DTN News - ROMANIA DEFENSE NEWS: Romania Finally Settles On Portuguese F-16s

DTN News - ROMANIA DEFENSE NEWS: Romania Finally Settles On Portuguese F-16s

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald 

(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - October 19, 2013: Late last week, Romanian defense minister Mircea Dusa signed the contract for a €600 million ($817 million) deal to acquire 12 Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighters from Portugal. An initial installment was paid at the same time. The acquisition of F-16s will finally allow Romania to operate NATO-compatible aircraft, and also brings to an end a long-running saga to provide a replacement for the dwindling LanceR fleet of upgraded MiG-21s.

Included in the deal are nine current Portuguese air force aircraft and three that Portugal is acquiring through the U.S. excess defense article program. This trio will be put through a mid-life update (MLU) program at Portugal’s OGMA maintenance, repair and overhaul company to bring them up to F-16AM/BM standards before delivery to Romania. The deal, which covers nine F-16AM single-seaters and three F-16BM two-seaters, also includes the training of an initial batch of nine pilots and 69 technicians, to be undertaken partly in the U.S.

The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2015/16, with all 12 to be handed over by 2017 to equip a single squadron. Romania has stated its intention to buy another batch of F-16s from Portugal to equip a second unit.

Romania began its search for a new fighter in the early 2000s, with the aim of replacing the LanceRs in 2010/11 with 48 new aircraft. The F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen were seen as the main contenders, but a lack of funds continually delayed any decision. In 2005 Romania announced that it was to buy used F-16s from the Israeli air force, with overhaul and support provided by Elbit. Belgian F-16s were considered in 2006, and in 2008 Romania submitted a request for 24 new Block 50/52 aircraft and discussed an alternative plan to buy second-hand U.S. aircraft. In March this year Romania approved the purchase of 24 ex-U.S. Air Force F-16C/D Block 25s, but subsequently the country struck a final, cheaper deal with Portugal.

In Romanian service the F-16s will replace the 30 to 40 remaining LanceRs. This program involved a major upgrade to the Mikoyan MiG-21M, MF and UM, and was undertaken by Aerostar in conjunction with Elbit. Avionics were completely overhauled and Python 3 missile capability was added. From 1996 the Romanian air force received 71 LanceR A ground attackers with Elta EL/M-2001B radar, 14 LanceR B two-seat conversion trainers and 26 LanceR C air defense fighters with EL/M-2032 radar.

Portugal acquired a total of 45 F-16A/B Block 15s. The first batch, delivered from 1994, comprised 20 Block 15OCU aircraft acquired new under the Peace Atlantis I program to equip Esquadra 201 at Monte Real. In 1999 Portugal received 25 ex-U.S. Air Force Block 15s to establish a second squadron, Esquadra 301. Only 20 of these aircraft were placed in service, and soon after delivery they were put through the MLU program with new avionics, F100-PW-220E engines and Falcon UP structural upgrade. The remaining five ex-U.S. aircraft were used as a source of spares.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: MiG-21 To Be Phased Out Of IAF

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: MiG-21 To Be Phased Out Of IAF

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Hindu

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / NEW DELHI, India - August 9, 2011:

MiG-21 fighter aircrafts, which have been in news for frequent crashes, will be phased out of the Indian Air Force by 2017 and replaced by modern fighter aircraft such as Su-30MKI and indigenous LCA.

“The MiG 21s will get phased out by 2015-16. I think the last of the squadrons of the aircraft will be phased out by 2017,” Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju told reporters here. Over the years, the IAF has inducted a total of 946 MiG-21s in its fleet and 476 of them have been lost in various accidents over the past 45 years. In a recent report, the Ministry acknowledged that most of these accidents had occurred due to old technology. The Minister said the MiG-21s “constitute the majority of our squadrons and they will gradually be replaced by the Light Combat Aircraft (LCAs) and the Su-30MKI.” Mr. Raju said after the phasing out of the “MiG 21s from operational service, the IAF will have the LCA, SU-30MKI, Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft and the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), which is being developed with Russia.” On 126 M-MRCA, Mr. Raju said a decision on the mega deal would be taken by the end of this year. He said at present the technical offsets are being evaluated after which the commercial bids will be opened and on their basis, the government will take a final decision about the contract. The IAF is looking to procure 126 M-MRCA jets for which Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon have been shortlisted. The competition also involved four others including the Russian MiG 35, Swedish Saab Gripen and the American Boeing F/A-18 E/F and the Lockheed martin F-16 combat jets.

The production of the MiG-21bis under license by Hindustan Aeronautics of India lasted until 1984. Despite a series of crashes during the 1990s, which led to the aircraft acquiring the nickname "flying coffin", the Indian Air Force has decided to upgrade about 128 of the MiG-21bis in its inventory to the MiG-21 Bison standard. These will serve the Indian Air Force until 2015.

Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).

Russia now offers an upgrade pack for the MiG-21 up to MiG-21-93 standard. This includes an avionics suite upgrade including the installation of the Kopyo pulse doppler radar used by the MiG-29, enabling the aircraft to fire a greater range of modern weapons such as the beyond visual range Vympel R-77 air-to-air missile. The upgraded avionics also enhance the aircraft's survivability as well as its ability to engage enemy fighters. Other upgrades include the installation of a dual screen HUD, helmet-mounted target designator, and advanced flight control systems.

Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgrade package for the MiG-21 called the MiG-21-2000.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Hindu

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DTN News: North Korean Plane Crashes In China

DTN News: North Korean Plane Crashes In China Source: DTN News / AOL News Terence Neilan Contributor

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 18, 2010: A North Korean fighter jet crashed in China amid speculation that the pilot was trying to defect to Russia, according to South Korean intelligence officials cited today.

The pilot "died on the spot" after crashing into a makeshift house, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported, adding that Beijing was investigating the incident and was in communication with North Korea. No one else was reported killed or wounded.

According to photographs of the wreckage said to have been taken by a Chinese resident, the plane appeared to be a Soviet-era MiG-21, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

The agency quoted an unidentified intelligence official as saying the plane was thought to have lost direction after leaving North Korea and crashed about 155 miles across the Chinese border, in Fushun County, Liaoning Province, on Tuesday.

