SPECIAL REPORT NOVEMBER 2015

AIR POWER
MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA & TURKEY

FEATURING IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

OF THE REGION’S 18 AIR FORCES
www.arabianaerospace.aero
 foreword
WELCOME
We live in interesting
times, as the old Chinese
proverb says. And, as air
chiefs from around the
Middle East North Africa
(MENA) region and
beyond, gather in Dubai in
November 2015, there is
no doubt that there are
plenty of interesting
discussions to be had.
With conflict, alliances,
coalitions and civil war
across the greater MENA
area, there is significant
focus on the region’s
military forces.
Air power remains the
driving force.
This first issue of Air
Power Middle East and
North Africa looks in
detail at each of the air
forces that support and
defend this region’s
nations – sometimes
together and sometimes
against each other. It is a
tangled web.
The very experienced
Alan Warnes has spent
considerable time talking
and listening to people
across the region and
collating this report.
We hope it is
something that will be
seen again as the region
continues to invest and
we welcome your
suggestions.
I sincerely hope you
enjoy reading it – and find
it useful too.
Alan Peaford
Editor-in-chief
THE AUTHOR: ALAN WARNES
I am passionate about air forces – not
just air forces but army aviation, naval
aviation and military aircraft of any
shapes or sizes, anywhere in the
world.
This is probably because, during my
formative years in the 70s, I grew up
in Germany and cycled regularly to
the local air bases.
Watching and photographing
military aircraft back then got you into
trouble but I still pursued what was
then, a hobby.
Since then I have travelled
extensively to more than 60 countries
all over the world, pursuing my
interest and furthering my career.
Professionally, I was the editor of
AirForces Monthly from 1998 until
2010 and, while still part of the team, I
now enjoy pursuing a freelance career.
I have written hundreds of features, as
well as a book on the modern Pakistan
Air Force (published in 2009), and
I’m working on a new one.
There have been many highlights;
visiting the Sri Lanka Air Force
throughout the 90s at the height of the
civil war and being there as it ended,
was one.
The regular trips to the Pakistan Air
Force are another, experiencing one of
the most operational air forces in the
world, with such a diverse fleet of
aircraft.
I was fortunate enough to visit the
Libyan Air Force three times, making
RSAF Typhoon at sunset - Picture by Jamie Hunter
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Visits to Asia, South America, Aerocomm Ltd, The Tower, Guardian Avenue,
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Middle East North Africa (MENA)
region were all enjoyable. Disclaimer
Unfortunately, official visits to MENA The views expressed in Arabian Aerospace magazine are not necessarily
shared by, nor should they be taken as the views of TIMES Aerospace
air forces are difficult, but of the many Limited (the publishers) or Aerocomm Ltd. Any views expressed are those of
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times I’ve visited official air shows in No responsibility or liability is accepted by the editor or the publishers for
any loss occasioned to any person, legal or physical, acting or refraining
the region, like Dubai, I have always from action as a result of any statement, fact, figure, expression of opinion
or belief contained in Arabian Aerospace.
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I have also had the chance to pursue by the editor or the publishers of the products or services referred to therein.
The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright, full details of
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aircraft.
As you may have guessed, travelling
is an interest – taking in different Advertisers
cultures and meeting new people. AAR Corp. 8
When you travel on your own, as I Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and
regularly do, people will often want to Overhaul Center (AMMROC) 6
talk to you and I always get to learn Air Tractor, Inc 66
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something new.
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In these days of Wi-Fi and the BAE Systems 2
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today about my work as I did when Global Aerospace Summit 2016 23
cycling my bike around Germany. IOMAX Archangel IFC
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If you find that you can update any
L-3 Link Simulation & Training 33
of the data in this book, or provide MBDA 19
news or assist with photography for Northrop Grumman Corporation 5
future issues of Arabian Aerospace or Rosoboronexport 59
the next edition of MENA Air Power, Russian Helicopters, JSC 43
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1
 contents
09 INTRODUCTION
24 IRAN
WHY AIR POWER IS TOP PRIORITY
SANCTIONS HINDER PROGRESS

13 ALGERIA
THE MISSING SYNC

17 BAHRAIN 26 IRAQ
US AIDS RECOVERY
FIGHTING MODERNISATION

20 EGYPT
THE POWER PYRAMID

30 JORDAN
A GROWING FORCE

3
 contents
34 KUWAIT
SUPPORT STRUCTURE 40 MOROCCO
ROYAL BACKING

36 LEBANON
WAR AGAINST TERROR

44 OMAN
FOCUS ON UPGRADES

38 LIBYA
LIFE AFTER GADDAFI

46 QATAR
THINKING BIG

4
E-2D: THE EYES AND
EARS OF SECURITY

The U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program continues to go from strength to strength with the recent completion of its
aerial refueling critical design review, and deployment of the first operational squadron.

