News Story: Taiwan to upgrade F-16 jets, seek stealth capability

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan is planning to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets and will seek cutting-edge stealth aircraft from the United States in the face of a growing military threat from rival China, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. 

The announcement follows the release of this year's $11.4 billion defense budget, an increase of less than 1 percent from last year, reflecting strains on the government's finances resulting from a heavy entitlements burden and slowing growth in the high-tech, export-oriented economy. 

That compares to China's 7 percent rise in defense spending, announced this week, bringing its defense budget to about $151 billion, the world's second largest after the United States. 

In response, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan told lawmakers that Taiwan is focusing on inexpensive but effective "asymmetric warfare" techniques to combat threats in the air and seas.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Major Taiwan defence report warns of China invasion risk

Taiwan pledged Wednesday to build up its military in the face of an increased risk of invasion by China in a major defence ministry report that comes as ties with Beijing worsen.

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary, even though the island has been self-governing since the two sides split after a civil war in 1949.

Beijing is deeply suspicious of president Tsai Ing-wen, whose Democratic Progressive Party is traditionally pro-independence.

Taiwan has never declared formal independence and last week China's premier Li Keqiang said authorities would not tolerate "any attempts to separate Taiwan from the motherland".

It has severed all official communications with Taipei since Tsai became leader in May and has reportedly discouraged Chinese visitors from travelling to the island.

In a summary of a four-yearly report to be delivered to parliament Thursday, Taiwan's defence ministry said it wanted to build a bolstered "multi-layer defence front" including submarines, missiles and drones which it hoped would act as a deterrent.

If there was still an attempted invasion, combined interception forces would "weaken the enemy's capabilities and crush its attacks to deter it from landing on the island".

The report summary said Beijing had never given up on its desire to invade.

"Preparing for a war to invade Taiwan is a major goal of its military preparation," the summary said.

Read the full story at SinoDaily

News Report: Chinese Stealth J-20 Jet Enters Service With PLA

Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter

China has put its new Chengdu J20 stealth fighter jet in service, in efforts to develop a marine corps and a “first class” Navy, while simultaneously narrowing the military gap with US. Beijing’s military is undergoing major upgrades, complete with advanced submarines and anti-satellite missiles, all under the supervision of President Xi Jinping.

Chinese planespotters first saw the J20 in 2010, and the public got its first glimpse of the craft at the Zhuhai airshow in November 2016. The military channel on China’s state television confirmed that the plane had entered service on Thursday. 

What remains to be seen is whether the J20 can evade radar with the same aptitude as Lockheed Martin’s F-35 strike jet, or Lockheed’s air-to-air combat jet F-22 Raptor. The development of the new Chinese aircraft began in the late 1990s and had its first flight in 2011.

In November 2016, aviation journalist Andreas Rupprecht wrote in the Aviationist, "The J-20 is a giant leap for the PLAAF both capability-wise and technology-wise. Did anyone of us expect a Chinese stealth fighter to be operational before 2020 when asked in, let’s say, 2010?"

News Report: China Starts Work on Military Drones Invisible to Radars, Air Defense Systems

A Chinese Stealth UAV

China is developing stealth military drones capable of evading radars and air defense systems, local media reported Thursday.

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the country's main spacecraft, rocket and missile manufacturer, has started to develop stealth long-endurance and high-altitude unmanned vehicles, the China Daily newspaper reported, citing CASIC Vice President Wei Yiyin.

China's current five-year plan also envisages the development of high speed combat and reconnaissance drones and offer these on the global market, according to Wei.

"As military reforms are drastically changing armed forces around the world, drones have become an indispensable weapon in modern warfare because they can play an important role in high-resolution reconnaissance, long-distance precision strikes, anti-submarine operations and aerial combat," he added.

China has been also reportedly developing drones to fly in the stratosphere at altitudes of above 65,000 feet.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: China defence spending to rise 7 percent

By Dan Martin

China will raise defence spending "around seven percent" this year as it guards against "outside meddling" in its disputed regional territorial claims, a top official said Saturday, in an apparent reference to Washington.

