Defence

Money talks as Africa misses out on star trainers

pIvanova — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 08:46:47 +0000

Defence 05 June 2023

Money talks as Africa misses out on star trainers

Military pilot training across the African continent is, in general, poorly resourced and in relatively sad shape.

Some 17 African air forces have no fixed-wing training aircraft at all, and 10 more have fewer than half-a-dozen training aircraft on charge.

Many air arms rely on sending pilots overseas for training, principally to China and Russia, though others are making efforts to improve their in-country training, sometimes by recapitalising their training fleets.

Sadly, the leading aircraft in the global training market are mostly notable by their absence in Africa, due mainly to budgetary constraints. There are, thus, no Pilatus PC-21s, no KAI T-50s, and no Leonardo M346s in service with African air forces.

Instead, some of the most numerous training aircraft include the SIAI Marchetti SF260 (about 114 in use), the Pilatus PC-7 (80), the Embraer EMB312 Tucano (82), the Aero L-39 Albatros (119), and the Hongdu K-8 (182).

There are also a plethora of (often much older) aircraft types, which serve in much smaller numbers – from South Africa’s and Zimbabwe’s BAE Systems Hawks; Dassault Alpha Jets in Cameroon, Togo and Egypt; Soko G-2 Galebs in Libya; and a handful of MB326s and MB339s in Togo and Eritrea.

There are even SOCATA TB30 Epsilons in Senegal and Togo – though these serve only in very small numbers. Most of these types are nearing the end of their lives – even where the individual airframes have hours left ‘on the clock’, they are becoming increasingly difficult to support and sustain.

Perhaps surprisingly, in view of the climate, relatively large numbers of carbon fibre composite Grobs are in service, with 74 G115s in Egypt, six G120TPs in Ethiopia, and five G120As and nine G120TPs in Kenya, with two more G120TPs on order.

The popularity of the SF260 was due to its performance (the aircraft was famously described as “the fastest normally aspirated piston single in production”), its ability to operate from short and semi-prepared runways, and its simple but rugged all-metal airframe. The type will not be easy to replace, and especially not at an affordable price.

The large number of L-39s is a result of the type’s status as the standard Soviet/Warsaw Pact trainer, which led to it being supplied to many developing world nations as part of military aid packages, either free of charge or at highly subsidised prices.

The K-8 has similarly sometimes been supplied as part of Chinese air packages, but has also found a niche in direct commercial sales, thanks to its very low price.

Both the L-39 and the K-8 have also provided a useful light attack capability, and not all of the aircraft in service in Africa are used for advanced training.

Versatile: Embraer’s Super Tucano is primarily used as a light attack aircraft in Africa, though some air forces use the type for training and operational missions. This one wears Nigerian Air Force markings. Picture: SNC.

In Nigeria, for example, it is armed jet trainers, in the form of the L-39 and Alpha Jet, that have shouldered much of the burden of combat operations against Boko Haraam and other insurgents.

The Chinese Hongdu L-15 may well prove to be the K-8’s natural successor, having already found a berth with the Zambian Air Force, while the Yak-130 promises to be the trainer of choice for any air force still wedded to Russian equipment. Some 16 of the latter are in service with the Algerian Air Force.

The Guizhou JL-9, also known as the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle, is in service in Sudan, and represents another option for advanced and weapons training. It was developed from the JJ-7/FT-7, the two-seat trainer version of Chengdu J-7, which was a Chinese derivative of the MiG-21. The FTC-2000 has a new wing, forward fuselage, glass cockpit and air intakes married to the engine, empennage, and controls of the JJ-7/FT-7.

Of the newer trainer aircraft, the Embraer EMB314 Super Tucano has enjoyed some sales success in Africa, though primarily as an operational close air support and light attack aircraft, while Turkey’s Hürkuş has similarly been sold in Africa in its armed form.

The number of Hürkuş aircraft ordered by Niger and Libya has not been announced, but Super Tucano deliveries to African customers now exceed 34 aircraft.

In July 2011, the Mauritanian Air Force announced that it was considering the acquisition of Super Tucano aircraft. Negotiations for four Super Tucanos started in December 2011, and on October 19 2012, Embraer delivered the first EMB-314, fitted with a FLIR Safire III infrared turret for border surveillance operations.

Three more were delivered to the Burkina Faso Air Force’s Escadrille de Chasse at Ouagadougou Airbase in September 2011. Six A-29B aircraft were ordered by the National Air Force of Angola, and the first three were delivered to the 8th Training Squadron on January 31 2013.

Five aircraft were ordered by the Ghana Air Force at the Paris Airshow in June 2015, for a reported contract value of $88 million including logistics support and a training system for pilots and mechanics in Ghana. The first aircraft arrived in the second half of 2016, and the Ghana Air Force has plans to acquire four additional Super Tucanos.

