An armed variant of China’s independently developed Z-20 utility helicopter has made its first official appearance. In a report published Monday by the PLA Daily, one of the two Z-20s pictured has distinct features like an electro-optical sensor replacing the radome and external wings likely intended to carry weapons stations. Missiles and Rockets Teased Earlier […]
CCG-PLA Joint Operation Near Taiwan Aims to Deter to Eastern Theater Command conducted an unprecedented joint operation in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. The China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet from Fujian Province carried out law enforcement drills near Wuqiu and Dongyin islands, while the PLA launched military exercises surrounding Taiwan from multiple directions. For the […]
Media outlets around the world have highlighted the crucial role played by Turkey’s pioneering Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) in finding the crash site of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. Footage obtained by the Akıncı drone during its surveillance mission was eagerly followed by millions globally as they awaited any sign of life […]
Turkish drone manufacturer Titra is collaborating with aerospace giant Airbus to modify the ALPIN unmanned helicopter for naval use. The partnership aims to integrate Airbus’ DeckFinder positioning system, enabling the ALPIN drone to take off and land autonomously on naval vessels. Titra’s CEO, Abdulkadir Sener, revealed the collaboration during a homeland security expo in Ankara, […]
The United Arab Emirates Coast Guard has placed an order valued at €400 million ($435 million/Dh1.6 billion) for 10 advanced offshore patrol vessels from the newly established MAESTRAL shipbuilding joint venture between Italy’s Fincantieri and UAE’s EDGE defense group. The formal agreement creating MAESTRAL, with EDGE holding a 51% stake, was announced in February. The […]
The UK Ministry of Defence is making steady progress towards operationalizing the DragonFire laser weapon system, according to new statements from Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. Responses to parliamentary questions reveal validation analysis and rigorous testing are already underway. “DSTL have conducted operational analysis of the proposed system and have confirmed with the Royal Navy that […]
The China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint military exercise is proceeding smoothly, with Cambodian troops gaining hands-on experience with some of China’s latest weapons and equipment. The drills highlight the high level of mutual trust between the two militaries, experts say. Over the weekend, the exercise entered its adaptation phase where participating forces conducted skills exchanges and […]
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were on board a helicopter that reportedly made a “hard landing” in northwest Iran early Thursday morning local time. The aircraft carrying the two leaders has gone missing amid adverse weather conditions, prompting a massive search and rescue operation. According to Iranian state media, the helicopter […]
French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation plans to significantly increase production of its Rafale multirole fighter jet to three units per month in 2023, up from two per month currently. The production ramp-up comes in response to a surge in new orders from both foreign militaries and the French Air Force itself. “We are moving from […]
The UK Ministry of Defence has provided cost details for the British Army’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopter program in response to a parliamentary question. The figures reveal over £2.1 billion in procurement and long-term support costs for the advanced helicopters to date. According to Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge, the initial acquisition of 50 AH-64E […]
