In a major boost to its special operations forces, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has signed a deal for 12 Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters. The agreement, inked at the Euronaval trade show in Paris, sees the Netherlands become the latest nation to embrace the combat-proven platform.
Image: Airbus
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Author: alert5
VAW-123 retires E-2C Hawkeye, embraces E-2D Advanced Hawkeye era
The sun dipped low over the Arizona desert as two E-2C Hawkeyes, their wings casting long shadows across the tarmac, made its final approaches. The aircraft, belonging to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123, touched down gently at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the last of their kind to leave the squadron’s care. This event marks the end of an era for VAW-123 and the beginning of its full transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
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MBDA hits milestone with 4,000th Exocet missile
The world-renowned Exocet anti-ship missile family reached a new milestone with the 4,000th unit rolling off the production line at MBDA’s facility in the Centre region of France. The landmark missile was recently handed over to the French Navy, marking a significant achievement for both MBDA and the French armed forces.
Photo: MBDA
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Diplomatic row erupts as China blames Japan for August airspace incursion
On Aug. 26th, a Chinese military Y-9 spy plane pierced Japanese airspace, setting off a diplomatic firestorm that shows no signs of abating. For the first time since the incident, China has offered an explanation, but it’s one that has been met with skepticism and anger in Tokyo. Beijing claims an “unexpected obstruction” forced its aircraft into Japanese territory, hinting that the actions of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) were to blame.
防衛省・自衛隊 (MOD, JSDF), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Eglin AFB hosts first flight of advanced F-16 EW system
The U.S. Air Force has successfully flown an F-16 fighter jet equipped with a new electronic warfare system designed to counter advanced threats on the modern battlefield. The landmark first flight took place last month at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, marking a significant milestone for the Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) program.
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