Amidst the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, a recent aerial encounter has raised concerns about safety and escalating disputes in the region. A Chinese military helicopter engaged with a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft over Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippines called Panatag Shoal and Huangyan Dao by the Chinese. The incident, witnessed by journalists onboard the Philippine aircraft, highlights the close proximity and assertive actions of the Chinese military.
Author: alert5
Greece’s Mirage fleet faces uncertain future
The Hellenic Air Force is facing a perplexing situation regarding its Mirage 2000-5 fleet. Despite efforts to find a buyer, the prospect of selling these delta-winged fighters remains elusive, casting a shadow over their future within Greece’s evolving air power strategy.
Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Greece’s Mirage fleet faces uncertain future”
Asian Aerospace 1996: The untold story of a Taiwan-French fighter familiarization exchange in Singapore
A former Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) pilot, identified as Huang Yang Te in a recent interview, has revealed details of an unusual exchange that saw him fly a French Air Force Mirage 2000B during the 1996 Asian Aerospace airshow in Singapore. The pilot, a former F-16 instructor and also an instructor in the Fighter Weapon School, detailed his unexpected opportunity to fly the French delta-wing fighter, which was serving as a back-up to the Rafale prototype demonstrator that was flying at the show.
U.K. MoD bolsters ISR capabilities with Airbus Oberon satellite contract
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Airbus a significant contract to design and build two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named Oberon, marking a crucial step in the nation’s pursuit of enhanced space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Oberon system, slated for launch in 2027, promises to deliver day-and-night, all-weather surveillance capabilities.
Image: Airbus
Continue reading “U.K. MoD bolsters ISR capabilities with Airbus Oberon satellite contract”
British MoD under pressure to act quickly on aircrew cancer claims amid growing concerns
The U.K. government is investigating claims that aircrew were exposed to toxic fumes from military helicopters, leading to cancer diagnoses, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) under scrutiny, according to a BBC news report. At least six cases have been settled out of court, with many more aircrew and families pursuing legal action. The MoD is now investigating the extent of the issue among both active and veteran personnel across the RAF, Army, and Navy.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Kevin H. Tierney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “British MoD under pressure to act quickly on aircrew cancer claims amid growing concerns”