Four A-29s were delivered to the Mali Air Force in July 2018. Six were originally ordered but this was reduced to four due to budgetary constraints.

Nigeria purchased 12 Super Tucanos from Sierra Nevada for $329 million in November 2018. The first batch of six, all fitted with forward-looking infrared systems, were delivered in July 2021.

Brazil once planned to donate three EMB-312s to the Mozambique Air Force, but this was cancelled by the Brazilian Government in 2016.

Senegal also narrowly avoided becoming a Super Tucano operator. Senegal was said to have been the fourth African nation to order the Super Tucano, but the contract was not finalised and Senegal, instead, opted for four KT-1s from Korea.

In situ: The first T-6C Texans have now been handed over to the Tunisian Air Force. Picture: Textron

In north Africa, the Textron T-6C serves with Morocco (which purchased 24 for the Royal Moroccan Air Force in October 2009), and is now entering service in Tunisia.

The US State Department approved the possible foreign military sale (FMS) of 12 T-6Cs to Tunisia at an estimated cost of $234 million in October 2019, including related spares, ground support equipment, and support.

The first of eight T-6Cs for No 13 Squadron at Sfax Airbase in Tunisia (and the 1,001^st T-6 built) was handed over in November 2022, and four more AT-6Es will be delivered for weapons training. These will bring the African T-6 fleet to 36 aircraft!

The new aircraft was used for training of the initial cadre of instructor pilots, which began on October 31 at Textron Aviation Defense facilities in Wichita, Kansas. A second aircraft was delivered later in 2022. More T6s were expected to arrive in Tunisia as African Aerospace was going to press.

The aircraft are augmented by a suite of training devices being supplied by TRU Simulation + Training, an affiliate of Textron Aviation.

The ability of aircraft like the Super Tucano and T-6C to perform flying training and light attack/counter-insurgency (COIN) missions makes them particularly attractive in the African context, and may lead to further orders, though the parlous state of many local defence budgets may make any new procurements problematic.

Pakistan’s Super Mushshak (a derivative of the Saab MFI-15/17 Supporter) has won an order for 10 aircraft for Nigeria, where the type’s distant predecessor, the MFI-9B MiniCOIN had played a starring role in the Nigerian Civil War from 1967-1970. The aircraft would seem to be a good fit for African training requirements, but the type has yet to make a real breakthrough in the region.

Some of today’s advanced jet trainers could still find a home in Africa, but probably as frontline light combat aircraft, providing a cost-effective replacement for the various F-5Es and Russian-built Sukhois and MiGs now serving with many African air forces.

Armed variants of the KAI FA-50, the M346FA, and even of the new TAI Hürjet offer a compelling blend of air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, but it remains to be seen whether they are affordable enough for African air arms.

In some north African air forces, they could offer a useful means of augmenting frontline fast jets, or downloading training from frontline aircraft types.

Jon Lake

Jon is defence editor for both Arabian and African Aerospace magazines.

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Serco appoints Jeff Miller as director, security and defence, Middle East

eNethersole — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:17:46 +0000

The newly created role outlines Serco’s commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities in the region, spanning acquisition and programme management, engineering and modernisation, education, logistics and human capital management across sea, land, air and space.

The new director security and defence will drive the defence capabilities of Serco Middle East, building on the company’s mission to support governments as an impact partner, to train and create nationalised workforces that are equipped with the skills needed in acquisition, modernisation, logistics support and asset management when it comes to promoting national security. The position further cements Serco’s purpose and commitment to working with local talent by harnessing the company’s experience working in defence across international markets to help bring national visions to life.

Jeff, who has been working in the Middle East for more than 20 years, has extensive experience in government relations, acquisition, capability development and organisational development. Jeff previously worked in the US Navy security assistance, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Defence Collaboration Services (DCS) in the Middle East, as well as being in active duty for the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where he spent three years building up a network of solid military contacts.

Daniel MacGregor, chief growth officer, Serco Middle East said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to Serco. Jeff’s security and defence experience speaks for itself; he has had a career spanning multiple markets, taking on a variety of roles that includes extensive experience working in national security in the Middle East. We are already working with defence clients in the region and so we are looking forward to using our capabilities to help transfer knowledge, upskill and train the right teams with the right skillsets.

“Under Jeff’s leadership, we are strengthening our commitment as an impact partner in defence and security and this will further accelerate our overall growth plans to support governments and organisations in the region to realise their national visions. It will also enable us to create employment opportunities for nationals interested in a career in national security, supported by a business with extensive international experience.”

