Rnews Crooked Bough News Round-up: Military Watch

Military Watch

— Egypt Orders J-10C Fighters to Replace Ageing F-16s - Reports: at 9/7/24 5:05am
The Egyptian Defence Ministry has reportedly placed its first ever order for Chinese fourth generation fighters, with an unspecified number of J-10C fighters reported to have been ordered on August 19. This development comes as Cairo has continued to strengthen strategic and economic ties with Beijing, and follows its admission to the Chinese-led BRICS bloc earlier this year. The acquisition makes Egypt the second client for the J-10C <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/why-pakistan-s-new-j-10c-fighters-have-f-22-style-golden-stealth-canopies" target="_blank">after Pakistan</a>, although unconfirmed reports indicate that neighbouring Sudan had <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/sudan-discussing-acquisition-of-china-s-j-10c-fighters-new-squadron-could-be-africa-s-finest" target="_blank">reached an agreement</a> on acquisitions before the outbreak of an insurgency in the country in April 2024 delayed talks for a purchase. The fighters are reportedly intended to replace Egypt’s ageing F-16 Fighting Falcons as these begin to be phased out of service. The acquisition has been speculated to be intended as an alternative to American proposals that Egypt acquire the F-16V upgrade package to modernise its F-16s, with the J-10C considered to have a superior combat capability to this enhanced F-16 model while coming at a similar cost to the package. Other than three squadrons of <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/mig29-fighter-marks-40-years-in-service-how-russia-s-extremely-manoeuvrable-fighter-has-evolved" target="_blank">MiG 29M fighters </a>ordered from Russia in 2015, all of Egypt’s fourth generation fighters are of Western origin, with the J-10C acquisition seen as a potential turning point for the country’s fleet in line with prevailing political trends.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/07/article_66dbc3e70d2f10_30955345.jpeg" title="Egyptian Air Force F-16">Reports of orders for the J-10C have emerged as Egyptian officials have<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/israel-relocation-gazans-egypt-cleansing" target="_blank"> expressed growing concern</a> with the ongoing Western-backed Israeli war effort in the Gaza Strip, with Cairo being particularly concerned that the Israeli operation is intended to push the Gazan population onto Egyptian territory. The acquisition of J-10s is particularly significant when considering the current state of the Egyptian fighter fleet, which has long been considered almost totally incapable of fighting a major inter-state war. The close to 200 F-16s that form the backbone of the fleet are considered <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/egypt-f16s-40-years-downgrade" target="_blank">among the least capable</a> fourth generation fighters in the world, and have been <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/can-t-shoot-very-far-why-egypt-s-massive-but-downgraded-f-16-fleet-is-totally-obsolete-for-modern-warfare" target="_blank">heavily downgraded</a> and restricted to using obsolete Cold War era weaponry - and no beyond visual range air to surface weapons whatsoever. This combined with the United States’ control over spare parts supplies, and its tight restrictions imposed on how the aircraft can be operated, seriously limits Egyptian air power.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/07/article_66dbc40048c8f6_42564097.png" title="J-10C with PL-15 and K/JDC01A Laser Designator Pod">Alongside its F-16s, Egypt’s French-supplied Rafale fighters ordered since 2015 also suffer from significant downgrades to performance, most significantly the lack of Meteor air to air missiles which seriously limits their combat potential. The J-10C by contrast will provide Egypt with two of the most capable air to air missile classes in the world, the PL-10 and PL-15, which Western sources have widely conceded are significantly more capable than their American counterparts the AIM-9X and AIM-120D. For Egypt, which used Cold War era AIM-9 variants and the obsolete AIM-7, this represents a technological leap of several decades in terms of performance. The J-10C will represent by far the most capable fighter in the country in terms of air to air performance, and possibly the most capable on the African continent. The fighter has proven during simulated combat engagements to be capable of outperforming modern ‘4+ generation’ fighters close to twice its size,<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-s-j-10c-reportedly-crushed-the-russian-su-35-in-combat-exercises-how-the-firebird-came-out-on-top" target="_blank"> including Russian Su-35s</a> and Chinese J-16s, while its arsenal of compatible air to ground ordinance is considerable.&nbsp;The J-10C is considered far more capable than any fighter in the Israeli fleet other than its <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/israel-s-second-f-35-fighter-squadron-is-now-active-how-stealth-aircraft-fit-into-fleet-modernisation-plans" target="_blank">two squadrons of F-35s</a>, with large scale acquisitions potentially forcing Israel to expand F-35 orders and to invest in more capable air to air missiles for its aircraft.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Russian Air Force Receives New Precision Guided Glide Bombs with Further Extended Range: at 9/5/24 3:38am
The Russian Air Force has received a new class of precision guided glide bomb with a significantly extended range, according to local media reports. Designated the UMPB D-30SN, the winged bomb was photographed under the wings of a<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/replenishing-strike-fleet-su34s" target="_blank"> Su-34 strike fighter</a>, which is the most widely used fighter class in the Russian Air Force and has been responsible for the bulk of <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/gates-hell-bunker-busting-glide-bombs" target="_blank">glide bombing missions</a>. With other fighters such as the Su-30SM and Su-35 having also been <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su35-intensified-strikes-avdiivka" target="_blank">deployed for glide bombing missions</a>, despite having lower weapons payloads and shorter ranges, there is a high possibility that they will also receive the new class of glide bomb. While previous glide bombs from the widely used FAB-500 series had ranges estimated at 50-60 kilometres, the D-30SN is estimated to have a 78-85 kilometre range - an increase of approximately 45-50 percent. This has the potential to allow Russian fighters to intensify strikes by flying shorter sorties, and to engage well defended targets from safer distances.&nbsp;While traditional non-gliding gravity bombs leave aircraft vulnerable to air defences, including handheld air to surface weapons, air launched missiles are not only several times more costly, but also seriously limit the magnitude of the explosive payloads that each aircraft can deliver per sortie as large portions of their weights are taken up by fuel and propulsion systems. Glide bombs have thus increasingly become a favoured weapon that maximises the ordinance the fighter fleet can deliver while minimising risk to the aircraft. Notable features on the new glide bomb include the integration of cruciform tail fins and a foldable main wing, the latter which lies flush with the bomb’s body. Alongside the new bomb, a new 3000 kilogram glide bomb, the FAB-3000M54 is also close to completing testing, which will provide more options for very high ordnance strikes on enemy targets.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Footage Shows Ukrainian Abrams Tank Taking Out Russian Infantry at Close Range: at 9/4/24 5:57pm
Footage captured by Ukrainian drones from the town of Pokrovsk in the disputed Donetsk region has shown a U.S.-supplied M1A1 Abrams tank operated by the Ukrainian Army successfully neutralising a concentration of Russian infantry. The tank was operated by the Ukrainian Army 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade, while supporting reconnaissance drones were operated by the 25th Separate Assault Battalion which identified the Russian personnel in a nearby building. The Abrams was able to engage the targets at close range, firing several rounds from its 120mm main gun. With remaining Abrams tanks in Ukrainian service having seen armour protection improved locally, Soviet Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour could be seen in the vehicle, as well as increased enhanced armour on the vehicle’s engine transmission compartment and its front and rear wheels.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/04/article_66d833e9504335_83634723.webp" title="Up-Armoured Ukrainian M1A1 Abrams with Kontakt-1 Blocks">The 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade has consistently been prioritised to receive the most capable military equipment supplied by NATO members, including American Bradley Fighting Vehicles and German Leopard 2A6 tanks, later followed by M1A1 Abrams tanks. All three classes of tracked and armoured vehicle have taken heavy losses, with the first images of Bradleys and Leopard 2A6s being destroyed in large numbers having <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/leo2a6-destroyed-ukraine-bradleys">emerged in June</a> just days after they were committed to the frontlines. Today the majority of Leopard 2s and Abrams tanks in Ukrainian service have been destroyed, disabled or captured. Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/47th-mechbrigade-surrounded-lowammo">interviews</a> with personnel from the 47th Brigade by late 2023 highlighted increasingly serious shortages of ammunition in the unit. Abrams tanks only began frontline operations in February 2024, with footage confirming the vehicles took <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-army-withdraws-abrams-losses">heavy losses </a>in their <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-destruction-abrams-ukraine">first engagements </a>with Russian forces in February-April, before they were temporarily withdrawn from the frontlines to receive more armour protection. Close to 20 out of just 31 of the vehicles delivered are estimated to have been disabled, captured or destroyed, with the class having taken major losses to drone and guided artillery strikes in particular, but also <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-t72b3-abrams-ukraine" target="_blank">to the 125mm guns</a> of T-72B3 tanks.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/04/article_66d8341c1a4ff7_01438153.png" title="Destroyed Ukrainian M1A1 Abrams Tank with Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armour in Kursk">Western media outlets interviews with Ukrainian personnel have highlighted their&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/dissatisfied-abrams-losses-technical-issues" >dissatisfaction</a>&nbsp;with the Abrams’ performance, citing both technical issues, including vulnerability of electronic components to condensation, as well as their vulnerability to Russian fire. The sheer size of the vehicles, which are far larger than Soviet designed tanks, has reportedly led them to attract particularly high quantities of fire, while their much larger profiles make them easier to target. Although the bulk of early kills against Abrams tanks were achieved near Avdiivka, more recently footage on August 11 showed the destruction of one of the vehicles in a<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-taking-out-abrams-ukraine" > drone strike </a>in the Pokrovsk direction. The tanks have also seen limited deployments to the Russian Kursk region to support Ukrainian offensives. Footage showing an Abrams tank neutralising Russian inventory at close range in Pokrovsk provides a rare reprieve for the tank’s combat record in what has otherwise increasingly widely been considered an embarrassment both for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which hyped the vehicles’ arrival considerably, and for American industry.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ground, Battlefield]
— Russian Acquisitions of Iranian Ballistic Missiles ‘Inevitable’ - European Officials: at 9/4/24 5:42am