China has a repatriation pact with North Korea, and often returns defectors back to Pyongyang, which could explain why he may have been headed to Russia, Yonhap added.

An eyewitness, Cao Yunjuan, 54, told The New York Times today that he saw the plane going down, but that "There was no blast," which could rule out speculation that the plane was downed by the Chinese military.

North Korea is undergoing severe food shortages, largely as a result of international sanctions imposed for its illegal missile and nuclear tests. There are reports of a growing number of defections of desperate North Koreans.

But a defection by air is "highly unusual," the BBC reported, and could prove an embarrassment to the Pyongyang regime. Defections by air to South Korea occurred in 1983 and 1996.

In its brief report from Beijing, Xinhua said the crashed plane "might" be from North Korea.

But Mike Gething, an aviation analyst from the defense publisher IHS Jane's, told The Daily Telegraph: "It is a MiG-21 'Fishbed' and from the markings, it is North Korean."

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Chinese Navy Air Force - Maintain Strong Impact With 400 Combat Aircraft Mostly Vintage

DTN News: Chinese Navy Air Force - Maintain Strong Impact With 400 Combat Aircraft Mostly Vintage

* Roger Smith - DTN News has added contents and images in this article from reliable sources besides Strategy Page

Source: Strategy Page

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 4, 2010: The Chinese Navy has its own air force, with over 400 combat aircraft. Most of these are elderly, but still dangerous under the right conditions. These aircraft operate from 24 air bases along the 18,000 kilometer long coastline. There are about 120 H-6s, a Chinese built Russian Tu-16. Although the Tu-16 design is over fifty years old, China has continued to rely on their H-6s as one of their principal bombers. The H-6 is a 78 ton bomber with a crew of four, a 6,000 kilometer range. It can carry nine tons of bombs and missiles. There are about 45 J-7s, a Chinese built copy of the MiG-21. Many are being equipped with Western (or Western class) electronics and engines. This makes it a considerably improved MiG-21. Can carry 1.5 tons of bombs. There are about 60 J-8s, a Chinese two engine variant of the MiG-21. China's first attempt at building their own aircraft. But it was not a very original or successful effort. Can carry about three tons of bombs and is mainly used by the navy. There are nearly a hundred JH-7s. These are Chinese designed and built fighter-bombers that entered service in the 1990s. They were meant to replace the retired H-5s (Russian Il-28 copies). There are 24 Su-30s (a Russian design) and at least two J-15s (a Chinese copy of the Russian Su-27s modified to operate from carriers). The navy would like to replace all its J-7s and J-8s with Su-30s, but that won't happen. Meanwhile, the navy is being provided with J-11s. In the last few months, satellite photos have shown J-11 jet fighters at naval air bases. These are illegal Chinese copies of the Russian Su-27. These are cheaper than Su-30s, and are built entirely of Chinese parts. The remaining aircraft are helicopters, trainers and transports. The navy has long had a reputation as a ramshackle outfit, with old (and often rejected by the air force) aircraft, poor training and indifferent leadership. There have been considerable efforts to change all that, but progress is slow.

HISTORY OF THE TU-16 IN CHINA The origins of the H-6 can be traced back to 1956, when the Soviet Union agreed that it would help China to build a medium bomber force. The idea behind this was that the USSR would command a combined USSR-PRC nuclear force, something which later proved unacceptable for the Chinese. A license agreement for Tu-16 bombers was signed in 1957, and two years later the first parts for assembly in Harbin arrived from the Soviets. Apart from these, two Soviet-built Tu-16s were flown in to serve as pattern aircraft. The first H-6 built from Soviet parts flew only 67 days after manufacture started, on September 27th 1959. After factory acceptance trials, this aircraft went to the PLAAF just like a second prototype built with Soviet parts. One of these was later modified as a nuclear bomber with an airconditioned bombbay and special bomb mountings. A nuclear bomb was dropped by this aircraft at the Lop Nor test site on May 14, 1965. Production got seriously delayed when the CCP decided that H-6 production should be concentrated at Xi'an, while Harbin would start working on a reverse-engineered Il-28 under the designation H-5 because the plant at Harbin already had a major Il-28 rework facility. Moving H-6 production to Xi'an however ment that some 3000 engineers had to be moved, as well as the already delivered documents and tools. This entire program lasted until 1964, by which time it was realised that a large part of the necessary technical documentation was missing. The PRC was quick to blame this on the Soviets with which relations had seriously deteriorated by then. It is nevertheless equally possible that the relocation of the H-6 production caused the loss of these documents. To retrieve this data, the existing H-6es built with Soviet parts, together with the two Tu-16s were taken apart and studied with the intention to reverse-engineer them. Over ten years after the first flight of a Badger built in the PRC, a prototype of the H-6 built with only Chinese parts took to the air. To distinguish this from the origian two Harbin-built H-6es, these got the designation H-6A. Deliveries of aircraft built to this standard were delivered to operational PLAAF and PLAN units from 1970 on. It is not known if all of these are equipped with the airconditioned bombbay and other nuclear modifications, although some sources suggest that these are officially referred to as H-6II.

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DTN News: IAF To Phase Out MiG-21 Fighters

DTN News: IAF To Phase Out MiG-21 Fighters Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - April 20, 2010: The Indian Air Force has initiated the process to phase out MiG-21 fighter aircraft, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday. The MiG-21 aircraft are in their final phase of service and in the process of phase-out, he said answering supplementaries in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour. Antony said the IAF maintains a mix of old and new aircraft in its fleet and each plane has a life span of 30-40 years. The Minister dismissed criticism over the crash of Kiran trainer aircraft during an airshow at Begumpet airfield in Hyderabad in March. He said the Kiran aircraft was inducted in the Navy in 1985 and the fleet has reported only three accidents in the past 25 years. All accidents are taken seriously by the government. On compensation to crash victims, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said it would be awarded by the Navy on completion of the Court of Inquiry.

