PHOTOS: USAF-RMAF mixed formation air-to-air photos at Cope Taufan

Now this is something you don't see every day. A mixed formation air-to-air photo shoot comprising of United States Air Force F-15C Eagle and F-22A Raptor alongside Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM Flanker, MiG-29NUB Fulcrum, F/A-18D Hornet and BAe Hawk 108 over Georgetown, Malaysia, on June 18, 2014. USAF F-15s from the 131st Fighter Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass and F-22s from the 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii sre currently in Malaysia for Exercise Cope Taufan 14, a biennial large force employment exercise taking place June 9 to 20 designed to improve U.S. and Malaysian combined readiness. (All photos U.S. Air Force by Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson/Released)

Click on thumbnails to view high-resolution imagery

More images at DVIDS

VIDEO: N Korean MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-29s, Su-25s & Il-28 Beagles

Oh, what would I have given to be at this event with my cameras?!

This 21 minute video is more comprehensive coverage of the Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) air-to-ground inter-unit competition I blogged about a couple of days back. It has more footage of the rarely seen KPAF, including good views of North Korea's MiG-29s taxying on the ground, takeoff footage of Su-25s, MiG-21s, An-2s, MiG-23s and even the ancient Il-28/H-5 Beagle bomber (which I also covered a while back), plus helicopters such as the Mi-2 Hoplite, a quick glimpse of a Mi-4/Z-5 Hound as well as an aerial display by a Hughes 500.

There is a lot of typical North Korean propaganda footage of Kim Jong Un and KPAF personnel cheering him on etc., so if that's not your thing, be prepared to skip fairly large bits of the video. But if you like to see more of the KPAF's hardware, this video is worth it. Pity it only goes up to 480p!

Thanks to Benedict for spotting this

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 09 Sept 2013

Royal Malaysian Air Force MiG-29N

And the drip-drip of escalation has just went up a notch. Japan's Ministry of Defence has said that JASDF has scrambled fighters to intercept two H-6 bombers belonging to the Chinese Navy transiting through the Miyako Straits on Sunday. This was followed by the interception of an unidentified unmanned aircraft near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands on Monday.

Looks like Malaysia's plan for a new fighter to replace its MiG-29s have been put on hold. The replacement was due to come on board by 2015 so as to allow the MiGs to be retired.

The deal for China to purchase the Sukhoi Su-35 should be concluded sometime in 2014, according to Russian sources.

VIDEO: North Korean live firing exercise

An interesting, almost 20 minute video of a North Korean live-firing exercise involving army artillery and multiple rocket launchers, naval bombardment and airstrikes. From a military aviation perspective, some things to look out for are KPAF MiG-21s, -23s and -29s, along with Su-25s, Mi-2 and Mi-8 helicopters and An-2 biplane transports carrying a paratroop (or supply) drop. Observing the exercise was North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and a multitude of miltary brass and VIPs. Some of the footage in here is archival footage, and others seemingly repeated. Still, well worth a watch, particularly if you're interested in North Korean military hardware.

A big shout out to Tim Robinson for the heads-up!

USAF, RMAF conducting Ex. Cope Taufan 2012

The U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force are currently taking part in Exercise Cope Taufan 2012 at RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia. F-15C/D Eagles of the 67th Fighter Squadron from Kadena, Okinawa are taking part with alongside MiG-29 Fulcrums, F/A-18 Hornets and Hawk 208 aircraft of the RMAF.

PHOTOS: F-15s, F-16s and MiG-29s at Singapore Airshow 2012

I've just uploaded 8 photos of the star attractions of the aerial display at the recent Singapore Airshow; the Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-15SG/F-16C joint display and the MiG-29Ns of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Smokey Bandits display team.

Shooting the aerial display was a tricky undertaking at best, for while the moist tropical air provided some spectacular condensation effects as the performers pulled Gs, the timing of the display (literally at High Noon) and a display line directly to the north of the crowd made for some tricky lighting. Coupled with moderately heavy and fast moving cloud cover meant the sun was repeatedly ducking in and out of the overcast. Many shots which would have otherwise been great (IMO) were thus ruined into a pasty grey mess.

Still, I spent a thoroughly enjoyable few days at the show, catching the RMAF's first appearance at an airshow in Singapore for (give or take) 2 decades made the trip worthwhile!

Photo: Kim Jong-Un visits KPAF MiG-29 unit

Staying on the Korean Peninsula, the recent leadership succession in North Korea has brought about a mini-flood (by North Korean standards) of information and imagery on the Hermit Kingdom's armed forces. The flood has continued, with what must surely be the clearest image of a Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) MiG-29 interceptor to date.


Click on thumbnail to view image in higher resolution

The aircraft, a 9.12B variant, serves as a backdrop to a posed group photo of the "Great Successor" Kim Jong-Un alongside KPAF personnel. This is one of a number of photos released by North Korea's state-controlled news agency of an official visit to an unnamed KPAF airbase. Video of the visit shown on North Korean TV reportedly shows Su-25s in some scenes, so the base is likely to be Sunchon, southwest of North Korea's capital Pyongyang since it is the only KPAF base operating both types.

No Bort number can be discerned from the photo, being obscured by the personnel in the group shot, coupled with the reflection from the sun on the side of the MiG's intake where the number is usually seen.

The camouflage seems to be typical of the KPAF's MiG-29 fleet seen so far, a green over blue scheme, both in a deep shade very similar to that seen on the standard Soviet Air Force summer schemes of World War II. Another point worth noting is the brown leather flight suit donned by the pilot in the photo. Definitely old-school!