Currently onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the E-2D is the world’s most advanced Airborne Early Warning &
Control System, representing a two-generation leap in radar sensor and enhanced network capabilities. The E-2D provides
Theater Air and Missile Defense, synthesizing information from multiple onboard and off-board sensors, making complex tactical
decisions, and disseminating actionable information to joint forces in a distributed, open-architecture environment. The E-2D
program has achieved all major milestones on or ahead of schedule since program inception in 2003. As of July 2015, 19 aircraft
have been delivered, with the next 32 aircraft under contract.

The Japan Ministry of Defense indicated in November 2014 that it selected the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye as part of its Japan Air
Self-Defense Force fleet in a recent type selection competition. In June 2015, the U.S. government approved the possible foreign
military sale to Japan for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support,
acknowledging the benefits a shared system would bring to both countries.

E-2D EXPANDING THE BATTLE SPACE

E-2D transforms how the forces conduct surveillance and airborne battle management operations. A shared system would give
allied commanders a common understanding of system capabilities and would deliver industrial advantages and cost savings to
all. This system provides the warfighter expanded battlespace awareness, especially in the area of command and control tactics.
Just one E-2D system delivers battle management, air and missile defense, and numerous sensor capabilities to aid in complete
international and domestic security. E-2D utilizes onboard sensors that actively defeat clutter allowing for detection of smaller
targets at longer ranges. The APY-9 radar retains the legacy mechanical scanning capability providing uniform 360 degree radar
coverage, while also integrating Electronic Scanning into both rotating and stationary radar modes.

YEAR OF THE HAWKEYE

The U.S. Navy designated 2014 the “Year of the Hawkeye.” In late June 2014, the E-2D reached a major milestone when the U.S.
Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $3.6 billion multi-year contract to deliver 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.

ON SCHEDULE AND ON BUDGET

Since the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye delivery in 2007, every aircraft has been delivered on schedule and on budget. The
Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program of record is for 75 aircraft.

Contact Details:
Brian Humphreys
T: +1 (703) 280-4487
E: Brian.A.Humphreys@ngc.com
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www.ammroc.ae
 contents
50 SAUDI ARABIA
CONTINUING TO BUILD 62 TURKEY
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

67 UAE
SOLID DEFENCE

58 SYRIA
JIHADIST FIGHT

71 YEMEN
TOUGH TIMES
60 TUNISIA
LIVING ON THE EDGE

7
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 introduction
Alan Warnes explains why Middle East
air power is not just about rich air
forces buying the best aircraft and
weapons in the world. Training with
their allies and learning how to get the
best out of their platforms whether they
are new or old is equally as
important.

The Dassault

NATIONAL SECURITY MAKES Rafale is helping

to reshape air
power in the
Middle East. As

AIR POWER TOP PRIORITY well as attacking

IS targets in Iraq
and Syria, it was

T
he Middle East North Africa (MENA) region is one of the
most unstable areas of the world. Tribalism, terrorism,
religion and political differences mean the protection of
national interests remains on every country’s agenda.
From Morocco in the west to Iran in the east, Turkey in the
north to Yemen in the south, there is always something going on.
Defence is paramount and most of it is done under a veil of
secrecy.
Saudi Arabia sits at the heart of the region and its military has
grown in stature in recent years. We have seen Saudi-led air
strikes against Houthis in Yemen in 2015, the first time the
biggest and wealthiest country in the region has led such a
coalition. It goes some way to show how the Saudis and, in
ordered by the air
particular, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has grown in forces of Egypt
confidence, militarily over the past decade or so. and Qatar earlier
In 2014 Saudi Arabia spent around $80 billion on defence – this year.
10.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) – making it the fourth
largest spender in the world, according to the acknowledged
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Some of the biggest contracts involve the RSAF, which, in
2012, agreed deals worth more than $20 billion with the USA to
equip itself with the 72 brand new F-15SAs ($11bn), upgrade 68
existing F-15S aircraft ($3.5bn) and buy new smarter, longer-
range weapons ($7bn). Continued
on Page 10
Additionally, in February 2014, the Saudi Government agreed
a price escalation contract with BAE Systems over the

