The second Airbus Military KC-30 (A330 MRTT) for the RAAF departed Australia for Spain on October 28 to join the first KC-30 for a final series of proving flights. The KC-30 (dubbed MRTT 002), the first of four to be converted to tanker standard from green A330 airframes at Brisbane by Qantas Defence Services, undertook
The Royal Navy is at risk of losing one of its two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers due to the need to trim the UK’s burgeoning defence budget. A report in the Sunday Times on October 25 says the Navy has already agreed to operate one of the two new vessels as an amphibious
Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed interest in buying six P-8 Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft as well as an unspecified number of MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters. The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency is reportedly working with the kingdom to procure the aircraft as well as new ships and anti-ship missiles.
The Swiss government has elected to continue with its plan to replace its F-5E/F fighters but has delayed its decision to 2010 in the wake of increasing community opposition. The US$2.2bn (A$2.5bn) proposal to replace the remaining F-5s, most of which entered service in the 1980s, with up to 33 new Eurofighter Typhoons, Saab Gripens
Taiwan is reportedly considering mothballing its fleet of 60 Mirage 2000-5s because of the high cost of maintenance and support of the aircraft. A report from the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense claims the aircraft have proved unreliable in service meaning pilots were flying fewer than six hours per month, and that they cost more
Boeing says it has submitted two bids for AH-64D Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopters to the Indian Air Force. The bids are to meet requirements for India’s attack and heavy lift helicopter competitions, and come on the heels of Boeing selling P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to India, its bid for at least 126 F/A-18E/F
