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Soth Africa Flying High

OIndustry analysis62www.airforcesmonthly.com// August 2019 #377ne of the earliest South African UAVs was the Champion, developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Kentron under Project Gharra to provide the South African Army with a battlefield surveillance system. This was a twin-boom design powered by a two-stroke pusher-propeller engine. It was first flown in 1977 but only four were built, for evaluation. Some of these were deployed to Rhodesia, and then used by the South African Air Force (SAAF).In 1980 the SAAF acquired a number of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) RPV-2B Scouts for battlefield surveillance under Project Cobalt (at least five were acquired, plus possibly 13 more). These were used extensively in the Border War in Mozambique and Angola from 1981 – three were shot down in the process.The CSIR and Kentron kept working on UAVs and produced the first successful local design, the Seeker. It was first deployed by the SAAF in southeast Angola
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Saudi Eagles train with 48thFighter Wing

ROYAL SAUDI Air Force F-15C Eagles fly in formation with US Air Force F-15Cs in the US Central Command area of responsibility on June 2. The Saudi Eagles comprise serials 1309 (c/n 767/028, FMS 80-0089) and 1326 (c/n 1166/050, FMS 90-0266) from 13 Squadron, based at Dhahran-King Abdul Aziz Air Base under 3 Wing. The USAF F-15Cs from the 493rd Fighter Squadron ‘Grim Reapers’, part of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk are currently operating from an undisclosed location in the region (see Lakenheath F-15Cs deploy to Southwest Asia, June, p19). According to the USAF, the flight was conducted as part of a wider effort to continue building military-to-military relationships and interoperability. During the sortie, the Eagles took on fuel from RSAF 23 Squadron KE-3 serial 2305 and a KC-135R from the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing.
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UAE requests KC-46ABoeing

 UAE requests KC-46ABoeing has confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has issued a formal written request to purchase three KC-46A tankers. The Pegasus aircraft would complement the country’s current fleet of three A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports.
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Indian Flankers in France

FOUR INDIAN Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI fighters from No 24 Squadron at Bareilly Air Force Station arrived in France on June 28 to take part in the bilateral Exercise Garuda. The Flankers were refuelled by a French Air Force C-135FR tanker over the Mediterranean during the last stage of their ferry flight to France. The Garuda tactical air manoeuvres took place at Base Aérienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan from July 1-12 and also involved Armée de l’Air Rafale, Alpha Jet, Mirage 2000, C-135, E-3F, C-130 and CN235 aircraft. The Su-30s were supported on their trip by a pair of IAF C-17As from No 81 Squadron and a single No 78 Squadron Il-78MKI tanker. Serials of the Su-30MKIs comprised SB138, SB423, SB430 and SB435.
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Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019 Typhoon aces interview

over the last decade, the Swedish Air Force has been working increasingly with its Finnish and Norwegian neighbours in cross-border training. Today, this is a regular feature of Sweden’s weekly military drills, with an especially tightknit relationship with Finland. Politicians in both Stockholm and Helsinki are keen to foster a closer military relationship to counter Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture. There’s also a need to develop stronger working bonds with other forces. In 2013, Finland, Norway and Sweden launched the now biennial large-force Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE), which includes foreign assets. From May 22 to June 4, more than 100 fighters flew from three bases: Rovaniemi (Finland), Bodø (Norway) and Luleå-Kallax (Sweden). The foreign forces included eight US Marine Corps F/A-18s (Rovaniemi), 12 South Carolina Air National Guard F-16CJs and five No 6 Squadron Typhoons (Luleå-Kallax), plus four French Air Force Mirage 20005Fs and ten Rafales and ten Luftwaffe Eurof
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France boosts defence spending

A DRAFT of the French Loi de Programmation Militaire (LPM, Military Planning Act), covering the period 2019-2025 was presented to the Council of Ministers for consideration on February 8.  This includes a proposal for a major increase in defence spending.  Total expenditure over the period is scheduled to be €295bn, of which €198bn has been budgeted for during the present five-year government term between 2019 and 2023.  With a general election due in 2023, spending beyond that date may be subject to change.  It will be considered over several months but is expected to be passed by parliament in the summer.The LPM provides for the delivery of 28 new-build Rafales to the Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) between 2022 and 2024, while 30 more of the type will be ordered in 2023 for delivery by 2030.  Efforts to further improve the Rafale’s capabilities will include developing the F4 standard, work on which is due to be launched this year.  A mid-life upgrade of the ASMPA missile will also
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Dutch Apaches to be remanufactured to AH-64E standard

THE US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of items and services to support the upgrade/remanufacture of its AH-64D Block II Apache attack helicopter fleet to AH-64E configuration.  The estimated cost of the work is $1.191bn, including engines, targeting and other systems.  The deal, revealed on February 20 by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, still awaits approval from Congress.Twenty-eight AH-64D Block IIs are involved in the standard revision – also known as Apache Guardian – requested by the Dutch government.It will include bringing the 51 remaining T700-GE-701C engines up to T700-GE-701D standard (42 engines to be installed, plus nine spares).  Also included in the package are 17 AN/APG-78 fire control radars and 28 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (MTADS)/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVS) that are slated to be installed in the rebuilt aircraft.
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