Just days after US President Donald Trump outlined plans to raise American military spending by around 10 percent, a spokeswoman for China's parliament told reporters that future Chinese expenditures will depend on US actions in the region.

"We call for a peaceful settlement through dialogue and consultation (of the territorial disputes). At the same time we need the ability to safeguard our sovereignty and interests and rights," spokeswoman Fu Ying said at a press conference ahead of the rubber-stamp parliament session.

"In particular, we need to guard against outside meddling in the disputes."

The annual press briefing comes a day ahead of Sunday's opening of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Fu did not specify what "meddling" she was referring to, but Beijing's increasingly assertive stance towards its claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea have stirred alarm in the region and prompted criticism from Washington.

The planned spending increase is in line with last year, when the government said 2016 outlays would increase by 6.5-7.0 percent.

The 2016 figure marked the first time in six years that spending growth did not rise into double figures.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

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Story Quote: "China has never caused harm to anyone, to any country," she said.

PacificSentinel: I know that India, Vietnam, Russia, Tibet & others would disagree, not to mention the South China Sea issue.

News Story: Russia’s fifth-gen fighter blitz

MiG-29 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Matthew Bodner

MOSCOW — Russia is moving aggressively on another traditional patron of U.S. arms exports: the United Arab Emirates. Rather than cheap small arms and land-based platforms, Russian companies appear to have identified a market opportunity: relatively cost-effective alternatives to Western fifth-generation fighters.  

The head of Russia’s largest defense conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, told reporters at the IDEX show in Abu Dabi this week that Rostec would partner with the UAE Defense Ministry to develop a light fifth-generation fighter jet based on the MiG-29. Development is slated to begin in 2018, and production should launch seven to eight years after that. 

“It takes quite a long period of time to develop,” Chemezov told Defense News in an exclusive interview. “We anticipate local production here in [UAE], for the needs of [UAE].” 

The announcement comes as Russia is engaging in a region-wide diplomatic and economic press to rebuild old alliances and forge new ones. And after 18 months of aerial operations in Syria, countries that have strong appetites for fighter jets are taking closer looks at what Russia has to offer.  

The deal with UAE likely took some in the industry by surprise, says Dr. Theodore Karasik, senior advisor at the Washington-based Gulf State Analytics. Several Western firms have seen high-profile fourth-gen fighter deals with UAE fall through in recent years, but efforts to hash out an agreement have continued. 

Under the agreement, Russia is set to provide UAE with fifth-generation fighter technology, produced locally in partnership with UAE defense firms. “This in itself is completely different than any previous aerospace deals between UAE and the West,” Karasik says. “Whether it will work is another question.”  

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: China’s FC-31 Fighter May Be Slated for Carrier Ops

The 1st prototype of the J-31/FC-31

by Chen Chuanren

Following the first flight of a second Shenyang FC-31 prototype, on December 23 last year, there are now discussions within the Chinese media that the improved aircraft might be slated for operations on the new Chinese carrier fleet. The aircraft has been named the “Gryfalcon.”

The second prototype is similarly configured to the model that was displayed at China's Zhuhai Airshow last November. It features some common design elements to the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, such as cropped vertical stabilizers. It also has an Electro Optic Targeting Sight (EOTS) under the nose. In an interview on Chinese television, military analyst Chen Hu said that it is not surprising to see elements of the J-20 on the FC-31, since both jets are being developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AIVC).

A new scale model of the FC-31 on display in the Shenyang Aviation Museum carries Chinese naval insignia, further hinting at a planned carrier capability for the aircraft. The museum is owned by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Like most carrier-borne aircraft, the FC-31 has a twin nose gear, and it was recently reported that the third Chinese aircraft carrier would be fitted with three steam catapults.

Chen also noted that the smaller and lighter footprint of the FC-31 gives it an advantage on a carrier’s limited deck space. Moreover, Shenyang would have an advantage over other Chinese aerospace companies, because of its experience in adapting the Su-27 for Chinese naval use as the J-15.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: UAE and Russia To Jointly Develop a New Fighter

Saab GlobalEye swing-role surveillance system

by David Donald

The biggest talking point at this week’s IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi was the announcement by Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov that the United Arab Emirates and Russia would jointly develop a fifth-generation light fighter. It will apparently be based on an advanced version of the Russian MiG-29. Chemezov also claimed that the UAE has been in separate discussions regarding the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35s.

