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Scramble 467
Because of our standardization we sometimes use type, unit
and serial presentations that may strongly differ from those
used by the manufacturer or user. It is therefore possible that
the information sent by you can deviate from the informa-
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Europe
Netherlands
Koninklijke Luchtmacht (AF)
The US State Department decided to approve a possible
Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands to upgrade
the existing fleet of 28 AH-64D block II Apaches to the latest
AH-64E version. Total costs for this configuration is estimated
at USD 1.191 billion.
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence requested the possible
sale of items like the GE-701C Engines to the latest GE-701D
version, a modernised Night vision system, GPS system and a
new radar system.
Next to that, the package also included helmets, simulator,
support vehicles, personnel training and logistical support.
Both U.S aircraft companies (Boeing and Lockheed Martin)
are involved in this upgrade program.
Heli-One, a leading company in providing helicopter
maintenance has signed an agreement with the Royal
Netherlands Air Force to provide on-site intermediate/
depot-level maintenance for twelve Airbus Helicopters
AS532U2 helicopters.
The maintenance consists of inspections and maintenance
above the 750hrs. interval, corrosion prevention and support
on request for the RNLAF AS532U2 maintenance department.
Belgium
Luchtcomponent/Composante Air/Air Component [AF]
The Belgian Ministry of Defence confirmed for the first time
that the General Atomics Predator B has been selected for the
Belgium Air Component Medium-Altitude long-endurance
(MALE) unmanned aircraft requirement.
The Belgium Council of Ministers has not made a decision on
purchasing the US drones. After the decision is made, the Air
Force will probably order two to four airframes between 2021
- EBBE = Beauvechain
C-130H
CH08 std. EBBE 4478 dec17
- EBBE = Beauvechain
Croatia
Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovsto (AF)
Since the end of 2016, a large quantity out of the ten of Mi-
171Sh have been seen at Pleso air base. The reason is most
probably the need for maintenance. In August 2017 it was
reported that Croatia decided to contract Russia for overhaul.
Also Ukraine and Slovakia participated in the tender, but
Russia seems the only reasonable decision, as only Russian
factories have all the necesarry documentation and license
for major repairs on the Mi-171Sh. For repair expected
within 20 months, MoD expects to spend 207 million kuna
(33.12 million dollars) on the maintenance of the helicopters.Croatia wants to return four MiG-21s without proper parts
and documentation and asked the Ukrainian Ministry of
Defense to replace them with four aircraft with correctly
documented history. The four MiG-21bis were part of a
contract worth 132,9 million Croatian Kunas (about $ 22.5
million) with the UkrSpetsExport, for the overhaul and the
repair by Odesaviaremservice for three MiG-21bis and four
MiG-21UM of the Croatian air force and five second hand
MiG-21bis fighters. Now Croatia wants to return the four
MiG-21bis serial numbers 131, 132, 134 and 135.
In March 2016 the Croatian military police launched a large
investigation. The investigation revealed the use of old
aircraft components and engines from Bulgaria, Algeria and
the former Soviet Union, which did not correspond to the
technical documentation provided by the Ukrainian side.
Complete fuselages that Bulgaria declared as destroyed, were
bought and delivered with falsified construction numbers
painted on and falsified logbooks of ex Algerian AF MiG-
21s! All five new MiG-21bis were first painted in Yemen AF
colours, but that (last part of the) deal did not commence,Military News & Updates
A picture from Iniohos at Andravida, Israeli 117 squadron F-16C 345 banking sharply for the photographers. (20 March 2018, Dino van Doorn)