DefenceTalkThe Philippines will buy 12 South Korean FA-50 fighter jets to strengthen its poorly-armed military, government spokesmen said Wednesday, amid increasing maritime tensions with China. The FA-50s will be the first fighter jets to be operated by the Philippine air force since it retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005, said President […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-to-buy-12-south-korean-fighter-jets-46622/

DefenceTalkIranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi says that Tehran has launched production of a domestically developed short-range air defense system. According to the minister, the air defense system – dubbed Ya Zahra – can detect, track and destroy short-range aerial targets, including aircraft, helicopters and drones. Vahidi added that the mobile system, which can […]https://www.defencetalk.com/minister-claims-iran-makes-short-range-air-defense-system-46613/

DefenceTalkThales has achieved delivery of the first of three maritime surveillance aircraft under the Meltem II programme for Turkey. This aircraft will be operated by the Turkish Coast Guard from Izmir Air Base. Pierre Eric Pommellet, Senior Vice-President of Thales Group, officially handed over the aircraft at a ceremony held at the Turkish Aerospace Industry […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thales-delivers-first-maritime-surveillance-aircraft-to-turkey-46591/

DefenceTalkThe commander of US special operations said Tuesday he expects to see women in the elite commando forces now that the Pentagon is allowing them to serve in combat. Admiral William McRaven, head of the US special operations command, said he was “fully supportive” of the decision to lift the ban on women in combat. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/commander-sees-women-in-elite-us-special-forces-46607/

DefenceTalkThe RAF’s most recently formed squadron has taken delivery of the latest state-of-the-art Typhoon jet. The 100th Typhoon jet delivered to No 1 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Leuchars The unit, No 1 (Fighter) Squadron, which was reformed just 4 months ago at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, is now home to the 100th Typhoon to enter […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raf-squadron-takes-delivery-of-100th-eurofighter-typhoon-46588/

DefenceTalkThe Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Ministry of Defense, responsible for the development of Israel’s multi-level defense system, completed a series of pre-planned trials today (Monday, January 21) as part of a project to upgrade the Iron Dome missile interception system. The series of trials was designed to broaden the system’s operational capacity […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-successfully-tests-iron-dome-upgrade-46586/

DefenceTalkA prototype Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (also known as the Il-476) heavy-lift transport plane completed its first prolonged test flight on Tuesday, its manufacturer Aviastar said. The flight, which lasted four hours and 25 minutes at altitudes of up to 10,000 meters (33,000 feet), was designed to assess the performance of its onboard avionics, engines, automated control […]https://www.defencetalk.com/il-476-airlifter-makes-first-long-test-flight-46584/

DefenceTalkGovernment and industry engineering teams investigating the origins of a failed propulsion fueldraulic line on an F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant have identified the probable cause and are developing a return to flight plan to lift the suspension of flight operations. The root cause investigation ruled out any design or maintenance issues. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/root-cause-determination-on-f-35b-flight-operations-suspension-46582/

DefenceTalk“Insider-attacks” were recognized as the number-one strategic risk in Afghanistan during a NATO conference Jan. 24, and training to mitigate the threat was discussed by members of the International Security Assistance Force. The International Insider Threat Conference was hosted Jan. 24, at the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoer. Trainers there demonstrated how behavioral cues […]https://www.defencetalk.com/isaf-nato-employ-tactics-against-insider-threats-46604/

DefenceTalkSoldiers from Security Forces Assistance and Advisory Team – 5, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, assisted in the training of the Afghan National Army on the D-30 Howitzers at Combat Outpost Monti, Afghanistan, Jan. 18. The Afghan National Army, or ANA, soldiers, who represent the 2nd Brigade, 201st Kandak Corps, worked to develop […]https://www.defencetalk.com/afghan-troops-train-on-d-30-howitzer-46601/