The Russian Defence Ministry is expected with a high degree of certainty to begin procuring tactical ballistic missiles from Iran, according to unnamed European officials cited by Bloomberg. The sources referred to the expected missile transfer as "a worrying development in the conflict,” stating that deliveries were thought to be imminent but declining to give information on the quantities of missiles set to be supplied. The G7, formed of six Western countries and Japan, is currently considering increased targeting of the Iranian economy through sanctions should sales materialise, although according to Bloomberg and other Western sources the effect of these was not likely to be significant to achieve desired Western Bloc objectives. In early August European intelligence sources cited by the British media outlet&nbsp;Reuters <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-fateh360-iran-acquire" target="_blank">reported</a> that the Russian Armed Forces were set to receive several hundred Iranian Fateh-360 short range ballistic missiles. Ballistic missile sales would follow the success of Iranian drones such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-artillery-destroyed-iran-drones-shahed136" >Shahed-136</a>&nbsp;in gaining a <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/iran-s-shahed-136-drone-has-become-russia-s-primary-aircraft-for-striking-ukrainian-positions-unprecedented-attacks-near-odessa" target="_blank">central position</a> in the Russian inventory from mid-late 2022, and subsequently beginning licensed production in the country. Arms exports not only provide Iran’s defence sector with a means of gaining revenue, but their employment against <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/contractors-kursk-polish-french-details" target="_blank">Western</a> and Western-aligned Ukrainian forces also helps to combat a common adversary of both countries. Use of Iranian drones has caused sufficient concern in Ukraine that Ukrainian officials have <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/zelensky-aide-wants-attack-iran" target="_blank">advocated launching attacks</a> on industrial targets in Iran.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/04/article_66d7d9d77ccf19_30559297.jpeg" title="Shahed-136 Drone Over Kiev">The Fateh-360 is one of Iran’s newest ballistic missile systems, and was unveiled only in April 2022. It is one of the lightest and shortest ranged missiles classes produced in the country, and can engage targets only up to 120 kilometres away, making it more comparable to rocket artillery systems than the ballistic missile systems in its reach. Indeed, its range is less than one third that of the Russian Army’s longest ranged rocket artillery system the North Korean supplied KN-25. The Fateh-360 was designed as a lighter counterpart to the already small Fateh-110 ballistic missile, which reports for close to two years have indicated Russia has&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/fateh110-missile-perfect-ukraine">sought to acquire</a>&nbsp;from Iran. A significant possibility remains that Russia will acquire both systems.&nbsp;Each of the small solid fuelled missiles employed by the Fateh-360 uses satellite guidance and carries a 150 kilogram warhead. Although Russian industry already produces the 9K720 tactical ballistic missile for its&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/iskander-successes-strike-artillery" >Iskander-M system</a>, this much larger and more costly, with a heavy 500 kilogram warhead, 500 kilometre range, and complex semi-ballistic trajectory. While acquiring North Korean KN-23B missiles from late 2023 provided Russia with a heavier, longer ranged and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/move-aside-iskander-kn23b-russia-top" target="_blank">higher end counterpart</a> to the Iskander-M, Iranian missiles are expected to provide the country with the cheapest systems in its arsenal, providing greater versatility to respond to a wider variety of threats. &nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Missile and Space]
— Replenishing the Strike Fighter Fleet: Russian Air Force Receives New Batch of Su-34s: at 9/3/24 2:49am
The United Aircraft Corporation owned by the Russian government has delivered a new batch of Su-34 fighters to the Defence Ministry, following prior deliveries reported in <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ruaf-new-batch-su34-glide-bomb" >April</a> and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-su34-batch-production-surge" >June</a>. This follows the Defence Ministry of directives given in October 2023 to expand Su-34production, in parallel to increases in production of the&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/nine-weapons-russia-s-new-su-57-fighter-carries-in-its-internal-missile-bays-from-dogfighting-missiles-to-guided-bombs" >Su-57 fifth generation fighter</a>. While producing new fighters to fulfil outstanding orders, the Chkalov Aircraft Factory&nbsp;in Novosibirsk, Siberia, is also responsible for modernising existing Su-34s in the fleet. When giving orders to increase production in 2023, then Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su34m-strike-fighters-batches-capabilities" >observed</a> regarding the Su-34’s role in the Russian Air Force: “This warplane is the main workhorse, they have four, five sorties every day,” stressing the “need to step up, hurry up” with production. Su-34s have been procured in much larger numbers by the Russian Air Force than any other post Cold War fighter class, with expansion of production making a production run of close to 250 fighters or more appear highly likely. The first Su-34s entered service in 2014, the same year as the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su35-dud-ten-years-expect" target="_blank">Su-35 air superiority fighter</a>.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/04/article_66d7afe43051d6_44492861.JPG" title="Su-34 Fighters From September 2024 Delivery Batch">The Su-34 continues to be widely relied on for both nuclear deterrence and for tactical strike missions across all theatres from&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-enclave-airstrikes-100-jihadists" >Syria</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-to-deploy-new-su-34-strike-fighter-unit-to-arctic-amid-tensions-with-america" >Arctic</a>&nbsp;to the Western Pacific, but has played a particularly central role in the Russian-Ukrainian War where the effectiveness of its glide bomb strikes have been widely highlighted with much concern by Western sources. The aircraft have been seen employing ODAB-500 500 kilogram glide bombs with thermobaric warheads&nbsp;in the Ukrainian theatre, which are <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-su34s-thermobaric-ukrainian-vacuum" >well optimised</a> for neutralising well fortified enemy positions. Multiple Ukrainian personnel in January 2024 informed the&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;that new&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/gates-hell-bunker-busting-glide-bombs" >Russian strikes </a>using glide bombs imposed “additional devastating power,” and with 500kg of explosives could thus obliterate their underground bunkers. One serviceman compared the impact of Russian glide bomb strikes to “hell’s gates,” stressing that the Russian Air Force “would send them two by two by two, eight in an hour… It sounds like a jet coming down on you.”&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Replacing Russia’s T-90 on World Markets: China’s High Tech VT-4 Tank Excels in Trials in Algeria: at 9/2/24 5:45am
The Chinese VT-4 main battle tank has successfully completed assessments in Algeria, including long range firing exercises during which it achieved a 100% hit, and exercises testing its continuous driving capabilities over 500 kilometres and its ability to fire under a range of conditions. The tank’s performance was reportedly noted positively by the Algerian Armed Forces. The Algerian Army is the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-exports-almost-all-tanks-t90s-clients" >second or third largest operator </a>of the T-90 main battle tank after India, and possibly Russia depending on how many have been commissioned and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukraine-captures-t90m-capable" target="_blank">lost by the country</a> since February 2022. Multiple sources have reported that Russia has been unable to meet Algerian orders for further T-90s for over two years, with T-90s built for export having instead been commissioned into the Russian Army from 2022. With North Korea being under a UN arms embargo, and in any case having only very recently began to serially produce its <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/details-nkorea-next-generation-tank" >modern Chonma 2 tank</a>, this has left China as the only supplier of compatible main battle tanks. China currently has <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinese-tanks-how-capable-are-they" target="_blank">five separate tank classes</a> in production, including the Type 96 sold to Algeria’s close strategic partner Sudan, derivatives of the Type 59 sold to Iraq, and the Type 99A which <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-s-most-powerful-battle-tank-marks-ten-years-in-frontline-service-how-powerful-is-the-type-99a" target="_blank">forms the elite</a> of China’s own ground forces.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/02/article_66d5ddc9c60a05_65401220.jpeg" title="Algerian Army T-90SA During Live Fire Exercises ">The VT-4 shares several technologies and design features with the VT-5 light tank which entered service in China in the end of the 2010s. The vehicle was developed specifically for export, and has been sold to Thailand, Pakistan, and on a very small scale to Nigeria. Pakistani reports indicate that the tank has a superior performance to <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/how-pakistan-acquired-the-soviet-union-s-heaviest-and-most-dangerous-battle-tank">T-80s supplied by Ukraine</a>, and is expected to have significant advantages over India’s T-90 tanks. For Algeria, the VT-4 represents one of the most attractive options to modernise the country’s tank units and diversify away from a heavy reliance on Russian armour, particularly due to Russia’s shortfalls as a supplier. Entry into the Algerian market, which is by far the most lucrative in Africa and, outside the Gulf, in the Arab world as well, potentially places Chinese industry in a strong position to market its&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/first-look-china-tank-prototype-light" target="_blank">next generation main battle tanks</a>. Previously Russia was expected to market its successor to the T-90, the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/t14-tested-troop-trials-armata">much delayed T-14 Armata</a>, to the Algerian Army.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/02/article_66d5df25b68b45_03467611.png" title="VT-4 Tanks in Thai Service">The VT-4 boasts very high levels of mobility, with its1,300&nbsp;hp diesel engine ensuring a high power-weight ratio. The tank benefits from torsion bar suspension, an integrated hydraulic transmission system, and automatic gear transmission&nbsp;for steering and acceleration. Like Russian tanks, but unlike American and German ones, the vehicle uses an autoloader allowing its weight to be reduced considerably and its crew cut from four to just three personnel. The tank uses a 125mm main gun, which is the same calibre used by Russian and North Korean tanks, where Western, Japanese and<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/nato-top-tankfirst-live-fire"> South Korean tanks</a> use 120mm guns. The tank uses composite armour and FY-4 explosive reactive armour for protection, reportedly providing an equivalent of approximately 700mm of protection. Algeria is reportedly evaluating a more advanced variant of the tank, the VT-4A1, which boasts a hard kill active protection system equivalent to the well known Israeli Trophy system, and includes associated radar equipment. The enhanced tank variant also integrates grenade launchers and a laser warning receiver. T-90 tanks <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/t90m-arenam-protection-missiles">up until August 2024</a> notably lacked any kind of hard kill active protection systems, with Russia considered unlikely to be able to supply such systems for Algeria’s T-90s for the foreseeable future.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/02/article_66d5de10997448_50355781.jpeg" title="Algerian Army T-90SA Tanks During Exercises">The Algerian Armed Forces have increased their reliance on Chinese military equipment significantly in recent years, and in August announced the acquisition of YJ-12B anti ship cruise missiles, complementing its acquisition of Chinese CX-1 anti ship cruise missiles in 2018. Other notable acquisitions have included CH-4 and WJ-700 drones, WM-80 rocket artillery systems, PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzers, <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinese-missile-russia-needs-hj12" target="_blank">HJ-12 anti tank missile systems</a>, CHL-906 electronic warfare systems, Adhafer Class stealth corvettes, and according to some sources even <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/hq9b-multi-layered-air-defence-unveiled" target="_blank">HQ-9B air defence systems</a>. Algeria on May 22 was confirmed to have <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/africa-join-china-led-alliance" >applied</a> to become a dialogue partner of the Chinese-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation military bloc, and on September 1 was announced to have joined the Chinese-led BRICS New Development Bank. The growing discrepancies between China and Russia as economic, strategic and defence partners in the former’s favour is expected to lead Algeria to continue to expand defence cooperation and arms acquisitions. The African country redoubled investments in its military capabilities since <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ten-years-since-the-wests-war-against-libya-how-it-served-as-a-warning-regarding-us-and-european-intentions" >NATO’s assault</a>&nbsp;on neighbouring Libya in 2011, and&nbsp;has continued to perceive a <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/us-training-fight-algeria-drills-attack-s400" >significant threat</a> from Western military activities in its region.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Africa and South America, Ground]