Jeffrey Miller, Director of Security and Defence, Serco Middle East said: “I’m looking forward to utilising my experience to drive the growth of Serco’s defence and security capabilities in the Middle East, building on its purpose to support governments with their visions for nationalised workforces.

“The pace of growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been phenomenal and I’m keen to bring in the right capabilities and expertise to help build a critical infrastructure around this.

“Being based in the region, will enable me to deepen my relationships with governments and defence organisations and I’m looking forward to harnessing the international experience and heritage of Serco in this space to bolster KSA and the UAE’s capabilities.”

Posted date

Wed, 24/05/2023 - 12:00

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Serco has announced the appointment of Jeff Miller to the role of director, security and defence in the Middle East.

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Middle East and North Africa

Mwari ramping up for more African sales

pIvanova — Mon, 22 May 2023 08:31:43 +0000

Defence 22 May 2023

Mwari ramping up for more African sales

South Africa-based Paramount Aerospace Industries has sold an unspecified number of Mwari turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and light attack aircraft to a range of unidentified and unnamed customers.

The company delivered the first production customer aircraft to an “overseas air force” on September 23, last year.

Paramount said that nine customisable Mwaris were on order at the time of last year’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 defence exhibition, for two separate air forces – at least one of them an African air arm.

At least one unarmed, ISR-configured Mwari is known to have been delivered to Mozambique’s military for use in the troubled Cabo Delgado region, and the company is known to be in the process of preparing to integrate weapons on to the light surveillance aircraft, and in developing an optionally crewed capability.

Meanwhile, although South Africa has overcome the problems that saw its Gripen fleet effectively grounded, with the award of a three-year R532 million ($28.76m) service and maintenance support contract to Saab, similar problems are now affecting other frontline fleets.

A report by Armscor (Armaments Corporation of South Africa) to a parliamentary committee on February 15 revealed that there are maintenance backlogs on the Gripen, Hawk, Oryx and Falcon aircraft.

It also showed that just seven of the South African Air Force’s Oryx transport helicopters and four of 11 Rooivalk attack helicopters are serviceable, and that the remainder are largely grounded, as are four of five C-130 Hercules transports, though the Gripen fighters are now operational again.

The other services are no better off, with the navy having no serviceable submarines, and just one of four frigates available for operations.

Elsewhere, Turkish drones are continuing to find a ready market in Africa, with the class-leading Bayraktar TB2 now in service in Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, and Togo.

Recently, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has started to make headway with its ANKA-S, which has been sold to Algeria and Chad, following the 2020 sale to Tunisia that marked the type’s first export contract.

Algeria has also become the launch customer for the larger, twin-engined Aksungur UAV, having ordered six at the end of last year. Algeria has been steadily building up its UAV capabilities, and has acquired medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones from various countries, including Rainbow CH-3, CH-4B, CH-5, and Wing Loong II aircraft from China, and the El Djazair 54 and 55 – local versions of the UAE’s Adcom Systems Yahbon Flash 20 and United 40 UAVs.

Algeria has also deployed its UAVs operationally, and is progressively building up operational doctrine.

In recent years, Algeria has enjoyed a strong relationship with Leonardo Helicopters, which has supplied helicopters to the air force, the navy, the police air wing, and the Gendarmerie Nationale.

There were plans to build large numbers of AgustaWestland AW109s, AW139s and AW101s in a new factory at Aïn Arnat, in the Sétif Province, which was scheduled to become operational in 2021. This was a joint venture between the Algerian Ministry of National Defence (with a 51% share) and Leonardo Helicopters, which signed an industrial and trade partnership agreement in August 2016.

More recently, the Algerian Air Force and Leonardo expressed their intention to finalise a deal for seven AW139 helicopters at the 13th session of the Algerian-Italian bilateral committee held on November 30, 2022 at Palazzo Guidoni, the headquarters of the General Secretariat of Defence and the National Armaments Directorate in Rome.

The partners “strongly hoped to formalise” a contract for the AW139s by the first half of 2023.

Algeria is also interested in the Leonardo AW249 NEES (Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta), a new scout, escort and attack helicopter that made its maiden flight on August 12, 2022.

Still focusing on Algeria, a first Beriev Be-200ES Altair water bomber aircraft for the Algerian Air Force was rolled out at the Beriev manufacturing plant at Taganrog, Russia, in early January 2023.

The aircraft was fully painted in Algerian markings and registered as 7T-VPV. It will be used for training aircrew. A second Be-200ES was expected to roll-out as African Aerospace was going to press.

Algeria looks set to receive its first Beriev Be-200 Altair firefighting amphibian imminently, though sanctions could still upset any transfer of the aircraft. Picture: Beriev.

Algeria ordered four Be-200ES multirole amphibious aircraft from the Taganrog Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex with an option for four more in August 2021, following a series of fires that affected several regions of the country.

