French Air Force Completes Mid-Life Upgrade of Mirage 2000D Fighter Jets
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) delivered the fiftieth and final mid-life upgrade (RMV) Mirage 2000D to the French Air and Space Force. This modernization program involved Dassault Aviation producing modification kits and refurbishing the first two aircraft, followed by the French Aeronautical Industry Service (SIAé) scaling up the upgrades to...
Serbia Modernizes MiG-29SM Fighters with Russian & Chinese Weapons, French IFF System
Serbia has upgraded its MiG-29SM fighter jets with Russian, Chinese weapons and a French (Thales) identification friend or for (IFF) system vastly improving the tactical performance of its Soviet origin fighter jet. The upgraded MiG-29SM was displayed at the "Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović" airbase near Belgrade last week, the Serbian Air Force...
Ukraine to Receive Gripen-E Fighter Jets in 2029, Its First All-New Western
Agreement was signed to procure 16 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E multirole Fighters equipped with the latest AESA radar and advanced electronic warfare system. Ukraine is set to receive its most modern fighter aircraft, 16 Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E multirole Fighters by 2029, an agreement for which was in Kyiv
Su-57 Influence? Indonesia Drops Joint Production of Korean KF-21 Fighter, Mulls...
The Indonesian MoD has announced plans to give up joint production of the KF-21 fighter jet but instead buy a certain quantities of the aircraft directly from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The head of Indonesia's Defense Logistics Agency, TNI Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, was quoted as saying on June 26,...
Russia’s YAK-130M Modernized Combat-Trainer Conducts Maiden Flight
Russias United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) conducted the maiden flight of the Yak-130M prototype, a thoroughly modernized version of the Yak-130 combat trainer. The aircraft was piloted by a crew consisting of First Class Test Pilot Alexander Guskov and Honored Test Pilot Andrei Voropaev
No MiG-29 Jets to Ukraine Until Kyiv Transfers Drone Tech to Poland
Poland has suspended the transfer of nine MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine due to an unresolved issue regarding the receipt of Ukrainian drone technology. This was reported by the Polish publication tvn24 , citing the Deputy Minister of National Defense of Poland, Cezar Tomczyk
Russia Modifies Su-34 Bomber for Reconnaissance Role
Russian Air Force has modified its Su-34M fighter-bombers for reconnaissance and target acquisition role equipping it with Sych family pod-based reconnaissance systems. The deployment time of the Su-34M-R in operational areas is 50% lower compared to the heavier and bulkier Tu-214-R dedicated reconnaissance aircraft
Germany, France Suspend Work on FCAS Sixth-Gen Fighter Project
Germany and France have decided to suspend the European sixth-generation fighter Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project due differences between Dassault and Airbus. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron concluded that Dassault and Airbus would not be able to reach a compromise on the development of a joint combat aircraft,
Eurofighter Typhoon Jet to Become More Lethal with New Aerodynamic Modification
Eurofighter and NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) have signed a contract to enable the development of a new Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) for the Typhoon jet. AMK will allow faster integration of new weapons and certification of new external loads, including future anti-radar missiles, which enable the suppression and destruction of enemy air defence radars
Switzerland Extends Life of F/A-18 Jets Till F-35s Arrival in 2030s...
The Swiss Air Force has completed the life extension work of its F/A-18C/D aircraft up until the introduction of the new F-35A jets by the early 2030s. The F/A-18C/D combat aircraft of the Swiss Air Force have been in service since 1997
Belgium to Produce Horizontal Tail for F-35 Fighter Jets
A part of the global F-35 fighter fleet fleet will be equipped with a horizontal tail made in Belgium. This component will be developed within the BeLightning joint venture: Asco and Sabca will produce the components, while Sonaca will be responsible for the assembly
Ukraine Deploys Mirage-2000 Jets to Bomb Russian Targets
Ukraine has deployed Mirage-2000 aircraft equipped with bombs whose guidance kits have been developed in Ukraine. Videos have appeared in pro-Ukrainian social media depicting the first use of French Mirage-2000 fighters by the Ukrainian air force to bomb Russian targets
Egypt Chooses Russian Antey-2500, KA-52 Helicopters to Guard its New “Octagon” Military...
NATO Special Forces Select Thales-Leonardo Consortium to Deliver Communication System
Ukraine Blames Lack of Patriot Interceptors as Russian Missiles Rain Down on...
Ammunition Factory of Indonesian PT Pindad Breaks Ground
One Month Since U.S., Israeli War Against Iran: Who Is Gaining?
One month after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28 the conflict has expanded...
Modern Tank Showdown: T-90MS, Leopard 2A7, M1E3 Abrams Compared
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) have shown their mettle in recent conflicts such as in Ukraine despite being increasingly vulnerable to...
European Nations Prioritizing Europe-made IRIS-T & SAMP-T over American Patriot Air Defense Systems?
European nations looking to procure new air defense systems appear to be giving the much-vaunted American Patriot a miss in...
Russian T-90MS Crew Discuss Future Upgrades
Defense Mirror spoke with the crew members of the Russian T-90MS main battle tank, produced by UralVagonZavod
China's Mass-produced J-35A Aircraft Set to Disrupt Global Stealth Fighter Market
China is aiming to disrupt the global stealth fighter market by mass-producing its fifth-generation J-35A at a pace comparable to...
The Future of Combat: Miniaturized Laser Weapons Set to Replace Bullets and Missiles
Lasers may soon replace bullets, and drones could disable enemy UAVs with beams of light instead of missiles