— Footage Shows Russian Army Capturing Leopard 2A6 and M1A1 Abrams Tanks Near Avdiivka: at 9/1/24 11:12pm
Footage released by Russian Army units on the frontlines near the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-army-disordered-retreat" >strategically located town</a> of Avdiivka in the disputed&nbsp;Donbas region has shown the recovery of a disabled German-supplied Leopard 2A6 main battle tank fielded by the Ukrainian Army, as well as a more heavily damaged American supplied M1A1 Abrams tank. The two tank classes are considered among the most capable in the Ukrainian inventory, and have been supplied in far fewer numbers by NATO members than other classes such as the Leopard 2A4, Leopard 1 and T-72. While Leopard 2A6s were&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/leo2a6-destroyed-ukraine-bradleys" >first deployed</a> on the frontlines in June 2023, and were quickly being filmed taking heavy losses to Russian forces, the Abrams was <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-footage-shows-ukraine-s-u-s-supplied-abrams-tanks-in-first-combat-images-indicate-possible-combat-loss" target="_blank">first deployed</a> for combat only in February 2024, with Avdiivka being the site of this deployment. While the large majority of engagements with Abrams tanks have occurred around Avdiivka, some of the tanks have been deployed to support a Ukrainian and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/contractors-kursk-polish-french-details" target="_blank">allied offensive</a> into the Russian Kursk region, which began on August 6. The first of these was confirmed to have <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-uparmoured-ukrainian-abrams" >been destroyed</a> in the third week of August.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/02/article_66d5870b740547_93244712.png" title="Recovery of M1A1 Abrams Tank Near Avdiivka">Russian forces have captured multiple Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks in the past, including both the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-soldiers-capture-leo2-bradley" >Leopard 2A4 </a>and the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-details-capture-leopard2a6-heading" >Leopard 2A6</a> variants. The <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-majority-ukraine-leo2" >majority of Leopard 2s</a>, and the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-uparmoured-ukrainian-abrams" >majority of Abrams tanks</a> delivered to the country have been captured, disabled or destroyed, with Western states’ ability to replenish these losses remaining limited. The first loss of an Abrams tank was&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-destruction-abrams-ukraine" >confirmed</a>&nbsp;on February 26, three days after the vehicles were&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-footage-shows-ukraine-s-u-s-supplied-abrams-tanks-in-first-combat-images-indicate-possible-combat-loss" >first seen</a>&nbsp;deployed in combat, with multiple subsequent losses following. At least one of these kills was&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-t72b3-abrams-ukraine" >achieved by a Russian T-72B3</a>&nbsp;tank after the two exchanged fire in the first week of March. After heavy losses in February and March, the Ukrainian Army in late April&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-army-withdraws-abrams-losses" >withdrew its remaining Abrams tanks</a> due to concerns regarding their vulnerability. Losses have nevertheless remained high, with some of the most recent including kills&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-army-takes-out-another-ukrainian-abrams-tank-with-guided-artillery-shot" >confirmed on July 30</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-precision-artillery-abrams-destroy" >on July 3</a>, and previously in&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-precision-artillery-abrams" >early May</a>, all of which saw the vehicles captured on video being destroyed by guided artillery. A more recent <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/footage-taking-out-abrams-ukraine" target="_blank">kill on August 11</a> was filmed being achieved by a drone.&nbsp;With Russia already having access to both Leopard 2A6 and the M1A1 Abrams tanks, many in better conditions than those newly captured, the value of the latest captured vehicles beyond propaganda purposes remains uncertain.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ground, Battlefield]
— A Stealth Bomber Addition to AUKUS: B-21 Acquisitions Again Discussed in Australia: at 9/1/24 3:36am
The Australian Institute for Public Affairs research institute has recommended that the Royal Australian Air Force acquire B-21 Raider next generation stealth bombers from the United States, with the intercontinental range strategic aircraft seen as a valuable complement to the country’s nuclear attack submarines currently on order. The institute referred to the B-21 as “an additional element” which could be added to the AUKUS trilateral defence and security. “The benefit of ‘Plan B-21’ is that it will deliver significant long range strike capability to the ADF sooner than nuclear powered submarines,” the report added, concluding: “we judge that a capacity to operate and maintain the platform [B-21] in the Indo-Pacific would add a powerful deterrent option, earlier, to the U.S. and to Australia.” The possibility of Australia acquiring B-21 bombers has been raised since the late 2010s, while the possibility of the country entering a <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/what-nuclear-weapons-sharing-trends-mean-for-east-asia/" target="_blank">nuclear sharing agreement</a> with the United States to be able to use American nuclear warheads in wartime has been raised increasingly since 2021.&nbsp;Nuclear sharing would allow each B-21 to drop 12 B61-12 precision guided nuclear bombs on separate targets across a targeted state, with the bombs having variable yields of between 300 tons and 50,000 tons allowing them to strike small targets such as fortifications, or larger ones <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-bomb-one-fighter-310000-russians" target="_blank">such as major cities</a>.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/09/02/article_66d517080e03c0_86576539.jpeg" title="B-21 Bomber on Maiden Flight" >Much like the AUKUS nuclear submarine program, a B-21 acquisition has been advocated as a means of projection power into Northeast Asia to provide Australia with options to launch attacks on Chinese and North Korean targets in support of a broader Western Bloc war effort. Australia was previously the only client for the American F-111 long range strike fighter, which proved highly successful in intimidating neighbouring Indonesia with its advanced precision strike capabilities during conflict over East Timor. This helped Canberra to gain highly <a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/review-shameful-lust-riches-under-timor-sea">favourable access </a>to disputed fossil fuel deposits in the area. A B-21 purchase could be an effective successor to the F-111 acquisition, and be used to similar ends but across a much wider area. Australia’s current fleet of F-35s and F-18s notably lack a comparable range to the F-111.The Institute for Public Affairs&nbsp;notably further advocated that Australia offer “to host a U.S. B-21 contingent” in order to “strengthen deterrence in the 2020s and manage the risk of delays in the AUKUS submarine.” This appears increasingly likely to materialise as the country has served as an increasingly <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/australian-base-permanently-host-b52" target="_blank">important staging ground</a> for American bomber operations, which helps mitigate the growing <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/precaution-against-chinese-and-korean-missiles-u-s-building-major-secondary-airbase-in-east-asia-in-case-guam-neutralised" target="_blank">vulnerability</a> of facilities on Guam. The B-21 was initially scheduled to make its first flight in 2020, although years of delays raised the possibility that the aircraft could begin flying after its&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/world-s-first-21st-century-bomber-to-fly-china-s-h-20-and-america-s-b-21-in-a-neck-to-neck-race" >Chinese rival the H-20&nbsp;</a>had already started flight testing. The bomber <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/b21-first-bomber-34yrs-first-flight" target="_blank">made its first flight</a> on November 10, 2023, making it the world’s first clean sheet new bomber design to do so since the B-2 Spirit made first flew on July 17, 1989. Compared to the B-2, the B-21 is considerably stealthier, but has a significantly smaller shorter ranged airframe intended to be much cheaper to produce and operate.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: North America, Western Europe and Oceania, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— F-35A vs. Gripen E: Why the Royal Thai Air Force May Be Better Off Without Stealth Fighters: at 8/30/24 7:05pm
Thailand’s <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/frustrated-swedish-gripen-thai-orders" target="_blank">confirmed selection</a> of the Swedish-American Gripen E/F fourth generation fighter to serve as its next combat aircraft, and decision to acquire 10-14 of the aircraft, has made the country the first foreign client for close to a decade for the troubled fighter program. The decision came two years after SAAB President and CEO Micael Johansson&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ceo-of-sweden-s-saab-admits-extreme-frustration-as-clients-don-t-want-gripen-fighters-no-sales-for-over-eight-years" >informed reporters</a>&nbsp;of his “extreme frustration” at the lack of Gripen sales, as the aircraft has consistently <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-europe-clients-production-dominance-market" target="_blank">lost ever tender </a>in which it competed with the American F-35A. It is thus notable that the Gripen was not the Royal Thai Air Force’s first choice for a new fighter, with the service having originally planned to acquire <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-powerplant-f35-review-needed" target="_blank">F-35A fifth generation fighters</a> to replace its ageing&nbsp;F-16A/B Block 15 fighters. While the Thai cabinet approved a budget for four F-35As on January&nbsp;12, 2022, the Pentagon made clear on May 22 the following year that the F-35 would not be made available to the country. Despite the F-35A having been the Royal Thai Air Force’s first choice, a comparison of the fighter with the Gripen E/F shows that both aircraft have very different advantages, and while the F-35 as a fifth generation fighter undoubtedly has a greater combat potential, acquiring the Gripen may result in an overall stronger Thai fighter fleet.