The need for some components from Switzerland, including engine vibration control units, cable assemblies, and front and rear support accelerometers, could complicate deliveries, as these may be subject to sanctions and their export to Russia may be prohibited.

The Altair can carry 12,000 litres of water, or up to 72 passengers, and is now in service in Russia and Azerbaijan, while leased aircraft have been used for firefighting in Greece, Portugal and Turkey.

In neighbouring Tunisia, the modernisation of the Tunisian Air Force continues apace, with the hand-over of the first of eight Beechcraft T-6C Texan II training aircraft on November 8, 2022, by Textron Aviation Defense.

The aircraft will remain at Wichita for the time being, where training of the initial cadre of instructor pilots began on October 31, 2022.

The aircraft will be augmented by a suite of training devices, including a ground-based training system, an operational flight trainer and a computer-based training lab, to be supplied by TRU Simulation + Training, an affiliate of Textron Aviation.

Eventually, the new trainers will be based at Sfax/Thyna Airbase, where they will equip 13 Squadron.

The US State Department approved a possible foreign military sale (FMS) of 12 T-6Cs to Tunisia on October 10, 2019, subsequently agreeing a deal for four AT-6 Wolverine light-attack versions of the aircraft in February 2020.

The T-6Cs and AT-6Es will replace the Tunisian Air Force’s fleet of SIAI-Marchetti SF 260 Warriors (delivered in 1974) and Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers, which have been in service since 1995.

The US Department of Defense awarded ATI Engineering Services a $10 million contract to fit an ISR mission system to two Cessna Grand Caravans for Tunisia. This contract seems to have been expanded to cover the conversion of four aircraft.

ATI Engineering Services equipped the aircraft with ISR mission equipment, including an electro-optical/infrared sensor, tactical radio, operator console, video data link and night-vision-compatible lighting.

Textron Aviation subsequently secured a contract from ATI Engineering Services in March 2022 for the delivery of four Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force.

Meanwhile, Niger took delivery of the third and final C-130H in its $30 million Niger Air Force Hercules programme on December 12, 2022.

The aircraft (a former USAF WC-130H) was delivered to Base Aérienne 101 (BA101) Niamey/Diori Hamani, where it was officially inducted in a ceremony on January 4, 2023. The first aircraft had been delivered on January 4, 2021, and the second on December 7.

The programme also included a training component, spare parts, support equipment and infrastructure at two bases – with refurbished hangars being provided at Niamey and at Base Aérienne 201 (BA201) Agadez, with a new spare parts storage facility at Niamey.

The US has now trained 16 pilots from Niger (including the first female pilot in the air force who completed her training in April 2020), as well as 19 maintenance personnel, five baggage handlers and a flight engineer.

Jon Lake

Jon is defence editor for both Arabian and African Aerospace magazines.

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India’s first C295 completes its maiden flight

eNethersole — Mon, 08 May 2023 11:43:51 +0000

The tactical aircraft took off from Seville, Spain, on the 5 May at 11.45 local time (GMT+1) and landed at 14.45 after 3 hours of flight.

“This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme. With the Indian Air Force set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world, this programme exemplifies our commitment to improve the Indian Air Force (IAF) operational capabilities,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.

India acquired 56 C295 aircraft in September 2021 to replace the (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet. The first 16 aircraft will be assembled in Seville, Spain, and delivered to the customer in ‘fly-away’ condition. The following 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by the Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.

This programme will significantly contribute to developing the country’s military industrial ecosystem from the manufacturing to assembly, testing, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.

The C295 programme comprises a total of 280 orders from 39 operators, making it an unmatched aircraft in its weight and mission class.

Posted date

Tue, 09/05/2023 - 12:00

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The first C295 for India has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone towards its delivery by the second half of 2023

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Meet the U.S. Army’s LIDS: A sure shot against drones

Ethan Cobbing — Fri, 05 May 2023 08:30:33 +0000

The KuRFS radar and Coyote effector deliver essential detect and defeat capabilities in the defense against UASs.

These proven capabilities are crucial components of the U.S. Army’s counter-UAS solution. It's called LIDS: the Low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System.

In 2022, Raytheon was awarded a contract to equip two Army divisions with its Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor for 360-degree threat detection and Coyote® for low-cost, highly effective UAS defeat. In 2023, an additional quantity of fixed site and mobile LIDS systems was awarded to further support the Army’s Central Command operations.

In LIDS, the Army integrates Raytheon’s KuRFS and Coyote with Northrop Grumman’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control system, or FAADC2, and the electronic warfare system made by Syracuse Research Corporation for the integrated LIDS counter-UAS solution.

LIDS is deployable as either mobile or fixed, relocatable platforms. The system can provide both stationary support for an installation, asset or site, and a transportable configuration for deployment flexibility.