9

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
acquisition of 72 Typhoons in 2007, which at the
time was worth $4.4 billion.
Only three other countries in the world spend
more on defence – the USA, China and Russia.
The UAE is not too far behind, in about 14th
place, spending $22.7 billion (5.1% of GDP),
while Turkey spent $22.6 billion (2.2% GDP).
The UAE has recently restructured its own
aerospace industry, not just to make it more
efficient, but also in a bid to export its services –
with the Advanced Military Maintenance,
Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC)
having huge potential.
Turkey, meanwhile, produces its own
helicopters, aircraft and weapons, not just for its
huge domestic market but also for export as well,
in a bid to offset some of the huge domestic spend.
Turkey’s SSM (undersecretary of Defence)
has been quite vocal in its criticism of the local
defence companies for not doing more to export.
In North Africa, Algeria is the leader in
military procurement. In 2014 it spent $11.8
billion (5.4% of GDP), with most of the
Algerian Air Force share going to Russia for new
air defence systems, ground-based air defence
systems and Su-30s.
qqqqq
More recently, it has been beefing up its border
security and issuing tenders for intelligence
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
platforms.
Algeria like so many MENA states, not only
suffers from terrorism and civil unrest, particularly
in the wake of the 2011 Arab Uprising, but also
sees Morocco as a threat because of their
differences over the South Sahara.
So, with around $180 billion spent annually
on military procurement in the region, it is not
too surprising that MENA acts as a magnet to
the big defence companies.
To understand why these countries need
strong militaries, you just have to look at the
spread and popularity of the Islamic State (IS –
often referred to as Daesh in the Middle East).
Middle Eastern air power is playing its part in
trying to oust IS from Iraq and Syria and the
Houthi rebels from Yemen.
The US and its Arab allies, Bahrain, Jordan,
Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have
all committed jets to rid Syria of the barbaric IS
under ‘Operation Inherent Resolve’. Australia
and France have also joined the effort.
In Iraq, the US and its NATO allies are also
trying to stamp out IS under the same operation.
Then there is the Saudi-led coalition, which
includes Egypt and UAE, trying to crush the
Houthi militias in Yemen, after President Hadi
was overthrown.
While its all very well having the best weapons
to fight the bad people, as many MENA
countries do, working with other coalition
partners is the name of the game and
interoperability is the key word. All the countries
10
INTRODUCTION
While its all very well involved have to know how to work together –
what their roles are, what weapons they bring,
having the best how to communicate, who is providing
command and control.
weapons to fight the Air forces have learnt to train in the art of the
combined air operation (COMAO). This is the
bad people, as many reason most of the Middle East air forces have
always bought US or European systems, and
then participate in regular exercises.
MENA countries do, The RSAF exercises regularly with the US
forces and has visited ‘Exercise Red Flag’ in
working with other Nevada several times, the UK twice (in 2007 and
2013) and France during 2014.
coalition partners is The United Arab Emirates Air Force and
Defence Force (UAEAF&AD) hosts its own
the name of the game advanced tactical leadership courses (ATLCs) at
Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi where US, UK RAF and
and interoperability is French fighters, regularly get involved.
UAEAF&AD F-16s also attend ‘Red Flag’
the key word. and, last year, Mirage 2000s ventured to
Australia for ‘Exercise Pitch Black’.
Turkey hosts ‘Anatolian Eagle’ at Konya Air
Base and attracts fighters from the Middle East
and Europe, which again allows them to work
together.
Jordan, this year, sent six F-16s to ‘Red Flag’,
which were surprisingly refuelled by Israeli Air
force KC-707s en-route.
Net-centric warfare, often referred to as
‘sensor to shooter’, plays a huge part in
COMAO. It constitutes the heart of any modern
command and control system, which
encompasses the needs of all of the country’s
services. Without it, forces have no combat