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d153ee283c35_80165116.jpg" title="Gripen Leads Two F-35s in Formation">The F-35A and the Gripen E/F are notably at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of maintenance needs and operational costs, with the former having by far the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/norway-fifthgen-engineer-shortage-f35-ground" target="_blank">highest requirements</a> and costs of any fighter in production in the Western world, while the latter’s costs are by far the lowest. As a result, over its lifetime a Gripen E/F is expected to cost less than one third as much as an F-35A to field - meaning for the same price as four F-35As the Royal Thai Air Force could field 12 Gripen E/Fs. Furthermore, the Gripen E/F’s very low maintenance needs serve as a major force multiplier, with the Royal Thai Air Force having famously kept its Gripen C/D fleet at close to 100 percent availability. By contrast, even in the United States which has priority access to spare parts the U.S. Air Force has struggled to <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/lawmakers-impatient-f35-55pct-rates" target="_blank">remain at 55 percent</a>&nbsp;availability. In practice, this means that Gripen E/Fs can fly close to twice as many sorties as F-35As, meaning a fleet of 12 Gripen E/Fs could fly close to six times as much as a fleet of four F-35As fielded for the same price.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d1544f5b9a88_50227517.jpg" title="Gripen with Meteor Training Rounds">A major advantage of the Gripen E/F for Thailand remains that the class has compatibility in training and maintenance with the existing Gripen C/D fighters the country already fields, which significantly simplifies operations compared to acquiring an entirely new class of fighter from a new generation. Where the F-35 is not thought to currently be offered for export with its most capable class of air to air missile, the AIM-260, with even the older AIM-120D off limits to most clients, the Gripen E/F’s <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/world-s-top-seven-most-dangerous-standoff-air-to-air-missiles-from-european-meteors-to-russian-r-37s" target="_blank">Meteor missile</a> is currently available. The missile is considered broadly on par with the the Chinese PL-15, and is one of the most capable air to air weapons in the world, with a performance thought to fall between those of the AIM-120D and AIM-260. The capabilities of the missile help to somewhat compensate for the inherent advantages that the F-35 retains in its air to air capabilities.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d154a3159468_97690124.jpg" title="F-35 Fifth Generation Fighter">Despite the Gripen E/F’s many often overlooked strengths, the F-35 remains a more capable fighter overall. Its stealth capabilities provide it with significantly greater survivability at beyond visual ranges against all manner of threats, while its AN/APG-81 radar is not only more advanced than the Gripen’s Raven ES-05, but is also over one third larger providing a tremendous advantage in situational awareness. This is supplemented by a distributed aperture system and by the world leading Multifunction Advanced Data Link system which further significantly boost situational awareness to a level that is unrivalled by any non-Chinese fighter. Designed for penetration strikes into heavily defended airspace, the F-35’s electronic warfare capabilities also have few rivals worldwide, with the fighter capable of gathering intelligence on enemy radars using sensors spread across its airframe. Nevertheless, the F-35’s complexity is also often its greatest downside, with the fighter’s reliability for high intensity combat operations having repeatedly been brought to question, while software bugs remain widespread - an issue not seen on the simpler Gripen E/F. The F-35 would have placed the combat capabilities of one small Thai unit in a very high league worldwide, rivalled only both other F-35 squadrons and by Chinese J-20 and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/fc31-stealth-export-manoeuvrability" target="_blank">FC-31 units</a>. Nevertheless, for the Royal Thai Air Force’s overall combat potential, there are strong arguments in favour of the Gripen E/F as a more reliable, less maintenance intensive, and for most combat missions the more efficient and cost effective aircraft. This is aside from the fact that for Thailand’s relatively neutral geopolitical position, the Gripen E/F has far fewer <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-claims-american-fighters-are-only-useful-for-airshows-why-f-18s-can-t-fight-without-washington-s-permission" target="_blank">restrictions imposed</a> on how it can operate, including retaining the ability to conduct joint exercises with Chinese air units which is strictly prohibited for American fighters such as the F-16 and F-35.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Indian Navy Introduces First Nuclear Missile Submarine From its Next Generation: at 8/30/24 5:58am
The Indian Navy has introduced its first of a new generation of enhanced Arihant Class ballistic missile submarines, the INS Arighat, which promises to significantly strengthen the second arm of the country’s nuclear triad. The warship has faced significant difficulties in its preparation for service since being launched seven years ago on November 19, 2017, with its service entry being more than three years behind schedule. The&nbsp;Arighat&nbsp;is one of the lightest nuclear powered submarines in the world, displacing just 6000 tons when fully submerged, with each requiring only an 83 megawatt nuclear reactor for power. To place this in perspective, the Russian Borei Class ballistic missile submarine displaces 24,000 tons and is powered by a&nbsp;190 megawatt reactor, while the world’s largest ballistic missile submarine the Typhoon Class displaces over 40,000 tons.&nbsp;Each&nbsp;Arihant Class ship&nbsp;can carry up to 12 K-5 short ranged ballistic missiles, which have ranges of just 750 kilometres - comparable to that of an extended range Scud missile. They can alternatively be armed with four larger K-4 intermediate range ballistic missiles, which have 3,500 kilometres ranges. The submarine class has the shortest engagement range of any kind of ballistic missile submarine, although India is thought to be planning a compact intercontinental range ballistic missile class for its future strategic submarines.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/31/article_66d27a3fa10292_46924056.jpg" title="INS Arighat (X/@deepanshuS27)">Although the Indian Navy already fields one&nbsp;Arihant Class submarine, the INS Arihant, the warship was seen as a stopgap design until further improvements could be made, with the&nbsp;INS&nbsp;Arighat being the first of a much improved class.&nbsp;Two further modernised Arihant Class submarines are currently in production for the Indian Navy, with some reports indicating that these will be equipped with K-4 intermediate range ballistic missiles, where the&nbsp;INS&nbsp;Arighat has reportedly been armed with short ranged K-5s.&nbsp;Of the world’s nine nuclear weapons states, only Pakistan and Israel lack ballistic missile submarines, although both deploy cruise missiles tipped with nuclear warheads on smaller diesel electric powered submarines. India and North Korea are the most recent counties to have built nuclear armed ballistic missile submarines, with the Korean People’s Army Navy having completed its second Gorae Class ballistic missile submarine in late 2023. While all of North Korea’s modern submarines are indigenous, India still relies on Russian submarines to form the bulk of its fleet. Displacing over twice as much as the Arihant Class, by far the largest submarine class set to be fielded by the Indian Navy is the nuclear powered Russian Akula Class attack submarine, of which one has been leased from the country with the lease of up to two more currently under consideration. Although the Akula Class is an older Russian design, with the first having been commissioned in 1984, it is still expected to provide a revolutionary boost to the country’s undersea capabilities, and to potentially bolster the country’s nuclear deterrent by deploying nuclear tipped cruise missiles.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: South Asia, Naval]
— Three Conflicting Reports on What Caused Ukraine’s First F-16 Loss: Friendly Fire, Russian Strike, or Unexplained Crash: at 8/30/24 5:57am
The Ukrainian Air Force was confirmed on August 29 to have lost its first <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/biden-hits-major-missile-upgrade-ukraine-f16" target="_blank">F-16 fourth generation fighter</a>, with the aircraft having been destroyed on August 26 just 25 days after deliveries began. The loss of one of just six F-16s delivered represents a significant blow to Western efforts to re-equip the Eastern European country with NATO’s <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f16-50-years-underdog-to-powerhouse" target="_blank">most widely used fighter class</a>, and depending on the circumstances of the loss potentially has significant implications for the future of these efforts. Reports have conflicted regarding the circumstances under which the F-16 was lost, with three causes each having widely reported by different sources.The first explanation, reported by Ukrainian and by Western state affiliated sources, is that the fighter crashed. The aircraft was flown by one of Ukraine’s most experienced pilots, Oleksiy Mes, known as “Moonfish,” who reportedly died while attempting to intercept the “biggest ever aerial attack” by Russia against Ukraine. “During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the aircraft was lost. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot died,” the Ukrainian General Staff reported. Both Russia and Ukraine have made several highly dubious claims during the war, and the fact that a crash would be the explanation least damaging to morale and to the reputation of the F-16 program has led many sources to doubt this explanation. Nevertheless, the speed with which F-16s were supplied, which left relatively little time for training, means this explanation cannot be ruled out.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d17dc67f9962_92254553.jpeg" title="Damaged Ukrainian MiG-29 Fighters After Russian Strike">A second explanation reported by a number of Ukrainian and Russian sources is that the F-16 was shot down by local air defences in a friendly fire incident. Such shootdowns by both sides have been <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-mig29-friendly-frontlines" target="_blank">reported multiple times</a> in the conflict. With the F-16 lost during a Russian attack, the possibility of such a shootdown by long range radar guided surface missiles would be highly possible.A third explanation for the loss of the fighter is that it was destroyed by a Russian <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-iskander-missile-strike-destroys-rare-ukrainian-su-27-fighter-at-mirgorod-airbase" target="_blank" >missile attacks on facilities</a> hosting the aircraft. Russian forces have successfully launched such attacks to destroy fighters on multiple occasions, meaning such a strike would be far from unprecedented. With F-16s being far less well suited than Soviet built fighters such as MiG-29s to operating from austere or makeshift airfields, the aircraft’s ability to be relocated to avoid future strikes remains limited.&nbsp;This leaves F-16s particularly vulnerable to such strikes, with their deployment locations being far easier to predict.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d17d7ce9c480_06030343.avif" title="Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Oleksiy Mes - Known as `Moonfish`" >It is likely that the cause of the loss of the F-16 will never be known for certain. Air Forces have a long history of hiding or misattributing their losses to avoid negative publicity from their fighter losses, and as a result the circumstances of the losses of many fighters from decades ago still remain unknown. A notable example involving the F-16 was the Pakistan Air Force’s loss of one such aircraft during a clash with<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/the-war-where-the-mig-23-demonstrated-its-high-potential-legacy-of-the-soviet-swept-wing-fighter" target="_blank"> Soviet MiG-23s </a>in 1987. While the Soviets claimed the third generation MiGs had shot down one of the new fourth generation fighters, the Pakistan Defence Ministry claimed that their F-16 had been lost in a friendly fire incident, which whether true or not, helped prevent damage to the reputation of the new American fighter class.&nbsp;The United States would four years later claim that its first fighter loss of the Gulf War, a U.S. Navy F-18 fourth generation fighter, was shot down by Iraqi air defences, before sources only years later conceded that it had been <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/top-six-air-to-air-engagements-in-the-gulf-war-how-iraq-and-the-u-s-went-head-to-head-with-foxbats-f-15s-and-more" target="_blank">shot down in air to air combat</a> in a one-on-one engagement with a third generation MiG-25. Concealing this had for years allowed American leaders to claim that their fighters suffered no losses whatsoever in air to air combat, and thus assert that their fighters were overwhelmingly superior to Soviet ones. With other examples remaining manifold, there remains a significant possibility that the first loss of a Ukrainian F-16, the deliveries of which have been anticipated for over a year, has seen reports on the surrounding circumstances altered for public relations purposes. Russia has notably similarly been accused of underreporting and misattributing its own fighter losses, particularly when these involve the country’s top air superiority fighter the Su-35.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— First Clear Look at China’s Technology Demonstrator For a Future Stealth Ship: at 8/30/24 3:06am
