India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
The US State Department has approved a possible FMS for equipment and services to extend the service life of the Hawker RC-800 Peace Krypton reconnaissance aircraft in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
If the FMS is approved Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor on the $250 million deal, which includes ground system modernisation work and upgrades to the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS).
Lockheed Martin was the previous contractor for Peace Krypton support, but that contract expired in December 2019.
Four Peace Krypton aircraft are in service with the ROKAF but these refurbished twin-jet corporate aircraft are showing their age, as they were bought in 1996. With this in mind, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to spend KRW870 billion on buying two Baekdu-II Falcon 2000S SIGINT and reconnaissance aircraft for the ROKAF by 2026.
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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.