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)

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Malaysia shows ECM pods, missiles for its Su-30s for the first time

Click on image for high resolution. Image © Iwan from Malaysianwings

The above photo was snapped by Malaysian plane spotter Iwan during the Malaysian Armed Forces 80th Anniversary Parade held at Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur on the 21st of September 2013. This aircraft, serialled M52-03, was one of 4 Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flankers that took part in a flypast held in conjunction with the parade. What is interesting about this aircraft is that it shows in public, for the first time, the Russian Knirti SPS-171 / L005S Sorbtsiya-S mid/high band defensive jammer pods Malaysia was known to have purchased with its Flankers.

Also on show, albeit mounted on flatbed trailers towed by prime movers as part of the ground portion of the parade, were several types of advanced missiles, also for the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia's (Royal Malaysian Air Force) Su-30MKMs. Noted were the Vympel R-77 medium range active radar-guided air-to-air missile, Raduga Kh-59ME and Molniya Kh-29TE air-to-surface missiles and the Zvezda Kh-31P Anti-Radiation Missile, the latter the equivalent of the AGM-88 HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) for use against enemy radars in the Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defence role.

These equipment were known to have been ordered by Malaysia in the original contract for the TUDM's 18 Su-30MKMs signed in 2003, with the first aircraft being delivered in 2007 with deliveries completed in 2009. All 18 aircraft serve with the TUDM's 11 Skuadron at Gong Kedak Airbase in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 02 Oct 2013

HMM-262 Sea Knight at Ex Cobra Gold, Thailand in 2009

According to reports from Russia quoting Indonesian sources, Indonesia has a requirement of 112 fighters between now and 2024. The TNI-AU intends to form 8 squadrons of 16 aircraft each. It already operates 16 Su-27/30s and has 24 refurbished F-16C/Ds on order.

End of an era as the last Okinawa-based U.S. Marine CH-46 Sea Knight made its last flight prior to storage pending disposal. The helicopters from Marine Helicopter Medium Squadron 262 (HMM-262) is in the process of converting to the MV-22B Osprey. Another Okinawa-based squadron is now flying Ospreys since 2012, having also turned in its Sea Knights.

More details have emerged of the new Taiwanese-built air launched precision weapon we reported on a while back. The Wan Chien is a cluster munition with a range of over 200km. It will equip the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo fighters of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force, with forty Tainan based aircraft already retrofitted for the new weapon.

Marine aviation assets temporarily deployed to Japan are currently in the Philippines conducting training with Philippine Air Force personnel. F/A-18C Hornets from VMFA-232 'Red Devils' and AH-1W Super Cobras of HMLA-167 'Warriors' are temporarily deployed to Japan as part of the USMC's Unit Deployment Program (UDP)

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 25 Sept 2013

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

Indonesia now has a full squadron of Sukhoi Su-27/30s after the last aircraft were accepted into the TNI-AU.

Bernama has reported that the recently unveiled Advanced Super Hornet would be offered for Malaysia's Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition. However Jane's Malaysia correspondent Dzirhan Mahadzir has said that Boeing has offered the Advanced Super Hornet upgrade if Malaysia wants them down the line after acquiring regular Super Hornet airframes.

The first of 12 Lockheed-Martin P-3C Orions for Taiwan has arrived at Pingtung Airbase from Guam yesterday.

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: 21 Aug 2013

Vietnam has reportedly acquired 12 more Sukhoi Su-30MK2V Flanker fighter jets from Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. Delivery will take place in 2014-2015, in three batches of four aircraft. According to my calculations, that will make it 36 Su-30MK2Vs in the Vietnamese People's Air Force's (VPAF) inventory.

In a further sign of its interest, local media is reporting that Japan is looking to purchase the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces. I hope this happens, the Osprey should look pretty darn good in JGSDF camo!

