Ukrainian Air Force general discusses indigenous glide bombs, F-16 integration, and Gripen ambitions

In a wide-ranging interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Donbas.Realii project, Brig. Gen. Sergiy Golubtsov, Chief of Aviation for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, discussed the ongoing integration of Western weapons and future plans for advanced Western fighter jets.

A Hungarian Air Force Saab JAS-39C Gripen flies along side a B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in support of Bomber Task Force Europe 21-3, May 31, 2021. During the single-day mission, Allied Sky, three U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers along with 93 other allied aircraft flew over all 30 NATO nations in Europe and North America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn)

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BAE Systems awarded $95 million contract to equip P-8A with advanced countermeasure pods

BAE Systems has secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Navy to develop and produce electronic warfare (EW) pods for the P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft. These pods will provide critical defensive capabilities for the Poseidon, enhancing its survivability in contested environments.


Image: BAE Systems
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Largest ever Exercise Pitch Black to feature Italian aircraft carrier Cavour

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced that the upcoming Exercise Pitch Black, taking place from Jul. 12th to Aug. 2nd, 2024, will be the largest in its 43-year history. This significant international military exercise will see the participation of the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, along with its embarked AV-8B Harrier II and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets.

Cavour (550) - Civitavecchia harbour, Italy - June 2011
Stephen & Katherine from Burton on Trent, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Finland joins NATO Air Shielding Mission in Romania with F/A-18 Hornets

Finland has deployed seven F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, marking their first participation in NATO’s Air Shielding mission. This two-month deployment signifies a crucial step towards Finland’s deeper integration with NATO’s airpower capabilities.


Photo: Ilmavoimat
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