Photos of North Korea's rarely-seen MiG-29s

There are some things in life that are just plain rare. Hens' teeth, blue moons, and there are photos like these gems off the internet. Stumbled across these 3 screen grabs off a video showing the Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) rarely seen MiG-29s. These appear to be the original 9.12 (NATO: MiG-29B Fulcrum-A) variant, most likely the downgraded 9.12B export variant North Korea was reported to have bought from Belarus in 1995. The KPAF is also known to operate the later 9.13 (MiG-29SE Fulcrum-C) with the enlarged dorsal spine.

This is only the 2nd time I've seen KPAF MiG-29 photos, the other occasion being the 2003 incident over the waters off North Korea when a USAF RC-135 was intercepted by KPAF MiGs. Then the aircraft involved were the 9.13s, and that time the MiGs were armed with a 3 drop tanks and 4 R-60 (NATO: Aa-8 Aphid) short-range air-to-air missiles.



According to Aviation Week and Space Technology's 2011 World Military Aircraft Inventory, the KPAF operates 40 MiG-29s with the KPAF's 55th Regiment at Sunchon. Note that in the photo above, it is possible to make out at least 2 Sukhoi Su-25s in the background, serialled White 41 and 45, with the giveaways being the Su-25's distinctive tail, wing pylons and nosewheel mudguard visible. Given that the KPAF's MiG-29s and Su-25s are known to be based at Sunchon, it is almost certain that these screengrabs were taken there.



Re: the large red boxes with Korean lettering seen on at least one the MiG-29s (Bort No. 553?) in the photos; I believe these may be political inscriptions related to the recent leadership succession in North Korea. I have seen inscription in similar style on a KPAF MiG-21PFM dedicated to Kim Il-Sung.

PHOTOS: Malaysian AF MiG-29 in 17 Skuadron 53rd anniversary tailart

Photos © Roy R.X. Click on thumbnail to view high-resolution images.

Roy RX has kindly sent us these two photos of a Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) MiG-29 'Fulcrum' serialled M43-03 carrying striking commemorative tailart marking the 53rd anniversary of it's unit, Kuantan-based 17 Skuadron. The MiG-29 is a participant at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, which will run from the 6th to the 10th of December at Langkawi, Malaysia. Malaysia is seeking to replace it's MiG-29 fleet by 2015 with next generation multi-role fighters.

Singapore Hosts FPDA Joint Exercise

Singapore's Ministry of Defence has announced that Singapore is hosting Exercise Bersama Lima, a major Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) joint exercise involving air, maritime and land forces from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The exercise, held from 17 Oct to 4 Nov 2011, will involve about 4000 personnel, 68 aircraft, 18 ships, two submarines and various support elements from the FPDA member nations.

In addition to the Field Training Exercise (FTX), this year's Bersama Lima, which marks 40 years of the FPDA, will include a shore phase held at the Command and Control Centre of Singapore's Changi Naval Base. A two-day humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) workshop involving other government departments and non-governmental organisations will be conducted in conjunction with the exercise.

Meanwhile the Australian Defence Department has already put up photos of an air-to-air Photo Op between a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet of the RAAF's 75 Sqn together with a MiG-29 Fulcrum and F/A-18D Hornet of the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) with (I'm sure) more to follow as the exercise progresses.

PHOTO: Royal Malaysian Air Force MiG-29s in formation

(Click on thumbnail to view high resolution image)

MiG-29s of the Tentara Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) fly in formation over the South China Sea at Exercise Bersama Shield 2011.

Malaysia ordered 18 MiG-29N/NUBs in the early 1990s, split among 16 MiG-29N fighters and 2 MiG-29UB conversion trainers. Currently serving with 17 Skuadron based at Kuantan in Peninsular Malaysia's East coast, the MiGs, which underwent a modest upgrade in the early part of the 2000s, serve in the interceptor role in the TUDM.

(Photo Credit: Commonwealth of Australia)

Indian Air Force looking for BVRAAMs

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is scouring the global arms market for new Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missiles. It now operates Russian R-27 (NATO: AA-10 Alamo) and R-77 (AA-12 Adder) missiles on its MiG-29 and Su-30 fleet.

Myanmar to receive new batch of MiG-29s

Completing a 2009 order, the Myanmar Air Force will receive the first of 20 MiG-29s ordered from Russia this month. The aircraft will be delivered in three configurations, comprising 10 MiG-29B and six MiG-29SE single-seat fighters and four MiG-29UB twin-seat operational trainers. The service currently operates 12 older MiG-29s ordered from Belarus.

Russia tests upgraded MiG fighter jet for India

Russia's MiG corporation has announced that the first of six Indian AF MiG-29s being upgraded in Russia has made its first test fight. India has awarded the MiG corporation a contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s with 63 aircraft to be upgraded in India to MiG-29UPG standard

Darfur rebels claim to have shot down Sudanese MiG

Darfur rebels have claimed to have shot down a MiG-29 belonging to the Sudanese Air Force. The jet was reportedly shot down near the town of Majrur in the state of North Kordofan. The Sudanese military has not commented on the report.

Poland eyes Su-22, MiG-29 upgrades

Poland is evaluating upgrades to its Su-22 and MiG-29 force to sustain its fighter inventory. The need for an upgrade to its 32 Su-22 Fitters is most pressing, and a solution being considered is to add 200 flight hours of the airframes in the interim while deciding if it should pursue a more extensive service-life-extension program.

Poland completes Baltic air policing spell, replaced by USAFE Eagles

The Polish Air Force's MiG-29 detachment in Lithuania providing NATO air cover for the Baltic states has ended. They have been replaced by F-15C Eagles from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Sqn from Lakenheath, England.

Ukraine sold Mi-24s, MiG-29UBs to Azerbaijan in 2009

In its report to the UN Register of Conventional Arms, Ukraine has said it sold Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters and MiG-29UB Fulcrum trainers to Azerbaijan in 2009. It had also exported self-propelled artillery and armoured personnel carriers.