The news came during the visit of a high-level Russian delegation led by trade and industry minister Denis Manturov. The minister and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, witnessed the signing of an agreement between Russia and the UAE covering cooperation in the defense industries. Manturov commented, “One of the fields of this cooperation is the creation, development and supply of the fifth-generation fighter jet.” Another deal was struck in which Middle East investors aim to acquire a minority stake in Russian Helicopters.

There were few firm aviation-related orders announced at the show. The most notable was one worth approximately $236 million from the UAE Air Force for a third Saab GlobalEye swing-role surveillance system from the Swedish manufacturer. At the Dubai Air Show in November 2015, the UAE announced an order for two of these aircraft, based on the Global 6000 business jet. At that same time, the UAE also ordered an update of the Erieye radar on its two Saab 340AEW aircraft to incorporate Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology.  

Read the full story at AINonline

Nerws Story: Russia's Rostec to co-develop 5th-gen fighter with UAE

By: Jill Aitoro

Russia defense heavyweight Rostec will partner with the UAE Ministry of Defence to co-develop a fifth-generation light combat fighter, company CEO Sergey Chemezov said at IDEX in Abu Dhabi Monday. 

Development, which is based upon its MiG-29 twin-engine fighter aircraft, will kick off in 2018, and will take an estimated seven to eight years, Chemezov said during a media briefing with journalists. He elaborated in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Defense News. 

“That’s not fast, because it takes quite a long period of time to develop,” he said speaking through a translator. “We anticipate local production here in the Arab Emirates, for the needs of Emirates. And of course [we expect development to support the needs of] the neighboring countries." 

Details about how the partnership would be structured have not been finalized, though Chemezov said it could potentially function as a joint venture between the company and UAE or UAE's domestic suppliers. 

The announcement comes soon after confirmation by the company that it would support development of India’s fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft. Though Chemezov wouldn’t comment on deals still under negotiations, the company is expected to sign a contract for Su-35 aircraft for Indonesia any day. Egypt is another country that reportedly is in talks with Rostec for fighters – MiG-29 aircraft specifically. The two companies signed a $3.5 billion arms package in 2014 covering aircraft, missiles, and coastal defenses.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: At Red Flag ‘It’s Tough To Be Legacy Aircraft In An LO World’

By COLIN CLARK

WASHINGTON: “You get whacked a lot.”

Those are the words of someone who should know, the leader of the aggressor squadron at Red Flag, the man who tries to kill U.S. forces, known as Red Flag. Lt. Col. Tyler Lewis, commander of the 57th Adversary Tactics Support Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, echoed comments we’ve heard before, that he often had no idea he was going to die until he was declared dead. Why? The F-35s combination of stealth, Electronic Warfare, cyber and sensors lets them find, target and destroy an enemy plane from beyond visual range.

For example, more fourth generation fighters died in one day than did F-35As during the entire exercise through Feb. 2. It began Jan. 23.

(While working on this, I found a great quote by Capt. Stephanie Anne Fraioli that explains the fundamental difference between a fourth- and a fifth-generation aircraft: “With fourth-generation fighter airframes, speed and energy equaled life and survivability. In the fifth-generation realm, information equals life.”)

Read the full story at BreakingDefense

News Story: Russia’s New Stealth Fighter Starts New Test Phase

by Reuben F. Johnson

Russia’s T-50 PAKFA fifth-generation stealth fighter is about to undergo flight testing by military pilots for the first time. The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) said on January 6 that it would take delivery this year of five of the aircraft that have been flight-tested by Sukhoi at the Gromov Flight Research Institute (LII) in Zhukovsky. But the VKS, which since last year has encompassed the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, made no further mention of any order for production aircraft.

The five T-50s will now be transferred to the Chkalov VKS State Flight Test Centre base No. 929 at Akhtubinsk. Once at the Chkalov center, the aircraft will be put through a two-stage program, “State-Joint Flight Testing,” that allows for military pilots to gradually take over the validation of the aircraft. This joint testing program is in theory the last process that the prototype aircraft would undergo before the go-ahead is given for the T-50 to enter series production.

