Brazil to place order for Pantsir next year

Brazilian Ambassador to Russia Jose Vallim Guerreiro told RIA Novosti that his country is to purchase the Pantsir air defense system as early as in the first half of 2016.

By Vitaly V. Kuzmin (http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/372) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Guerreiro had said earlier this year that the contract was to be signed this year. The tight fiscal situation in Brazil had prompted the delay.

Source: Brazil to place order for Pantsir next year

Ukraine turns to crowd-funding for indigenous UAV

Ukraine has plans to build an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle to survey enemy positions and it has a crowd-sourcing campaign to fund the program.

Source: Ukraine turns to crowd-funding for indigenous UAV

Myanmar Air Force chief-of-staff fired after bomb landed in Chinese territory

Reuters reported that Myanmar Air Force removed Major General Lwin Oo as chief-of-staff after a stray bomb landed in China and killed farmers three months ago.

By M Radzi Desa [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

He was replaced by Brigadier General Maung Maung Kyaw but when the change occurred is unknown.

Source: Myanmar Air Force chief-of-staff fired after bomb landed in Chinese territory

Turkish media says Erdoğan is getting a CH-47F for presidential palace

Turkey placed an order for five more Boeing CH-47F helicopters in January, this bring the total number ordered to eleven. However, Turkish media says only four will go the military as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to have a Chinook for his presidential palace.

By Capt. Peter Smedberg (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1053576) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Turkish media says Erdoğan is getting a CH-47F for presidential palace

Last U.S. Navy EA-6B missing man formation

The U.S. Navy officially retired the Grumman EA-6B at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Jun. 27. The last aircraft, BuNo. 163890, joined three EA-18Gs to perform a missing man formation on Jun. 26.

Photo: Northrop Grumman

Source: Last U.S. Navy EA-6B missing man formation

MQ-1B lost over Syria was shot down

A U.S. Air Force MQ-1B went down over the Syrian town of Latakia on Mar. 17, the service now admits that the UAV was shot down.

See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It was not clear whether Syrian government forces or ISIL brought down the aircraft.

Source: MQ-1B lost over Syria was shot down

Argentina Air Force Tucano crashed

An Argentina Air Force Tucano crashed around noon on Jun. 29 near the town of Arroyito. Both pilots on board did not survive the accident.

Source: Argentina Air Force Tucano crashed

Indian Air Force to phase out 2 MiG-27 and 1 MiG-21 squadrons

The Indian Air Force will deactivate two MiG-27 squadrons at Halwara and Kalaikunda and one MiG-21 squadron this year.

By Abhi010 (Kalaikunda) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Indian Air Force to phase out 2 MiG-27 and 1 MiG-21 squadrons

South Korea to decide on winner of aerial tanker contest on Jun. 30

South Korea will pick one winner out of three contestants for its aerial refueling tanker contest on Jun. 30 at the National Defense Acquisition Program Committee meeting.

By Robert Frola (Flickr) [GFDL or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: South Korea to decide on winner of aerial tanker contest on Jun. 30

GAO found that USAF may have overstate or understate estimated savings from retiring A-10

The U.S. Air Force’s desire to retire the A-10 attack jet failed to find support from the Government Accountability Office.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In a report published on Jun. 25, the GAO found that the service’s assessment of cost savings is inadequate and the estimated savings are incomplete and may have overstate or understate estimated savings.
Most importantly, the report highlighted the fact that the divestment of the A-10 will create potential gaps in close air support (CAS).

Source: GAO found that USAF may have overstate or understate estimated savings from retiring A-10