Russia’s Air Force ‘eating into’ aircraft lifespans, with no easy solution

Russia’s Air Force ‘eating into’ aircraft lifespans, with no easy solution
Russia’s Air Force ‘eating into’ aircraft lifespans, with no easy solution

“When it comes to the Russian VKS all you can say sometimes is ‘thank God for shoddy maintenance,’” a NATO-nation military aviation analyst told Breaking Defense.

Putin’s comments underline growing Russian concern over jet, tank production

Putin’s comments underline growing Russian concern over jet, tank production
Putin’s comments underline growing Russian concern over jet, tank production

Experienced observers of Russia’s defense sector point out that the US-led sanctions have a disproportionate effect on aerospace production, more so than any other sector.

Turkey’s Fighter Flirtation With Russia: Is it Serious?

Turkey’s Fighter Flirtation With Russia: Is it Serious?
Turkey’s Fighter Flirtation With Russia: Is it Serious?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already requested a series of F-16 upgrades from the US, but may be using Russia for political leverage.

Russia, KSA Strengthen Military Ties In Signal To Washington; UAVs, Helos Potentially On Table

Russia, KSA Strengthen Military Ties In Signal To Washington; UAVs, Helos Potentially On Table
Russia, KSA Strengthen Military Ties In Signal To Washington; UAVs, Helos Potentially On Table

If Saudi Arabia want to send a signal to Washington without really endangering the American-Saudi security relationship, they’ll limit their arms deals with Russia to smaller – or even token – orders of relatively benign equipment.

Egyptian Deal For Rafale Fighters Boosts Data Sharing

Egyptian Deal For Rafale Fighters Boosts Data Sharing
Egyptian Deal For Rafale Fighters Boosts Data Sharing

Egyptian sources tell Breaking Defense that this may not be the last Rafale purchase. Egypt is now eying the Rafale F4. “We are looking to increase the (overall) number to 72 or 100 units, depending on Egypt’s financial capacity.”

Egypt, US Commit To Bright Star, Shared Logistics

Egypt, US Commit To Bright Star, Shared Logistics
Egypt, US Commit To Bright Star, Shared Logistics

Egypt’s geo-strategic location and status as largest Arab power makes it a vital partner to the U.S. military, even with Egyptian diversification policy that includes acquiring Russian jets.

US Threatens Egypt With Sanctions For Russian Arms Deals

US Threatens Egypt With Sanctions For Russian Arms Deals
US Threatens Egypt With Sanctions For Russian Arms Deals

Despite receiving billions in US military assistance, Egypt has inked some big deals with Russia in recent years for aircraft and helicopters. And Moscow says it want to do more.

Brexit, Russian Threat Shape Farnborough; F-35 Dominates Show

Brexit, Russian Threat Shape Farnborough; F-35 Dominates Show
Brexit, Russian Threat Shape Farnborough; F-35 Dominates Show

The Lockheed Martin F-35B advanced short take-off and vertical landing aircraft will make its debut at this year’s Farnborough International Air Show. The last combat aircraft in this class to premiere at Farnborough was the Yakovlev Yak-41 (Yak-141) Freestyle more than 20 years ago. How times have changed. The Freestyle was unarguably a star of what…

Stars of 2013 Paris Air Show: Russian Su-35; European Neuron UAV: NO Americans

Stars of 2013 Paris Air Show: Russian Su-35; European Neuron UAV: NO Americans
Stars of 2013 Paris Air Show: Russian Su-35; European Neuron UAV: NO Americans

PARIS AIR SHOW: It’s fair to say that the unabashed star of this show was the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter. It didn’t fly much but when it did, jaws dropped. With no American military fighters, helicopters or cargo planes flying here this year, the Su-35 pretty much had the show to itself, since the European…