T
HE BULGARIAN
GOVERNMENT has
approved a $1.26-billion
deal to buy eight new
Lockheed Martin Block
70/72 F-16C/D ghters for
its air force. The new ghters are part
of a planned two-phase approach
to replacing the Bulgarian air arm’sageing eet of MiG-29s. The decision
needs parliamentary approval
before it can be completed.
Under the initial deal, six single-
seat and a pair of two-seat Fighting
Falcons will be delivered by 2023.
Also included in the deal are
training for pilots and maintainers,
simulators and logistics equipment.A day after the cabinet approved
the initial deal, the country’s defense
ministry said that Bulgaria intends
to buy a further eight F-16s from
Lockheed Martin, to be paid for in
instalments.
Previously, the US State
Department approved the
possible Foreign Military Sale(FMS) of eight Block 70/72 F-16C/
Ds to the Bulgarian Air Force. The
package included AN/APG-
active electronically scanned array
(AESA) radar systems, AN/AAQ-
Sniper targeting pods, and other
systems along with air-to-air and
air-to-ground weapons, training and
support. Tom KaminskiBulgaria will receive eight
brand-new F-16C/Ds to
begin replacing its MiG-29s.
Lockheed MartinBULGARIAN FIGHTER REPLACEMENT
NEW ‘VIPERS’ APPROVED IN TWO-PHASE DEAL
RAAF SQUADRON REALIGNED
IN RECOGNITION OF its new
role as a specialist intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance
(ISR) squadron, the Royal
Australian Air Force’s No 10
Squadron has been transferred
from No 92 Wing to No 42 Wing
at RAAF Base Williamtown, New
South Wales. The maritime patrol
and response role previously
assigned to the squadron was
primarily taken over by No 11Squadron’s P-8As in 2018. The
transfer took place during a
ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh,
near Adelaide, on May 2. The
squadron will continue to operate
two AP-3C Orions con gured
for electronic warfare, until- It joins No 2 Squadron,
which operates the RAAF’s E-7A
Wedgetail airborne early warning
and control (AEW&C) aircraft from
Williamtown, under No 42 Wing.
AUSTRALIA SEEKING TIGER REPLACEMENT
THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT is
moving forward with plans to acquire
a new armed attack helicopter to
replace the army’s eet of 22 Airbus
Helicopters ARH Tigers. The new
armed reconnaissance helicopter will
be capable of manned-unmanned
teaming and amphibious operations
capabilities. The Australian
Department of Defence’s Capability
Acquisition and Sustainment
Group (CASG) issued a request
for information for the helicopterunder the Land 4503 program.
The acquisition will comprise 29
‘proven and mature, o -the-shelf ’
airframes. The program anticipates
an initial operating capability (IOC)
of one squadron of 12 aircraft with
a deployable troop of four by 2026.
Likely candidates include the Bell
AH-1Z and Boeing AH-64E. Although
the upgraded Tiger MkIII could also
be considered, the new variant is
still under development by Airbus,
Thales and MBDA.BANGLADESH TO ADD THIRD C-130J
BANGLADESH, WHICH HAS already
purchased two former Royal Air
Force C-130Js from the UK, plans
to add another aircraft. The initial
pair of standard-length models is
currently undergoing refurbishment
with Marshall Aerospace and
Defence in the UK. In addition to
upgrading the aircraft’s avionics,
Marshall is developing a system that
will allow the C-130Js to conduct
passenger transport missions. The
UK purchased 10 standard-lengthC-130Js that were operated under
the designation Hercules C5 and is
withdrawing nine from service. In
addition to Bangladesh, two of the
surplus C-130Js were sold to Bahrain
and delivered in late 2018. Another
will be delivered to the US Navy (see
US News). The service will retain 14
stretched C-130J-30 models into the
2020s. Operated under the Hercules
C4 designation, the aircraft primarily
support tactical transport and special
forces missions.
An AP-3C (EW) Orion, E-7A Wedgetail and P-8 Poseidon from the
Surveillance and Response Group parked together during Exercise
‘Diamond Shield’ at RAAF Williamtown.
SGT Shane Gidall/Commonwealth of Australia[NEWS] WORLD
16 September 2019 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
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