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Military

Norway strengthens security measures in Poland to support Ukraine

Norway will send fighter jets, air defence systems and soldiers to Poland from December to protect the airport in Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border. Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said the mission, as part of NATO's air and missile defence, will last until Easter. Four F-35 fighter jets and 100 soldiers will ensure the security of the central logistics site. The airport is a crucial hub for the transport of Western weapons to Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia.

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Croatia modernizes: Farewell to the MiG-21 and transition to the Dassault Rafale

The Croatian Air Force has officially retired the MiG-21 fighter jets, closing a defining chapter in its aviation history. This Soviet supersonic aircraft has been a central part of national defense since Croatia's independence in 1991. Now, the protection of Croatian airspace will be temporarily taken over by Italian Eurofighter Typhoons and Hungarian Saab Gripens, before the new fleet of modern Dassault Rafale fighter jets takes over fully. This change marks a milestone in the comprehensive modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces. Developed during the Cold War, the MiG-21 was considered one of the most successful fighter aircraft of its time. For over 60 years, this model served in various countries, including Croatia. There, the aircraft entered service in 1992 and played a central role in the young state's defense concept. However, as with other European countries, such as Romania, which retired its MiG-21 fleet in 2023, the limited lifespan of the aircraft type eventually became a problem. Outdated technology and rising maintenance costs led to the decision to switch to more modern systems. The transition to the Rafale Under a $960 million contract, Croatia acquired 12 used Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France. These aircraft, capable of performing both air defense and ground attack missions, represent a significant increase in the country's military capabilities. The first six aircraft were handed over to Croatia in April 2024, accompanied by a ceremonial reception near Zagreb. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stressed the strategic importance of the Rafale fleet, which not only strengthens national security but also consolidates Croatia's role within NATO. A key part of the modernization is the

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Canada orders 19 PC-21 training aircraft from Pilatus

The Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus is supplying 19 PC-21 training aircraft to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The delivery is part of the "Future Aircrew Training" (FAcT) program, which aims to modernize the training of military pilots. From 2026, the aircraft will be stationed at the air force base in Moose Jaw. The integrated training system includes not only the aircraft but also ground-based training solutions.

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Drone sighting over the port of Hamburg: investigation initiated

On Friday, a drone was spotted over the port of Hamburg while the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was anchored there. The German army confirmed the incident and deployed a drone defense team with an HP-47 jammer. No shots were fired. The drone, about 1,5 meters tall, reportedly disappeared into a container terminal. The background to the incident is currently unclear. The aircraft carrier's presence in Hamburg is part of a diplomatic visit to deepen German-British defense relations. High-level talks on military cooperation and arms procurement took place on the Queen Elizabeth, with representatives from Germany and Great Britain taking part. The port visit also marks the first arrival of a carrier of this class in Hamburg.

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Boeing receives billion-dollar order for additional KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft

In a significant development for the U.S. Air Force and the aviation industry, Boeing has been awarded a $2,38 billion contract to supply 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus tankers. This contract is part of procurement Lot 11 and adds to existing global supply agreements that already include 168 KC-46A aircraft serving both the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and international allies. But despite this success, there remain challenges and criticisms regarding the technology and reliability of the Pegasus tanker that cannot be ignored. The Importance of the KC-46A Program The KC-46A Pegasus tankers are a key component of the USAF's aerial refueling fleet. They are intended to replace the older KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender models that have been in service since the 1950s. The introduction of the KC-46A is thus not only a technological necessity but also a strategic step to ensure the global operational capability of the US Air Force. The KC-46A is based on the Boeing 767-2C, a commercial airliner converted for military use. Boeing won the competition for the KC-X program in 2011, which aimed to replace the USAF's aging tanker aircraft. The contract covers the delivery of a total of 179 aircraft. The first 89 KC-46A aircraft have already been delivered to the US Air Force, and other nations have also shown interest in the modern tanker aircraft. Japan ordered six units, four of which have already been delivered, and Israel secured a contract to supply four aircraft valued at US$927 million. Technical challenges and criticism Despite success in winning orders and delivering aircraft, the KC-46A program has

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Criticism of the personnel situation in the Austrian Armed Forces: Officers' Association calls for urgent reforms

The Austrian Officers' Association (ÖOG) has once again sharply criticized the personnel situation in the Austrian Armed Forces. According to President Brigadier Erich Cibulka, the lack of qualified personnel, particularly in the areas of air traffic controllers and air defense, is leading to significant security risks. For years, military leaders and experts have been warning of dramatic personnel shortages, which are being exacerbated by increasing retirements and people moving to better-paid civilian jobs. The situation is particularly serious in the militia, whose membership numbers have fallen sharply since the abolition of compulsory military exercises. According to Cibulka, the Austrian army consists of a force that "exists on paper" and is not sufficiently prepared and trained in an emergency. The Officers' Association is therefore calling on the new government to consistently continue the defense budget and to sustainably increase personnel. Three specific demands were made: an increase in the defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2028, an increase in the number of personnel in the Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH) in peacetime and during operations, and ensuring that the ÖBH is capable of military national defense after a possible mobilization. Cibulka describes the political responsibility and the need to remedy these structural deficits as essential for national security.

