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Scramble 467
including a a search radar, electro-optical sensors, magnetic
anomaly detector and other avionics. Weapons can include
torpedoes, missiles, mines and depth charges.
The Lusa news agency reported that the Angolan President,
Mr. Joao Lourenco, on 2 March authorized commodities
trading company Simportex to finalize the contract for the
aircraft with Airbus Defence and Space.
Egypt
al Quwwat Al Jawwiya Il Misriya (AF)
Ka-52
6617 f/n, photo mar18
Libya
Government of National Accord [AF]
Mi-8MTV-1
... Air Ambulance w/o 05mar18
This Air Ambulance Mi-8 crashed during a landing manoeuvre
at Mitiga International Airport on 5 March 2018. Most likely it
was the 2860 (c/n 95463 ), but this needs confirmation because
it is only based on guessing and by looking at pictures.
Morocco
al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya Marakishiya (AF)
C-130H
CNA-OK re-registered as CN-AOK 4739
CN-AOK EdT3 ex CNA-OK 4739 jan18
KC-130H
CNA-OS re-registered as CN-AOS 4909
CN-AOS EdT3 ex CNA-OS 4909 nov16
Senegal
Armée de l’Air Sénégalaise (AF)
Mi-17-1V
6W-HTA w/o 14mar18
Somalia
Dayuuradaha Xooga Dalka Somaliyed (AF)
The Somali Government has approved a plan that will reboot
the service by training pilots and buying aircraft so it can
contribute to the fight against al-Shabaab. There is no Somali
Air Force left after the Ogaden War with Ethiopia in the late
1970s and the civil war in 1990. The surviving aircraft are
abandoned, stricken, wrecked or preserved as gate-guards.
In the 1960s and 1970s Somali National Air Force SNAF) was
one of the premier air forces in Africa. The presidential
approval is expected shortly.
There is no enemy activities with the neighbouring countries
but the first priority of the rebuild Somali Air Force will be the
fight against al-Shabaab by providing support to the ground
forces. The second priority is the maritime security. Somalia
has a coastline of 3333 km which has to be defended against
illegal fishing, dumping, pirates and drug trafficking. The
air force can also offer a search and rescue capability over
sea and land. The use of roads are dangerous by attacks of
as-Shabaab and the air force can use aircraft for government
duties and transport.
To acquire light and medium aircraft and helicopters for the
air force will reduce the operational costs of the now hired
Russian and Ukrainian civil Mi-8 helicopters.
General Mohamud Sheikh Ali said: “The government
approved to build-up a small and effective air force, but the
start will be to train people - pilots, engineers, technicians
and ground support staff. After that we will look for good
small aircraft for 10-120 passengers for government and
Army transportation. The light capability will be for combat
operations and the medium can take some of the load off of
the UN, which provides this level of transport capability. If the
air force can take over the transport of the UN, then Somalia
can charge that by the UN, through the donor program. It will
be cheaper for UN and Somalia and can recoup some money.”
Although the presidential approval has to come, the SNAF is
already working toward acquiring its first aircraft in 2018,
second-hand fixed-wing or rotary. Suitable aircraft already
identified: BN2, DHC-6, BAe146, CN-235, Casa 212 and Short
SC-7.
After 2018, in the medium term, the SNAF wants to acquire
helicopters for tactical lift, evacuation and intelligence, sur-
veillance and reconnaissance. It is in talks with Russia about
Mi-17 capability. For the long term a light close air support
aircraft is in mind.
Sudan
al Quwwat al_Jawwiya as-Sudaniva (AF)
Mi-24P
968 f/n DB, photo
The exact type needs confirmation.
Asia
Afghanistan
Afghan Air Force (AF)
For the “new” Black Hawk helicopters, the Afghan Air Force
is most probably going to use a serial system derived from
the c/n of the helicopter. The first helicopter using this way
of presenting the serial was seen in the USA in February
2018 sporting a green/brown/sand camouflage. However, a
second one in full Afghan Air Force markings was noted in
March 2018 still wearing the last five of its former US Army
serial. We have to wait and see how this will develop.
UH-60A+
70205 f/n, ex 80-23447 70-205 feb18
23554 f/n, ex 81-23554 70-275 mar18
Azerbaijan
Azrbaycan herbi hava qüvvelerl (AF)
On 16 March 2018, Azerbaijan’s defense minister Colonel
General Zakir Hasanov visited a new Mi-35M helicopter
unit, deployed in the frontline zone. Zakir Hasanov has met
with flight and technical staff, as well as checked the level
of combat readiness, the capability and the possibilities of
efficient use of army aviation. Unfortunately, no information
was given of the location of the base as well as the designation
of the unit. However we think this new Mi-35M unit is located
at a in 2016/2017 erected hangar at Tanriqulular.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Biman Bahini (AF)
VGTJ = Dhaka-Tejgaon
F-7MB
1419 25sq c/n update 7MB0419 mar18
Mi-171Sh
411 VGTJ c/n tie-up conf. 2505U mar18
The construction number prefix is 171Sh0006050.
China
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (AF)
J10S
68511 70th Brigade mar18
This J10S was being prepared for delivery to the 70th Brigade
that only a few years ago had received J7Gs. Rumour has it
that the aircraft was used earlier by 72nd Regiment
J11
61059 4th Brigade feb18
With the arrival of the Su-35 with 6th Regiment/Brigade the
J11s were transferred to 4th Brigade where they replace the
