NATO

Italian Air Force

Firsts for NATO’s Tactical Leadership Programme

3rd February 2025

There were several firsts in the latest NATO Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Flying Course at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain.

Exercise Report

Exercise Ramstein Flag 2024

15th October 2024

NATO Allied Air Command has executed its first ‘Flag’-series exercise – Ramstein Flag 24.

Acquisitions

Hungary orders four more Gripen Cs

5th March 2024

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

Acquisitions

US finally approves sale of F-16 Block 70s to Turkey

16th February 2024

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

Germany joins UK in donating Sea King helicopters to Ukraine

29th January 2024

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

Air Policing

Norway deploys F-35As for Air Policing duties in Iceland

24th January 2024

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

Airbus Helicopters

Spanish Navy’s first NH90 MSPT now in testing at Albacete

24th January 2024

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

Aircraft Deliveries

RNLAF’s third F-35A unit welcomes first Lightning II

24th January 2024

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 Air Force

Belgian ‘Vipers’ intercept Russian Su-30s over the Baltic

14th December 2023

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

Belgian Air Force

Los "Vipers" belgas interceptan Su-30 rusos sobre el Báltico

14th December 2023

Los Fighting Falcons belgas F-16AM/BM (MLU) fueron lanzados desde la base aérea de Šiauliai (Lituania) para interceptar aviones de combate rusos sobre el Mar Báltico el 6 de diciembre, una semana después de que la Fuerza Aérea Belga (BAF) asumiera el liderazgo de la misión de la OTAN de Vigilancia Aérea del Báltico (BAP).

Dassault Mirage 2000-5

French Mirage 2000-5Fs deploy for fifth Baltic Air Policing mission

29th November 2023

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

Dassault Mirage 2000-5

Los Mirage 2000-5F franceses participan en la quinta misión de policía aérea en el Báltico

29th November 2023

Por quinta vez desde la creación de la iniciativa en 2004, los Mirage 2000-5F de la Fuerza Aérea y Espacial Francesa (FASF) han vuelto a desplegarse en la Base Aérea de Šiauliai (Lituania), donde apoyarán la misión de Policía Aérea del Báltico (BAP) de la OTAN a partir del 1 de diciembre.

Acquisitions

NATO joins Wedgetail revolution as it confirms E-3A Sentry fleet successor

15th November 2023

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

Acquisitions

La OTAN se une a la revolución Wedgetail al confirmar el sucesor de la flota E-3A Sentry

15th November 2023

La OTAN reveló el 15 de noviembre que el E-7A Wedgetail de Boeing ha sido seleccionado para suceder a la vetusta flota de sistemas aerotransportados de alerta y control (AWACS) E-3A Sentry de la alianza, que entró en servicio operativo con la organización en 1982.

Canada

Canadian Hornet fleet deemed ‘not credible’ as it suffers instructor shortage

14th November 2023

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”

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