PLAAF Su-30MKK Aggressor in "Vietnamese" Su-30 colours

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More PLAAF "Aggressor" Flankers on show. The Chinese Ministry of Defence has released a new photo of a PLAAF's Su-30MKK/MK2 Flanker in a different paint scheme from the standard schemes carried by the regular Su-30 units. This time, the scheme on show is a brown-and-green camo topside with (very) light grey undersides. As reported before, these unusually painted Su-30s may be playing the role of Aggressors in exercises. Sharp-eyed observers have also noted that the (barely visible) 3rd aircraft in the previously-published photo of the PLAAF Su-30s in desert camo appeared to be carrying this green-brown camouflage.

It has been suggested that the scheme replicates the new camouflage carried by Vietnam's Su-30MK2Vs. Yea or Nay? You be the judge, using the below photo of a Vietnamese People's Air Force Su-30 to compare.

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PHOTOS: PLAAF Su-30s in desert camouflage during live-fire exercise

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Chinese internet news portal Sina has published a couple of interesting photos (via Chinanews.com) of at least three of China's People's Liberation Army AF (PLAAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKK multi-role fighters sporting desert camouflage. According to the captions provided by Sina, the photographs were taken on the 6th of September during a live-fire exercise conducted by multiple PLAAF fighter divisions, attacking maritime targets at low level in a simulated combat environment. The second photo provides an excellent study of the Russian ZsH-7AP helmets with the KM-34D II/KM-35 hybrid Oxygen Mask worn by the PLAAF Su-30 crew.

Update: China Defense Blog reports that the exercise features Red-vs-blue air-to-air combat scenarios, and the desert camouflaged Su-30MKKs served as the Blue Force's "bad guys" during the exercise, which was reportedly held in the Guangzhou Military Region. It had previously reported that the 8th PLAAF Flight Academy operates the Su-30MKK in an Aggressor role.

Indonesia says no more Sukhois; offered more F-16s from US

Air Marshal Eris Herryanto, secretary general of the Indonesian Defense Ministry, has said the SouthEast Asian nation will not buy any more Sukhoi Su-27/30s from Russia on top of the ten aircraft already on inventory and a further six already on order. Meanwhile, Indonesia has also revealed that the United States has offered more F-16s on top of the 24 refurbished aircraft already being delivered. The number being offered this time round has not been revealed, although it was said to be enough to form another squadron of aircraft.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is also close to acquiring six more C-130H Hercules transports from the Royal Australian Air Force. The RAAF is due to retire its C-130H fleet at the end of this year.

Photos of Indonesian Su-27/30s arriving at Darwin for Ex. Pitch Black

© Commonwealth of Australia

Pitch Black has not even begun yet, and it already looks like the air-to-air images of Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) Su-27/30s arriving in Australia for the exercise taken by the Royal Australian Air Force will be hard to beat in terms of their wow factor.

Indonesian Flankers to make Australian debut at Pitch Black

TNI-AU Su-30MK2

We've finally been given the clearance to publish this after sitting on it for the past few weeks. The TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force) will be sending it's Sukhoi Su-27/30 Flanker interceptors to Darwin for the upcoming Exercise Pitch Black. Four aircraft, reportedly 2 Su-27s and 2 Su-30s, will make up the TNI-AU's debut contingent at the biannual multinational air defence exercise. From what we understand, the TNI-AU will however not take part in the full exercise.

The TNI-AU will join aircraft from Australia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States for this year's Pitch Black, which will be held in the skies over Australia's Northern Territories from late July to mid-August.

Indonesia operates a mix of Su-27SK/SKM and Su-30MK2 variants of the Flanker. This will be the first time the TNI-AU and it's Flankers will make an appearance at Pitch Black.

USAF F-15Cs train with Malaysian Su-30MKMs for the first time

Interesting, Flightglobal's Dave Majumdar, blogging in the DEW Line, reports that the USAF's Kadena-based F-15Cs went head-to-head with the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKMs Flankers at Exercise Cope Taufan over Malaysia in April this year.

