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Update: France launches F4 upgrade for Rafale
The formal launch of the Rafale F4 upgrade took place during a visit to Dassault’s Mérignac production facility by French defence minister Florence Parly. Source: Ministére des ArméesNATO secures additional SALIS surge capability with Antonov
Antonov Airlines will continue to provide the NATO alliance with a pair of An-124-100 airlifters through to the end of 2021 under a new three-year SALIS contract extension announced in early January. It will also provide access to a further three aircraft should the surge capability be needed. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick AllenFrench Navy receives first F3R-standard Rafale
The F3R standard of the Rafale offers several hardware and software enhancements over the F3 aircraft. With operational trials set to begin, the configuration should be ready for operations later this year. Source: DassaultUS Air Force accepts first KC-46A tanker aircraft
A KC-46A pictured during earlier flight trials. The USAF has now accepted the first of 179 tankers being procured under the KC-X programme. Source: Boeing
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India’s Tejas LCA production affected as IAF demands modifications
Series production of the Mk 1 variant of India’s indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) faces disruption following frequent modifications demanded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to enhance the fighter’s capabilities. The Tejas LCA has been jointly designed and developed
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Brazil to resume operations with Heron 1 UAVs
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and Federal Police will jointly operate the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron 1 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), it was announced by the Brazilian Official Gazette on 8 January. The agreement was tabled on 27 December 2018 and
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Japan to develop electronic warfare aircraft
The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) is looking to develop electronic warfare (EW) aircraft capable of jamming enemy radar and communications at stand-off range. An MoD spokesperson told Jane’s on 15 January that the move is based on Japan’s new Mid-Term Defense Plan (MTDP) for the
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Surface Navy 2019: HELIOS preliminary design review expected this year
Lockheed Martin expects to have its High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system ready for preliminary design review this year, Paul Lemmo, Lockheed Martin vice-president and general manager, Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, said on 15 January during a
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Surface Navy 2019: US Navy moving out on new FVL light- to medium-helicopter fleet
Although the US Navy (USN) is moving out on requirements to develop a new, light- to medium-helicopter fleet, currently the army says it is tracking progress but will not be investing in the effort. Speaking with Jane’s on 4 January, Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Cross Functional Team director
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Rising sons: Japanese ground forces transformation continues apace
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is in the advanced stages of a service-wide restructuring and modernisation programme that seeks to transform it into a leaner and more flexible organisation, better positioned to address a wider spectrum of domestic and international challenges. Kelvin Wong investigates the service’s latest capabilities and future plans -
If you want peace, prepare for war: Chinese land forces modernisation
China's military modernisation began in the mid-1990s after Beijing realised that its military was incapable of participating in a modern conflict such as the 1991 Gulf War. Sam Cranny-Evans reports on the extent to which China's land forces have been transformed by the process -
Unmanned whirlybirds: Rotary-wing UAVs take off in Asia
Rotary-wing UAVs have been gaining traction in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the maritime domain where naval forces are building ships with an eye on unmanned aviation capabilities. Land forces operating in constricted terrain are also investigating similar systems. Kelvin Wong reports
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Gabon’s Republican Guard uses Aravis vehicles in counter-coup operation
Gabon’s Republican Guard (GR) deployed Nexter Aravis mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) – a type it was not previously known to operate – during the operation to suppress a coup attempt in Libreville on 7 January. Led by a lieutenant, the coup plotters claimed to be
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Indonesia moves forward with talks for three more Type 209 submarines
Key Points Indonesia is edging closer towards acquiring three more diesel-electric submarines from South Korea The country has been studying several vessel types for the requirement, but considerations of commonality and maintenance costs have led to the current frontrunner Officials from the
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France conducts low visibility tests of Neuron UCAV demonstrator
The Neuron unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator began is fourth low observability test campaign in November, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, announced on its website on 4 January. The DGA said it is conducting the
