Ukraine conflict: Ukraine reports An-225 destroyed as air losses mount for both sides
28 February 2022
by Gareth Jennings
Seen at the ILA Berlin Airshow in 2018, the An-225 was reported destroyed on 27 February. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Ukraine reported the destruction of the Antonov An-225 Mriya airlifter on 27 February, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba saying that the largest aircraft in the world was destroyed in a Russian strike on Hostomel Airport (also known as Antonov International Airport) on the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv.
Kuleba referred to the world's only six-engined airlifter in the past tense in a statement posted on his official Twitter account, noting, “This was the world's largest aircraft, An-225 ‘Mriya' (‘Dream' in Ukrainian). Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya'. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free, and democratic European state. We shall prevail!”
The Kyiv Post confirmed the aircraft's destruction at about the same time, noting that it “was burned” following a Russian attack. The aircraft's Antonov Company owner had stated that it could not comment on the condition of the aircraft until it had conducted an inspection, however, with no further news forthcoming and with camera footage showing the burning aircraft inside its purpose-built hangar, it appears that the later pronouncements of its destruction are correct.
The destruction of the An-225 represents the highest profile aircraft loss in the conflict since Russia launched its renewed invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. However, in the four days since fighting began, numerous aircraft losses as well as various other losses have been reported for both sides, although only a comparatively small portion of these can be confirmed by videographic and/or photographic evidence.
For Ukraine, losses confirmed so far by Janes comprise one Su-25 ‘Frogfoot', three Su-27 ‘Flanker', and six MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum' combat aircraft, as well as one An-26 ‘Curl' airlifter, and the An-225. For Russia, confirmed losses comprise two Kamov Ka-52 ‘Hokum-B' and one Mil-24 ‘Hind' attack helicopter. For both Ukraine and Russia, however, the losses are almost certainly much higher than these.
Luftwaffe yet to decide on final Tornado replacement numbers
02 May 2024
by Gareth Jennings
A Luftwaffe Eurofighter on the flightline at the 2022 ILA Berlin Airshow. The service has told Janes that it does not yet know how many additional aircraft it will buy to replace the 90 Tornados being retired. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The German Luftwaffe has not yet determined how many new combat aircraft it is to acquire to replace its fleet of Panavia Tornados, a senior service official told Janes on 2 May.
Responding to a request for clarification and confirmation of the 85 new aircraft figure previously given by industry officials, Commanding General of Air Force Forces Command, Lieutenant General Günter Katz, said the Luftwaffe had never formally declared a one-for-one replacement of the Tornado, and that “a new target number does actually not exist”.
German Army re-establishes air defence force
02 May 2024
by Nicholas Fiorenza
The German Army's re-established air defence force is scheduled to receive Skyranger 30 air-defence systems in 2026. (Rheinmetall)
The German Army announced on its website on 30 April that it is re-establishing its air defence force, initially based in Lüneburg, northern Germany.
The force was disbanded in 2012 but is being re-established as part of the Bundeswehr's refocus on national and alliance defence. Initially, the force will be equipped with Skyranger 30 air-defence systems mounted on Boxer armoured vehicles, providing mobile short-range air defence. This capability will be operated jointly with the IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Short Range) air-defence system being procured by the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force.
In addition to the Skyranger 30 procurement, the Bundeswehr has begun identifying personnel for the Germany Army's air defence force, with training scheduled to begin in 2024. A co-ordination and control staff will be established in 2025.
The first unit is scheduled to receive Skyranger 30 systems in 2026, with the completion of the establishment of the air defence force planned by 2028.
Brunei orders six H145M helicopters
02 May 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The six Airbus H145M helicopters ordered by Brunei will be used in the close air support and aerial observation roles after entering service. (Airbus Helicopters)
Brunei's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to acquire six H145M helicopters.
The contract was signed on 30 April, according to MINDEF. “All six helicopters will be introduced into service gradually, starting from the year 2026 to replace the Bolkow BO-105 helicopters, which have been retired from service,” MINDEF added.
According to the ministry, the H145M “helicopters will significantly enhance the Royal Brunei Air Force's (RBAirF's) operational capabilities for missions such as close air support (CAS), aerial observation, and various other operations”.
Other possible roles include combat search and medical evacuation and insertion of special forces, according to general information on the helicopter published by Airbus Helicopters. Acquisition of the H145M by the RBAirF could also provide Brunei with a future manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capability – the H145M can support the inclusion of a command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) workstation, according to Airbus Helicopters.
Ukraine reported the destruction of the Antonov An-225 Mriya airlifter on 27 February, with the Mini...
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