NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Hungary orders four more Gripen Cs
Saab inked a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering an order for four more single-seat JAS 39C Gripen multi-role fighters for the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) on February 23
US finally approves sale of F-16 Block 70s to Turkey
After a two-year delay, Turkey has finally gained approval from the US government to acquire 40 new-build F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters and 79 F-16V upgrade kits in a deal worth approximately $23bn
Germany joins UK in donating Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
During a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (otherwise known as the Ramstein Group) on January 23, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that the nation will donate six German Navy-operated Sea King Mk 41 multi-role utility helicopters – which are now surplus to requirements due to their upcoming retirement – to the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Norway deploys F-35As for Air Policing duties in Iceland
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has deployed F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters from Ørland Main Air Station, Norway, to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland to provide a Quick Reaction Alert capability in support of NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing (IAP) mission
Spanish Navy’s first NH90 MSPT now in testing at Albacete
The Spanish Navy’s first NH90 Maritime Spanish Tactical Transport Helicopter (MSPT) arrived at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Albacete, Spain, on January 17, following a ferry flight from the firm’s plant at Donauwörth in Germany, where the aircraft completed its maiden flight on December 15, 2023
RNLAF’s third F-35A unit welcomes first Lightning II
The first F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF’s) No 312 Squadron arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base on January 11
Belgian ‘Vipers’ intercept Russian Su-30s over the Baltic
Belgian F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcons were launched from Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, to intercept Russian fighter aircraft over the Baltic Sea on December 6 – within one week of the Belgian Air Force taking over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission
French Mirage 2000-5Fs deploy for fifth Baltic Air Policing mission
For the fifth time since the initiative’s inception in 2004, Mirage 2000-5Fs from the French Air and Space Force have once again deployed to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, where they will support NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission from December 1
NATO joins Wedgetail revolution as it confirms E-3A Sentry fleet successor
NATO revealed on November 15 that Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail has been selected to succeed the alliance’s ageing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) fleet, which entered operational service with the organisation in 1982
Canadian Hornet fleet deemed ‘not credible’ as it suffers instructor shortage
A report by the UK-based RUSI – commissioned by the Canadian Department of National Defence – was leaked to The Globe and Mail newspaper, revealing that its author, Professor Justin Bronk, had assessed that Canada’s CF-188A/B Hornet fighter fleet may be unable to meet its commitments, judging that it was “not credible in a NATO context against many of the higher-end mission sets”