New Sea King squadron takes over in Helmand

857 Naval Air Squadron has handed over responsibility for Sea King airborne surveillance and control duties in Afghanistan to 854 Naval Air Squadron. Both squadrons operate the Mk7 Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) helicopter and are employed for land surveillance using their radars to collect data to build a pattern of life in Helmand province.

Marine KC-130s get teeth in Afghanistan

The single KC-130J "Harvest Hawk" of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352 in Afghanistan has seen action for the first time in early November, successfully engaging a group of Taliban insurgents in Helmand province with a Hellfire missile.

Rosoboronexport to compete in US helicopter tender for Afghanistan

Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will compete in a helicopter tender for 21 Mi-171 Hip transport helicopters and equipment. The US government issued an RFP in July for the helicopters, to be used in the Afghan theater of operations.

The Russian exporter is also preparing a contract for the delivery of additional RD-93 jet engines to China. The RD-93 is a development of the RD-33 developed by Russia's Klimov design bureau for China's FC-1 Fierce Dragon fighter, known in Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder.

Italian navy deploys first AW101s to Afghanistan

The Italian navy's first combat deployment with the type, Task Group Shark's three AgustaWestland AW101 amphibious and special forces support helicopters have arrived in Afghanistan in October and are now operational. The Task Group deployed to Herat air base by US Air Force Boeing C-17 strategic along with 67 personnel.

UK renews Hermes 450 contract for Afghanistan

The British Army has awarded a follow-on contract under an urgent operational requirement deal to receive continued intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance services in Afghanistan using leased Hermes 450 unmanned air vehicles. The new deal will extend the company's current tactical UAV service in Afghanistan by a further 18 months.

Australian Chinooks depart Afghanistan

After 737 flying hours and having moved in excess of 691,000 kilograms of supplies and equipment over the last eight months, Australia's Rotary Wing Group and its two CH-47 Chinooks are returning home from Afghanistan. The task group will return to Afghanistan in early 2011 to recommence flight operations in support of ISAF efforts.

See related Australian Defence Force Image Gallery

'Red Devils' clear path for 'Werewolves'

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), is down to the last 30 days of their deployment at Kandahar Airbase in Afghanistan. During the course of its deployment the Red Devils have dropped 24,000 lbs of ordnance and fired 30,000 20 mm rounds. They will be replaced by VMFA-122 'Werewolves'.

Charles de Gaulle leaves for Indian Ocean cruise

The French Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will set sail on a four-month mission to fight piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean and support NATO troops in Afghanistan. Its combat group will consist of two frigates, a submarine and the 27 aircraft of its air wing which includes ten Rafale F3 Omnirole fighters.

ISAF Chinook attacked in Afghanistan; 1 killed

The International Stabilisation Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has reported that a Chinook helicopter carrying 26 personnel has been hit on the ground by an RPG anti-tank rocket. An Afghan interpreter has been killed and eight ISAF and Afghan personnel wounded.

Italian Navy deploys AW101 to Afghanistan

Italy has announced that three Italian Navy AW-101 helicopters wii arrive in Afghanistan in mid-October to start a 12 month tour. The helicopters are being flown to Afghanistan by a U.S. Air Force C-17, and will be based with Italian forces in Herat.

Germany to withdraw Tornadoes from Afghanistan

Germany's Defense Minister has announced that the Luftwaffe's Tornado ECR detachment in Afghanistan is being withdrawn. The six aircraft have been in action in Afghanistan, mainly in the reconnaissance role.

Mi-8/17 prices surge on high demand

The Mi-8/17 Hip transport helicopter is a valuable commodity. Prices for the Cold War-era Russian built helicopter have surged with demand in Afghanistan leading the way. Over 300 of the helicopters are being used by various armed forces and civilian operators alone.

Helicopter crash kills nine US troops in Afghanistan

Nine Americans from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force have died in a helicopter crash in Zabul province, southern Afghanistan. The Taliban has claimed to have shot down the helicopter, but ISAF says there were no signs of hostile fire prior to the crash of the unidentified helicopter.

Singapore deploys UAV team to Afghanistan

The Singapore Armed Forces has deployed a 52-man Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group to Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. This is the first time that the SAF is deploying a UAV Task Group to Afghanistan.

Photo: HH-60G Pave Hawk in Afghanistan

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An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter carrying combat search and rescue Airmen approaches a landing zone during an exercise at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. 2010. The exercise tested the rescue squadron's ability to provide medical aid to U.S. and coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Taliban planned to shoot down helicopter carrying UK PM

A helicopter carrying British PM David Cameron was targeted by the Taliban when he visited British troops in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in June. Coalition eavesdropping units overheard the plans and diverted the helicopter.

Denmark rejects NATO request for F-16 Afghan deployment

A NATO request for Denmark to deploy F-16s to Afghanistan has been rejected. Denmark already has 750 troops in volatile Helmand province and has proportionally suffered the heaviest losses of any ISAF nation with 34 combat and 2 non-combat deaths.

PHOTO: RAAF C-17 delivers six up-armoured Humvees

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Five of the six Hummer armoured vehicles prepare to move off being unloaded from a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt.

More about this story and images at the Australian Defence Force website

More RAF Tornadoes to Afghanistan

The RAF is increasing its Tornado detachment in Afghanistan from eight to ten aircraft, boosting the detachment's monthly flying hours by 25%.

Wikileaks Afghan documents provide drone operations insight; suggests Tabliban has MANPADs

The recent documents released by Wikileaks about the Afghan war provide a look at UAV operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as suggesting that the Taliban has man-portable Surface to Air missiles in its arsenal

To be honest, I'd have been more surprised if they had said the Taliban didn't have MANPADS.