Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 12 Sept 2013

Royal Thai Air Force Gripen (Gripen International/Saab Photo)

The Royal Thai Air Force held a ceremony at its Surat Thani base to mark the commissioning of the RTAF's Gripen Integrated Air Defense System. The RTAF has also expressed an interest in acquiring six more Gripens.

Lots of photos of the departure of Indonesia's first two KAI T-50 trainers leaving for their delivery flight to Indonesia via Kaoshiung, Taiwan and the Philippines. The T-50s were escorted by a TNI-AU Hawk Mk.53 when they arrived over Indonesia, with photos here and here. (Both TNI-AU photos)

Spotters badge for the T-50 Gallery goes to Irman

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 05 Sept 2013

TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force) Su-30MK2

Two more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 Flankers have arrived in Indonesia in knocked down condition from Russia. This completes Indonesia's order of Flankers.

Boeing is still warily confident of the F-15SE Silent Eagle being selected in South Korea when the expected announcement is made in 2-3 weeks. This wariness is despite reports that both the F-35 and Typhoon have already been eliminated.

The last Australian F-111 designated as a museum piece has left RAAF Amberley on it's way to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii on board an RAAF C-17.

After a delivery flight interrupted by a lightning strike on one of the aircraft, the last three Gripens Thailand has on order have arrived at Surat Thani, home to the RTAF's Wing 7.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 04 Sept 2013

Royal Thai Air Force Gripen (Gripen International/Saab Photo)

Despite recent crashes in South Korea, the Philippines is still keen on the KAI F/A-50 light combat jet to give it some badly needed combat capability.

The last three Thai Saab Gripen fighters should arrive in Thailand this afternoon after they were forced to extend their stay at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands after one was hit by lightning on its way to Surat Thani yesterday. This brings deliveries of the Gripen to the Royal Thai Air Force to 12, completing the Thai order.

Couple of very clear photos of Chinese aircraft participating in the Sino-Russian Exercise Peace Mission at Chelyabinsk, Russia in August. First up, a PLAAF Xi'an JH-7A fighter bomber followed by an armed Harbin Z-9WA light utility helicopter.

Malaysia offered leased Gripens from Sweden as its next fighter

Reports out of Malaysia has the country's Air Force chief saying that Malaysia is considering a Swedish offer of leasing 18 Saab Gripens for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's upcoming Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) contract.

Malaysia's combat fleet currently comprises of eight Boeing F/A-18D Hornets, 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM and a smaller number of MiG-29N/NUBs. The Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, more Sukhoi Su-30MKMs and Saab Gripen are currently in the running in the MRCA competition, which is due to be decided in 2013.

PHOTO: Air-to-air group photo of all Gripen users

Click on thumbnail for high-res imagery

A truly stunning photo. First and maybe only time all six Gripen customer nations have had an aircraft flying together - should be a one off shot, taken yesterday near Linkoping during the Swedish Aerospace Forum 2012. (Credit: Gripen/Jamie Hunter)

PHOTO: Royal Thai AF Gripen and Saab Erieye Air-to-Air photography

The Royal Thai Air Force has done some none-too-shabby air-to-air photography of their new Gripens and Saab 340 Erieye Airborne Early Warning platforms. Both types were inducted into the RTAF a few days ago.







More photos in this link.

Swedish Flygvapnet releases recon photo of Libyan airbase

The Swedish Flygvapnet has released on its official blog a reconnaissance photo taken by one of its Gripens of an airfield in Libya, showing what appears to be a lineup of Yugoslav-built SOKO G-2 Galeb trainers/light attack aircraft on the ramp. (Link in Swedish)

Thai Gripens set to take part in naval exercise

The Royal Thai Navy will conduct an annual naval exercise in the Gulf of Thailand near Sattahip, with the RTAF's newly-acquired Gripen jet fighters taking part in its first exercises. The RTAF's Saab 340 AEW&C platform will also take part in the exercise.

