Day: April 23, 2024

<div><img class=”invisible” style=”display: none” src=”[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]264bd098-d3fc-4fcd-bdec-a55945ac8303?sfvrsn=50b79f56_2″></div><div class=”w-100 position-relative”> <img src=”/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg” class=”invisible w-100″> <div style=”background-image: url(“https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73808-jdw-26126.jpeg?sfvrsn=50b79f56_2″)” class=”news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100″></div></div>
<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>A file photo of a UAE F-16 combat aircraft. While the Gulf state has traditionally enjoyed strong procurement and operational ties with the West, the UAE AFAD is now also seeking closer co-operation with the PLAAF in China. (Lockheed Martin)</p>
<p>The chief of joint operations for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces has met with the head of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as the two countries look to promote closer co-operation between their respective air forces.</p>
<p>The UAE Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the meeting on 23 April, saying that on the same day Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of Joint Operations, had met with Lieutenant General Chang Dingqiu, commander of the PLAAF, at the headquarters of the Chinese MoD in Beijing.</p>
<p>“During the meeting, a number of topics related to the fields of joint military co-operation and work between the two countries and ways to support and develop them were discussed. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officers and officials of the MoDs of the two countries,” the UAE MoD said.</p>
<p>Though traditionally a customer of Western military equipment, the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) has increasingly been buying from China. The UAE AFAD is known to have been operating the Wing Loong I unmanned aircraft system since 2015, and satellite imagery taken in January 2018 at Qusahwira Air Base revealed the Wing Loong II has been in UAE AFAD service since at least October 2017.</p>

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<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>The BT-67 is no stranger to Antarctica’s harsh climate. This picture displays a Basler BT-67 (re-engined DC-3) in polar configuration equipped with snow skids. (Basler)</p>
<p>The US Department of State has approved Argentina’s request to purchase Basler BT-67s, support equipment, and training for up to USD143 million, the department announced on 18 April.</p>
<p>“The proposed sale will … [provide] additional capacity for airdrop and airlift operations to service Antarctica during the winter season,” the announcement read. “This will reduce the burden on other airlift assets in Argentina.”</p>
<p>
The number of aircraft to be purchased is unknown, but the deal includes spare engines, ground handling equipment, transport, and personnel training. Basler and the Argentine Ministry of Defense had not responded to
<em>Janes </em>
questions at the time of publication.
</p>
<p>Argentina maintains nearly a dozen research bases on Antarctica, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. Argentina’s air force operates several aircraft types capable of operating in Antarctica, including four Lockheed Martin C-130Hs and seven de Havilland DHC-6s.</p>
<p>The BT-67 is a modified Douglas DC-3. Although DC-3 production ended in 1945, the aircraft’s ubiquity – more than 13,000 were built – performance, and reputation for resilience means that some still fly operationally. Many serving with armed forces have been modified by Basler Turbo Conversions, a Wisconsin-based company, to become BT-67s, which first flew in 1989.</p>
<p>The BT-67 conversion swaps the DC-3’s radial engines for Pratt & Whitney 1,062 kW (1,424 shp) PT6A-67R turboprop engines, lengthens the fuselage just over 1 m, and adds new fuel tanks and a new avionics system, among other tweaks. The aircraft can fly with skids, enabling it to operate from ice and snow-based runways.</p>
<p><em>For more information, please see</em></p>

The Israel Defense Force has stated that Air Defense Units in the North of the Country are reported to have Downed at least 3 One-Way “Suicide” Drones launched earlier today by Hezbollah from Lebanon against Communities on the Coast of Northwestern Israel. pic.twitter.com/5sbLFuDsl7

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 23, 2024