in Defence / General Aviation Posted 19 February 2020
Leonardo has revealed that two Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, equipped as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), have gone into service with an African Navy following their delivery by the Company, which acted as prime contractor and
in Defence Posted 12 February 2020
Denel’s efforts to restructure its business and implement a comprehensive turnaround plan, have been given a boost following the recent decision by Fitch Ratings in London to affirm its long-term rating and to assign it “stable outlook” status.
in Defence Posted 29 January 2020
The Airbus C295 tactical airlifter has successfully achieved its first wet contacts during an air-to-air (AAR) tanker flight test campaign.
in Defence Posted 17 January 2020
BAE Systems and Renishaw have signed an agreement to work together on the development of additive manufacturing capability for the defence and aerospace sector, designed to help improve performance, reduce
in Defence Posted 16 January 2020
Paramount Aerospace Systems (a Paramount Group subsidiary) has provided upgrade and engineering support for Draken International’s regenerated Mirage F1s.
in Defence Posted 16 December 2019
The Ministry of Defence of Burkina Faso has placed a firm order for one Airbus C295 military airlifter.
in Defence Posted 27 November 2019
The global internet of military things (IoMT) market is forecast to grow to $317.8bn by 2023, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
in Defence Posted 21 November 2019
Kenya's Ministry of Defence has selected Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) – part of the new Abu Dhabi-based Edge Group to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the Kenya Air Force.
in Defence / Features Posted 21 November 2019
The South African Air Force (SAAF) now has its first black female combat pilot, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 13 November 2019
The Madagascar Air Force received a boost in June with the arrival of a batch of new aircraft to bolster its small inventory. Erwan de Cherisey report.
in Defence / Features Posted 5 November 2019
Nigeria’s continuing counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram is the driving force behind a further small increase in the capabilities of its air force. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence Posted 14 October 2019
An Antonov An-72 transport plane operating for the Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo crashed near Punia last week.
in Defence Posted 1 October 2019
The French Armed Forces General Staff has announced that two test airdrops have been successfully carried out by one of the French forces’ 15 A400M under the supervision of the Centre d’expertise aérienne militaire
in Defence Posted 18 September 2019
Paramount Group has announced that the Mbombe 4x4, the newest addition to its advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) family of vehicles, has received final certification for the independently verified blast tests which exceeded
in Defence / Features Posted 28 August 2019
The US Air Force’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy remains a stalwart of airlift operations to and from Africa, supporting deployments and delivering humanitarian assistance.
in Defence / Features Posted 19 August 2019
As part of an ongoing expansion programme, Djibouti’s small air arm, the Force Aérienne du Djibouti (FAdD, Djibouti Air Force), has taken delivery of four newly refurbished AS365N Dauphins.
in Defence / Features Posted 8 August 2019
With most African countries ignoring the more expensive C-130J Hercules, both the Leonardo C-27J and Airbus C295 are now battling it out for tactical airlift supremacy in Africa. Alan Warnes looks at the state of play and the status of the North
in Defence / Features Posted 26 July 2019
When Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was appointed as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) chief of air staff in July 2015, only 50% of his aircraft were serviceable. In one of his first speeches, he said he wanted “effective and efficient capacity building” and training
in Defence Posted 5 July 2019
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and South Africa’s Paramount Group, have signed a high-level defence collaboration agreement, in step with Saudi Arabia’s vision for the creation of an integrated defence industrial ecosystem.
in Defence Posted 27 June 2019
Military personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) this week commence intensive training in South Africa to qualify as highly specialised Canine Unit (K-9 Unit) operatives.
in Defence / Features Posted 20 June 2019
Issues are arising surrounding the Kenya Air Force (KAF) Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 18 June 2019
The air force branch of the Equatorial Guinea Guardia Nacional (National Guard) has continued its expansion, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 14 June 2019
The Armée de l’Air du Cameroun (Cameroon Air Force) is undergoing a major re-equipment programme, although the US halted assistance in February 2019 amid reports of gross violations of human rights by Cameroon’s security
in Defence / Features Posted 11 June 2019
The US Army’s Security Assistance Command (USASAC) has completed the delivery of a $338 million foreign military sales (FMS) package of eight Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated training and support to Tunisia, writes Jon
in Defence / Features Posted 4 June 2019
African air force commanders met with US Air Force and State Department leaders at the eighth annual Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA) symposium in Morocco. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 29 May 2019
The Kamov Ka-52 ‘Nile Crocodile’ helicopter has officially entered service with the Egyptian Air Force. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 17 May 2019
The Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) MiG company is hoping that new variants will repeat the success of the original MiG-29 in Africa. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 8 May 2019
The Ghana Armed Forces have a small but capable air force. The key to its success is training, as Patrick Dirksen and Frank Mink found out during a recent visit.
