in the past and has become a symbol of a bloated budget for Pentagon.

Joint…