Ukrainian pilots undergo skills assessment in the U.S. for F-16 training

Two Ukrainian pilots are undergoing skills assessment on simulators at a U.S. military base in Tucson, Arizona to determine how long it could take to train them to fly attack aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, according to two congressional officials and a senior U.S. official. The U.S. has approved bringing up to 10 more Ukrainian pilots to the U.S. for further assessment as early as this month, NBC News reports.

A two-ship of 8th Operations Group F-16 Fighting Falcons fly during a training event in the skies near Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 1, 2022. During the training, pilots from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons executed quick-response tactics, honing their jet fighting capabilities to support a free and open Indo-Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

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AC-130J deployed to South Korea for the first time

The United States Air Force (USAF) has deployed its newest gunship, the AC-130J “Ghostrider” aircraft, to South Korea for joint exercises. Equipped with precision-guided missiles, cannons, and howitzers, the heavily armed ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft is intended as a strong warning to North Korea.

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Indian Air Force to acquire 70 HTT40 light trainers

In a major boost to India’s self-reliance campaign, the government has approved the purchase of 70 locally made basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at a cost of $838 million.

a title=”Government of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons” href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HTT-40_AeroIndia_2017.jpg”>HTT-40 AeroIndia 2017
Government of India, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons
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Taiwan will be getting 100 AGM-88B HARM missiles and 200 AIM-120C-8 missiles

The United States government has given approval for Taiwan to purchase a weapons package, valued at up to $619 million, to strengthen its defense capabilities. The package includes 100 AGM-88B HARM missiles and 200 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles, intended for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet.

F-16 Fighting Falcons of ROCAF escorting the aircraft carrying President Tsai Ing-wen 20190321
總統府, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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