New images have provided a more detailed look at a mysterious stealth frigate currently being tested in China, which is thought to be a technology demonstrator for the country’s next generation of surface warships. China is currently producing destroyers at a rate comparable to the capacities of the next several producers combined, and has in some years <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ten-new-destroyers-built-in-china-in-2019-unprecedented-rate-of-fleet-expansion-sets-beijing-up-for-global-primacy" target="_blank">launched ten destroyers </a>in a single year. To place this figure in perspective, only six countries in the world field more than ten destroyers in their entire fleets, with the U.S. Navy fielding 75, Japan 36, and South Korea 13. With the Type 052D and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/destroyer-lhasa-drills-near-japan" target="_blank">Type 055 destroyers </a>having been in production for over a decade, the stealth capabilities, and possibly other design features, being tested on the unnamed new light frigate, are expected to influence the designs of future ships that succeed them. Referred to in local media as a “comprehensive test platform,” the stealth frigate was first confirmed to have headed out to see in mid-May, six months after the first images of the ship emerged in November 2023.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d149b5035639_36317721.webp" title="Unnamed Chinese Stealth Ship Tech Demonstrator">Among the new ship’s notable stealth features are an integrated mast structure on the bridge, radar-reflecting fixtures on its superstructure, smooth planar and faceted inward-canted surfaces above the ship’s waist, and a lack of major protruding aerials. The ship is approximately 97 meters long, and carries an unusual single aperture launcher that is speculated to contain an electro optical device or directed energy weapon. Although reducing radar cross section is considered less critical for surface ships than it is for combat aircraft, it nevertheless provides a number of important advantages. The United States notably sought to develop a stealth destroyer in the 1990s, the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/9billion-zumwalt-first-deployment-upgrades" target="_blank">Zumwalt Class destroyer</a>, although the program was considered a resounding failure with ships costing over $9 billion each, having their main armaments removed, and suffering from notoriously poor reliability.&nbsp;With the U.S. having continued to rely heavily on the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer designed during the Cold War, and made slow progress towards developing a next generation destroyer class, this has presented China’s defence sector with the opportunity to be the first to successfully pursue such a program.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Naval]
— Top Afghan Defence Official Calls For Acquisitions of Russian Air Defence Systems: Could S-300s Soon Defend Kabul?: at 8/29/24 7:41pm
The head of the logistics department of the Afghan Ministry of Defence General Sayed Abdul Basir Saberi had advocated that the country under the new Taliban government acquire Russian military equipment including air defence systems. Speaking to Russian state media outlet TASS, the official stated when asked what kinds of Russian armaments he believed his country needed to acquire, he state: “I think we need air defence and airspace control equipment. We have ground equipment. I think we will purchase [such products] from you at the international level, when there are [international legal] conditions for this. In the future, we plan to buy Russian-made equipment that will enable us to create an air defence. We would like to have such weapons, as you are the most advanced country in the world in terms of these technologies.” The Afghan Armed Forces currently rely overwhelmingly on <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/Black-Hawk-Taliban-parade" target="_blank">U.S.-supplied military equipment</a>, which was provided primarily to fight Taliban forces before they took power in the country in 2021.&nbsp;The country currently fields little to know long range air defence assets.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/30/article_66d140a5a0e8c7_10409781.jpeg" title="Taliban Badri 313 Forces">Since coming to power, the Taliban government has taken significant steps to improve relations with neighbouring China and Russia. Widespread references in the West to a possible need to return to Afghanistan may have fuelled concerns that Afghan forces may need to combat a possible second invasion in future, after the U.S. led a coalition assault on the country and overthrew its government in late 2001, followed by an occupation that lasted a few months short of 20 years. It remains highly uncertain whether Afghanistan can acquire Russian air defence systems, with the sophistication of many more complex systems requiring levels of technical education that are not thought to be prevalent in the country. Taliban forces have also been engaged in counterinsurgency operations against the Islamic State terror group, which officials both from the Taliban and from the former Afghan government have widely <a href="https://tass.com/world/944720" target="_blank">alleged</a> to be supported by Western countries.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— A New Closer Look at China’s FC-31 Stealth Fighter Amid Rumoured New Export Agreement: at 8/28/24 7:49pm
Images released on August 29 have provided what may be the first ever look at a serially produced FC-31 fifth generation fighter of the ground based variant. The FC-31 is currently reported to be on order for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, with a second variant designed for conventional ground based operations having been developed for export. The FC-31 is a medium weight fifth generation fighter, and while being significantly larger and having more thrust than the American F-35, it is still much smaller and lighter than<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-surge-j20-120-f35s-48" target="_blank"> China’s top air superiority fighter</a> the J-20. The ground based variant of the fighter can be distinguished from carrier based variants by its landing gear, which lacks comparable reinforcement and has only a single front wheel. The ground based variant also integrates what appears to be an infrared search and tracking system underneath its nose.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/29/article_66d08b8c7ae570_56446809.webp" title="Prototype of FC-31 Carrier Based Variant">The likely clients for the FC-31 have been widely speculated, with the fighter potentially being the most attractive fifth generation fighter on markets today. The aircraft’s avionics and stealth capabilities are considered on par with those of the F-35, and more advanced than those of the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/facilities-expanded-su57-fighter-production" target="_blank">Russian Su-57</a>, while the fighter boasts a much longer range and far superior flight performance to the F-35. Most significantly, China does not place <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-claims-american-fighters-are-only-useful-for-airshows-why-f-18s-can-t-fight-without-washington-s-permission" target="_blank">strict restrictions</a> on how the fighter can be used, where the F-35 is notoriously strictly controlled in the fleets of its clients outside the Western world. In January 2024 the head of the Pakistan Air Force Air, Chief&nbsp;Marshal Zaheer Sidhu, was confirmed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/pakistan-announces-acquisition-of-first-fifth-generation-fighters-what-chinese-fc-31-stealth-jets-will-do-for-its-fleet">announced</a>&nbsp;that the country was preparing to place an order for FC-31s.&nbsp;With Pakistan having begun <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/why-pakistan-s-new-j-10c-fighters-have-f-22-style-golden-stealth-canopies" target="_blank">receiving J-10C fighters</a> in 2022, and expected to acquire up to 60 of the aircraft to replace its ageing Cold War era F-16s, the FC-31 provides the country with a further revolutionary enhancement to its aerial warfare capabilities and with distinct superiority over any fighter fielded by neighbouring India.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/29/article_66d08e6ddc27e8_57558775.jpeg" title="FC-31 Prototype ">Leading speculated clients for the FC-31 currently include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/will-thailand-be-the-next-client-for-america-s-f-35-stealth-fighter-or-will-washington-lead-it-to-look-to-chinese-aircraft" target="_blank">Thailand</a>. The appearance of what appears to be a serially produced FC-31, which closely follows the release of new footage just four days prior showing an aircraft from the program <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/fc31-stealth-export-manoeuvrability" target="_blank">conducting complex manoeuvres</a>, coincides with rumoured talks by Chinese and Egyptian officials on a possible Egyptian acquisition of the aircraft.&nbsp;Egypt previously sought to acquire a high performing air superiority fighter in the form of the Russian Su-35, which it ordered in late 2018 before cancelling the deal due to threats from Washington to impose economic sanctions. This may have proven counterproductive for the United States, as while the Su-35 suffers from several <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su35-dud-ten-years-expect" target="_blank">serious performance limitations</a> compared to modern fifth generation fighters, the FC-31 has the potential to provide Egypt with the most capable fighter anywhere in Africa or the Middle East.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— New Italian F-35 Deployment to East Asia Intended to Support Japan’s Ambitions For Revived Aircraft Carrier Fleet: at 8/27/24 7:56pm