DTN News: India TODAY January 17, 2010 ~ Ageing IAF Fleet A Major Concern, Says EAC Chief

DTN News: India TODAY January 17, 2010 ~ Ageing IAF Fleet A Major Concern, Says EAC Chief *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) SHILLONG, India - January 17, 2010: The IAF today indicated that the ageing fleet of its fighter planes was a matter of concern and hoped that the massive deal for purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft would come through. "A number of older generation aircraft like MiG-21 are operating since early sixties. We have problems with the ageing fleets and their maintenance," Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Indian Air Force's (IAF) Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Kishan Kumar Nohwar told a press conference here. The Soviet-era MiG 21 fighters have been in operation in the IAF since 1963 and have been involved in a spate of crashes in the recent years. Under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme, IAF plans to induct 126 fighter jets at an estimated cost of 12 billion USD. Currently, trials are being conducted with aircraft of six manufacturers vying for the deal.

DTN News: Indian Air Force MiG-21 Phaseout Hit By Fighter Jet Shortage

DTN News: Indian Air Force MiG-21 Phaseout Hit By Fighter Jet Shortage

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - September 21, 2009: They have a poor safety record. But the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reluctant to phase out its old Soviet era warhorse MiG-21 due to the delay in inducting new and modern fighter jets. Between 1991 and 2003 more than 270 MiGs crashed and 100 pilots were killed, yet MiG-21s still make up 70% of IAF's combat fleet. It's easy to see why India is frantically trying to modernise its air force. Dubbed 'flying coffins' for their frequent crashes, only 150-160 of the over 450 single-engine MiG-21s with the IAF are still in service. A large number have been lost in accidents during peace time. "The main problem with MiG-21s is that they are very old and the on-board systems have become obsolete," a highly-placed IAF official told IANS. The official himself has flown the combat aircraft. But because it faces a shortage of fighter squadrons, the IAF cannot afford to phase out the ageing MiG-21s. If it does that, it would diminish its force level drastically. The IAF, the world's fourth largest air force, currently has a fighter squadron strength of 33.5 against the sanctioned 39. "We have a shortage of fighter squadrons. Also, the delay in the delivery of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and in the acquisition of MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft) is pushing further the phasing out of MiG-21s. After all, we need to maintain a minimum force level," another IAF commander said. The Indian government has issued tenders for acquisition of 126 medium multi-role combat aircrafts but the acquisition has been delayed due to time consuming procedures which include submitting of bids, technical evaluation of proposals from global military suppliers and field trials. The first aircraft would conservatively be inducted only by 2020, according to defence ministry sources.The assessment is that the retirement of the five squadrons of MiG-21s will diminish the IAF's conventional edge over its adversaries. The current deadline for the retirement of MiG-21s is 2011. But this is likely to be pushed back further due to the slow pace of procurement and indigenisation process. "The MiG-21s have a serviceability of 80 per cent. We have good maintenance facilities for MiG-21s. Otherwise we would have been forced to retire them," said the official. Since 1993, the IAF has lost over 260 aircraft during peace time. Of these 107 were its vintage warhorse MiG-21s. Fifteen of them crashed in the last five years, leaving seven pilots dead. The latest crash took place September 11 when a MiG-21 went down in Bathinda in Punjab, killing the pilot. The MiG-21s, inducted in 1964, proved their worth in the 1971 war with Pakistan and again in 1999 during the Kargil conflict, also with Pakistan. The IAF inducted its first MiG-21 from the erstwhile Soviet Union five years after their induction into the Soviet Air Force. Thereafter some 450 MiG-21 jets were inducted in the IAF to bolster its strength. The indigenous LCA (light combat aircraft) project has been marred with delays because of the inability of military research bodies to provide engines with right configuration for the aircrafts.

DTN News: Iraq To Fetch MiG-21s And MiG-23s Fighter Planes From Serbia

DTN News: Iraq To Fetch MiG-21s And MiG-23s Fighter Planes From Serbia *Source: DTN News / AFP (NSI News Source Info) BAGHDAD, Iraq - August 31, 2009: An Iraqi military delegation has gone to Serbia to bring back 19 MiG fighter planes that Saddam Hussein's regime sent for servicing 20 years ago, the defence ministry said on Saturday. (Image: MiG-23 Flogger Fighter Bomber) "General Othman al-Fredji, a defence ministry adviser, and Anwar Mohammed Amin, head of the air force, are in Serbia negotiating the return (of the planes) at the earliest possible date," spokesman General Mohammed al-Askari said. The Soviet-built MiG-21 and 23 aircraft, whose existence has just been discovered, "were sent by Saddam's government in 1989 for maintenance and everything was paid for with Iraqi money," he said. Askari said the planes are important for Iraq as "our air force only possesses helicopters." The former Yugoslavia was a major exporter of arms to Saddam's dictatorship before breaking up in the 1990s. Askari said the ministry "is searching in the United States, France, Italy, Russia and some Arab countries to locate funds or military equipment that the former government bought for its army." Iraq has found two navy vessels belonging to it in Egypt and two others moored in Italy as well as "aircraft and equipment in Russia and France," the spokesman said, without giving further details.

India 'To Remain Top Buyer Of Russian Combat Aircraft Until 2015'

India 'To Remain Top Buyer Of Russian Combat Aircraft Until 2015'

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - April 21, 2009:India will remain the main purchaser of Russian-made combat aircraft for the next 15 years under existing and prospective contracts, a respected Russian think tank has said. Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets fly past during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 23, 2009. India will celebrate its Republic Day on Monday. In its report, The Forecast for Combat Aircraft Deliveries to India, the Center for Analysis and Technologies outlined the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of combat aircraft until 2015. The report predicts that India will buy up to 90 Su-30MKI fighters under existing contracts and may also purchase additional Su-30 or modernized MiG-29K aircraft. Russia's MiG-35 Fulcrum is also participating in the current $10.6-billion tender to supply 126 multirole fighters to the Indian air force. Russian experts believe that the MiG-35 has an excellent chance of winning the tender because the Russian aircraft has superb performance characteristics and Russia and India share a long-standing partnership in strategic and military-technical cooperation. In addition, Russia signed in March last year a contract with the Indian Defense Ministry to upgrade around 70 MiG-29 fighters, in service since the 1980s, and agreed to develop a fifth-generation fighter together with India. India desperately needs to upgrade its fighter fleet, which includes Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, but mainly consists of obsolete Russian MiG-21 models.

