IAF grappling with fighter squadron, manpower shortageOctober 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - As the Indian Air Force (IAF), the world's fourth largest, turns 77 on Thursday, it is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, officers and men in other ranks. The strength of IAF fighter squadrons at 33 is way below the sanctioned strength of 39.5.
Plane in Boston inspected after 'bomb on board' note is found in bathroomSeptember 30th, 2009 Plane in Boston inspected after bomb note foundBOSTON — Authorities say they found no bomb on a plane that was inspected at Boston's Logan Airport after a threatening note was found. The American Airlines plane and luggage were searched Wednesday by police and a dog after a note reading "Bomb on board, Boston-Miami" was found on a bathroom wall.
Son of Israeli astronaut killed in space shuttle Columbia disaster dies in fighter crashSeptember 13th, 2009 Son of late Israeli astronaut dies in plane crashJERUSALEM — The son of an Israeli astronaut who died in the space shuttle Columbia disaster six years ago was killed Sunday when his F-16 warplane crashed on a routine training flight, the Israeli military said. The military identified the dead pilot as Capt.
MiG 21 crashes, pilot killedSeptember 11th, 2009 Muktsar, Sept 11 (IBNS) The Indian Airforce lost another MiG 21 fighter aircraft and its pilot on Thursday when it crashed here on the Muktsar-Bhatinda road, 10km from Bhatinda airbase. Flight Lieutenant Manu Akhouri was on a routine training sortie and was returning to the base for landing when the mishap occurred, an IAF spokesman said in Delhi.
Brazil to buy French fighter jetsSeptember 7th, 2009 PARIS - Brazil is planning to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, officials said Monday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is currently in Brazil to negotiate the aircraft deal.
Defense chief renews threat of White House veto if Congress insists on 2 suppliers for engineAugust 31st, 2009 Gates renews White House veto threat over engineFORT WORTH, Texas — The Obama administration renewed a threat Monday to veto a $680 billion defense spending bill if it includes money for two separate engines for the next-generation jet fighter, a luxury the Pentagon says it cannot afford. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, touring the Lockheed Martin Corp.
Latest Russian fighter jet has engine problemsAugust 20th, 2009 ZHUKOVSKY - The Russian Air Force chief Thursday acknowledged faults in the engine of the fifth-generation fighter jet currently being developed in the country. The Advanced Front-Line Aviation Complex plane is set to replace the Russian Air Force's fourth-generation fighters, namely, the Su-27 Flanker and the MiG-29 Fulcrum.
Israel mulls buying South Korean fighter jets for trainingAugust 2nd, 2009 JERUSALEM - The Israeli Air Force is planning to purchase South Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle fighter jets in a bid to replace its ageing Skyhawk fleet, the Ha'aretz daily reported Sunday. A three-member delegation of the Israeli Air Force is expected to visit Seoul next week to discuss the matter with their South Korean counterparts.
Facing Obama veto, Senate halts F-22 expansionJuly 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In the face of a veto threat by President Barack Obama, the US Senate has voted to block expansion of one of America's most controversial and expensive defence programmes, production of the F-22 fighter jet. The 58-40 vote Tuesday gave the White House and Pentagon a key victory over congressional supporters of the F-22, many of whom represent states and districts where jobs are tied to the production of the jet.
Israel orders US stealth planes to counter Iran, Syria threatJuly 11th, 2009 MOSCOW - Israel has ordered at least 25 US F-35 stealth fighter aircraft to counter any potential threat from the delivery of Russian advanced air defence systems to Iran and Syria, an Israeli daily said. Tel Aviv earlier said the purchase of F-35 fighters would effectively eliminate the threat from Russian-made S-300 air defence systems because a series of computer simulations had clearly demonstrated that new US stealth fighters outperform the Russian missiles.
House passes defence bill despite Obama's veto threatJune 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives passed a $680-billion defence spending bill Thursday despite President Barack Obama's threat to veto the measure. The bill for the fiscal 2010 year, which begins Oct 1, contains $369 million to continue production of the F-22 fighter jet the Obama and Defence Secretary Robert Gates say is not needed.
Wing commander from Chadigarh among IAF plane crash victimsJune 10th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Wing Commander G.S. Butalia, the 36-year-old son of a fighter pilot, from Chandigarh was among the 13 defence personnel who were killed in the crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) transport plane in the northeast.
US military joining search for French plane; sending surveillance aircraft out Tuesday nightJune 2nd, 2009 US military joining search for French planeWASHINGTON — The U.S. military is joining the search for survivors and debris from the Air France flight that disappeared after taking off from Brazil.
Pakistan Air Force fighter crashes into houseMay 29th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - A Chinese-built FT-7 fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed into a house Friday in Punjab province, killing one woman on the ground and injuring at least six people. The two pilots, however, ejected to safety.
IAF fighter aircraft crashes, pilot bails outMay 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft crashed Wednesday in Luni region of Rajasthan but the pilot ejected out safely, an air force official said here. "The aircraft took off from the Jodhpur air base at 12 noon and crashed in the Luni region sometime later.
Loading ...