Articles
Trips
Shows
News
Movements
Scramble 468
Douanes Françaises (GV)
CeF406
F-ZBAB instr Latresne F406-0025 mar18
Germany
Luftwaffe (AF)
“Spending billions of euros in armament.” That is what
the German Ministry of Defence recently announced. This
consists for the air force the purchase of several Heron UAV
systems, SAR helicopters and six C-130J Hercules aircraft.
The latter will be purchased in a joint operating agreement
with the French Air Force. Next to that, the EF2000 will get
an upgraded radar.
The new SAR helicopter will possibly act as a replacement for
the 21 Sea King MK41 helicopters of Marinefliegergeschwader
5. Seven new SAR NH90TTH helicopters are currently on
order.
A400M
54+18 LTG62 ex Airbus Military apr18
C-160D
50+40 LTG63 ex LTG61 D62 apr18
50+51 LTG63 ex LTG62 D73 apr18
50+81 LTG63 ex LTG61 D118 apr18
EF2000
30+61 TLG73 ex TLG74 GS044 apr18
NH90-TTH
78+40 THR30 ex Airbus Heli. TGEA40 apr18
Tornado IDS
44+65 TLG51 ex TLG33 417/GS122/4165 apr18
Heeresflieger (AR)
UH-1D
73+45 THR30 ex HFWS 8465 apr18
Greece
Elliniko Polemiki Aeroporia (AF)
During a meeting of the Parliament’s Arms Committee
that was held on 2 April, a one-billion-dollar upgrade plan
for the Hellenic Armed Forces was discussed. The upgrade
comes as no surprise amid rising tensions with neighbouring
Turkey. Matters reached new heights recently, when Turkish
politicians challenged Greece’s sovereignty in the Aegean
yet again. The Greek government is looking to finalise the
defence deal by 30 April in a bid to stay within budget, and
not exceed the $1.1 billion ceiling set by the government.
Among the priorities is an upgrade that was approved by the
U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency back in October
2017 for an F-16 Block V configuration for 85 F-16s (a deal
that is worth up to $2.4 billion alone), and the maintenance of
its Mirage 2000s jets. While the navy’s fleet of MEKO frigates
need an immediate update. How the $1.1 billion expenditure-
cap is maintained remains unclear.
The Hellenic Air Force will lease seven Israeli-built Heron
Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAV) to enhance its intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Preveza-based
M.MEA/F currently only operates the Pegasus II Block 1
UAV so the Herons will bolster the capabilities of this unit
significantly.
Mirage 2000EG
228 Tanagra c/n update 259 aug17Elliniko Aeroporia Stratou (AR)
CH-47D
ES927 4 TEAS ex 91-00257 M3406 mar18
ES928 4 TEAS ex 92-00368 M4302 nov17
ES929 4 TEAS ex 91-00254 M3403 mar18
NH90-SOH
ES852 2 TEAS/1 LE f/n 1152/TGRA15 oct17There is not much news about the arrival of the surplus
ex-US Army OH-58D Kiowa helicopters, but Greek forums
are contemplating two scenarios. The first scenario would
see the first batch arriving in July and this seems to adhere
to American sources. The second scenario is in line with
the Hellenic Army Aviation planning and expects the first
deliveries in the September/October timeframe. It is to be
expected that they will arrive by ship in Volos (just like the
recently delivered ex-US Army CH-47D Chinook helicopters).
The UH-1H/AB205 fleet is expected to be withdrawn after
the Kiowa helicopters have reached FOC (Full Operational
Capability).
Elliniko Polemiko Naftiko (NY)
On January 23, 2018, the Hellenic Navy General Staff
announced that a Navy Air Command (DAN) was established
at Elefsis Air Base (112 PM). The ceremony was attended by
the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Panos Kammenos. The
Navy Aviation Command will be subordinate to the Fleet
Headquarters. With the establishment of the Hellenic Navy
Air Command, 353 MNAS became a Naval Aircraft Squadron
(MAN). The two Marine Navy Helicopter units (MEN) and the
Navy Helicopter School (SEN) at Kotroni Naval Helicopter
Base will also become part of the new Navy Air Command.
Italy
Aeronautica Militare (AF)
F-35A
MM7359/32-09 13° Gruppo ex FACO Cameri 5144/AL-9 apr18