“There are other kinds of counter-UAS configurations, but LIDS is the most robust in everything from detect, track, identify and defeat,” said Bill Darnè, Raytheon’s Requirements and Capabilities director for counter-UAS capabilities. “That’s the advantage Coyote and KuRFS bring to the LIDS configuration. It’s been rigorously tested, deployed in theater and getting the job done.”

Advantages

KuRFS:

-   Multi-mission KuRFS is so accurate, it can detect a 9mm bullet, and it has few false alarms or dropped tracks.
-   The radar offers flexibility of fixed relocatable (KuRFS) and mobile (Ku720) deployment options.
-   Precision targeting KuRFS discriminates between actual targets and clutter.

Coyote:

-   Coyote is able to down drones at longer ranges and higher altitudes than other systems.
-   Effective defeat of drones of varied size and maneuverability.
-   Coyote effectors are affordable; therefore, cost-effective to counter UAS threats.

These capabilities now address a critical gap, Darnè said, which existed when he was serving in the Army in the Middle East: “During my time in Iraq, we had a significant number of false warns that had bad, unintended consequences for our mission. Now, the accuracy of the KuRFS radar and its ability to discriminate between real threats and clutter or biological objects gives us a huge advantage over what we had in the past.”

Testing for success

The proof of excellence is in how KuRFS and Coyote perform as key components of LIDS: “There have been thousands of hours of evaluations leading up to the Army’s annual record tests,” said Darnè, a retired U.S. Army colonel. “We’ve co-developed these capabilities with the Army, and they know that what they have will perform reliably as the mission requires.”

Building on the milestones achieved in the 2021 test, Raytheon’s Counter-UAS team gathered at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona for their summer 2022 test.

Again, the results were outstanding:

-   KuRFS detected and tracked over 100 Group 1 through 3 drones – singles and swarms – and passed track data to FAAD C2 during the test event.
-   Coyote Block 2 effectively engaged 11 targets.
-   Ku-720-2 (KuRFS distributed radar configuration) identified, tracked and acquired a target, and supported a Coyote Block 2 engagement for the first time.

The consistently successful performance of Coyote and KuRFS during these tests proves that LIDS gives warfighters around the globe a competitive advantage.

“There’s significant international interest in LIDS, with more than a dozen countries reaching out for briefings,” said Darnè, noting that the U.S. State Department recently approved a potential sale of the counter-UAS system with KuRFS and Coyote to Qatar.

“LIDS is an operationally deployed system today,” Darnè said. “KuRFS and Coyote are out there – defending soldiers, bases and assets from enemy drones.”

Posted date

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 12:00

Short title

Meet the U.S. Army’s LIDS: A sure shot against drones

Short summary

Raytheon Technologies’ KuRFS radars and Coyote effectors defeat evolving, proliferating unmanned aircraft systems.

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Raytheon Technologies’ KuRFS radars and Coyote effectors defeat evolving, proliferating unmanned aircraft systems.

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Why African militaries now want to talk Turkey

pIvanova — Wed, 03 May 2023 09:25:54 +0000

Defence 03 May 2023

Why African militaries now want to talk Turkey

Africa has traditionally been a continent whose armed forces bought their weaponry from superpowers or former colonial nations. Now, there is a new kid on the block.

Turkey has made no secret of its interest in Africa. Its national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has said in recent years that it wants to be the largest airline in the continent – no small ambition when the major Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways already have extensive route networks there.

Last November, Spanish current affairs publication, Atalayar, noted that Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has visited more African countries than any other non-African leader and that Turkey has signed military agreements of varying types with most African nations, notably in east and west Africa.

Atalayar also noted that Turkey’s weapons exports to Africa, although still relatively small, were increasing rapidly – from $83 million in 2020 to $460 million in 2021. A study by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs found that Turkey held less than 1% of arms exports to Africa but described its rapid growth as ‘impressive’.

For African nations, buying weapons from Turkey has several advantages. Firstly, the country has advanced significantly in weapons manufacture in recent years and its products have shown their capabilities in several conflicts. Its uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the Bayraktar TB2, played a significant role in Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia in 2020, destroying many Armenian armoured vehicles. The Bayraktar TB2 has also been active with Ukraine’s armed forces in the current conflict with Russia.

Secondly, Turkey’s weaponry, particularly its UAVs, are usually less expensive and easier to operate than those from Israel or the US.

Thirdly, buying from Turkey gives African nations an avenue through which to get modern weaponry without having to ‘take sides’ between the US, Russia or China.

Atalayar listed Somalia, Togo, Niger, Nigeria, and Ethiopia as buyers of Turkish UAVs. The platforms provide their operators with a relatively inexpensive means of providing surveillance over the continent’s vast swathes of scrubland, through which Islamic insurgents often move swiftly by motorcycle.