The Italian Armed Forces have begun their second deployment of&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-low-altitude-drawback-above" target="_blank" >F-35 fifth generation fighters</a>&nbsp;to Japan, and their first of the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing capable variant. Eight of the new stealth fighters are currently on the aircraft carrier Cavour, which is on a tour of the Pacific. The Italian Navy will reportedly share information on the deployment of these specialist F-35 variants with officials from the Japanese Self Defence Force, as the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, the official name of the country’s navy, <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/japan-begins-refitting-izumo-class-carriers-to-deploy-f-35b-stealth-fighters" target="_blank">prepares to deploy F-35Bs</a> from two of its four carriers - the 27,000 ton warships Izumo and Kaga. Italian Navy Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina confirmed that Japanese naval and air force officials would be hosted on the carrier to “follow the activity with the F-35B.” Italy notably received F-35Bs far earlier than Japan, but has ordered just 30 of the aircraft, where Japan is set to acquire 42 for its lager carrier fleet. Highlighting the importance attributed of the partnership with Japan in F-35 operations, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto personally visited Japan and boarded the Cavour, stating regarding plans to work with Japan’s navy: “We are talking about ships and aircraft from different countries preparing to operate, should the need arise, as if they are all part of the same force.”&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/28/article_66cf3b3abfdd11_19306047.jpg" title="Japanese Izumo Class Carrier">Minister Crosetto notably stated that the Cavour’s visit to the Pacific “was not a matter of sending a message to China or North Korea,” highlighting the primary rationale for attributed to the deployment by experts. The two East Asian countries were considered the primary targets being alluded to when the minister referred to joint operations as “part of the same force,” and represent the only major military powers in the region that are not in the Western sphere of influence and do not host Western military forces on their soil. Italy made its <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/italy-first-stealth-fighters-japan-euro-f35s" >first ever F-35 deployment </a>to Japan on August 4, when F-35As arrived at the Japanese Air Self Defence Force’s Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture to participate in exercises with Japanese air units including&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/japan-commencing-with-major-next-generation-upgrades-to-f-15j-samurai-fighter" >F-15J fighters</a>. Italy’s prioritisation of the Pacific for F-35 deployments follows a much broader trend of European states supporting the U.S.-led Pivot to Asia initiative to try to ensure the perpetuation of a Western-favouring balance of power in the region, with the United Kingdom having similarly prioritised deployments of its new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers with F-35Bs to the Pacific. Under the new administration of Chancellor Olaf Scholtz, Germany&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/germany-military-upgrade-fund-toamerica" target="_blank" >placed orders</a>&nbsp;for F-35s in early 2022 and months later unprecedentedly&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/as-germany-s-economy-crashes-it-sends-fighter-jets-to-east-china-sea-missiles-to-ukraine-and-mps-to-taiwan-and" target="_blank" >participated</a>&nbsp;in the Rapid Pacific exercises in Australia, deploying Eurofighters and supporting assets. The involvement of European air forces in the region has continued to grow ever since, and although their ability to contribute to broader Western Bloc capabilities in the region remains limited, particularly compared to the United States, Japan and South Korea, they are nevertheless valued.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Thailand Selects First Fighter of its New Generation: ‘Frustrated’ Swedish-U.S. Gripen-E Program Finally Gets Export Orders: at 8/27/24 7:00pm
The Royal Thai Air Force has selected the Swedish-American Gripen E/F fourth generation fighter to serve as its next combat aircraft, providing a much needed export success for the troubled program which has otherwise failed to gain traction on global markets. With 10-14 fighters set to be purchased, the Air Force reported that it had spent 10 months making the decision, and that the Gripen E/F “has the capability to match the demand of the military doctrine and the Air Force’s strategy.” A key reason for selecting the fighter is thought to be its high levels of commonality with Thailand’s existing fleet of 11 Gripen C/D fighters, which were ordered 2008 and 2010 in two separate batches. The new Gripen E/F variant uses a new American F414 engine, replacing the less powerful and more maintenance intensive F404 on the original variant, although the two engines are closely related and have significant commonality in their maintenance requirements. Aside from the new engine, the new Gripen variant’s primary improvement over the older model is its avionics, which include the Raven&nbsp;ES-05 active electronically scanned array radar - where the original variant used a mechanically scanned array radar long since considered obsolete the&nbsp; PS-05/A. The aircraft’s data links, electronic warfare systems and other avionics features are also considered to be a full generation ahead of those of the original Gripen.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/28/article_66ce933ada5645_39290785.jpeg" >In August 2022 SAAB President and CEO Micael Johansson&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ceo-of-sweden-s-saab-admits-extreme-frustration-as-clients-don-t-want-gripen-fighters-no-sales-for-over-eight-years">informed reporters</a>&nbsp;of his “extreme frustration” at the lack of Gripen E/F sales, blaming political factors for the lack of sales, which reflected Stockholm’s much more limited ability to lobby for sales particularly compared to Paris and Washington. The fighter’s primary advantage over its rivals remains its very light weight, far below that of even the F-16, and accompanying very low operational costs and maintenance needs. This has allowed the Royal Thai Air Force to maintain its Gripen fleet’s availability rates at close to 100 percent, despite being an export client. To put this in perspective, the far larger and more complex American F-35 has struggled to maintain 55 percent availability rates in the U.S. Air Force itself. This serves as an effective force multiplier for Gripen fleets, ensuring that even a small fleet of 24 fighters will be able to generate sorties very rapidly in wartime. The fact that the fighters are also far better optimised than others in the Western world, with the exception of the F-35B, to operating from short or makeshift runways, is also a major factor in their favour should airfields come under attack.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/28/article_66ce935368b2f2_14211001.jpg" title="Royal Thai Air Force F-5TH">The Gripen E/F’s small size and ease of maintenance notably come at a cost, with the aircraft’s small size meaning its weapons carrying capacity remains very limited, while its ES-05 radar, although sophisticated, is one of the smallest carried by any fighter in the world and can thus provide only very limited situational awareness. The selection of the Gripen E notably follows reports that Thailand’s older Gripen C/D fighters were <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/fa50-vs-gripen-engagement-superiority" >decisively defeated </a>in mock engagements with the Philippine Air Force’s South Korean FA-50 fighters in Australia in July. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the Gripen E/F will represent the most capable fighter in the Royal Thai Air Force, with Gripen C/Ds and F-16s in service using obsolete avionics, leaving the F-5TH, a third generation fighter very heavily enhanced with a modern AESA radar and ‘4+ generation’ avionics, as the country’s most potent fighter today. Gripens are expected to replace some of the older F-16s in the Thai fleet, which alongside a major boost to combat capabilities will also significantly reduce operational costs. The Royal Thai Air Force has notably shown a strong interest in acquiring fifth generation fighters, and after being rebuffed from acquiring American F-35s, is expected to <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/will-thailand-be-the-next-client-for-america-s-f-35-stealth-fighter-or-will-washington-lead-it-to-look-to-chinese-aircraft" target="_blank">consider acquiring </a>the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/fc31-stealth-export-manoeuvrability" target="_blank">Chinese FC-31 fighter.</a> This would follow trends in the Army and Navy towards a fast growing reliance on Chinese equipment. The high operational costs and maintenance needs of both the F-35 and the FC-31 mean that operating a very low cost light fighter alongside them, like the Gripen E/F, would help to lower the overall Thai fleet’s operational costs maintenance needs.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— North Korea Unveils New Single Use ‘Kamikaze’ Drones: Connection to Israeli Firms Suspected: at 8/27/24 3:56am
North Korean state media on August 27 unveiled two new classes of unnamed single use ‘Kamikaze’ drone, which following the development of a wide range of advanced new weapons systems in the country has the potential to significantly enhanced its lower end tactical strike capabilities. Their unveiling follows the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/nkorea-massive-surveillance-drone-multiplier" target="_blank">appearance</a> of higher end combat and reconnaissance drones in July 2023, which marked a major milestone in the demonstrated capabilities of its aviation industry.&nbsp;Single use drones provide a means of engaging low level targets such as enemy armoured vehicles with a very high level of precision, and doing so at fraction of the cost of using ballistic or cruise missiles, while carrying smaller payloads and thus having significantly smaller blast radii. The complementary usage of ballistic missiles and single use drones has been effectively demonstrated over the past two years by Russian forces in the Ukrainian theatre, where <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/zelensky-aide-wants-attack-iran" target="_blank" >Iranian Shahed 136 </a>drones have&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/iran-s-shahed-136-drone-has-become-russia-s-primary-aircraft-for-striking-ukrainian-positions-unprecedented-attacks-near-odessa" target="_blank" >played a major role</a> from September 2022 complementing the strike capabilities of Russia’s growing arsenal of Iskander-M ballistic missiles.Unlike Russia, North Korea has deployed a highly diverse arsenal of tactical ballistic missiles, from the compact and relatively<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/1000-kn24-nkorean-frontline-forces-unprecedented" target="_blank"> short ranged KN-24 missiles</a>, to the large longer ranged<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/move-aside-iskander-kn23b-russia-top" target="_blank"> KN-23B missiles </a>with oversized warheads. The country has also deployed classes of <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/nkorea-long-range-rocket-artillery" target="_blank">precision guided rocket artillery </a>with much longer ranges than its Russian counterparts. This diversity was previously thought to have limited its need for single use drones, although with these now in its arsenal, the range of different tactical strike assets available is potentially the greatest in the world outside China.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/27/article_66cddb9c865c30_92584960.jpg" title="North Korean Leadership Intercept New Single Use Drones (Aircraft Images Blurred)">Western sources have widely compared North Korea’s new drones to the Israeli Harop and Hero-400, with the new designs appearing highly similar. This has fuelled speculation that North Korea may have gained intelligence on the Israeli drones from its close security partner the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/how-powerful-hezbollah-trained-nkorea-hardened" target="_blank">Lebanese paramilitary Hezbollah</a>, or possibly from Iran, which have engaged in combat with Israeli forces intermittently for much of the past two decades. With Israeli Police having opened an investigation in 2021 into a group of individuals producing, and selling single use drones to an unnamed country in Asia, there has also been speculation that the technologies may have been transferred from Israel directly - possibly through a third party such as Myanmar or Vietnam which retain close ties with both Pyongyang and Tel Aviv.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/27/article_66cdeb54bef486_74642712.jpg" title="Israeli Harop Drone"> Israel has a long history of transferring advanced military drones and associated technologies to Western Bloc adversaries, including the <a href="https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/israel-s-suicide-drone-sales-to-china-puts-tel-aviv-in-awkward-bind-with-us-44632" >transfer of Harop combat drones </a>to China in the 1990s and 2000s, and provision of Russia with facilities for license production of the <a href="https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/ukraine-conflict-russia-employs-forpost-r-ucav" >Forpost surveilance drone</a>. The similarities may otherwise be coincidental. The North Korean drone resembling the Israeli Harop uses the a very similar frontal canard delta wing design with vertical stabilisers at the rear. The Israeli drone was initially designed for suppression of enemy air defences, but has taken on a wider range of roles. The second drone resembling the Hero-400 uses the same configuration of x-shaped fins along the main body and at the tail, not very different from the Russian Lancet, and was developed to be capable of striking battlefield targets such as armoured vehicles.&nbsp;Footage released by state media showed the drone destroying a mockup of an enemy main battle tank, which has been a <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-lancet-t80-kursk" target="_blank">primary mission </a>for Lancet drones in the Ukrainian theatre.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft, Naval]