in Defence / Features Posted 15 March 2019
It looks like Mauritania is about to receive a second Basler turbo-Dak intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 6 March 2019
A US Air Force (USAF) notification, issued on September 20, revealed that Rwanda is to receive two new aircraft to be used for medical evacuation and light transport missions during international peacekeeping operations throughout Africa.
in Defence / Features Posted 28 February 2019
Tanzania is understood to have taken delivery of four Airbus Helicopters Cougar and Super Cougar transport helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Defence / Business Aviation / General Aviation / Technology / Events Posted 26 February 2019
From commercial aircraft and helicopters to unmanned aerial systems and satellite imaging, Airbus is showcasing the full spectrum of its business, products and services in Africa at this year’s Aviation
in Defence Posted 21 February 2019
Airbus has successfully completed the certification flight tests for the A400M Cargo Hold Tanks (CHT) refuelling unit, taking a new step towards the full certification of the aircraft for air-to-air refuelling operations as a
in Defence / Features Posted 21 February 2019
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) has taken delivery of nine Eurocopter AS550 Fennec light helicopters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 12 February 2019
African countries have traditionally provided a good market for Russian Helicopters, with more than 700 in active service across the continent. Now, as Jon Lake reports, the push is on to sell more.
in Defence Posted 6 February 2019
Embraer Defense & Security and its partner Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) were awarded a contract to deliver 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force.
in Defence / Features Posted 4 February 2019
Since May 2014, Cameroon has been battling the terrorist organisation known colloquially as Boko Haram. Erwan de Cherisey takes a look at the country’s capabilities.
in Defence Posted 22 January 2019
Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems, is supplying its IFF (identification friend or foe) secondary radar processing and plot extraction technology to
in Defence Posted 22 January 2019
The Ministry of Defence of Ivory Coast has signed a firm order for one C295 medium transport aircraft.
in Defence / Features Posted 5 December 2018
Jon Lake reports on a vital helicopter rescue mission near the Somali border with Kenya.
in Defence Posted 4 December 2018
The new C-27J Spartan baseline configuration— characterised by a brand new avionics system, new cockpit control panels and LED aircraft lights—completed its first flight yesterday at Leonardo’s Aircraft Division Turin
in Defence / Features Posted 30 November 2018
Many believe that Africa will be the big growth market for the global defence industry, thanks to burgeoning security requirements and vast oil and natural gas reserves. Jon Lake takes a look at the situation.
in Defence / Features Posted 28 November 2018
Kenyan Treasury Secretary, Henry Rotich, has revealed the previously undisclosed acquisition of two or three Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft and an undisclosed number of Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters (thought to be four). Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 26 November 2018
US military pilots in Djibouti have reported being targeted by high-powered lasers – apparently from a nearby Chinese base. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 22 November 2018
An arms embargo placed on the Central African Republic is to remain in place, blocking a proposed Chinese weapons package being delivered to the country’s forces.
in Defence / Features Posted 16 November 2018
The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing has acquired a second-hand Airbus CAS C-212 light turboprop transport aircraft to replace one similar that crashed in 2017.
in Defence / Features Posted 12 November 2018
Indonesia is making inroads into the African military transport market. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 8 November 2018
Jon Lake looks at the reasons why Morocco is seeking new fighters and attack helicopters.
in Defence / Features Posted 2 November 2018
Paramount Group, the South African-based global aerospace and defence company, has become the prime contractor for the maintenance, repair and modernisation of recently retired Mirage F1 supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft. David
in Defence / Events Posted 30 October 2018
Aircrew from the Royal Air Force’s largest aircraft provided senior military leaders from across Africa with insights into Voyager’s capabilities and versatility at last week’s Marrakech Air Show.
in Defence Posted 4 October 2018
The Saudi Royal Air Force and the Tunisian Air Force are training together for the first time in a joint exercise in the North African country.,
in Defence Posted 3 October 2018
Two military aircraft, an Antonov An-30 and an An-32, have collided on the runway at Khartoum International Airport, Sudan.
