Turkish F-16s carried out air strikes on ISIL targets in Syria

Turkish Air Force F-16s struck Islamic State targets in Syria on Jul. 24 while they were flying inside Turkish airspace.

By Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Turkish F-16s carried out air strikes on ISIL targets in Syria

Russia to proceed with Dnepr rocket launches without Ukraine

Russia plans to proceed with launches of the Dnepr rocket even though Ukraine is no longer a participant of the program.

By DLR [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Russia to proceed with Dnepr rocket launches without Ukraine

Dutch Chief of Defense Forces says RNLAF F-16s should bomb ISIL in Syria

The highest ranking military officer of Netherlands, Gen. Tom Middendorp, says Dutch F-16s should be bombing ISIL targets in Syria too.

By Defensie.nl [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

However, Middendorp stressed that the decision to do so can only be reached after examining “what the knock-on effects thereof will be.”

Source: Dutch Chief of Defense Forces says RNLAF F-16s should bomb ISIL in Syria

Russian Defense Ministry orders investigation into recent spate of crashes

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered an investigation into seven military aircraft crashes that occurred since June.

By Alex Beltyukov [CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

“We need to thoroughly understand the causes of these accidents and to identify specific measures to improve the situation,” he said.

Source: Russian Defense Ministry orders investigation into recent spate of crashes

Royal Air Force stands up first A400M squadron

The Royal Air Force’s first A400M squadron is declared operational at at RAF Brize Norton with Princess Anne presenting the new standard to Number LXX (70) Squadron.
Parade to commemorate the official stand-up of LXX Sqn and the presentation of its new Standard at Royal Air Force Brize Norton on 23 Jul 15. HRH The Princess Royal was the Reviewing Officer for the Parade, with CAS as the Guest of Honour and AOC 2 Gp, the Stn Cdr, Head of Establishment (HoE) and Chaplain-in-Chief in attendance.

Source: Royal Air Force stands up first A400M squadron

Armenia upgrading its Pechora air defense system

An Armenian television company went to Charentsavan Machine Works and from the screen footage, it seems that Armenia is upgrading its Pechora (SA-3) air defense system.

Source: Armenia upgrading its Pechora air defense system

Indonesia to contribute Mi-17 detachment to U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali

Indonesia has agreed to send a Mi-17 detachment to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

By MONUSCO Photos (PT9A7305) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The contingent will spend at least one year in Mali and the deployment can be extended at the U.N.’s request.

Source: Indonesia to contribute Mi-17 detachment to U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali

Photos from Exercise Indradhanush IV

The Royal Air Force has released three photos from Exercise Indradhanush IV, a bilateral exercise with the Indian Air Force. Four Su-30MKIs are deployed to RAF Coningsby during this period.

Photos: Royal Air Force

Source: Photos from Exercise Indradhanush IV

A-10 exports ruled out by U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force has no intention to export the A-10 attack jet. The flying branch said “there are no anticipated sales of A-10 aircraft to anyone.”

By Daniel J. McLain (Mate 2nd Class) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Earlier this year, Boeing had pitched the idea of exporting the second-hand aircraft as the fleet still has a fair amount of flying life available.

Source: A-10 exports ruled out by U.S. Air Force