R Singapore AF Fighter Joint Training with F-35B USMC

 On 8 Apr 21, two of our fighter aircraft participated in a joint training with F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The joint training was conducted in the southern reaches of the South China Sea within international waters. The USMC F-35Bs were deployed off the USS Makin Island, which is transiting through the Singapore Strait.The RSAF welcomes such interaction opportunities with the USMC, which are testament to the trust and cooperation between our Forces, as well as the excellent and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and the US.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) expects to take delivery of four F-35B fighter aircraft around 2026 and they will be deployed in continental US for training and in-depth evaluation.

Thales Australia Exports Over $30m in Munitions

 The prime processed munitions export orders valued at over $30 million in 2020, the highest year on record.Thales has revealed that its subsidiary, Australian Munitions, has undergone a record year of sales with more than $30 million in orders to the US, New Zealand, Canada, Asia, and Europe over the course of 2020.

The orders included the sale of munitions, propellant, military explosives and sporting shooter munitions, produced in Australian Munitions’ facilities in Benalla, Victoria, and Mulwala, NSW.The milestone came despite COVID-induced disruptions to the supply chain, which according to Thales, demonstrates the “superiority of Australia’s sovereign munitions product”.

“The quantum of munitions export orders achieved in 2020 is testament to the world-class munitions products we manufacture in Australia, and the capacity of our manufacturing industry to support the strategic supply lines of our allied partners,” Dion Habner, managing director of Australian Munitions, said.“The strong international demand for our products helps ensure we can continue to invest in new jobs and equipment to maintain and grow this vital sovereign capability for the Australian Defence Force."Thales’ Australian Munitions business exports to 17 countries around the world, employing approximately 650 staff operating out of its facilities in Victoria and NSW.

Greece to sign agreement on deploying Patriot missile to Saudi Arabia on Apr. 20

Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and National Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos will travel to Riyadh on Apr. 20 to sign an agreement for the deployment of a Greek PAC-3 air defense missile system to the kingdom.

Russia - Aviation of the Southern Military District delivered massive strikes against targets

Georgian AF upgraded Su-25

S-400 vs F-35 What will happen?

 

Wants to develop 5th Generation Fighter Jets and UAVs, Pakistan visits Turkish Aerospace Industry

Turkey Blocks Leonardo Helicopter Purchase after Italian PM Calls Erdogan a “Dictator”

 Turkey has reportedly frozen an $83 million deal to buy Leonardo helicopters after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “dictator.”

According to La Repubblica and Il Fatto Quotidiano, Turkish authorities have started to send "threatening signals" since there is no reaction from Rome.The contract for Leonardo’s training helicopters was expected to be signed in the coming days.In addition, at least three Italian companies operating in Turkey have also received a notice from the Turkish government, including energy company Ansaldo Energia that builds power plants in Turkey.

On Thursday, Draghi called the Turkish leader a "dictator" and upbraided his "inappropriate behaviour" during a recent visit of top European Union officials to Turkey. The comment added fuel to a dispute over a perceived seating snub involving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.Draghi said Erdogan’s behavior was inappropriate and that he was sorry for the “humiliation” von der Leyen had suffered.Turkey has strongly rejected the allegation that the top EU official was snubbed and insisted it followed the EU’s own protocols in making the seating arrangements. Von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel traveled to Ankara for talks on Turkey-EU relations. Only two chairs were set out in front of the EU and Turkish flags for the three leaders.

The Turkey-EU meeting was supposed to improve relations after months of wrangling over everything from women’s rights to drilling for gas in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean.Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu slammed Draghi's remarks as "unacceptable populist rhetoric." Italy's ambassador to Ankara was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry over the situation.