India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
Hendsoldt secures German Air Force IFF modernisation contract
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.
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