Syria Getting MiG-31Es, MiG-29s: DIA Chief / Syria Getting MiG-31E Jet Fighters, Pentagon Source Claims

Syria Getting MiG-31Es, MiG-29s: DIA Chief / Syria Getting MiG-31E Jet Fighters, Pentagon Source Claims

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 1, 2009: In testimony to the U.S. Senate, outgoing head of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen. Michael Maples stated that Syria is expected to receive advanced MiG-31Es from Russia.

Several other variants have been developed, including a dedicated anti-satellite missile carrier, the MiG-31D; a similar satellite-launching aircraft, MiG-31A; a proposed multi-role version, MiG-31F; and a downgraded export version, MiG-31E; but most have not been built in any quantity, if at all. Syrian Air Force has 8 MiG-31E on order.

Following a visit to Moscow by Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2006, reports from the Russian press announced a deal for the aircraft but were quickly denied by the Kremlin and state arms-trader Rosoboronexport.

The reported deal also included sales of MiG-29s and Yak-130 jet trainers to Damascus. The Syrian Air Force - built upon Soviet-legacy and Russian-build aircraft - is obsolete and based around badly aged MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-29 squadrons.

Despite Russia's previous denial of the deal, Maples stated that the MiG-31Es will be delivered to Damascus soon, along with MiG-29M/M2 fighters. Maples also testified that Syria remains focused on upgrading its missile, rocket, anti-tank, aircraft, and air-defense inventories.

MiG-21: The Symbol Of The Military Might Of The Soviet Union / MiG-21 Approaches Its Twilight Years / MiG-21 Renown In War, During Action

MiG-21: The Symbol Of The Military Might Of The Soviet Union / MiG-21 Approaches Its Twilight Years / MiG-21 Renown In War, During Action

(NSI News Source Info) March 24, 2009: An icon of the Cold War, the MiG-21 came to symbolize the military might of the Soviet Union as it squared off against the West in conflicts from Vietnam to Africa and the Middle East. Now, exactly 50 years after it entered service, the jet fighter is approaching the twilight of its career in frontline service - with NATO, the former Soviet Union's main rival.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the famous Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage. Early versions are considered second-generation jet fighters, while later versions are considered to be third-generation jet fighters. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations a half-century after its maiden flight. The fighter has the distinction of holding a number of modern aviation records; it is the most produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history, the most produced combat aircraft since the Korean War, and it had the longest production run of a combat aircraft. It has been estimated that more than 10,000 MiG-21s were built. The rugged and agile jet earned a reputation as a versatile and effective short-range interceptor with low operating costs and excellent performance. Just like the Kalashnikov AK-47 automatic rifle - another robust and reliable weapon that epitomized Soviet power - the MiG-21 holds a unique place in military history. "It was one of the best fighters ever, very reliable, and a real challenge to all pilots who fought against it," said David Ivry, a former chief of the Israeli Air Force who battled MiG-21s as a squadron leader in the 1967 Six-Day War and as a commander in the 1973 and 1982 wars. MiGs derived their name from the initials of their designers, Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. Codenamed Fishbed by NATO, the MiG-21 gained fame during the Vietnam War, where it was used by the North Vietnamese air force to intercept American bombers. Although heavily outnumbered, the small Fishbeds could evade radar and ambush U.S. formations with hit-and-run attacks in which many U.S. jets, including top-of-the line F-4 Phantoms, were downed or forced to abort their missions. "The MiG-21 was lighter and more agile than the Phantom, which gave it a better chance to survive in a dogfight," wrote Russian aviation historian Vladimir Babich, who analyzed the MiG's performance in Vietnam. The U.S. Air Force first gained vital insight into the Mig-21s capabilities after a defecting Iraqi pilot brought one to Israel in 1966. The Israelis also exploited their findings during the 1967 Six-Day war, when their surprise air strikes destroyed the Arab air forces on the ground. Although the plane's performance was enhanced over the years, designers never succeeded in overcoming the limited fuel capacity, stemming from the design's small size. Another weakness was thick windshield framing that reduced the pilot's forward visibility, a serious problem during aerial combat. Still, more than 10,000 MiG-21s were built, making it the most widely produced jet fighter ever built. The delta-winged Mach 2 interceptor - Mach 2 is double the speed of sound - was widely exported and became the backbone of about 50 air forces in Europe, Africa and Asia. It was used in a dozen armed conflicts in the past 30 years, more than any other fighter in history. In the 1970s, the U.S. introduced two jets which outperformed the MiG-21 - the new F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The Soviets countered with MiG-29s and Sukhoi-27s. By the 1980s the aging Fishbeds were relegated to second-line duties, like reconnaissance. Russia has long since retired the MiG-21, but it remains operational with numerous air forces around the world. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the USSR's former East European allies joined NATO, bringing more than 200 of their aging MiG-21s into the Western alliance. Most have since been replaced, but the old warhorse soldiers on in NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, and in Croatia, scheduled to join the alliance in 2009. All three plan to retire the Fishbed over the next three or four years. Alen Warnes, editor of Air Forces Monthly, a specialized British publication, noted that the MiG-21 is the last fighter from the 1950s to remain operational and that no other fighter has achieved such longevity. "No aircraft has influenced military aviation in post-World War II Europe more than the MiG-21," Warnes said.