In a report for the BBC last summer, analyst Robert Melly, a consulting fellow at the Chatham House research institute in London, noted that Togo had recently received its consignment of Bayraktar TB2s. Togo is facing infiltration by Islamists, while Niger – which has had a major problem with the insurgents for approaching a decade – had opted for six of the Turkish UAVs, said Melly.

“For African buyers, especially poorer countries, drones provide the chance to develop significant air power without the vast cost in equipment and years of elite training required to develop a conventional strike force of manned jets,” he noted.

When it comes to crewed aircraft, Turkey is establishing another foothold in Africa with its Hurkus turboprops, which Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is supplying to Chad and Niger.

Hurkus is a tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine aircraft designed as a new-generation trainer and also for light-attack and armed reconnaissance missions.

Numbers involved are believed to be small; two Hurkus-Cs to Niger and three to Chad, but more seem likely to follow. Hurkus-C is the armed variant of the Hurkus-B advanced trainer, able to carry up to 1,500kg of weapons.

The Niger machines were due to be delivered at the end of 2022 and follow on from a reported order for 12 of the B trainer version. Those for Chad were due to be delivered in the first quarter of this year, although confirmation of deliveries is awaited.

There have also been several reports that Libya has signed for an unknown number of Hurkus, although this has not been confirmed.

Like Turkey’s UAVs, the Hurkus can give small air arms a reasonable capability for a relatively modest price tag. When it comes to combatting Islamic insurgents, high-tech weapons are largely irrelevant; in many cases, the ability to carry unguided bombs, rockets or machine gun pods is perfectly adequate.

Alan Dron

Alan Dron is air transport editor at Arabian Aerospace for which he has written since its launch.

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Saudi Arabia and NATO learning to work together

pIvanova — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:49:29 +0000

Defence 19 April 2023

Saudi Arabia and NATO learning to work together

Despite a relationship that has been strained following Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the bloody conflict in Yemen, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has continued to exercise with the United States Air Force (USAF) and, more recently, with other NATO air forces.

RSAF Typhoon and F-15S Eagle aircrews have participated in eight consecutive Red Flag advanced aerial combat training exercises hosted at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Aircrew from the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army, and numerous NATO or other allied nations’ air forces, take part in one of several Red Flag exercises each year.

In June 2020, RSAF F-15SA Eagles from the 6th Squadron, King Khalid Airbase, took part in integrated sorties with USAF F-15Cs and KC-135 Stratotankers, which allowed the US and Saudi pilots to familiarise themselves with communications and mission planning procedures. It also allowed them to maintain readiness for longer mission capabilities in the region.

More recently, after months of preparation, joint training exercise Falcon Eye 3 began in Greece in the second week of November 2022. For the third in a series of bilateral exercises with the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), the RSAF deployed F-15C/D Eagles from Taïf/King Fahd Airbase to the 115^th Fighter Wing based at Souda Airbase, a large facility on the west side of Crete, Greece’s largest island in the Mediterranean.

Falcon Eye 3 began with ground studies to unify the exercise’s concept among aircrew from both air forces, followed by joint flights in the eastern Mediterranean skies.

Under the leadership of Colonel Khalifa Al-Enezi, the Saudi contingent deployed with all its air, technical, and support crews for a few weeks.

During the exercise, different types of missions in Greek and international airspace, against various types of aircraft, were flown. To achieve this, HAF F-4E Phantom and Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft were flown from different air bases in a variety of roles, as friendly as well as opposing forces at times, to enhance the training value of the exercise.

In May 2021, the HAF and RSAF had held the Falcon Eye 2 exercise at the King Faisal Airbase, in the northern sector of Saudi Arabia. Joint sorties by RSAF F-15C and HAF F-16 aircraft took part in the exercise.

Other joint air exercises with Saudi and NATO air crews are planned for 2023.

David Oliver

David has been a photojournalist for more than 40 years specialising in aerospace and defence.

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Edge expands defence reach into Latin America

aPeaford — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:39:39 +0000

The announcement was made at this week’s LAAD Defence & Security 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, where the company is participating for the first time with 10 of its portfolio businesses.

Managing Director and CEO of Edge’ Mansour AlMulla said: “This is a tremendously proud moment for Edge’ as a relatively young company of just over three years. Today’s announcement of our new Latin America (LATAM) regional office in Brasilia is a clear signal of our confidence in markets across the continent and the valuable opportunities they present for international business development, knowledge sharing, and greater prosperity.”

“As we expand our global footprint, we are now taking a keen commercial interest in these markets with the aim of showcasing our industry-leading advanced technology and defence solutions, forging new partnerships, and assisting in the development of national defence capabilities, in the spirit of international collaboration and to realise mutual objectives and support economic growth,” he added.