flexibility, tactical cohesiveness or effectiveness.
The lack of it in combat denies an air force the
benefit of a powerful force multiplier in combat
operations.
Most countries buy either western or eastern
systems. It would be very difficult to integrate
Russian or Chinese hardware with NATO
systems, as Turkey is finding with the acquisition
of a Chinese HQ-9 SAM system.
One exception is Egypt, which operates a mix
of US F-16s, Russian MiG-29s, Chinese F-7s and
French Mirages. More recently, it added the
Dassault Rafale to its inventory. However, there
is no common air defence system linking all the
systems together. Iran has a mix of old western
and eastern fighters, including F-4E Phantoms,
F-14A Tomcats, F-7s, Su-25 Frogfoots, Su-24M
Fencers and MiG-29 Fulcrums, but none can
‘talk’ to each other either. While data-linking
does happen in Iran, it’s mainly between
The electronic intelligence/signals intelligence
more you (ELINT/SIGINT) and recce platforms.
So, at the end of the day, while the Middle East
spend, the more countries maybe spending tens of billions of dollars
you can bring to the on defence, they also need to have a cohesive plan,
table when a military working with allied partners to get the best out of
them. Most seem to be doing that, because no
solution has country has the stomach to fight conflicts on their
to be found. own anymore. However, the more you spend, the
more you can bring to the table when a military
solution has to be found. n
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ALGERIA AND
THE MISSING SYNC
T
hanks to 15 years of high oil and
gas revenues, the Algerian Air
Force (FAA), looks impressive on
paper.
Like many air forces, the FAA flies
older platforms like the MiG-29C, SU-
24MK2 and Mi-24MKII, which co-exist
with modern aircraft like the SU-30MKA
and the newly acquired Mi-28E.
However, none of these platforms
work together as there is no net-centric
structure, which plays a massive part in
today’s modern air combat operations.
Some say this has happened largely due to
the leadership’s lack of knowledge.
The Algerian SU-30MKAs are a great
example of this. They are equipped with a
very basic data-link capability, allowing
them to exchange a limited form of
messaging, but are incapable of sending
or receiving complete tactical situational
awareness. As a result, they cannot
receive a data-link-recognised air picture
from a ground air defence network or a
battlefield picture from an airborne
intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
The FAA might have ordered the
Mi-28NE, which is undoubtedly a very
impressive attack helicopter, but it is
incapable of data-linking information or
automatic targeting cues coming from an
ISR or airborne surveillance platform.
This will dramatically reduce the combat
effectiveness of such an impressive
platform, let alone the possibility to be
able to work jointly with reconnaissance
helicopters or unmanned air vehicles
(UAVs).
Another weakness is training
pilots in tactical scenarios. For
example, back in 2006, the
Belgian Air Force (BAF) sent four together as there is
F-16s to work with the MiG-29s of
the 3rd Air Defence Wing.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite
ALGERIAN AIR FORCE
The Algerian Air Force has
bought 44 Su-30MKAs since
2007, and recently signed a
deal for a further 14.
work out well and the Algerian force HQ
curtailed some of the manoeuvres,
although the BAF enjoyed its time there.
The FAA also needs to replace its ageing
tactical and strategic platforms, like the
Beech-1900D high-integrated synthetic
aperture radar (HISAR), the MiG-25RBsh
(strategic) and SU-24MR (tactical).
It issued a series of tenders in 2014 to
modernise the fleet and introduce more
ISR systems. This included the
modernisation of its surveillance
helicopters, procurement of 14
reconnaissance helicopters, Beech 1900D
modernisation (which has been partly
done), purchase of six medium altitude
turbo-prop ISR aircraft and replacement
of the MiG-25RBSh squadron with three
None ISR business jets. This should have
provided a chance to integrate the
of these systems and establish a ‘sensor to
shooter’ concept but, unfortunately,
platforms work there was no technical specification
outlining the need to send tactical
information and
no net-centric targeting information to Continued
on Page 14
structure. the war-fighter.
13

