DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab has taken the strategic decision to find Swiss companies to develop, produce and assemble major components of the Gripen E aircraft, including the rear fuselage. More than 35 per cent of the work will be placed in the French- and Italian-speaking regions. This will create business volume for Swiss industry […]https://www.defencetalk.com/swiss-industry-supplier-gripen-e-components-47331/

DefenceTalkRussian aircraft maker Sukhoi and the Malaysian Defense Ministry have signed a $100-million contract for the technical maintenance of Malaysia’s fleet of Su-30MKM fighters, said a spokesman for the organizing committee of the LIMA-2013 aerospace exhibition. The contract covers technical maintenance as well as supplies of spare parts for 18 Russian Su-30MKM fighters that were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sukhoi-malaysia-sign-100-mln-deal-on-fighters-maintenance-47289/

DefenceTalkFrance dangled Tuesday the possibility of manufacturing its Rafale fighter plane in Malaysia if the nation selected the aircraft as its new combat jet. “We are considering an assembly line in Malaysia,” said Eric Trappier, chief executive of the Rafale’s builder Dassault Aviation, in a telephone interview from the Langkawi air show in northern Malaysia. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-says-malaysia-can-build-jets-if-it-buys-rafale-47283/

DefenceTalkThe Eurofighter IPA 8 (Instrumented Production Aircraft 8) test aircraft has achieved an important production milestone at Cassidian in Manching: with the mounting of the right wing, the connection between the cockpit, vertical tail unit and wings with the fuselage has been completed. “IPA 8 is based on the latest Eurofighter Tranche 3 construction standard […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cassidian-produces-the-worlds-most-advanced-eurofighter-47277/

DefenceTalkChina has agreed to buy two dozen fighter jets and four submarines from Russia, state media reported Monday, the country’s first large-scale weapons technology purchases from Moscow in a decade. The agreement to buy the 24 Su-35 fighters and four Lada-class submarines was signed just before President Xi Jinping’s weekend visit to Russia, said the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-to-buy-russian-fighters-subs-state-media-47271/

DefenceTalkThe first international student aviator at the 33rd Fighter Wing, training to be an F-35B Lightning II instructor pilot, completed his first sortie in the joint strike fighter here March 19. United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler flew with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501. “There were no surprises, the jet was fun […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-international-student-pilot-flies-f-35-47226/

DefenceTalkThe Danish Ministry of Defence has decided to reopen the type selection process for new fighter aircraft, which was suspended in mid-2010. Saab’s fighter aircraft system Gripen is one of four alternatives. In accordance with the “Agreement on defense 2013-2017” the Danish Ministry of Defence has decided to restarted type selection process for new fighter […]https://www.defencetalk.com/gripen-one-of-four-alternatives-as-denmark-reopens-fighter-jet-procurement-47183/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force and its prime contractor Boeing have completed a successful first flight of the new F-15SA advanced fighter aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The F-15SA’s maiden voyage took place Feb. 20 at the Boeing facilities in St. Louis. The flight went as planned, meeting all test objectives to support the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fly-by-wire-f-15sa-makes-first-flight-47163/

DefenceTalkAn Iranian fighter jet tried to intercept a US Predator drone over the Gulf but backed off after encountering two American military aircraft, the Pentagon said Thursday. No shots were fired in the confrontation Wednesday, officials said, but the United States renewed a vow that it would protect its forces in the region. The Pentagon […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iranian-fighter-tries-to-intercept-us-drone-in-gulf-us-47150/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program is a different program than it was four years ago, the F-35 program executive officer said here March 12. In a speech at the McAleese/Credit Suisse Defense Programs Conference at the Newseum, Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told attendees that he and his predecessor, Navy Vice Adm. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-production-on-track-program-chief-says-47148/