Edge is showcasing some 50 different products and services to the Latin America market at the biennial trade show including autonomous air and land systems, naval systems, precision-guided munitions, small arms and ammunition, and electronic warfare.

With more than US$5 billion order intake secured during 2022, US$1.2 billion of which was in international exports, Edge’s global footprint now covers 30 countries across five continents.

According to AlMulla, Edge’s’s aggressive product development roadmap has been built on a strong industrial blueprint, which has seen it increase the number of its products to over 115, a substantial four-fold increase in products offerings since its launch in November 2019.

Posted date

Thu, 13/04/2023 - 12:00

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The UAE’s defence conglomerate, Edge Group is to open a new regional office in Brazil’s federal capital, Brasilia.

Embraer launches the A-29N Super Tucano in NATO configuration

eNethersole — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:09:01 +0000

The initial focus on meeting the needs of nations in Europe. The new version of the aircraft, the A-29N, will include equipment and features to fulfil NATO's operational requirements, such as a new datalink and single-pilot operation.

These features will further increase the aircraft's employment possibilities, allowing, for example, its use in JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) training missions. Training devices will also be upgraded to the world's most demanding standards, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.

“This is a new stage in the operational life of the A-29 Super Tucano,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defence and Security. “We see many application possibilities for the A-29N at the moment. Several European countries have shown interest in specific aircraft capabilities that we have now introduced with this version.”

With more than 260 units delivered worldwide, the aircraft has been selected by more than 15 air forces worldwide, including the United States Air Force (USAF).

Developed as a highly versatile aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano can perform a broad range of missions, including light attack, aerial surveillance and interception, and counterinsurgency. The A-29 is rugged and versatile, operating from remote and unpaved runways on forward deployed operational bases with little support, all with low operating costs and high availability (above 90%).

In addition to combat roles, the aircraft is widely used as an advanced trainer. Its ability to simulate combat missions and upload and download flight data has made it a highly effective training platform. As a real multi-mission aircraft, the A-29 has the flexibility to provide air forces with a single platform for light attack, armed reconnaissance, close air support, and advanced training, thus optimizing their fleets.

It is equipped with various state-of-the-art sensors and weapons, including an electro-optical/infrared system with laser designator, night vision goggles, secure voice communications, and a data-link package. Thus, the A-29 Super Tucano represents the gold standard in its field, combining superior aircraft performance with 21st-century weapons, integrated sensors, and surveillance systems to create a highly influential air power component.

Posted date

Wed, 12/04/2023 - 12:00

First paragraph

Embraer has launched the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, which will feature equipment to meet NATO's operational requirements.

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Cobras give Bahrain extra bite

pIvanova — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 06:55:13 +0000

Defence 11 April 2023

Cobras give Bahrain extra bite

Helicopters play a major role in the defence and security of Bahrain. Alan Warnes has been looking at the Royal Bahraini Air Force and the background to its capabilities.

The Royal Bahraini Air Force now has one of the largest AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter fleets in the world.

Comprising 17 upgraded AH-1FB Cobras and 12 AH-1Z Vipers, known locally as ‘Zulus’, that’s an undeniably large number of gunships for such a small island.

However, to understand why, you have to go back to April 1986, when Qatar attacked Bahrain’s Hawar Islands in a bid to take them over.

The RBAF, with its Bell 212s, really came of age back then after the Qatari forces captured a multinational workforce building a coastguard station at Dibal. It was tasked to fly in troops, ammunition and medical supplies to support Bahraini units on the islands.

Operating at night, with no night vision goggles, often at 100ft (30m) over land and sea with no radar or radio for three continuous nights, the helicopters completed 25 missions.

This was to be the biggest ever challenge to the RBAF’s helicopter units and, while the Bell 212 crews of 3 Squadron performed heroically, the government now understood the need to acquire armed helicopters to deter further attacks.

The Hawar operation, as it is known, received little international attention. The Hawar Islands dispute was resolved in 2001 but it taught the Bahraini Government a lesson. With Iran undeniably a big threat to the Middle East’s relative peace, the military doctrine created for Hawar stands resolute against an Iranian offensive.

The RBAF acknowledges that any serious attack is likely to come in overwhelming numbers, and that’s the main reason why its helicopter inventory is heavily influenced by the AH-1 Cobras.

The RBAF acquired its first Cobras in 1994, when 14 ex-US Army AH-1Es and six TAH-1Ps, the latter configured for the training role without any capability to carry cannons or weapons, were acquired. They all equipped No 8 Squadron, established the same year at Riffa Air Base.