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Austria: Military airspace surveillance suspended

The temporary suspension of military surveillance of Austrian airspace last weekend sparked a heated debate about the personnel policy and strategic direction of the Austrian Armed Forces. The reason for this was an acute shortage of air traffic controllers, as many of them had to reduce overtime. This incident not only highlights the challenges facing the army, but also raises questions about the future of national security. The Austrian Armed Forces have been under pressure for years to provide sufficiently qualified personnel for military airspace surveillance. Air traffic control, a highly specialized unit responsible for coordination and security in military airspace, is particularly affected. The problem lies in the migration of personnel to the civilian Austro Control, which lures with more attractive salaries and working conditions. While a civilian air traffic controller can earn significantly higher salaries, the Austrian Armed Forces are now trying to counteract this with bonuses and new training programs. The impact on national security The suspension of surveillance affected, among other things, the operational readiness of the Eurofighters, which form the backbone of Austrian airspace defense. Without air traffic controllers, these fighter jets could not take off. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner then announced that she would examine alternative solutions to ensure safety even in the event of personnel shortages. In the meantime, Austria is playing a key role in the European Sky Shield Initiative, a European defense program that aims to enable closer cooperation in air defense despite Austria's neutrality. However, this incident highlights the importance of an independent and reliable military infrastructure in order to protect national interests. A structural problem with long-term consequences The gap in military airspace surveillance is not an isolated problem. It reflects the generally difficult

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Technical glitch delays return of Economics Minister Habeck

The return of Economics Minister Robert Habeck from the tech conference "Web Summit" in Lisbon has been delayed due to a technical glitch on the government aircraft. The Airbus A350-900 on which Habeck and his companions were flying could not take off as planned during the night. The captain informed the passengers of a defect in the ignition circuit of an engine, which led to a fuse failure. The aircraft was not allowed to take off with this fault. Therefore, Habeck is not expected in Berlin until Wednesday. The Airbus A350-900 "Kurt Schumacher" was only put into service in June of this year as part of an extensive modernization program of the Bundeswehr's air force. The new aircraft were intended to replace the old, error-prone models that had repeatedly made negative headlines in the past. In particular, the government aircraft A340-300, known as the "Konrad Adenauer", had caused inconvenience on several trips due to frequent breakdowns. This aircraft was finally retired in autumn 2023.

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Israel plans to purchase 25 F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing

In a strategic decision, the Israeli Ministry of Defense recently announced that it would purchase 25 F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing. The investment, worth $5,2 billion, will be fully financed by US military aid, the ministry said on November 7, 2024. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2031. According to the original plan, Israel will receive an option for an additional 25 aircraft, which could significantly expand the F-15IA fleet. The purchase of the F-15IA, a special version of the F-15EX Eagle II, shows that Israel wants to further modernize its arsenal. The F-15IA jets are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including digital cockpits, radar and electronic warfare systems, and improved communications capabilities designed to optimize cooperation with Israel's F-35I 'Adir' fleet. In particular, the F-15IA jets will be able to carry up to 24 air-to-air missiles and are therefore ideally equipped for complex air superiority missions. The Director of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Major General Eyal Zamir, emphasized the importance of the new fleet for Israel's military strength. This, together with a recently acquired third squadron of F-35 fighter jets, represents a significant reinforcement of the air force and an extension of the strategic reach - a capability that is of crucial importance in the current security situation. In addition to the new acquisition of the F-15IA aircraft, Israel is also planning to modernize 25 F-15I fighter jets already in service. The F-15I 'Ra'am', an adapted variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle, has been in service since the 1990s. These fighter jets are now to be upgraded for improved performance. The planned modernizations include both the technical renewal of the machines and the upgrading

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Sweden chooses C-390 Millennium as new transport aircraft

The Swedish Ministry of Defence has announced that it will procure the C-390 Millennium from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer as its new tactical transport aircraft. With this decision, Sweden is the first country in Northern Europe and the sixth European NATO member to rely on the versatile transport aircraft. The choice of the C-390, which is characterized by high mission capability and reliability, supports Sweden's goal of strengthening defence capabilities in an increasingly tense geopolitical situation. The C-390 Millennium offers flexibility for a wide range of tasks, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation and logistical support. It is already in service in countries such as Brazil and South Korea, where it has been field-tested with an operating rate of over 93 percent and high reliability. Embraer's long-term partnership with Sweden is further strengthened by this order and includes extensive synergies in training and logistics, which should also improve interoperability with other NATO countries.

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