Eight Swedish Gripens arrive in Sigonella for Libya missions

Joining the advance force of three aircraft, five more Flygvapnet Gripens have arrived at Sigonella airbase, Sicily in preparation for joining the NATO mission enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya. One of the Gripens has been photographed carrying a Rafael Litening recon/targetting pod.

Swedish Gripens head to Sardinia for Libya operations

Sweden's contribution to enforcing the Libyan No-Fly Zone has started, with three Flygvapnet Gripens headed to Sardinia to begin patrols over Libya, leading the way for five more Gripens and a C-130 which will make up Sweden's contingent.

Sweden offers Gripens to Croatia in exchange for exercise rights

Sweden has offered to donate military aircraft to the Croatian Air Force, with Gripens on offer to the former Yugoslav republic in return for Sweden conducting some exercises at Croatia's Adriatic coast. The Croatians are seeking to replace their elderly MiG-21s.

Sweden signs up for Libyan NFZ with 8 Gripens

The Swedish Government has approved the deployment of eight Gripens to enforce the United Nations-mandated Libyan No Fly Zone. However the Swedish deployment does not authorise the Gripens to be used for ground attack missions. The Gripens will be supported by a C-130 and an unidentified "reconnaissance aircraft". (Ed: SIGINT Gulfstream V?)

RTAF Gripens undertake first fights from Surat Thani

The Royal Thai Air Force has flown its first flights with their newly delivered Gripens. Squadron Commander Jackkrit Thammavichai, with a Swedish Air Force pilot in the back seat of the Gripen D twin seater, was undertaken from Surat Thani a few days ago.

Thai Gripen photos

Saab Photo

Meanwhile Zord Gábor László who runs Air Power Blog has kindly allowed me to use his photos of the Thai Gripens landing at Kecskemét, Hungary during their ferry flight home.


Single seater 70106 (Photo Zord Gábor László/Air Power Blog)


Twin seater (Photo Zord Gábor László/Air Power Blog)


70101 showing the temporary Flygvapnet roundel and taped-over Thai flag on it's tail (Photo Zord Gábor László/Air Power Blog)


Closeup of RTAF's 701 Fighter Squadron insignia (Photo Zord Gábor László/Air Power Blog)

Gripens arrive in Thailand prior to RTAF handover

Crewed mainly by Swedish pilots, six Saab Gripen fighters have arrived at Surat Thani yesterday evening. The jets officially still belong to Sweden, and carried Swedish national insignia with RTAF roundels and the Thai flag blanked off. The jets will be inspected and officially handed over to the air force next month.

First Thai Gripens to arrive in Thailand tomorrow

The first of 12 Saab Gripens ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force is set to arrive at the Thai capital Bangkok. The first unit to be equipped with the new fighters will be the RTAF's Wing 7 at Surat Thani in the south of Thailand.

First six Thai Gripens to arrive in Thailand in late February

The first six Saab Gripen fighters ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force will be delivered on Feb 23. The fighters will be assigned to RTAF's Wing 7 and will be based at Surat Thani province in the south of Thailand. Thailand has twelve Gripens on order.

Brazilian AF prefers Super Hornet, but president prefers European option

According to US State Department cables leaked by whistleblower website Wikileaks, the Brazilian Air Force prefers the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet but President Lula preferred a European competitor due to technology transfer concerns. The French Rafale and Swedish Gripens are the other contenders for the tender.

Thailand signs up for more Gripens, Saab 340 AEWs and anti-ship missiles

Sweden and Thailand have signed an agreement for six more Gripen fighters, one Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning surveillance system and the Swedish RB 15F anti-ship missiles. The Royal Thai AF already has six Gripens and two Saab 340 AEWs on order.

Gripen fire Meteor for Swedish Integration Programme

A Swedish Gripen has test fired the MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile as part of the Flygvapnet's integration program. It is expected that the final integration with Gripen for the Swedish Air Force will be finalized in 2013.