Aviation News
A new chapter in Indian aerospace opened on Oct. 28 with the inauguration of a final assembly line for the Airbus C295 military transport. The event was a major publicity coup for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez sharing the limelight. Significantly, the Vadodara factory is the first in India to be run by a private company, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
Photo: Airbus
Continue reading “Modi and Sanchez inaugurate C295 assembly line”
France is making a big push to sell its Rafale fighter jets to Bangladesh, hoping to capitalise on a change in leadership in Dhaka, the Sunday Guardian reports. Discussions are progressing with the new caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammad Yunus, who is seen as more receptive to France’s offer than his predecessor, Sheikh Hasina. This comes as Bangladesh seeks to modernise its air force, officially known as the Bangladesh Air Force or BAF.
Continue reading “New leadership in Dhaka may pave way for Rafale deal”
On Oct. 22nd, the first of Bulgaria’s F-16 Block 70 fighter jets successfully completed its inaugural flight at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. This marks a significant milestone for the Bulgarian Air Force as it modernises its fleet with 16 of these advanced aircraft. OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the importance of this event, stating, “With the F-16 Block 70, the Bulgarian Air Force will be well-equipped to secure its borders and partner with U.S, European and NATO allies.”
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Continue reading “Bulgaria’s First F-16 Block 70 Takes Flight”
The PEGASUS aircraft, a modified Bombardier Global aircraft, has successfully completed its first test flight, marking a significant milestone for the Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) program. This modified business jet will play a crucial role in bolstering the German armed forces’ reconnaissance capabilities.
Photo: Bombardier
Continue reading “PEGASUS takes flight: German Armed Forces’ new surveillance aircraft completes first test flight”
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a contract for three more Grob 120TP training aircraft, further enhancing the Swedish Air Force’s training capabilities. This follows an initial order in 2021 for 10 aircraft and a simulator, demonstrating Sweden’s commitment to modernising its pilot training programme. Training aircraft play a vital role in air force operations, providing a safe and effective platform for pilots to develop essential skills before transitioning to advanced fighter jets.
MaxSpeed, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Sweden orders additional Grob 120TP aircraft”