In the first stage of the program, the industry pilots who have been flying the T-50, which is developed by the state-owned United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) will train a cadre of military pilots to fly the aircraft. In the second stage, flights would be conducted entirely by VKS pilots and validate whether or not the aircraft meets the service’s operational requirement.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: The F-35 - We Need the Numbers and We Need Them Now

By: Gen. Larry O. Spencer (ret.), AFA

I was director of Air Force budget when F-22 aircraft production was cancelled. The rationale was, it is better to “leap” to the F-35 because it was cheaper and could be purchased in higher quantities.  That decision made the F-35 the single most important defense program in the nation.  That decision declared the F-35 would be crucial to meeting U.S. objectives in the National Security Strategy. 

At the time, it was said the Air Force must have the F-35 in sufficient numbers to enable the world’s greatest Air Force to engage around the world, shaping the security environment and maintaining peace and stability. As an expeditionary aircraft, the F-35 would provide the unique capability to deploy around the globe on very short notice.  Additionally, there was an emphasis on having sufficient numbers to allow a rotational base for peacetime training, and if necessary, fight and win a conflict. 

During Thanksgiving dinner, my siblings asked me why the U.S. should purchase this new fifth generation aircraft at the numbers requested.  They reasoned, “why not use the aircraft we already have? Wouldn’t that be cheaper?”   My inquisitive siblings were shocked with my answer.  They did not realize that today, the Air Force has a “geriatric” fighter aircraft fleet.  The aircraft are old, tired and no longer hold an unquestioned advantage over potential adversaries.  They were also surprised when I told them many Air Force aircraft would qualify for an antique license plate in most states.  My siblings perked up when I explained the F-35 helps the U.S. to maintain a clear technology gap over potential adversaries and they really got excited when I explained that the best pilots flying the most technologically advanced aircraft may actually prevent a war by providing a clear and unambiguous deterrent. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: China tests new jet fighter prototype

The 1st Prototype of the J-31/FC-31 Fighter

China has tested the latest version of its fifth-generation stealth fighter, state media reported Monday, as it tries to end the West's monopoly on the world's most advanced warplanes.

The test comes as the nation flexes its military muscles, sending its sole aircraft carrier the Liaoning into the western Pacific in recent days to lead drills there for the first time.

The newest version of the J-31 -- now renamed the FC-31 Gyrfalcon -- took to the air for the first time Friday, the China Daily reported.

The so-called "fifth-generation" twin-engine jet is China's answer to the US F-35, the world's most technically advanced fighter.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Report: China Tests New Prototype of 5th-Generation Stealth Fighter

First Prototype of the J-31/FC-31

China has successfully tested a homemade stealth fighter of the fifth generation called FC-31 Gyrfalcon, sources in the aviation industry told a local newspaper on Monday.

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The improved version of what was earlier known as the J-31 made its maiden flight last Friday in the northeastern city of Shenyang, the China Daily reported.

The flight test comes four years after the initial prototype took to the skies in 2012 and stayed airborne for 11 minutes. An Aviation Industry Corp official confirmed the test but declined to give any details. 

The daily reported the state-of-the-art aircraft appeared to be stealthier and had enhanced electronics and a larger payload capacity, while its new lean frame made the FC-31 lighter and more maneuverable.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: China Unveils New (J-20) Stealth Fighter

A J-20 Stealth Fighter (File Photo)

China debuted its J-20 stealth fighter Tuesday at Airshow China in the southern city of Zhuhai.

Two J-20s made a brief appearance in the show's opening ceremonies, performing a series of maneuvers and generating enough noise to set off car alarms in a nearby parking lot, Reuters reported.

The warplane is China's second stealth fighter. The J-31 was unveiled to the public at the Zhuhai airshow two years ago.

News Report: What Kind of Bomber Jet Does China Need?

H-6K Bomber

Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) has officially confirmed the development of a new strategic bomber. Indications of such a project were seen in Chinese military press earlier, although exact details remain unknown. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin spoke to Sputnik, deliberating the possible new bomber.

