The 56th Air Refueling Squadron has unveiled the world’s first KC-46 Pegasus demonstration team at the Wings and Warriors Fly-In in San Marcos, Texas, on Nov. 9. This debut performance marked a major milestone for the KC-46, highlighting its advanced capabilities and the crucial role it plays in modern air operations.
Reuters has reported that Swedish defence firm Saab has offered to sell Gripen fighter jets to Colombia. Saab CEO Micael Johansson confirmed the offer in an interview, stating that Colombia is evaluating the proposal. This follows an earlier report from Swedish public radio, which cited unnamed sources claiming that Colombia was poised to purchase Gripen jets. The specific number of aircraft offered by Saab remains undisclosed.
The United States Air Force is preparing to withdraw its fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from Osan Air Base in South Korea, marking a significant shift in its military strategy in the region. The 25th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed the “Assam Draggins”, has been stationed at Osan AB since 1982, playing a crucial role in maintaining peace on the Korean peninsula. However, as part of a sweeping modernisation effort, the A-10s will be phased out by the end of fiscal year 2025.
In a significant leap for naval aviation, the Gray Eagle STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) unmanned aircraft successfully completed its first flight from a South Korean warship to a land base on 12 November 2024. The event, which took place off the coast of Pohang, South Korea, underscores the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern naval operations.
A recent BBC report shines a light on India’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the small island of Agalega, part of the Mauritius archipelago. Located approximately 1,100km (680 miles) north of Mauritius, Agalega was once an isolated community of 350 individuals sustained by fishing and coconut farming. Now, the island is rapidly transforming into a strategic hub, raising questions about India’s military ambitions and their implications for regional security.