Afghan A-29 COIN fighters begin combat operations
For the first time since the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the AAF has engaged in live combat using modern-day fixed-wing combat aircraft.
Middle East
Jordan is upgrading its Air Tractors for precision-strike
Jordan is upgrading its Air Tractor-based Archangels, enabling them to carry precision-guided bombs such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition
Azerbaijan invites Pakistan to showcase the JF-17 at ADEX 2016
The Government of Azerbaijan invited Pakistan to present the JF-17 at its upcoming ADEX 2016 defence exhibition in September
Saudi Arabia aims to local-source 50% of future arms acquisitions
Being the world’s fourth highest defence spender, Saudi Arabia is aiming to direct its expenditure to develop a robust domestic defence industry.
Is the Altay MBT nearing production?
Turkish news outlets are reporting that Otokar is ready to mass produce the Altay main battle tank
New Russian attack helicopters spotted in Syria
On the day that a number of Russian aircraft left Syria, Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” and Ka-52 “Alligator” dedicated attack helicopters entered the country.
First group of Russian planes leave Syria
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, a batch of Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers left Hmeymin Airbase near Latakia (Bashar al-Assad’s stronghold).
Egypt will use loans to help fund new French weapons
Egypt will secure $3.76 billion U.S. in loans from France in order to fund its acquisition of various big-ticket French armaments.
This Week in Defence News
Pakistan tests Ra’ad ALCM, Pakistan’s Defence Minister confident of new F-16s, Indonesia on-track to delivering first SSV to Philippines, Iraq plans to spend nearly $2bn...
The Emerging (Non-Western) Armed UAV Market
Armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have seen relatively widespread adoption in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia this past year.