India’s Fighter Aircraft Of Russian Origin - Modernization

India’s Fighter Aircraft Of Russian Origin - Modernization 

(NSI News Source Info) New Delhi, India - March 18, 2009: India’s updated MiG-21 ‘Bisons’ before, and noted the trouble they have caused American opponents at COPE India 2004 & 2005. Deliveries on that $600+ million program continue; meanwhile the delivery date for the winning aircraft in India’s forthcoming light-medium fighter tender remains up in the air, and India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) program has been beset by numerous problems and ongoing delays. By 2010, the IAF will have phased out most of its 300-or-so MiG-21s, the 16-18 aircraft in its only remaining swing-wing MiG-23 ground attack squadron, around 100-110 related swing-wing MiG-27M Bahadur ground attack fighters that are not being upgraded, and the MiG-25 Foxbat strategic reconnaissance jets (already phased out). 125 MiG-21 Bis interceptors and 40 upgraded MiG-27ML fighters will remain. As the timelines for replacements stretch, India’s defense planners are concluding that more upgrades will be necessary in order to keep their existing fleet viable. February 2006 reports discussed a decision to upgrade India’s existing fleet of MiG-29B, MiG-29S, and two-seat MiG-29UB “Baaz” (Falcon) aircraft as well, in order to give them multi-role capabilities and improve their ability to carry advanced weapons. December 2006 reports from MosNews et. al. indicated that a contract has been signed, but it wasn’t until March 2008 that a deal was finalized. Now, India is reacting to Russia’s grounding of its own MiG-29 fleet, following some catastrophic accidents involving the fighter’s tail fins… Wanting a New Baaz: The Upgrades A Better Baaz: Program Updates India was the first international customer of the MiG-29. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for more than 50 MiG-29s in 1980 while the aircraft was still in its initial development phase. Since its induction into the IAF in 1985, the aircraft has undergone a series of modifications with the addition of new avionics, sub-systems, turbofan engines and radars. The upgraded Indian version is known as Baaz (Hindi for Hawk) and forms a crucial component of the second-line offensive aircraft-fleet of the IAF after the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The MiG-29’s good operational record prompted India to sign a deal with Russia in 2005/06 to upgrade its 67 MiG-29s for US$888 million. Under the deal, Russia replaced the old N019 radar with the Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. Russia also gave India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited the license to manufacture 120 RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines for the upgrade. The MiG-29s were also upgraded for mid-air refueling to increase their endurance. In 2008, the IAF awarded the MiG Corporation another US$900 million contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s. The upgrade will include a new weapon control system, avionics, cockpit ergonomics, air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and "smart" aerial bombs. The upgraded MiG-29s will also have an enhanced beyond-visual-range combat ability. The first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia while the remaining 63 MiGs will be upgraded at the Hindustan Aeronautics facility in India. India also awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Israel Aircraft Industries to provide avionics and sub-systems for the upgrade. In January 2004, the Indian Navy signed a contract for the delivery of 12 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB which will be operated from INS Vikramaditya. The first MiG-29KUB manufactured for the Navy took to the skies in May 2008. The first four aircraft were delivered to India in February 2009. There were also reports that the Indian Navy would purchase an additional 30 MiG-29Ks and -KUBs for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. The Indian Air Force expressed concern after 90 MiG-29s were grounded in Russia. After carrying out an extensive inspection, the IAF cleared all MiG-29s in its fleet. IANS reported in December 2006 that India was “finalizing” a proposal to have its fleet of MiG-29 lightweight fighters refurbished for $888 million by the Russian company RSK-MiG, which has a dedicated upgrade set designed to turn older MiG-29 air defense fighters into multi-role MiG-29SMT/UBT fighters. India’s focus on its domestic industries will ensure that its modifications will include their share of unique attributes and equipment, in addition to the standard set. The upgraded MiG-29s are expected to remain in service for 10-15 years after being fitted with upgraded weapons and a new avionics suite, including the Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. Phazotron’s Zhuk-M is a derivative of the baseline Zhuk radar, but its acquisition range has increased 1.5 times, with a wide scan and tracking area of + / – 85 deg. in azimuth and + / – 60 deg. in elevation, terrain following mode, and ground target acquisition including high-resolution modes. Normally, these moves would accompany weapons upgrades. India’s MiG-29s are already believed to be capable of firing the R-77/AA-12 “AMRAAMski” medium range air-air missile, but photos consistently show the R-27/ AA-10. The new systems will offer certain R-77 compatibility, along with the ability to mount precision air-to-ground weapons. Upgraded electronic warfare systems round out the package, to improve survivability against modern threats. In terms of aerodynamic performance, India’s MiG-29s will be upgraded with extra fuel tanks in a thickened center spine, but the MiG-29SMT upgrades will continue to suffer from “Soviet short-legs syndrome.” Adding mid-air refueling capability completes the upgrade, offering dramatic changes to their deployment range. Unspecified engine modifications may also correct some of the problems experienced with the R-33 engine, such as the visible smoke trails that have already been addressed in the MiG-29M2. This will not quite bring the older MiG-29s up to the status of the MiG-29M2 multi-role aircraft, let alone the thrust-vectoring MiG-29OVT/MiG-35 model that Russia is reportedly offering for India’s light-medium fighter competition. Nevertheless, India will be left with an aircraft that is comparable to the F-16C as a strike fighter, with overall air-to-air performance that is arguably superior to all but the F-16 Block 60s with their ultra-advanced AESA radar. Indian MiG-27M MiG-27L. This was an export variant of the MiG-27M provided in 1986 to India in knock-down kits for license-assembly. Same as MiG-27M except the undernose fairing for the infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor has a single window instead of several like the one on the original MiG-27M. A total of 130 were assembled by India. MiG-27H. This was a 1988 indigenous Indian upgrade of its license-assembled MiG-27L with French avionics, which provides the same level of performance but with much reduced size and weight. The space saved is used to house the French Agave radar. At least 120 were converted from MiG-27Ls. Reports indicate that RSK-MiG will be the sole vendor to perform the upgrades and service life extension tasks, but there have also been reports that components would come from a range of Indian, Russian, French, Israeli (Elbit has its own MiG-29 ‘Sniper’ upgrade program), and possibly even American vendors. The Americans would represent a new source, but the others all contributed to the MiG-21 Bis upgrade, and the $130+ million MiG-27ML upgrade sources equipment from Russia, Israel, and Britain (Vinten optical pod), and may include other countries as well.