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
The FAA does look impressive, if
dated, in areas. A single interceptor
squadron equipped with MiG-25PDS
Foxbats at Ain Oussera Air Base operates
alongside another equipped with MiG-
25RBSh reconnaissance variants and
Sukhoi Su-24MRK2 Fencers.
Long-range precision strike over land
and sea is the role of the Su-24MK2s based
at Laghouat Air Base. Around 22-25 were
upgraded from Su-24M/MKs in 2001.
The MiG-29 Fulcrums flown by the 3rd
Air Defence Wing at Bou-Sfer were
acquired second-hand from Belarus and
Ukraine in 1999. As part of the Russian
arms deal, these aircraft were to be traded
in for the latest MiG-29SMT-2/UBT
variants. Delivery of 28 MiG-29SMT-2s
was halted after the supposedly new
aircraft were actually old airframes
upgraded, but still allegedly in poor
condition. It resulted in Algeria returning
the first 15 of 34 jets on order and
subsequently cancelling the deal. The
two countries settled their differences
and a deal for 28 Su-30MKAs followed,
with deliveries between 2007-2009.
A second contract for a further 16 Su-
30MKAs was completed by the end of
2011, which spelt the end of the MiG-
23MF/ML Floggers, and considerably
boost the air arm’s strike capabilities. A
third acquisition of 14 Su-30MKAs was
announced in September 2015, with
deliveries expected in 2016-17.
The S-300MPU2 Favorit air defence
system was also purchased as part of the
Su-30MKA deals.
14
It was reported earlier this year that
Algeria’s air defence was significantly
enhanced when it became the first foreign
country to receive the deadly S-400
Triumf (NATO name SA-21 Growler)
missile system. The S-400 is designed to
intercept and destroy airborne targets at a
distance of up to 250 miles (400kms) and
will alarm neighbour Morocco, with
which Algeria has a strained relationship.
In 2011, the air force leadership
demanded an explanation from Russia
for the high level of Israeli avionics in its
Su-30MKAs. It came after maintenance
of the first aircraft, delivered in 2007,
revealed the main mission computer, the
nerve centre of the Su-30MKA, had been
heavily influenced by Israel technologies.  upgrade.
qqqqq
The computer interfaces with the Israel
Aerospace Industries Elta EL/M8222
electronic warfare system and Elbit
Systems SU967 head-up display.  contract will follow early next year.
Real concerns have been raised that the
new generation Flanker’s avionics could
become a target of cyber-warfare from
the Jewish state in the event of hostilities.  of these contracts.
Algeria already has a track record of
withdrawing from use platforms with
Israeli equipment.  tactical and logistical wing operating the
Two VIP Eurocopter EC225s,
2600/7T-WVA and 2623/7T-WVB, were
retired in 2008, some four years after
being received, when they were
discovered to have Elbit avionics. They
have now been sold.
This also signalled the end of Algeria’s
Above: Like most
air forces in the close relationship with Eurocopter (now
world, C-130 Airbus), with its helicopters replaced by
Hercules form the those from arch rival AgustaWestland.
basis of the
Orders for AW109s, AW139s, AW101s
Algerian Air
Force tactical and Super Lynx all squeezed Airbus
transport Helicopters out of Algeria.
requirements. It was announced on February 28,
PICTURE: ALAN WARNES 2014 that the Algerian Air Force had
concluded a massive $2.7 billion contract
Right: Algerian with Rostvertol for the supply of new
Air Force helicopters and upgrades to its existing
Su-24M/MKs rotary-wing fleet. The purchase includes
have been
42 Mil Mi-28E Night Hunter attack
upgraded with
the capability of helicopters and modernisation of the
dropping Mk 82 AAF’s 39 Mi-171Sh (Mi-8AMTSh)
series weapons. helicopters by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant,
which will come with an armament
An order for six brand new Mi-26Ts
has been followed by a second contract
for eight. The first two were delivered to
their new home at Biskra on June 9.
The next arrive before the end of this
year and the remaining two from the first
Deliveries of the additional eight are due
by the end of 2017. Algerian pilots and
technicians are also being trained as part
Algeria’s fixed-winged transport fleet
based at Boufarik Air Base comprises one
western sourced types – Lockheed C-130
Hercules, Gulfstreams, C295s and Beech
200/300s. There is also a tactical
transport and air-refuelling wing
operating Ilyushin Il-76 Candids and Il-
78 Midas tankers.
Some of the Beech 200s are equipped

