Le Drian discussed Rafale deal with Malaysia, but no Mistral

During his visit to Malaysia, French defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke on the deal to sell 18 Rafale fighters but did not touch on the Mistral helicopter carrier during his meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein.

By Aldo Bidini [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Le Drian discussed Rafale deal with Malaysia, but no Mistral

Former TOP GUN instructor, Navy SEAL is now 2015 Tillman Scholar

Rick Lang, a former F/A-18 pilot who spent a decade as a Top Gun instructor, and a member of a west-coast based Navy SEAL team, has been given the 2015 Tillman scholarship to study medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Photo: Courtesy of Rick Lang

Source: Former TOP GUN instructor, Navy SEAL is now 2015 Tillman Scholar

Indian negotiating team given ‘go ahead’ to continue Rafale discussions with France

India’s Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has given the team handling the negotiations with France for 36 Rafale fighters the “go ahead to continue” discussions.

By Konstantin von Wedelstaedt [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Indian negotiating team given ‘go ahead’ to continue Rafale discussions with France

Hungary takes over lead role in Baltic Air Policing

The Hungarian Air Force has assumed the lead role in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission for the first time on Aug. 31.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 detachment handed over the baton to four Hungarian JAS-39 Gripen fighters at Siaulia Air Base, Lithuania.

Source: Hungary takes over lead role in Baltic Air Policing

Reserve A-10s first fighters to land in Latvia

Two A-10s with the 303d Fighter Squadron became the first fighters from the U.S. Air Force to land in Latvia on Aug. 26. Previously, F-16s had perform touch-and-go at Lielvarde Air Base.

U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Denise Haeussler

Source: Reserve A-10s first fighters to land in Latvia

Fresh elections in Turkey could result in more delays with T-LORAMIDS

With new elections to be held in Turkey on Nov. 1, anonymous defense officials are saying that decision makers are steering away from concluding the T-LORAMIDS long-range air defense missile system program.

By Jian Kang (2009.beijing. troops parade) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Fresh elections in Turkey could result in more delays with T-LORAMIDS

U.S. Army picks Northrop Grumman for CIRCM program

The U.S. Army has selected Northrop Grumman over BAE Systems for the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program. The $35 million contract has options for engineering and manufacturing development and low-rate initial production.

Photo: Northrop Grumman

Source: U.S. Army picks Northrop Grumman for CIRCM program