US State Department approves South Korea to buy 25 more F-35A jets

On the same subject

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  September 13, 2018 | International, Land

  Estonia eyes mid-range air defense systems to rectify NATO ‘oversight’

  By: Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — Estonia's military is prioritizing the purchase of a midrange air defense system as the country seeks to plug a capability gap its defense minister called the result of a “total oversight” by NATO. During a Washington trip to attend Sen. John McCain's funeral, Estonian Defence Minister Jüri Luik told Defense News that NATO made a strategic mistake in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union by not building up air defense capabilities, outside of rotational deployments of aircraft. “For a long time, there was no consideration that you would actively have to close the airspace at some point. So NATO countries have very weak air defense capabilities,” Luik said. “I think this is one of the priority systems, or priority areas, which every [one of the allied] countries should develop.” “I have to say with sadness that very few NATO countries actually have proper air defense capabilities. That is one of the areas which was gravely mismanaged, or was not under any attention,” he added. “I think that was a total oversight. But, of course, it was based on the idea that the era of big power tensions is over.” Luik hopes to put Estonia's money where his mouth is. The country in June signed an agreementwith MBDA to purchase more Mistral short-range air defense weapons, but has its eyes on adding another layer of protection. The country is looking at procuring a medium-range air defense system, similar to the Kongsberg network-centric air defence system, or NASAMS, purchased by Lithuania, which is also in use by Finland. While not declaring Estonia would also go after NASAMS, Luik acknowledged that regional air defense systems “should be as close as possible coordinated” with neighborhood countries. However, such a system is “the only step which is even theoretically available to our country with our defense spending,” Luik said, even if the upcoming March elections lead to a government willing to increase defense spending to about 2.5 percent of gross domestic product. (At the worst, Luik predicts, defense spending would remain flat.) Full article: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/09/12/estonia-eyes-mid-range-air-defense-systems-to-rectify-nato-oversight

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  January 11, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  Indonesian Air Force places order for eight additional H225Ms

  The Indonesian Air Force has ordered eight additional twin-engine multirole H225M helicopters as part of the country's fleet-strengthening initiative for a combat search and rescue-capable fleet. Indonesia, Under the agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) (PTDI), the 11-ton combat-proven helicopters will be delivered to the air force upon reassembly and completion of the mission equipment outfitting and customisation by PTDI at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia. These additional helicopters will join the air force's existing fleet of six H225Ms to perform similar combat search and rescue missions. “We welcome Indonesia's selection of our H225M helicopters for their expanding fleet. The H225M is a combat-proven helicopter that is well regarded by military customers worldwide, and Indonesia's additional order speaks strongly of their confidence in Airbus' helicopters,” said Ben Bridge, Executive Vice President, Global Business of Airbus Helicopters. “Indonesia continues to play a vital role in Airbus Helicopters' global industrial footprint. With a trusted partner in PTDI, we stand ready to support the availability of Indonesia's fleet.” Airbus Helicopters and Indonesia have an enduring relationship of over 40 years dating back to 1976 when PTDI first obtained a licence to produce the NBO-105 helicopter. Specifically on the H225, PTDI became a key supplier of the helicopter's rear fuselage and main airframe in 2008, with full production in place in Indonesia by 2011. The two companies expanded the industrial co-operation in 2017, to include support and services dedicated for the Indonesian military fleet of helicopters. The H225M is currently in service across the globe with 88 helicopters delivered to-date. It recently surpassed the 100,000 flight hour milestone, following its first delivery to the French Air Force in 2006. Since then the H225M has proven its reliability and durability in multiple combat environments and crisis areas. A member of the multi-role Super Puma family of helicopters, this military variant is currently operational in France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, and has recently been ordered by Hungary, Kuwait and Singapore. About Airbus Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of €59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/01/indonesian-air-force-places-order-for-eight-additional-h225ms.html

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  February 23, 2023 | International, C4ISR

  How JADC2 is like a high-tech grill, according to one Marine colonel

  It’s tricky to define the multibillion-dollar Pentagon initiative aimed at linking up the military’s many forces and data.