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Lithuania bolsters air defense with Saab MSHORAD procurement

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Saab, the Swedish defense giant, has secured a contract to deliver its Mobile Short Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) system to Lithuania. This agreement, valued at approximately $123 million, signifies a significant boost for Lithuania’s air defense capabilities. Deliveries of the MSHORAD system are expected to occur between 2025 and 2027.


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U.S. Marines and RAAF achieve F-35 pilot interchangeability

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In June 2024, during a joint training exercise at RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, two United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214 successfully flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A aircraft. This accomplishment signifies a significant step towards interchangeable operations between the two forces.

From left, Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Stuart Atkin, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron; RAAF Squadron Leader Brett Gordon, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron; U.S. Marine Corps Maj. John Rose, an F-35B Lightning II pilot and executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and RAAF Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Ebzery, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron, pose for a picture after a flight at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, June 13, 2024. Leaders with VMFA-214, a USMC F-35B squadron, flew the RAAF F-35A during bilateral training, exhibiting interchangeability between RAAF and U.S. Marine aviation. VMFA-214 deployed more than 200 Marines and eight F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, to conduct bilateral training with the RAAF No. 3 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas Johnson)

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US offers F-16 loan to Thailand, high interest raises concerns

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The Biden administration has proposed a loan to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTA) to facilitate the purchase of a complete fleet of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. This offer aims to modernize the RTA’s aging fleet and potentially streamline the acquisition process by allowing for a larger upfront purchase instead of buying four to five planes at a time.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon prepares to depart after receiving fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker over Southwest Asia, Feb. 3, 2021. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that delivers airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Harrison) (This image has been altered for security reasons)

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