in Defence / Features Posted 26 September 2018
The US Army is carrying out market research to find a contractor that can deliver a level 5 flight-training device (FTD) to Kenya, with a potential option for an additional Huey II FTD for the Republic of Uganda, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Posted 21 September 2018
Angola has ordered three C295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence Posted 20 September 2018
Leonardo and the Paramount Group are to evaluate the joint development of a weaponized configuration of M-345 jet trainer for the African market and will continue discussions over the future of the SF-260 programme and its logistic
in Defence Posted 20 September 2018
Nairobi, Kenya-based DAC Aviation International has received its first Airbus C295 for humanitarian missions in North-East and Central Africa.
in Defence / Events Posted 19 September 2018
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed the importance of the defence industry as he formally opened the 10th Africa Aerospace and Defence show at Waterkloof, Pretoria today.
in Defence / Features Posted 17 September 2018
Two rounds of the African partnership flight (APF) programme were conducted in March and April 2018. Jon Lake reports on progress.
in Defence / Features Posted 11 September 2018
Aero Vodochody’s L-39NG jet trainer programme received a considerable boost in early April when the Senegal President, Macky Sall, announced a deal for four of the new generation classics. Alan Warnes reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 4 September 2018
Diamond Aircraft set out to woo new buyers by undertaking a west African tour with two of its aircraft. David Oliver followed the mission’s progress.
in Defence / Features Posted 28 August 2018
Jon Lake reveals that it’s good news and bad news for Egypt’s Rafales.
in Defence / Features Posted 20 August 2018
Mali is rapidly becoming a major terrorist focus point. Alan Warnes looks at what’s being done to combat the problem.
in Defence / Features Posted 10 August 2018
Sam Basch takes brief look at South Africa’s Paramount Group, which is headed by Ivor Ichikowitz, a man who seems to have the ability to see opportunities others often overlook and who continuously grows his innovative defence group across the air, land and sea domains.
in Defence / Features Posted 28 June 2018
The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has received a useful boost to its vertical lift capabilities with the arrival of five refurbished Bell Huey II helicopters from US surplus stocks.
in Defence / Features Posted 22 June 2018
The Zambian Air Force (ZAF) will substantially improve its transport capabilities with the arrival of two Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical airlift aircraft.
in Air Transport / Defence / People Posted 18 June 2018
Following a restructuring of the Egyptian government’s cabinet, Air Marshal Younes Al Masry has been appointed as the country’s Civil Aviation Minister.
in Defence / Features Posted 14 June 2018
The most advanced fighter aircraft ever constructed in Africa is about to find a new lease of life on the other side of the world. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 6 June 2018
Delays to the work on three special mission Gulfstreams 550s are causing the Algerian Air Force some real concerns. Alan Warnes reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 31 May 2018
The Cameroonian Air Force (CAF) transport fleet is one of the most capable and serviceable in the region and provides a capability that has few equivalents throughout central Africa. Erwan de Cherisey looks at its history and current state of
in Air Transport / Defence / Route Planning & Tourism Posted 28 May 2018
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) extended a security warning for the Egypt Sinai Peninsula to 25 November 2018 due to continuing concern for flight safety.
in Defence / Features Posted 23 May 2018
Kenya’s requirement for new light attack/armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft has been dogged by controversy. Jon Lake attempts to unravel a complicated situation.
in Defence / Features Posted 14 May 2018
Alan Warnes spotlights the origins of the Tanzanian Air Force Command and highlights an interesting mix of aircraft being flown.
in Defence Posted 1 May 2018
Boeing, through its subsidiary Aviall has announced Aviall’s leadership role in supply chain management for the production of the Advanced High- Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft
in Defence Posted 11 April 2018
An Algerian Air Force Ilyushin-76TD military transport plane has crashed with more than 200 passengers and crew believed dead.
in Defence Posted 11 April 2018
The world’s largest operator of ex-military aircraft, Draken International, has signed an agreement with Paramount Aerospace Systems for the overhaul and ongoing engineering support of their recently acquired fleet of Mirage
in Defence / Technology / People Posted 10 April 2018
South Africa's Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has appointed an entirely new Board of Directors for the coountry's state-owned technology group Denel reports Sam Basch. The board is an
in Defence / Features Posted 10 April 2018
South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has mounted a renewed effort to sell its FA-50 Golden Eagle lightweight fighter to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
in Defence Posted 5 April 2018
After 20 years, Aero Vodochody is selling new aircraft on the international market
in Defence / Features Posted 4 April 2018
Following its participation in Exercise Blue Shield in Sudan and Exercise Red Flag in the USA, the Royal Saudi Air Force undertook a further major training exercise, Faisal-11, in Egypt. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Posted 26 March 2018
The Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali (FARM - Republic of Mali Air Force) has taken delivery of a pair of Harbin Y-12E Harbinger light transport aircraft, which staged through Malta on delivery in September 2017.