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Turkey has bought another 30 F-16C Block 50 fighters, for over $60 million each. This will give Turkey one of the largest F-16s fleets (nearly 250) in the world. Like Israel, Turkey is upgrading its older F-16s.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

There are actually six major models of the F-16 currently in use, and identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version (the Block 60), for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.) Countries like Turkey can thus add the new components and turn an older F-16 into a more powerful late model. There are also some older (Block 1, 5, 15, 20, 25, 30) aircraft out there, all with two decade old technology. Turkey is also becoming a bigger player in the upgrade market. For example, Pakistan is having a Turkish firm to upgrade elderly Pakistani F-16s from Block 15 configuration to Block 40. Now that the U.S. has lifted its arms embargo on Pakistan, there are many firms competing for all the work needed to update older American weapons still used by Pakistan.

The Turks have long had good trade relations with Pakistan, and have also developed, with the help of the U.S. and Israel, a capable aircraft maintenance and upgrade industry. Most of the F-16 work will be done in Pakistan, using Turkish engineers and technicians supervising some local workers, and using largely imported (from Turkey and elsewhere) components. The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and more in production. There are 24 nations using the F-16, and 14 have ordered more, in addition to their initial order. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane production has plummeted about 90 percent.

But since the end of the Cold War, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going. This despite the fact that the F-35 is supposed to replace the F-16. But the F-35 price keeps going up (it's headed north of $100 million per aircraft), and the F-16 continues to get the job done at half that price.

India Decommissions Last MiG-23 Ground Support Aircraft / Indian Air Force To Retire MiG-23 Fighters

India Decommissions Last MiG-23 Ground Support Aircraft / Indian Air Force To Retire MiG-23 Fighters

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - March 7, 2009: India decommissioned on Friday its last MiG-23 Flogger fighter-bomber, a Soviet era aircraft in service with the Indian air force for 28 years, a Defense Ministry official said. "It was the best ground support aircraft we have ever had," the source said.

Indian Air force. All four squadrons of IAF have been phased out : MiG-23BN ground attack aircraft on 6th March 2009 & MiG-23MF air defence interceptor in 2007. The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (NATO reporting name: "Flogger") is a swing-wing fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau in the Soviet Union and is considered to belong to the "Third Generation" aircraft category along with similar-aged Russian-produced fighters like the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first Soviet fighter with a look-down/shoot-down radar and beyond visual range missiles, and the first MiG production fighter plane to have intakes at the sides of the fuselage. Production started in 1970 and reached large numbers with over 5,000 aircraft built. Today the MiG-23 remains in limited service with various export customers. India's fighter fleet has boasted 70 MiG-23BN and MiG-23MF aircraft since the beginning of the 1980s. The planes were used extensively in military encounters with neighboring Pakistan. During the Kargil War with Pakistan in 1999, MiG-23s played an important role in supporting an Indian ground offensive in the Kashmir region. However, steep maintenance costs and the lack of spare parts for the outdated aircraft led to its decommissioning. India is replacing the old MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft with new Su-30MKI multi-role fighters, which are produced under a Russian license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and entered service with the IAF in 2002. India signed a deal with Russia to manufacture 140 Su-30 fighters in late 1990s, and ordered 40 additional Su-30s in 2007. With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,130 combat aircraft in active service, the Indian Air Force is the fourth largest in the world.

India: After The Hawk, A Supersonic Trainer LCA

India: After The Hawk, A Supersonic Trainer LCA (NSI News Source Info) February 16, 2009: It took immense public pressure and the death of tens of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots for the government to okay the purchase of 66 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) for training rookie pilots on fast jets before sending them off to the MiG Operational Flying Training School (MOFTU) in Tezpur. There they are put into the cockpit of one of the world’s fastest and most unforgiving fighters — the MiG-21. It is no coincidence that accidents are dramatically down since training began on the Hawk. Now the IAF is purchasing another trainer that could equip its pilots even better for flying the high performance fighters — the upgraded Jaguars, MiG-21s, 27s and 29s, the Mirage 2000s, the brutally powerful Su-30MKI and the MMRCA, when that is inducted — which will comprise the new IAF. Top MoD sources have told Business Standard that the IAF will soon order from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) twelve of the newly developed two-seater trainer version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). DRDO chief M Natarajan confirms that the Tejas trainer is set to make its first flight within two months.The first squadron of the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) named Tejas will be deployed down south in Tamil Nadu, when the first batch of the 20 fighter aircrafts are expected to be inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2009-2010. This will give IAF pilots an additional stage of training. Currently, Stage I is carried out on a basic trainer, the HPT-32; Stage II on slightly faster and more complex aircraft like the Kiran; and Stage III on the jet-engined, but sub-sonic Hawk AJT. The induction of an LCA trainer will allow IAF pilots to fly a supersonic, light fighter before graduating to the combat squadrons. Most advanced western air forces do not conduct four stages of training; instead, they rely extensively on aircraft simulators. But the IAF, like some other air forces, has tended to prefer live flying. To benefit from such a demand, South Korea has built and is marketing a supersonic trainer called the T-50 Golden Eagle. Natarjan declared at Aero India 2009 that the Tejas trainer would compete effectively with the Golden Eagle. Ashok Nayak, Managing Director of HAL’s Bangalore Complex and the company’s next chief, explains that the Tejas assembly line will be busy until 2014, producing the IAF’s first order of 20 Tejas aircraft, which will include 16 single-seater fighters and 4 twin-seater trainers. Then, while the Tejas is reengineered and flight-tested with a new, more powerful engine, the assembly line will produce 12 more trainers. For HAL, the new order is a relief, as it will keep the Tejas assembly line rolling. Nayak points out: “It is not in the interest of the Air Force, or of HAL, to have a break in production.” Business Standard travelled to HAL for an exclusive look at the new Tejas trainer. From the outside, there is little to distinguish it from the single-seater fighter that performed aerobatics at the just-concluded Aero India 2009 show. A closer look, however, reveals an expanded cockpit, in which two pilots — an instructor and a trainee — sit one behind the other, both equipped with all the controls needed to fly the aircraft. The design team for the twin-seater Tejas trainer was led by two women engineers — Poongothai, and Mamatha K — of HAL’s Aircraft Research and Development Centre. They pointed out that the additional pilot’s seat and controls have all been squeezed into the existing airframe, obviating the need for time-consuming redesign of the single-seater Tejas’ airframe.

