French Rafale flew reconnaissance flight over Syria
A French Air Force Rafale, equipped with a RECO NG pod, has been flown over Syria for the country’s first surveillance flight in Syria.
Photo: French Air Force
The six and a half hour mission was made possible with aerial refueling from a KC-135R tanker.
Source: French Rafale flew reconnaissance flight over Syria
Bulgaria rejected Russia’s request for airspace clearance to fly to Syria
Bulgaria said it has denied airspace clearance for Russian aircraft flying to Syria. Bulgaria’s foreign ministry said it suspected the aircraft were not carrying aid, as Russia claimed.
By Igor Dvurekov [GFDL 1.2, GFDL 1.2 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Bulgaria rejected Russia’s request for airspace clearance to fly to Syria
Airbus abandons bid to sell A330 MRTT to Japan
Airbus has decided to stop its sales campaign to sell the A330 MRTT aerial tanker to Japan, citing the reason that Japan’s request for proposals (RFP) favors the KC-46.
By Jonathan Payne from Ayr, United Kingdom (ZZ335 A330Uploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Elaborating in a statement, Airbus said the RFP allows Tokyo to negotiate prices with U.S. via the FMS route. Such a move did not allow for a fair price comparison between its MRTT and the KC-46.
Source: Airbus abandons bid to sell A330 MRTT to Japan
Chinese fighter pilots scrambled to intercept Global Hawk
The Republic of China Air Force scrambled two F-16 fighters to intercept a U.S. Global Hawk that was flying along the border of its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sept. 8.
By U.S. Air Force photo by Bobbi Zapka [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Chinese fighter pilots scrambled to intercept Global Hawk
Close-up photos of Z-19E attack helicopter
Pakistan’s UAV carried out air strike against militants
The Pakistani army says its indigenous UAV had carried out an air strike for the first time, killing three militants. The strike was in the North Waziristan tribal region.
Source: Pakistan’s UAV carried out air strike against militants
50th anniversary of the Bell Model 209
Sept. 7 was the 50th anniversary of the first Bell Model 209 flight. However, there was not ceremony or any fanfare to mark the occasion.
See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: 50th anniversary of the Bell Model 209
Turkey offers laser-guided rockets, anti-tank missiles to Poland
Roketsan has tied up with Polish company WZL1 to offer the former’s Cirit laser-guided rocket and Mizrak-U anti-tank missile for the Polish military.
By MilborneOne (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Turkey offers laser-guided rockets, anti-tank missiles to Poland
Indonesia to fortify island in South China Sea
Indonesia plans to upgrade the military facilities on its island closest to South China Sea. The airport in Natuna island will be expanded so that four fighter jets can be based there.
Photo: Google
Source: Indonesia to fortify island in South China Sea
Photos from Elang Thainesia XVII
Photos: Royal Thai Air Force
Source: Photos from Elang Thainesia XVII