India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
Hensoldt announced on 28 May that it had secured a contract with the German Air Force to equip its fleet of 90 Tornado fighter aircraft (pictured) with encryptable Mode 5-capable LTR 400 transponders for IFF.
Panavia Aircraft, the industrial consortium for the development of the Tornado, has placed an initial order for 42 transponders worth several million euros. Panavia also plans to convert over 100 other German Air Force platforms.
NATO member nations are obliged to upgrade their IFF systems to Mode 5 standard in order to maintain effective interoperability between allies. The LTR 400 transponder is already qualified for use by the German Air Force and is currently used on all Airbus military helicopters.
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
The $510 million partnership will see Hanwha invest to co-develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle STOL, with a maiden flight test expected by 2027.
The country was reportedly “months” away from an official aircraft selection, as of mid-March 2025.
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.