Asia's Biggest Air Show Aero India 2009 Takes Off

Asia's Biggest Air Show Aero India 2009 Takes Off

(NSI News Source Info) Bangalore - February 11, 2009: Aero India 2009 took off to a roaring start Wednesday with India flaunting its air power in a stunning aerobatics display by fighter jets, helicopters and jet trainers. Billed as the biggest biennial event in South Asia, the five-day seventh edition of Aero India 2009 began on a sunny and breezy day from the Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Yelahanka, about 20 km from Bangalore. With a security blanket in place to ward off terror attacks, about 5,000 people, including diplomats and air chiefs from the world over, were treated to a two-hour spectacular show by scores of IAF pilots. The inaugural by Defence Minister AK Antony in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa was marked by a flypast and breathtaking manouveres from IAF's assorted aircraft -- Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-21, supersonic jet trainer Hawk and subsonic trainer Kiran and a slew of helicopters.

Indian Air Force's Russian-made Sukhoi-30 aircraft lands as well other aircrafts as F-A 18 'Super Hornet', United Arab Emirates F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon during the inauguration ceremony of the "Aero India 2009" at Yelahanka air force station on the outskirts of the southern Indian city of Bangalore February 11, 2009. The 7th Aero India, organised by the ministry of defence, showcases the latest in the field of military and civil aircrafts. The show runs from February 11 to 15. Four indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of the state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) scrambled over the gathering, while a IAF fleet of Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) aerobatic team christened Sarang kept spirits soaring high. IAF's transport behemoths and air-to-air refuelling aircraft had the spectators in awe with their sheer size and functionality mid-air. "Growing in stature, size and public participation, the air show has emerged as the most important event in South Asia, drawing global attention," Defence Secretary (production) Pradeep Kumar said in his introductory remarks. With 25 countries participating and 50 official delegations, including many led by their defence ministers and air chiefs, the Indian version of the air show has come of an age to turn into a war theatre for the world's major aerospace firms and a global consortium. A total of 592 firms, including 303 from overseas and 289 from the Indian subcontinent, are showcasing their products and technologies spanning military and civilian sectors to woo the country's three armed services and the burgeoning aviation industry. The Indian government is set to invest a whopping Rs.1.4 trillion ($30 billion) over the next five years to modernise and upgrade its defence services. The IAF order to induct 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) into its depleting fleet as a replacement to the aging MiG-21 old warhorse has made the six global aerospace bidders vie for the estimated $10 billion (Rs 500 billion) contract by flying in their metal birds to show their strike power. A dozen global aerospace firms, including the state-run HAL, as well as US and German air forces have flown in their fighter jets, transport planes, a fleet of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles for flying and static displays at the event. Among them are the American Lockheed Martin with its strike fighter F-16, Boeing with its F-18 Super Hornet, Russian MiG with MiG-35, European consortium with Eurofighter (Typhoon) and HAL/IAF with Sukhoi, Hawk, Intermediate Jet (IJT) and Dhruv. Spanning an area of 44,000 square metres as against 30,000 sq m in 2007, the exhibition area has five international pavilions hosting Australia, Belgium, Germany, Israel and Romania, 54 chalets and about 600 stalls to house international and Indian firms and a host of facilities forming the eco-system. With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) riding high on the successful launch of India's maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 to the moon, a space pavilion is also put up to flag the country's prowess in space technology and space applications. "We are expecting about 125,000 visitors, including 50,000 business delegates and about 75,000 people from across the country, especially Bangalore and Karnataka," Kumar said. To provide foolproof security and prevent any untoward incident, the venue has been turned into a fortress, with three-tier protective layer, 140 closed circuit television (CCTV), three x-ray machines, radio frequency identification (RFID), 330 defence service corps, 180 air force police personnel as well as platoons of the Central Industrial Security Force and special commando forces.

F-16 Fighting Falcon Is A Versatile, Reliable Proven A Successful Multirole Aircraft

F-16 Fighting Falcon Is A Versatile, Reliable Proven A Successful Multirole Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) February 5, 2009: February 4, 2009: The U.S. F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and more to come. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s.

The F-16 can also function as a bomber and ground attack aircraft, although not as effectively as the air force folks would have you believe. It can carry four tons of bombs. In air-to-air combat, it has shot down 69 aircraft so far, without losing anything to enemy warplanes. It was originally designed as a cheaper alternative to the heavier F-15. The F-16 are sturdy, and one has spent 7,000 hours in the air before being retired. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours in the air. But advances in engineering, materials and maintenance techniques have extended that to over 8,000 hours. The F-16 is used by 25 different countries.

The aircraft is still in production, and is to be replaced in U.S. service by the F-35. But with delays in getting F-35 production going, and trouble keeping the F-35 price down, it appears that the F-16 will remain in production for another decade. Part of the reason for that is the adaptability of the F-16. It's one of those aircraft that is easily upgraded. Consider the Israeli F-16I. This is a 24 ton, two seat fighter-bomber, and is probably the most capable F-16 model in service. It's basically a modified version of the F-16C/D Block 50/52, equipped with a more advanced radar (the APG-68(X)) and the ability to carry Israeli weapons like the Python 4 air-to-air missile and the Popeye 2 air-to-surface missile.

Costing $45 million each, the F-16I has an excellent navigation system, which allows it to fly on the deck (a few hundred feet from the ground), without working the pilot to death. The aircraft can do this at night or in any weather. The F-16I can carry enough fuel to hit targets 1,600 kilometers away (meaning Iran is within range). The aircraft uses the latest short and long range air-to-air missiles, as well as smart bombs.

Electronic countermeasures are carried, as is a powerful computer system, which records the details of each sortie in great detail. This is a big help for training.