A follow-on order for 10 more reconditioned AH-1Es from the US Army followed in 1997. However, some were starting to show their obsolescence and, according to one local source, they were in poor shape and so were rejected.

In 2002, 12 AH-1Fs were delivered, which brought with them full infrared day and night vision equipment (C-NITE), mission-control computers, and a wire-guided missile capability. This led to the standing up of a second AH-1 unit at Riffa, No 9 Squadron.

According to an RBAF officer, all the earlier AH-1Es have now been retired and broken up, with their spare parts being used to keep the AH-1F fleet flying.

By the mid-2010s, it was obvious these attack helicopters did not have the technological edge the RBAF required for future warfare operations. The government scoured the market, looking for a capable helicopter to provide close air support for its ground troops. The new helicopter would not replace the older AH-1Fs but supplement them, and it seemed, in 2015, that the Bahrainis would opt for Turkey’s T129 advanced attack and reconnaissance (ATAK) helicopter.

Turkey’s backing of Qatar, when the GCC sanctioned the tiny desert state in 2017, put paid to those plans.

Ocean-going: The 12 new AH-1Z Zulus of newly formed 22 Squadron, will primarily be used for operations over sea. Picture: Alan Warnes.

However, negotiations on an AH-1F upgrade, to ensure there was commonality with the T129, had been signed off already. As part of a multi-million deal, agreed in June 2015, Turkish Aerospace was to upgrade 17 AH-1Fs with avionics systems already operational on Turkey’s gunship helicopter.

The prototype upgraded AH-1FB (B for Bahrain) made its first flight from TAI’s Ankara facility in September 2017 and, after two years with integration work and testing completed, it was airfreighted back to Bahrain.

By the time of the November 2018 Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS), three aircraft had been upgraded, but both TAI and Bahrain were not keen to discuss the work because of the ongoing political row.

Finally, at last year’s 2022 BIAS, two upgraded AH-1FBs made their public debut.

“We have turned an old helicopter into a new one,” said one RBAF officer. “After the first aircraft was delivered here, the RBAF worked alongside Turkish engineers to integrate the upgrades at Riffa Airbase, where the Cobras are based.”

The work includes the integration of an Aselsan ASELFLIR 300T electro optical/infrared turret mounted on top of the Cobra’s nose to replace the laser range finder. The system houses a high resolution infrared camera, laser range finder/designator (LRF/D), laser spot tracker, colour day TV camera and a spotter TV camera.

In the front cockpit, two multi-function displays replace the old analogue gauges, and both cockpits have been upgraded for night

Mounted on the both side of the two Cobras on the outer pylons are a pair of quadrack launchers to accommodate Roketsan Cirit 2.75 inch laser-guided missiles, to complete a wholly Turkish upgrade.

The AH-1FBs with their desert camouflage are used to support troops on the ground.

When it became obvious the RBAF would not be ordering the T129, the force opted to buy the Bell AH-1Z Viper – 12 of them at a cost of $912 million.

The contract announcement came at BIAS in November 2018, when the RBAF commander, Major General Hamad al Khalifa, said: “The world’s most advanced attack helicopter will continue to secure the country. Deliveries will start in the second half of 2022 and be completed in early 2023.”

He continued: “The aircraft will work alongside the current Cobra fleet and help to improve our share of the responsibility in the growth and security of the Gulf region.”

Bell announced, in October 2021, that the first AH-1Z for Bahrain had been completed, with the first pair being handed over to the RBAF in mid-2022. By the end of 2022, six of the 12 had been delivered with the remainder due early this year.

The AH-1Z Viper is designed to meet the operational requirements of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), with a strong focus on a reduced logistical footprint and full marinization.

The aircraft is an improvement of the AH-1W Super Cobra, with an upgraded glass cockpit and a wider capability due to the variety of weaponry.

Speaking at BIAS 2022, Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and program director, said: “The AH-1Z brings a lot of benefits, largely due to the number of different missions it can handle – close air support, anti-armour and, in USMC configuration, anti-air, so it’s quite a versatile aircraft.”

The latest generation of the Viper has a Lockheed Martin target sight system, along with avionics that Bell rates as world class, with Deslatte adding: “Employing that type of capability is a game-changer. Having a proven state-of-the-art platform will help contribute to the security of Bahrain, while improving interoperability with US forces.”

The RBAF confirmed that its AH-1Zs do not yet operate with an AIM-9 Sidewinder, or come equipped with the Link 16 datalink system.

Being marinized, the aircraft is protected against the kind of corrosion that the Bahrain climate will bring. “It was fully marinized from the point of manufacture all the way down to detailed level parts,” said Deslatte.

“This provides resistance to the likes of salt, spray, sand and dust, while working in an austere environment. You can encounter all these kind of elements when deploying forward with the units that you support on the ground.”

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