Aircraft Deliveries
Spanish Navy receives first H135 P3H ‘Nival’ helicopter from Airbus
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first of seven H135 P3H ‘Nival’ light utility helicopters to the Spanish Navy on October 26, marking a key milestone for the service as it continues in its push to modernise its rotary-wing capabilities
Russia welcomes additional Su-35S Flanker-E fighters
Russia’s state-owned Rostec State Corporation revealed on October 24 that a new batch of Su-35S Flanker-E fighters has been handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defence ahead of their upcoming transfer to the Russian Aerospace Forces
France welcomes last of initial batch of Phénix tankers
The French Air and Space Force’s 31 Strategic Air Refuelling and Transport Wing (EARTS) at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base (BA125) took delivery of its 12th A330-243MRTT Phénix tanker-transport from Airbus Defence and Space on September 20
Portugal’s first C-390 enters operational service
After an initial entry into service ceremony was held at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, on October 16; the first C-390 Millennium for the Portuguese Air Force arrived at Beja Air Base, Portugal, at approximately 1630hrs (local time) on October 19
US gifts ex-908th AW C-130H-2 to Romania
The Romanian Air Force has received an ex-USAF C-130H-2 Hercules (91-9142), which was gifted to the nation via the US Excess Defense Articles programme
USAF welcomes first Joby Aviation eVTOL to Edwards AFB
The USAF’s Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force (ET-ITF) took delivery of its first experiment electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at Edwards AFB, California, on September 25
France hands over first dual-seat Rafale fighter to Croatia
The first dual-seat Dassault Rafale B for the Croatian Air Force was officially handed over during a ceremony at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base (BA118) on October 2, which was attended by Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banožić and other high-ranking political and military personnel
Ex-USAF AT-6E Wolverines join the US Naval Test Pilot School
The US Naval Test Pilot School – a component of US Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR’s) Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) – has welcomed two newly acquired AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft to NAS Patuxent River in Maryland
Kyrgyzstan receives additional Mi-17V-5 Hip transport helicopters
The Kyrgyz Air Force has recently received a new Mi-17V-5 Hip-H tactical transport helicopter from Russia’s state-owned defence export/import company, Rosoboronexport
Rostec plots out upgrade plan for Russia’s fifth-gen Su-57 fighter
Vladimir Artyakov, the First Deputy General Director of the Rostec State Corporation, recently told Russian media outlet, Izvestia, that the company plans to have a total of 22 serial-production Su-57 Felon fighters in Russian Aerospace Forces service by 2024