The F-16I is basically optimized to deliver smart bombs anywhere, despite dense air defenses. This further increases Israels military power versus its neighbors. Israel has received 102 new F-16I fighter-bombers in the last five years. Added to this will be another 125, as older F-16s are upgraded. What is more likely to put the F-16 out of business are unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper. The 4.7 ton Reaper has a wingspan of 66 feet and a payload of 1.5 tons. Reaper is considered a combat aircraft, because it can carry everything from the hundred pound Hellfire missile, to the 500 pound laser or GPS guided smart bomb.

Reaper has a laser designator, as well as day and night (infrared) cameras. Reaper can stay in the air for over 14 hours and operate at up to 50,000 feet. A fully tricked out Reaper costs about $18 million per aircraft (with all the high end sensors). Thus the 19 ton F-16 costs more than twice as much as a Reaper, and is much more expensive to operate. The F-16 uses over a hundred times more fuel, per hour in the air, and with the price of oil rapidly rising, that itself means a lot.

Put simply, It's cheaper, more effective, and safer (for pilots) to use Reapers (or similar aircraft) for a lot of the ground support work. Fighters are still needed to keep the skies clear of enemy aircraft, although Reapers are better suited for the dangerous work of destroying enemy air defenses. But for fighting irregulars, the Reaper is king, and there are more bad guys with guns on the ground, than in the air.

F-16 Seen As Still Competitive, Has Backlog Of 215 Orders / Lockheed Martin's F-16 Still Competitive In Fighter Market

F-16 Seen As Still Competitive, Has Backlog Of 215 Orders / Lockheed Martin's F-16 Still Competitive In Fighter Market

(NSI News Source Info) NEWTOWN, Conn. - January 30, 2009: The Lockheed Martin F-16 has been continually upgraded since production began decades ago, and the latest Block 50/52 and Block 60/E/F variants remain highly capable and affordable multirole fighters. Lockheed Martin received an order from Morocco at the end of 2007, snatching the 24-aircraft order away from Dassault's Rafale in a last minute effort.

Lockheed Martin is able to be aggressive on pricing the F-16, and as in prior years the purchase of F-16s is one way of increasing a nation’s ties with the American defense establishment.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976.

Other recent customers include Turkey, which executed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for 30 aircraft during 2007 (consisting of 14 single-seat C models and 16 two-seat Ds). The Turkish aircraft will be assembled and delivered by TUSAS beginning in 2011. The new aircraft will replace about half the TuAF's elderly F-4 fleet in the near term as the service waits for the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to arrive on the scene.

Greece ordered 30-unit Block 52+ F-16s in December 2005, but the Greek government later announced that it would not be exercising a 10-aircraft option under the deal and would be looking elsewhere to fill an ongoing requirement for another 30 fighters.

The Pakistani Air Force has ordered 18 new fighters through the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales program at the end of 2007. The order is part of a bigger deal to upgrade the PAF's existing fleet of A/B model F-16s. Pakistan took an option to purchase an additional 18 fighters under the deal. Pakistan may exercise these options, but funding the purchase will be difficult at the same time the PAF is purchasing large numbers of Chengdu FC-1s. Ongoing political turmoil in the country could also cause further deliveries of F-16s to be blocked by the U.S. government. Israel noted back in mid-2005 that it was considering additional purchases F-16 fighters if the F-35 program were to suffer further delays. Israel has also made noises about cutting its requirement for F-35s than expected.

Taiwan has long been expected to order 66 F-16s as part of an effort to recapitalize a portion of its fighter fleet, but domestic political wrangling has held up the process, along with the Bush administration's seeming ambivalence to the deal. Washington is currently looking to China to cooperate on a number of security issues, including efforts to end the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. The Taiwanese Air Force's plan to order 66 new F-16s will likely never reach fruition.

The F-16 also is in the running for a potentially huge order by the Indian Air Force, which issued a long-awaited Request for Proposals in August 2007 to fill a requirement for 126-200 new multirole fighters. The Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft program is intended to replace many of the service's elderly MiG-21s. Competing against the F-16 are the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Dassault Rafale, the MiG-35, and the Saab Gripen. Among the Western-built aircraft, the F-16 and Gripen are single-engined fighters that provide a “low-cost” alternative to the heavier, twin-engined Super Hornet and Rafale. The MiG-35 is a follow-on to the MiG-29, which is already in service with the IAF.

The RFP was not made available to the public, and it is not clear from the outside what factors the IAF considers most important in selecting a new fighter. In making its selection, India can be expected to be wary of offending long-time supplier Russia, but the nation is currently in a period of warming relations with the U.S. government, and U.S. recognition of India's right to develop its nuclear facilities may be rewarded by a large aircraft purchase.

Elsewhere, Lockheed Martin notes that “several customers” are showing high interest in the F-16E/F (formerly the Block 60 model developed for the United Arab Emirates), but many nations that would offer the best prospects for a new order are the same nations Lockheed Martin believes will be drawn to the F-35.

The F-35 was designed with the idea of supplanting the F-16 as the pre-eminent “affordable” multirole fighter in the western and Asian defense markets. Looking ahead, and Lockheed Martin may find itself in the same position as Dassault when the latter was offering customers both the Mirage 2000 and Rafale at the same time. Offering two aircraft that compete against each other may become an undesirable position for Lockheed Martin, or the F-16 may continue to be offered to customers that cannot afford the expected higher cost of the F-35.

Forecast International's projections call for production of the F-16 out to 2016, but additional orders could well extend production out several more years.

Eastern Europe has shown an affinity for cheap, single-engine fighters in recent years as countries in the region look to meet NATO responsibilities without breaking their limited defense budgets. Romania and Bulgaria is reported to be interested in acquiring 16 fighters, and the F-16 and Gripen are prime contenders for orders from these nations. Romania is looking for 48 fighters to replace 100 MiG-21s in its inventory. Funding is an obstacle, however. The near-term costs of the acquisition could be reduced by purchasing a mixture of new and refurbished aircraft or signing a lease deal.

The continuing interest in Lockheed Martin's F-16 is keeping GE and Pratt & Whitney busy building F110 and F100 engines for export orders, while both companies are developing engines for 5th generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35.

Overall, production during the 2009-2018 forecast period is projected to total 215 aircraft.