The original Cope Taufan press release by Pacific Air Forces mentioned RMAF MiG-29s, F/A-18D Hornets and Hawk 208s, but no Su-30s.

Malaysia signs deal for R-77 AAMs to equip Su-30 fleet

Malaysia has placed a US$35 million order for 35 Vympel R-77 RVV-AE (NATO: AA-12 Adder) air-to-air missiles with Russia's Rosboronexport. The missiles will arm the Royal Malaysian Air Force's fleet of 18 Su-30MKM Flanker interceptors.

Vietnam-bound Su-30MK2 crashes on pre-delivery flight test in Russia

Vietnam People's AF Sukhoi Su-30MK2

A KnAAPO (Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association) Su-30MK2 multi-role fighter has crashed in the Russian Far East on Tuesday. The jet crashed 130 km northeast of Komsomolsk-na-Amure following a reported engine fire during a pre-delivery test flight. Both pilots ejected and survived, although one was injured during the ejection.

Other media reports indicate the aircraft involved was due to be delivered to the Vietnam People's Air Force, which has 44 Su-30MK2s in service and on order.

Indonesia confirms 6-aircraft Su-30 order

Confirming earlier reports from the Russian press, air force chief of staff Imam Sufaat has said that Indonesia has ordered six more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighters from Russia. He added that two aircraft will be delivered annually between 2012 and 2014.

The Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force) currently operates six Su-27SKMs and four Su-30MK2s based at Hasanuddin Airbase in South Sulawesi with 11 Squadron.

Indonesian Sukhois intercepted bizjet carrying Papua New Guinea PM

Various Papua New Guinea and Indonesian news outlets have reported that in November last year Indonesian Sukhois intercepted a Dassault Falcon 900 that was ferrying the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister on an official visit from Malaysia to Port Moresby.

According to the Indonesian military, the TNI-AU (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara or Indoneisan Air Force) detected the PNG-registered aircraft flying through Indonesian airspace without having been notified of its flight plan and did not respond to attempts to contact the aircraft, hence a pair of TNI-AU Su-27/30s were scrambled to investigate. It was later revealed that the PNG government had filed the Falcon's flightplan on the day of departure so Indonesia had not received notification when it flew over Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.

The PNG ambassador to Indonesia has said that he has accepted Indonesia's explanation for the incident and will report back to his government.

Russia signs preliminary agreement with Indonesia for more Su-30s

Russian sources have said that Russia’s state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport has concluded a preliminary agreement to sell six more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighters to Indonesia. Russian business daily Kommersant reported that the deal was struck on the first day of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia.

Indonesia already operates ten Flankers, a mixture of Su-27SK/SKM and Su-30MK/MK2s ordered in 2003 and 2007.

Russian press: Malaysia to announce purchase of 18 more Su-30s

RMAF Su-30MKM thunders off the runway. Photo © Chenjun. Click on thumbnail to see high-res image on airliners.net

Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti, quoting Russian daily Izvestia, has claimed that Malaysia may sign a contract to buy 18 more Su-30MKM multirole fighters when Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visits the Irkut aviation plant today. It also reports that the Malaysian defense minister also plans to discuss integrating new missiles, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles jointly developed by Russia and India, on the Su-30MKMs already operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

However, Malaysian defence journalist Dzirhan Mahadzir, writing in his Twitter feed, feels that an additional Sukhoi order now is unlikely, although the chances of Brahmos may be more likely. I tend to agree on this, there has little indication from Malaysia that more Su-30 purchases in the short term are forthcoming, although I can see Malaysia being keen on further batches of Su-30MKMs in the future.

The Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) currently operates 18 Su-30MKMs with Gong Kedak-based 11 Skuadron.

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.

India deploys 2 Su-30MKI squadrons to Pakistani border

Strengthening its presence along the sometimes tense border with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force will deploy two squadrons of its Su-30MKIs to Jodhpur for two years. This marks the first Su-30MKI deployment near the border.