RTAF is third Southeast Asian Air Force to select KAI T-50

Thailand has signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for four T-50 advanced jet trainers.

By 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces (국산 초음속고등훈련기 T-50) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The signing ceremony took place at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul. KAI has 30 months to deliver those jets.
Indonesia is the first country in Southeast Asia to operate the T-50. Philippines was next and the country is expecting the delivery of its first jet this year.
Of note, this is the first time the M-346 lost to the T-50 in a competition.

Source: RTAF is third Southeast Asian Air Force to select KAI T-50

Japan protest Russian military plane’s 16 second intrusion into its airspace

A Russian military aircraft entered Japanese airspace off the northernmost main island of Hokkaido for 16 seconds and forced the JASDF to scramble fighters.

By Angelique Perez, U.S. Air Force (http://www.kadena.af.mil/; gallery; image) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Japan’s foreign ministry lodge a protest shortly after the 16 second intrusion.

Source: Japan protest Russian military plane’s 16 second intrusion into its airspace

SOM-J to fly on Turkish F-35 in 2017

Lockheed Martin and Roketsan are on course to have the SOM-J cruise missile fly on board a Turkish F-35 in 2017.

By Noblemouse (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: SOM-J to fly on Turkish F-35 in 2017

USAF ready to field lasers on AC-130Ws by 2020

The U.S. Air Force is on course to field a podded, tactical laser on the AC-130W by 2020, and eventually the fighter community will get a laser weapon as well.
“Airborne-laser” by US Air Force – http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/090618-F-0000X-101.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia.

Speaking at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference, Air Force Special Operational Command (AFSOC) chief, Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, said the laser will generate power greater than 120kw and is meant for destroying ground targets, not humans.
When technology matures enough to reduce the size, weight and power sensitivity of the weapon, it will used by fighters to take out surface-to-air defense, said ACC chief Gen. Herbert Carlisle.

Source: USAF ready to field lasers on AC-130Ws by 2020

Finnish Hornets and Swedish Gripens to practice operating from road runway

Finnish F/A-18s, Hawks and two Swedish Gripens will operate from a road runway at Hosio between Sept. 18-26.

By bomberpilot (imx00000359Uploaded by High Contrast) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Exercise Baana-2015 will see jets and tactical transport aircraft fly dual and solo operations from the road base in both night and day conditions.

Source: Finnish Hornets and Swedish Gripens to practice operating from road runway

Russian Mi-24 crashed landed

A Russian Mi-24 gunship crashed landed at Dvoevka airfield in the Smolensk region on Sept. 16. There were no injuries during the accident which happened at 08:30 p.m. Moscow time.

By Igor Dvurekov (http://russianplanes.net/id58894) [GFDL 1.2, GFDL 1.2 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Russian Mi-24 crashed landed

RNZAF P-3K2 in South Korea and Japan for training exercise

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) 5 Squadron will send a P-3K2 to South Korea and Japan for a series of training exercises.

By New Zealand Defence Force from Wellington, New Zealand (20120326_AK_Q1032139_0001) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

First up will be Exercise ROKKIWI 15, an anti-submarine warfare exercise that the RNZAF is conducting in the Yellow Sea with the South Korean Navy and the U.S. Navy.
The team will later travel to Kanoya Air Base, Japan for Exercise JAPAN AFFIL 15 with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s No 1 Squadron.

Source: RNZAF P-3K2 in South Korea and Japan for training exercise

Japan selects KC-46A

Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan has decided to buy the KC-46A as its next aerial refueling tanker. A tender for the new tanker closed on Sept. 8 and Boeing was the sole bidder after Airbus withdrew from the competition.

Photo: Boeing

The Japanese Defense Ministry will enter price negotiations with Boeing and determine the number of the planes to be delivered.

Source: Japan selects KC-46A

USAFE commander wants F-22s permanently in Europe

Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, has called for the permanent deployment of F-22s in Europe.

U.S. Air Force photo by Aiman 1st Class Luke Kitterman

According to Gorenc, the recent deployment of 4 F-22s to Europe proved that infrastructure exists in the region to support the aircraft.

Source: USAFE commander wants F-22s permanently in Europe

Dutch F-35 procurement to cost 550 million euros more

The Dutch government might have to spend an extra 500 million euros to procure its F-35 fleet due to the strengthening U.S. dollar.

By Liz Kaszynski, Lockheed Martin (bron: Ministerie van Defensie.) [CC0 or Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Netherlands wants to have 37 F-35As to replace its F-16 fleet.

Source: Dutch F-35 procurement to cost 550 million euros more