— Last American F-15C/D Air Superiority Fighters Leave Frontline Deployment Near Taiwan After 45 Year Presence: at 8/26/24 7:31pm
The last F-15C/D Eagle air superiority fighter has been withdrawn from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan, over 45 years after the class was first stationed at the facility on permanent deployment. This marks the end of an era for the U.S. Air Force’s forward presence in Northeast Asia, with Kadena Air Base seen as a key location due to its close proximity to the Taiwan Strait, where the Chinese Civil War between the rival Taipei-based <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/enhanced-f16s-taiwan-damaged" target="_blank">Republic of China</a> and Beijing-based People’s Republic of China governments is still ongoing. U.S. Air Force Major Peter Gawor, the director of operations for the 67th Fighter Squadron which operates F-15C/Ds at the facility, flew the final F-15C/D flight of the near half century long permanent deployment. “The Air Force placed that aircraft specifically in Kadena. Its actually the tip of the spear with relation to the threats we have around us. It has helped support us in that concept of air superiority,” he stated regarding the position. The decision to withdraw the F-15C/Ds was <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/us-withdrawing-f15-44yrs-china-doorstep" target="_blank">announced in October 2022</a>, and was considered over a decade overdue, with the Cold War era fighters having served long past their expected operational lives. The large majority of F-15C/Ds in the fleet were for decades expected to be replaced by F-22 fifth generation air superiority fighters, although <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/25-f22-maiden-flight-looks-like-failure" target="_blank">serious issues</a> with the new aircraft, ranging from excessive maintenance requirements to an unusually short range, ultimately led the Air Force to cut 75 percent of orders. This left the F-15C/Ds at Kadena without replacement.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/27/article_66cd745b0b01c0_91525127.jpg" title="F-15C Takes Off at Kadena Air Base">It was initially uncertain which fighter class would replace the F-15C/Ds at Kadena on permanent deployment, with <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/usaf-f22-stealth-kadena-taiwan" target="_blank">rotational deployments</a> of F-35s, F-22s and F-16s having serious limitations. Twenty-one months after the announced withdrawal, however, the Pentagon on July 3, 2024 confirmed that a permanent deployment of 36 F-15EX fighters would replace the Cold War era F-15 models. While the U.S. Air Force has since 2021 sought to <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/congress-tries-block-usaf-f22-retirement" target="_blank">begin&nbsp;retirements </a>of its troubled F-22s, it has resumed acquisitions of the very fighter class the F-22 was intended to replace, with the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/more-f15ex-needed-ageing-fleet" target="_blank">new F-15EX</a> requiring much less maintenance and having significantly more sophisticated avionics than either the F-15C/D or the F-22, as well as a much longer range and higher weapons carrying capacity.&nbsp; Its AN/APG-82 radar is also considered by far the most powerful deployed by any Western fighter class, and is around 50 percent larger than the F-35’s AN/APG-81 while boasting comparable levels of sophistication. Although the number of F-15s permanently deployed at Kadena will be 25 percent lower, the Air Force is compensating for this by increasing the number of fighters deployed further north at Misawa Air Base, where <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/forward-deployment-f35-stealth-china" target="_blank">48 F-35As are replacing</a> 36 F-16s.&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/expands-f35c-japan-iwakuni" target="_blank">More F-35s</a> have been stationed in Japan by the Navy and Marine Corps.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/27/article_66cd73cb0e0263_70258076.webp" title="F-15EX Armed For Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Combat">The F-15 was considered the Western world’s premier class of air superiority fighter when it first&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f15-half-century-since-first-flight" target="_blank" >entered service</a>&nbsp;in 1975, although it would face a close match from the previous generation in the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat interceptor which it <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f15-last-engagement-heavyweight-lost" target="_blank">engaged</a> multiple times. The <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/mig25-took-out-f15-1991-battle" target="_blank">last engagement</a> ended in a victory for the MiG-25, with a two-on-two fight over Iraq seeing one F-15 damaged, and according to Iraqi sources shot down, while MiG-25s took no losses. By the end of the Cold War the F-15’s international standing had diminished considerably, with the Soviet&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/how-an-american-area-51-pilot-died-flying-belarusian-su-27-fighter-a-reminder-of-why-the-u-s-operates-flanker-jets" target="_blank" >Su-27&nbsp;air superiority fighter </a>and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-mig31bm-deliver-prized" target="_blank">MiG-31 interceptor</a> entering service from 1984 and 1981 respectively and boasting very significant performance advantages over the F-15. The Eagle’s standing would recover after the end of the Cold War, with improvements to the design including the integration of the AN/APG-63 active electronically scanned array radar from the year 2000 providing it with an edge over the latest Russian fighters of the time. The AN/APG-82 integrated onto the new F-15EX significantly further expands the F-15EX’s situational awareness advantage over Russian fighters. As a fourth generation fighter the F-15’s performance remains limited in the 2020s, with its lack of stealth capabilities, or of key subsystems such as distributed aperture systems, leaving it at a sharp disadvantage if facing modern Chinese fifth generation fighters such as the J-20. This is particularly significant when considering that J-20s have been deployed near the Taiwan Strait in considerable numbers. The selection of the F-15EX to replace older F-15s highlights the U.S. Air Force’s lack of a fifth generation fighter suitable of serving in this position, and remains fare from ideal when considering recent advances in Chinese combat aviation capabilities.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— China’s HQ-9B Can Now Provide Multi-Layered Long Range Air Defence: New Missiles and Launchers Unveiled: at 8/25/24 7:45pm
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Central Theatre Command has confirmed the deployment of a new variant of the HQ-9B long range air defence system, with images released by the command showing HQ-9Bs in a new configuration with transporter erector launchers carrying a smaller lighter class of surface to air missile and accommodating up to eight per launcher. Previously HQ-9s deployed only larger and longer ranged missiles, of which four could be accommodated on each launch vehicle. Commenting on the images, the state run Global Times noted that the new smaller missiles were designed to engage targets at shorter ranges, thus complementing the longer range missiles to allow each HQ-9B to provide more layers of protection. The HQ-9B is by far the most widely produced long range surface to air missile system outside Russia, and much like its better known <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-combat-tests-s400-400km-pairing-a50" target="_blank">Russian counterpart the S-400</a> it emphasises high mobility and deploys missiles, radars and command units from mobile trucks to improve survivability.&nbsp;The much more sophisticated state of China’s electronics and radar industries have led analysts to widely consider the HQ-9B to retain advantages over its Russian rivals in associated performance areas.&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/26/article_66cc25648dcc96_20342126.png" title="New Eight-Missile Launcher on HQ-9B System">Unlike Russia, which has made only <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/su57-half-price-ambitious-mig142" target="_blank">minimal investments</a> in its fighter aviation capabilities since the end of the Cold War, and relies on ground based systems as its primary means of protecting its airspace, the Chinese PLA <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-surge-j20-120-f35s-48" target="_blank">invests far more</a> in fighter aviation, and deploys ground based systems in a complementary supporting role. Russian industry was notably the first to produce air defence systems capable of deploying multiple missiles classes with very different but complementary ranges, with this considered revolutionary for allowing a single system to respond to several kinds of threats with different missiles optimised to each one. Chinese and North Korean systems have since <a href="https://sinonk.com/2024/05/04/north-koreas-leap-forward-in-air-defence-modernisation/" target="_blank">demonstrated a similar capability</a>. The HQ-9B has seen growing successes on export markets, with British sources having reported that the system has been exported to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/pakistans-hq9p-complicate-indian-operations">Pakistan</a>, with the former two having selected the system over competing Russian alternatives to succeed <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/nato-hated-S200-longest-range-air-defence" target="_blank">Soviet era S-200s</a>. Unconfirmed reports have also indicated that exports have been made to Morocco. A lighter counterpart to the HQ-9B, the medium ranged HQ-22 system, was also selected by Serbia despite Western pressure to acquire NATO-standard systems, with these having <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinese-y20-heavy-airlifters-fly-to-serbia-in-force-bolster-ageing-air-defences-with-hq22-missiles" target="_blank">been delivered in April 2022</a>. &nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/26/article_66cc264b123153_70945196.jpeg" title="Missile Launch During Exercises Involving HQ-9B Systems">The HQ-9B’s 250 kilometre engagement range allows each system to engage targets over areas of almost 200,000 square kilometres, with its 360 degree radar coverage and cold launch system allowing for engagements in all directions. This alongside improved sensors and data links was one of the system’s primary improvements over the HQ-9A, which began entering service around ten years before it in 2000-2001. Early development of the HQ-9 in the 1990s is reported to have benefitted significantly from technology transfers both from Soviet successor states, most notably Russia which made massive exports of S-300 systems that decade, as well as from Israel which <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/airdefence-challenges-israel-retire-patriot" target="_blank">had access</a> to technologies from the latest variants of the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/patriot-save-ukraine-combat-record" target="_blank">American Patriot system</a>. Significant improvements to China’s defence sector and broader tech sector allowed it to end its reliance on technology transfers, and to rely on indigenous technologies to develop and improve the HQ-9B.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/26/article_66cc26ea289426_29753036.webp" title="36 Launchers For HHQ-9 System on Type 052C Destroyer">Exercises featuring the HQ-9B have been <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinas-hq-9-air-defence-system-faces-strenuous-test-against-drones-and-electronic-attacks" >reported frequently</a>, and included launching electromagnetic attacks on the systems and simulated air attacks in red vs. blue team drills. Former PLA officers have stressed the need to operate these systems in unfamiliar terrain, and to test personnel intensively from the beginning of new systems’ commissioning into service. The system has deployed in significantly numbers to major&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/u-s-military-claims-it-can-destroy-beijing-s-heavily-militarised-south-china-sea-island-bases-but-can-it" >potential hotspots</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-strengthens-defensive-a2ad-capabilities-in-the-south-china-sea-with-advanced-hq-9b-surface-to-air-missiles" >strategically located islands</a> in the South China Sea. HQ-9Bs were in 2015 deployed to Hotan in Xinjiang province, close to Indian claimed territories in Kashmir, with the lack of comparable systems in Indian service thought to have been a major factor in Delhi’s decision to place <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/india-last-two-s400-2024-producing-time" target="_blank" >orders for Russian S-400s</a> three years later.&nbsp; Alongside ground based deployments, a navalised variant of the HQ-9B, the HHQ-9B, has been widely used by the PLA Navy from the mid-2010s on over three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-offering-cutting-edge-type-052d-destroyers-for-export-are-algeria-and-russia-its-most-likely-clients" target="_blank" >surface destroyers</a> - namely the Type 052C, Type 052D and Type 055 classes. Complementary shorter ranged air defence on these destroyer classes is provided by close in weapons systems and HHQ-10 short ranged surface to air missiles.&nbsp;
