DefenceTalkAs Turkish military planners and Turkey’s state arms procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), focus on the country’s indigenous new-generation fighter jet (dubbed TF-X), Air Force officials are planning on plugging any potential capabilities gap in combat aircraft that might emerge in the interim. The solution involves an upgrade program for the Turkish […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-plans-f-16-upgrade-as-fighter-capacity-stop-gap-measure-65062/

DefenceTalkThe United States has to spend $18 billion a year for 15 years to modernize its entire nuclear deterrent force or risk losing it entirely, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work told the House of Representatives House Armed Services Committee. “Carrying out this is a very expensive proposition [that will cost] $18 billion a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-must-fund-urgent-270bln-nuclear-weapons-upgrade-plan-64783/

DefenceTalkThe upgrade of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s F-16 fighter aircraft seeks to equip the RSAF’s ageing fleet of F-16s – which first entered service in 1998 – with new and advanced capabilities to keep them operationally relevant. The new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar represents a significant capability upgrade, extending the F-16’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/republic-of-singapore-air-forces-f-16-upgrade-program-64766/

DefenceTalkA major overhaul of Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers will be completed in 2019, Boris Naishuler, the director of the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Production Association’s design center, which upgrades the aircraft, said Tuesday. “The first stage of modernization has been completed; the second stage connected with replacement of nearly all onboard radio electronic equipment on existing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/major-overhaul-of-russias-tu-160-strategic-bomber-to-be-completed-in-2019-64328/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore for the F-16 Block 52 Upgrade Program and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 5, 2015. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/singapore-to-upgrade-its-f-16-block-52-fighter-jets-64164/

DefenceTalkThe government may take legal action against BAE Systems for its failure to implement a KF-16 upgrade at an already agreed upon price. It will seek to force the company to pay any extra costs the upgrade will entail, a military procurement official said Tuesday. “We are reviewing the legal details,” the Defense Acquisition Program […]https://www.defencetalk.com/korea-may-sue-bae-over-jet-upgrade-deal-60907/

DefenceTalkHelibras’ contract to modernize 34 AS365 K Panther helicopters for the Brazilian Army Aviation (AvEx) to the K2 version, known as the Super Panther, reached an important milestone in August following the successful completion of the first technical-operational evaluation. The first upgraded machine demonstrated 98% availability in the evaluation phase, during which the aircraft performed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/panther-helicopter-successfully-upgraded-for-brazilian-army-60589/

DefenceTalkAs fears grow that China is on an aggressive South China Sea territorial grab, a sleepy Philippine village is being transformed into a major naval base that may host US warships. Ulugan Bay, a small, picturesque cove encircled by thick mangroves, has suddenly become a vital part of the Philippine military’s efforts to shore up […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-fears-spur-philippine-naval-upgrade-59901/

DefenceTalkMarine Corps Light Armored Vehicle Anti-Tank prototypes are in the midst of developmental tests of upgrades that could extend their lives for decades to come. The modernization program is taking shape at various sites throughout the country. Development of the LAV-ATs has already successfully met threshold testing as four of the prototypes have fired 14 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-marines-test-lav-at-anti-tank-modernization-upgrade-59178/

DefenceTalkRussia’s fleet of amphibious assault ships requires extensive modernization because their service life has been largely overextended, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday. “The Russian navy currently has 19 ships of this type. They have been in service, on average, for more than 25 years,” Shoigu said at a video conference meeting with military commanders. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-overhaul-fleet-of-amphibious-assault-ships-58929/