in Defence / Features Posted 20 March 2018
Burkina Faso signed two agreements covering the delivery of two Mil Mi-171Sh transport helicopters and associated weapons during Russia’s Army 2017 exhibition, according to Sergei Kornev, the deputy director general of the Russian state arms export
in Defence / Features Posted 13 March 2018
The Força Aérea Nacional de Angola (FANA – National Air Force of Angola) took delivery of its first two Sukhoi Su-30K fighters in September 2017 and is due to receive 10 more by early 2018.
in Defence / Features Posted 7 March 2018
The Somalia National Air Force was decimated by the Ogaden War with Ethiopia in the late-1970s and the civil war in the 1990s. It now has no aircraft and has been reduced to guarding the airport. However, the Somali Government has
in Defence / Features Posted 27 February 2018
The Aero L-39 Albatros high-performance jet trainer was created in Czechoslovakia by Aero Vodochody in the 1960s. Alan Warnes looks at how the aircraft is still being used throughout Africa.
in Defence Posted 22 February 2018
The newly created company Bronco Combat Systems (BCS) USA, announced today the launch of the Bronco II aircraft, which is based on Paramount Group's AHRLAC aircraft (Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft).
in Defence Posted 14 February 2018
Lockheed Martin reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on Feb. 9. This Super Hercules is an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations aircraft that is assigned to the U.S. Air
in Defence Posted 7 February 2018
Paramount Group and its partners in AHRLAC Holdings have announced that its new factory is fully operational and ramping up for full production of the Advanced High Performance and Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) and
in Defence / General Aviation Posted 27 December 2017
Chinese automotive and aviation company Wanfeng has bought the majority of shares in Austria’s Diamond Aircraft, the fourth largest general aviation manufacturer in the world.
in Defence Posted 18 December 2017
GKN Aerospace has signed a three year contract extension worth over US$8 million (Initial order value ZAR 89M), covering the technical product support, maintenance and parts supply for the Gripen RM12
in Defence / Features Posted 22 November 2017
For more than a decade, the Ghana Aviation Unit (GHAV) was deployed in Côte d'Ivoire as part of a UN peacekeeping force. Erwan de Cherisey looks at what was achieved and the legacy left by the unit as it finally went home earlier this year.
in Defence / Features Posted 9 November 2017
On June 5, China's state-owned Guizhou Aircraft Industries Corporation (GAIC) rolled out the first production FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle (Shanying) from its plant in Anshun. As Jon Lake reports, it was a particularly significant moment for Sudan.
in Defence / Features Posted 31 October 2017
A US Air Force competition to find a new light attack aircraft could open new doors in Africa for Embraer's Super Tucano. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence Posted 5 October 2017
The government of South Korea says the 2017 edition of the Seoul Air
Show will be used to showcase the export version of the Korean
Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet
with the objective of
in Defence Posted 6 September 2017
Russian Helicopters Holding is to present the Russain and international audience with a brand new utility helicopter Ka-62.
in Defence Posted 30 August 2017
A senior Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilot instructor has died after the
Air Beetle trainer aircraft he was flying crashed near the city of
Kaduna. By Oscar Nkala.
in Defence Posted 9 August 2017
The US State Department has approved the sale of twelve (12) Embraer
A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and weapons, associated training, spare
parts, aviation and ground support equipment, hangar facilities
in Defence / Features Posted 7 August 2017
Over the past decade, the Senegalese military has been immersed in an unprecedented modernisation effort, which has allowed for a complete overhaul of the Army equipment and Navy fleet. Although the Senegalese Air Force (SAF) has also
in Defence / Features Posted 1 August 2017
The US is entering a new chapter of its military interventions in east Africa. Jon Lake reports
in Defence Posted 31 July 2017
Boeing will build and test three U.S. Army CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters as part of a modernisation effort that will likely bring another two decades of work to the company's Philadelphia site.
IATA's WFS to focus on sustainable future
MEBAA Show Morocco gearing up for September event