Currently, the Chinese Air Force employs the Xian H-6 jet bomber which is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber.

It is the first Chinese long-range bomber, specially designed for using cruise missiles and medium-range missiles capable of carrying other types of high-precision weapons. 

According to the military expert, the aircraft has advanced avionics and an increased range. However, the aircraft cannot be regarded as a complete member of the nuclear triad because it does not meet the requirements that are needed to solve the problem of the US nuclear deterrent. 

News Story: China’s J-20 Vs. F-35? Meh, Says CSAF Goldfein; Pilot Crisis Noted

Chinese Air Force J-20

By COLIN CLARK

PENTAGON: I thought I could hear Air Force and allied F-35 pilots around the world smiling when the new Air Force Chief of Staff said today that comparing the F-35 to the Chinese J-20 “is almost an irrelevant comparison.”

The F-35, said Gen. David Goldfein, is “about a family of systems and it’s about a network — that’s what gives us an asymmetric advantage.” Instead of comparing the J-20 to the Joint Strike Fighter, Goldfein said, it made more sense to compare the J-20 to the F-117 he flew years ago. When he piloted the F-117 into combat, he pushed the wonderfully named “stealth” button and all his antenna withdrew and his seat dropped down to make the pilot a smaller target. The plane had no connectivity with other aircraft once it went into combat.

“That’s why when i hear about F-35 vs. J-20, it’s almost an irrelevant comparison,” Goldfein said. There’s been enormous amounts of speculation about the Chinese J-20 and J-31 but relatively little comment by American officials. The 2016 Annual Report To Congress about China offered this: “PLAAF leaders believe stealth aircraft provide an offensive operational advantage that denies an adversary the time to mobilize and to conduct defensive operations.”

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Story: More J-20 Stealth Fighters Built in China

by Mike Yeo and Chris Pocock

China’s Chengdu Aircraft Company (CAC) has built more Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) J-20 stealthy jet fighters, with another new aircraft featured in flight on Chinese websites over the past week. This is the second known J-20 LRIP aircraft, after the first example serialed 2101 was shown in late December 2015. They follow two prototypes and six known development aircraft that featured a successive series of refinements.

The latest aircraft is painted in shades of gray and carries toned down national insignia, but unlike all previous J-20s has no identifying serial numbers. Reports from China suggest that this latest aircraft may in fact be the fourthLRIP aircraft, but verifiable evidence of this has yet to surface. Most information about the J-20 has emerged from unofficial Chinese websites, and the type has never been shown in public.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Pakistan Seeks Greater Indigenization for Next Air Force Fighter

A Pakistan Air Force JF-17, A joint development with China

Usman Ansari

ISLAMABAD — The top Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief has outlined plans for greater indigenous design and technical/industrial input with its next fighter, which it hopes to realize under the Vision 2030 program.

In an interview aired by the national broadcaster PTV, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said Vision 2030 aims for greater indigenization of avionics, communication systems, and other subsystems and components for a fifth generation fighter.

He accepted there are budgetary and research challenges, but said human resources and infrastructure was being developed to ensure that 10-15 years from now these goals could be achieved.

A major aspect of this is Aviation City near Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, the home of Pakistan’s aviation industry, which will have its own higher education facilities to nurture talent for the indigenization process.

The Chinese Shenyang J-31, (or development thereof), is strongly speculated to be Pakistan’s choice of fifth generation fighter. However, author, analyst and former Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail believes this is still unclear, but “emphasis on an indigenous design” is serious.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

USA: Kendall - F-35 Program Shows 'Continuing Progress in All Aspects'

By Lisa Ferdinando

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2016 — The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program is on track and demonstrating "continuing progress in all aspects," Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said May 24.

Kendall spoke during a conference call with reporters after an F-35 chief executive officer roundtable meeting in Phoenix.

"There has been no change in our schedule expectations to note," he said.

The aircraft’s cost continues to come down in production, consistent with earlier projections, Kendall said.

"We remain focused on the sustainment part of the program," he said. "Increasingly, in fact, we're turning our emphasis to that because that is where we still see opportunity to further reduce cost."