aircraft.zurf.info

Robert Knoops

Building China's Aircraft Carriers: Return of Zheng He

Unseen since the big fleet of gigantic ships of Zheng He (三保太監下西洋), the admiral and explorer of the Ming-dynasty in the 15th century; the Chinese Navy will become a blue-water navy again after more than 600 years of absence. China is working hard to build it's own aircraft carriers; between 2012 and 2020 an estimated 5 aircraft carriers will extend its military power to wherever the oceans reach, reflecting China's status as the rising superpower of the 21th century. China might also become a pioneer in deploying UAVs and UCAVs on the new aircraft carriers. On 10 august 2011 the first Chinese aircraft carrier started sea trials.

Made in China: Selling Combat Aircraft to the World

In the last few years quite a number of articles appeared in the international press about China entering the military aircraft export market; especially in the third world. In the past China has sold aircraft to controversial states such as Sudan, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. Combat aircraft such as the older A-5 and J-7 or the more modern J-10 and JF-17 can be bought at a bargain compared to European, American and Russian combat aircraft. Will "Made in China" become as commonplace in the military aircraft export market as in other export sectors?

Creation of the South Sudan Air Force

On 9 January 2011 the people of South Sudan start voting for independence of Southern Sudan. Although this will last a week, the outcome seems clear: Southern Sudan will become an independent country. This will almost certainly mean that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 will end and the war with (Northern) Sudan might flare up again. In order to defend South Sudan, an air force is needed. What is the current status of this?

Iran shows downed US UAV, but is it real?

Iranian television showed the downed US UAV it claimed to have shot down last week. The images show an intact drone that resembles the RQ170 sentinel UAV, nicknamed the Beast of Kandahar. This contradicts the claim that it was shot down and it seems unlikely that the UAV crashed without any damage. It is more likely that a model of the RQ170 was shown.

Israeli airstrike in Sudan kills Hamas commander

On 5 April 2011 at 22:00 a car driving from Port Sudan Airport to Port Sudan was destroyed by a missile. Both passengers were killed and one of the passengers is probably a senior military commander of the Palestinian Hamas. According to the Sudanese Foreign Minister it was an Israeli attack. Israel declines to comment this.

Removing Gaddafi from Libya

On 17 March the UN Security Council resolution aproved a no-fly zone. The prepared plan to attack Gaddafi forces and enforce protection of civilians was started by a coalition of countries. Initiators France and the United Kingdom and the United States are major contributors. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are Arab participants, which may commit sizeable forces. The possible UAE participation is still contradictory. The ultimate goal might be an Arab guarded truce between Gadaffi and the opposition.

On 19 March Operation Odyssey Dawn started, with the French Air Force spearheading the attacks on Gaddafi's ground forces. Click and scroll the timeline to follow events or view the news by location.

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19-May 11:27

RAF gets latest C-17

19-May 6:00

U.S. to Unveil Initiatives to Bolster NATO

19-May 2:00

India heads towards inking more arms deals with US as Panetta comes calling next month

19-May 2:00

Could We Trust Killer Robots?

19-May 2:00

House OKs $642 billion defense bill

19-May 2:00