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— China’s FC-31 Stealth Fighter Built For Export Demonstrates Manoeuvrability in New Footage: at 8/25/24 5:56am
New footage released from an unconfirmed location within the People’s Republic of China has shown a land based variant of the country’s FC-31 fifth generation fighter performing never before seen manoeuvres. The FC-31 has been developed into two known variants, including a carrier based fighter intended for the country’s <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/era-china-supercarrier-fujian" target="_blank">first supercarrier the Fujian</a>, and possibly other warships in future, as well as a ground based variant that is being marketed for export. China is one of just two countries to field full regiments of<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/new-chinese-fighter-brigade-deploys-j-20s-new-taiwan" target="_blank"> indigenous fifth generation fighters</a>, alongside the United States, with the FC-31 being the country’s second fighter from the new generation - following on from the much larger<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/2003-study-sheds-new-light-on-mysterious-origins-of-china-s-top-fighter-stealthy-j-20-has-surpassed-expectations" target="_blank"> J-20 air superiority fighter</a> which entered service in 2017. The FC-31 not only benefits from technologies developed for the J-20, which has seen rapid incremental improvements since it first began to be delivered to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in mid-late 2016, but also from the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/J-20-Mighty-Dragon-Military-Technology/dp/1804515604/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15Q2ZVGXJ5LKM&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cvac6e3pEGJKAeqrmHK8pzUi1h5fzYcGv-EWekzTrfI.TFTqMd7G4SIimTEBBwnUdUhk9c3KS8vfLA-kPZgUlhM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=J-20+Mighty+Dragon%3A+Asia%27s+First+Stealth+Fighter+in+the+Era+of+China%27s+Military+Rise&amp;qid=1724072080&amp;sprefix=%2Caps%2C231&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank">considerable prestige</a> which the J-20 program has given the Chinese fighter aviation industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/25/article_66cb46784d8712_42114603.jpeg" title="FC-31 Prototype ">The FC-31 program is expected to revolutionise China’s position on fighter aviation markets. The aircraft boasts a higher degree of sophistication including far superior stealth capabilities and avionics compared to the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/facilities-expanded-su57-fighter-production" target="_blank">Russian Su-57</a>, while also having a far superior range and <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-low-altitude-drawback-above" target="_blank">flight performance</a>, being considered less <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/lawmakers-impatient-f35-55pct-rates" target="_blank">problematic</a>, and having far less restrictions and political conditions<a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-claims-american-fighters-are-only-useful-for-airshows-why-f-18s-can-t-fight-without-washington-s-permission" target="_blank"> imposed on its use</a> compared to the <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-surpasses-1000-numerical-edge" target="_blank">American F-35</a>. In January 2024 the head of the Pakistan Air Force Air, Chief&nbsp;Marshal Zaheer Sidhu, was confirmed to have <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/pakistan-announces-acquisition-of-first-fifth-generation-fighters-what-chinese-fc-31-stealth-jets-will-do-for-its-fleet">announced</a> that the country was preparing to place an order for FC-31s. This was less than two years after Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed&nbsp;stated that he hoped the country <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/pakistan-s-interior-minister-who-announced-j-10c-purchase-says-j-20-stealth-fighter-deal-likely-is-it-possible">would acquire</a> J-20 fifth generation fighters, fuelling speculation that the Defence Ministry had decided on the FC-31 after it was confirmed that the J-20 was not being offered for export. China is the only country in the world that currently produces fighter aircraft for domestic use only, with all non-Chinese fighters in production today being marketed to foreign clients.&nbsp;The J-15 and J-16 fighters currently in production are also not being made available to foreign clients.<img src="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/m/articles/2024/08/25/article_66cb46b6065127_92414469.JPG" title="J-20 Fifth Generation Fighters">Unconfirmed reports have indicated that the FC-31 is currently being considered for acquisitions by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Thailand. With efforts by Abu Dhabi and Bangkok to acquire the F-35 <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/will-thailand-be-the-next-client-for-america-s-f-35-stealth-fighter-or-will-washington-lead-it-to-look-to-chinese-aircraft" target="_blank">having been rebuffed</a>, with the former having <a href="https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/deployment-qatar-ties-uae-rift" target="_blank">pulled out</a> of talks due to American demands that it seriously downgrade ties with Chinese tech firms as a precondition, the FC-31 offers an alternative that is expected to have greater combat capabilities and have far fewer conditions attached to its sale and operations. Unconfirmed reports have also indicated that the FC-31 has entered low rate initial production, which could prepare the aircraft both for deployments from the Fujian and to meet expected foreign orders, with orders from Pakistan potentially having already been placed. The induction of the aircraft into their first operational unit, either in the Navy or abroad, is expected to further stimulate foreign interest, which could provide Chinese industry with a key opportunity to strengthen defence ties with strategic partners in East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
[Author: editorial@militarywatchmagazine.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Asia-Pacific, Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft]
— Iranian Cruise Missiles Over the Knesset: Israeli Military Bases Hit By Major Drone and Missile Strikes: at 4/12/24 8:16pm
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on April 13 launched multiple waves of cruise missile, ballistic missile and drone attacks on military facilities in Israel and the Israeli-held Golan heights, with these intended to “hit and destroy” multiple “important military targets.” The strikes have exclusively targeted military sites, primarily those in the Golan Heights and an air base in the Negev Desert, with the desert facility having reportedly been used to launch an Israeli air strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria on April 1. An Iranian response to the attack has been anticipated for almost two weeks since, with the Israeli attack having killed a brigadier general in the elite Quds Force of the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and ten other Iranians including several long serving diplomats and General Zahedi’s deputy General Haji Rahimi. The Iranian retaliatory strike also came a day after an exchange of artillery and missile fire and drone strikes between Israel and the Iranian aligned Lebanese Hezbollah paramilitary forces. Hezbollah has reportedly launched limited rocket artillery attacks to support Iranian attacks on April 13, with this potentially intended to help overwhelm Israeli air defences.Footage of Iranian strikes has shown missiles having penetrated deep inside Israeli airspace, including over the country’s parliament building, the Knesset, in the heavily defended Sheikh Bar district of West Jerusalem. With the strikes launched under Operation True Promise, the Revolutionary Guard Corps reported regarding its scale: "The IRGC’s Aerospace Division launched tens of missiles and drones against certain targets" within Israel. Reports indicate that over 100 drones were used. While Israel widely jammed GPS across large areas of the country, Iranian cruise missiles are known to have inertial terrain following guidance capabilities allowing them to engage pre-programmed targets without inputs from satellites or supporting aircraft. Israeli authorities have pledged a "clear and decisive" response to the Iranian strikes, although it remains uncertain whether an escalatory spiral could lead to full scale war between the two states. While Iran is expected to continue to be supported by Hezbollah, neighbouring Syria, and various allied militia groups across the region, in particular in Iraq and Yemen, Israel is likely to be strongly supported by multiple NATO member states including Britain, Turkey and the United States.Spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House Adrienne Watson stated following the first waves of Iranian strikes: “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies… This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defence against these threats from Iran." Multiple reports indicate that Israeli air defence efforts have been significantly bolstered by American support, including provision of data warning of the launch of drones and missiles shortly after they left the ground in Iran, and active responses by American air defences to shoot down incoming targets. Jordanian forces, which have been closely aligned with the U.S. and Israel against Iran and its allies have also contributed to shooting down missiles on course to Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden claimed regarding American involvement in air defence efforts: “At my direction, to support the defence of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defence destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”American support is expected to be of particular value should Israel seek to mount a response by striking targets in Iran, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps having explicitly warned the U.S. that “any support” Washington provided to Israel in “harming Iran’s interests” would be met with a “decisive” response. The United States began a sudden and very large military buildup in the Middle East from early October, which at the time included deployment of a Marine Rapid Response Force led by the amphibious carrier USS Bataan, two U.S. carrier strike groups led by Nimitz and Gerald Ford class nuclear powered supercarriers, A-10 attack jets from the 354th Fighter Squadron, F-15E strike fighters, Patriot and THAAD air defence systems, and a range of other aerial warfare assets. While American officers are confirmed to have been deployed to advise Israeli forces on the ground, and drones have been deployed for the first time for operations over the Gaza Strip, American special forces are also reported to have engaged Palestinian militias in combat in support of Israeli forces. While Israel’s capability for strikes on Iranian territory remains relatively limited, the U.S. retains a wide range of assets in the region capable of striking Iranian targets. Israel’s own independent strike capability against Iran is also set to be expanded considerably with the sale of F-15EX fighters which are by far the longest ranged in the Western world, with American approval for such a deal reported in early April to be imminent.
[Author: ibbs.8t@gmail.com (Military Watch Editorial Staff)] [Category: Middle East, Missile and Space]

As of 9/7/24 6:13pm. Last new 9/6/24 10:14pm.

Next feed in category: Military Times