Israel puts 40 F-16/B for sale

The Israeli government is going to sale 40 F-16A/B which were recently retired. At the moment there are no details about the selected aircraft. Israel acquired a total of 125 F-16A/B; 75 were new and 50 from US stocks. The latter were transferred in the 90s after the Gulf War in exchange for Israel’s restraint. Most of them had ¼ of its flying hours’ left. 

Israel considered replacing these aircraft in the 1990s, but it was found to expensive. The aircraft were modernised to the ACE variant (Avionics Capabilities Enhacement). According to the designers, it provided 80% of the Block 40 capabilities at 1/8 of the cost.

The main modification was the integration of a IAI/Elta EL/M-2032 radar and a Lahav datalink. The cockpit received an El-Op HUD and Dash helmet. An Elisra SPS-1000 RWR and ASPS EW kit were installed. The aircraft could also use a Elta EI/L-8222 pod.

Some countries will definitely be interested (Argentina, Croatia…). The type is in widespread service, which eases the maintenance. The life can be extended up to 8,000 hours, even more. 

References:

- http://defense-watch.com/2016/12/28/israel-selling-40-freshly-retired-f-16ab-jets/

- http://portierramaryaire.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1420&start=180

- Air War on the Edge: A History of the Israel Air Force and it's Aircraft Since 1947, by B. Norton Midland Publishing (2004)

Russia acquires Mil helicopters and L-410 aircrafts

The year started really well for Russian helicopters manufacturers.  The State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK in Russian) has signed for 29 helicopters and 5 regional aircraft L-410. The contract is made of:

- 13 Mi-8AMT to be produced at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.
- 10 Mi-8MTV-1 to be produced at Kazan Helicopter Plant.
- 6 Ansat in medical version to be produced at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

The price of each Mi-8 is 350 million roubles (5.71 million de $). Ansat is 222 million (3.62 million $). Deliveries will be completed in 12 months.

The L-410 was originally produced in the Czech Republic. In 2000 the company declared bankrupcy. A few years ago it was acquired by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UGMK), which promised to move production to Russia.

References:

- http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2356172.html
- https://www.gtlk.ru/en/about/

Georgia could retire its Su-25 Frogfoot fleet

Georgia’s Ministry of Defence is considering the retirement of the Su-25 Frogfoot fleet before the calendar hours are expired. This would allow to export them. Nowadays 12 Su-25s are available.

The decision will be considered amidst the economic crisis that affects the region. In 2010 the Air Force was abolished and transferred to the Army. Recently 55 coronels were made redundant. According to the new chief of staff, 67% of the salary is spent on salaries and administration. This value needs to be reduced.

Su-25 georgianos (http://aces.safarikovi.org/).

This will likely put an end to a project of manufacturing a local version of the Su-25. It did not look very realistic in the first place because many components were produced in Russia.

References:

- http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2352427.html
- Georgia plans to build a local version of Su-25 (Spanish)
- https://cacianalyst.org/analytical-articles/georgia-economic-crisis

M60T and Otokar Cobra under attack in Syria

Islamic State has published a video with another attack to a Turkish tank. As in previous occasions, it took place in the al-Bab area. The images show the launching of a 9K111 Fagot AT missile and how it hits the front armour of a M60T tank. The Lepard 2 next to it reverses and takes cover behind the turn.

Then an Otokar Cobra vehicle is sent. It is also hit by an AT missile. According to the information available, the M60T crew did not suffer injuries. Two passengers in the Cobra were injured. In this link the video can be seen.

References:

- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/
- https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq

Russia has offered second-hand MiG-29s to Serbia

16-12-2016

The primer minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has declared that the Fulcrums could arrive in March 2017. They will have 2 years of service left before an overhaul is needed. Then the entire fleet (6 ex-Russians + current 4) will be repaired and kept in service for another 14 years. The government is also looking at acquiring another 13 Airbus helicopters (1).

21-11-2016

The Russian government has offered Serbia second hand 6 MiG-29s free of charge. Serbia would have to pay for the upgrade/modernization, which is about 50 million $. If the deal goes through it would be an important acquisition for the Serbian Armed Forces, as only 3 MiG-29s and 1 MiG-21bis are comabt ready

This type of scheme has been followed by some countries after the Cold War. The client gets excess material free of charge but has to pay for refurbishment/modernization and spares. Russia should have a number of MiG-29 9.12/9.13 available, as many have been replaced by advanced derivates of Flanker.

MiG-29s and other fighters stored at Kubinka (fotografersha.livejournal.com)

The Russian government has also offered Buk SAM systems, but Serbia has rejected them as it cannot afford them (60 million $).

Back in 2013 the Russianmedia reported a contract for 6 MiG-35, but it was never fulfilled as IMF put pressure on the Serbian government to cancel the deal.

References:

- http://www.opex360.com/2016/11/19/la-russie-va-livrer-6-avions-mig-29-la-serbie/
- http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2265939.html
- https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20161215/1483717706.html (1)

First photos of Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-35

These are the first photos of the newly built MiG-35 acquired by the Russian Aerospace Force. According to Russian sources the first flight took place on the 20th November. In theory 37 should be acquired, followed by another batch.

The development of this variant has been critisised because of the delays. At some point it was supposed to have an AESA radar, but it is still using a mechanical Zuk. In any case, it has won a large contract with Egypt (46 aircraft) and is relatively cheap. It also provides RSK MiG with work. At the end of the day, it will pla a secondary role, behind PAK FA and Flanker variants.

Fuentes y enlaces de interés:

- www.russianplanes.net

- MiG-29SMT and MiG-35 in the Russian Aerospace Forces

Two Leopard 2 tanks attacked by AT missiles in Syria

ISIS has published another attack on Turkish Leopard 2 tanks. Both vehicles are in a position when hit by AT missiles. The sequence is shown below. The second vehicle comes worst as the ammunition explodes and causes a fire.

 

Leopard 2s have not been operating for long, but 3 have already hit by missiles. It is almost as if they were expected and ambushes were prepared.

References:

- http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/456092.html
- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=34025&page=144
- First Leopard 2 under attack in Syria