for maritime patrol, but are likely to be
replaced soon.
Boufarik also houses the AAF’s Beech
1900Ds, six of which were equipped with
the Raytheon HISAR surveillance
system. It is understood the system has
been upgraded as its weight restricted the
aircraft’s performance. The new kit
includes the L3 Wescam MX-15 EO/IR
sensor.
Two new production King Air C90GTi
twin-turboprops were delivered to the air
force in November 2011. Algeria has
been a user of various King Air models
for many years, most being operated for
transport duties at Boufarik and
including four older model King Air
C90Bs delivered new in 1985. Four King
Air 200s are also in service, plus a single
Beech 200T, used for training at
Tafraoui. Most recently, six King Air
B300s have been delivered, the latest
being in May 2011.  purchased before development had been
qqqqq
An order for 10 Airbus C295s was
placed in 2003, which comprised four
aircraft in basic transport/utility
configuration, two with VIP-specification
interiors and four with systems installed
for maritime patrol and surveillance. The
six transport and VIP-configured aircraft
were delivered between November 2005
and early 2007, but the four MPAs were
cancelled. A C295 was lost on November
9, 2012, when it crashed in France, with
all six on board killed.
There has been speculation that the air
ALGERIAN AIR FORCE
ALGERIAN AIR FORCE ORBAT
force has been looking to acquire up to
three A330 multi-role tanker transport
(MRTT) aircraft to replace the IL-78s.
In early May 2013, an A330 MRTT
undertook a series of demonstrations at
Base Aérienne Boufarik, the AAF’s main
transport base, but no order materialised.
The FAA has a large training facility at
Tafraoui Air Base. Basic training is
undertaken using Czech- and locally-
assembled variants of the Zlin light
aircraft family, while L-39ZAs are based
there too.
The advanced and weapons training
segments of the syllabus is undertaken on
16 Yakovlev Yak-130s based at Mecheria,
working alongside L-39ZAs. Algeria
ordered the Yak-130 in March 2006 with
the first aircraft making its maiden flight
in August 2009, but deliveries did not
commence until November 29, 2011,
with an initial three aircraft. They were
completed and issues with the aircraft’s
navigation systems allegedly hinder the
jet’s performance.
Beech twin-turboprops are used for
crew and specialised training, while pilots
working up on helicopters will make use
of PZL (Mil) Mi-2 Hoplites and
Eurocopter AS.355B Twin Ecureuils
based at Setif - Aïn Arnat Air Base.
Eight Sokół W-3A helicopters were
ordered for crew training in July 2011 via
PZL’s parent company, AgustaWestland,
and deliveries were completed in 2014.
There are options for a further 15 to
replace the Air Force’s Mi-2 Hoplite
helicopters. n
15
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BAHRAIN: THE FIGHT
AGAINST MODERNISATION
W
hile the Royal Bahraini Air
Force (RBAF) is a compact
professional air arm and well
equipped, it is in need of modernisation.
Its fleet of F-5s is obsolete and will be
replaced whenever the necessary funding
is available. The Eurofighter Typhoon,
Rafale and F-16 have all been touted in
the recent past.
While other smaller air forces in the
region, like Oman and Qatar, are re-
equipping with Typhoons and Rafales
respectively, Bahrain procurement has so
far baulked at acquiring a new fighter.
In recent years the RBAF has acquired
six new Hawk Mk 129s, delivered between
October-December 2006, and nine UH-
60Ms, ordered in April 2008. While the
new fighter purchase looms somewhere on
the horizon, the 21 surviving F-16C/Ds
will defend Bahrain air space.
They were delivered in two peace
crown (PC) programmes, separated by
10 years, in 1990 and 2000. PC I saw the
RBAF become the first customer to buy
the state-of-the-art F-16C/D powered by
the General Electric F110 powerplant. It
ordered eight single-seaters and four
twin-sticks, which were delivered in
1990.
This was followed by PC II, comprising
10 F-16C Block 40s delivered by the end
of 2000. They differed from the previous
examples, with a colour cockpit TV
system, APG-68(V)-8 radar and
AMRAAM missile capability.
The F-16s now fly with AIM-120B
AMRAAM and AIM-9M Sidewinders for
air defence missions, while a 24-hour
quantitative risk assessment (QRA) is
also manned.
Today the F-16s are heavily involved in
two significant operations – anti-ISIL in
Syria (operation inherent resolve) and
ROYAL BAHRAINI AIR FORCE
supporting the Saudis in stopping the
Houthis from taking over Yemen
(operation decisive storm).
For air-to-ground missions the RBAF
can call upon the TV-guided AGM-65D
and infra-red-guided AGM-65G for
anti-shipping requirements, as can the
aircraft’s guns. Nevertheless, the F-16s
are among the oldest Fighting Falcons in
the region.
While Lockheed Martin has offered a
common configuration implementation
programme (CCIP) upgrade kit, which is
on the verge of being withdrawn, no
decision on this has been made.
However, movement on the
Above: An RBAF F-16 modernisation of the F-16s came on
touches down at August 4 2015, when the US Defense
Sheikh Isa Air Base Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
carrying two 500lb
bombs as well as an
notified the US Congress of a possible F-
AIM-9M Sidewinder 16 contract for follow-on support,
and AIM-120B associated equipment and logistics for an
AMRAAM for self estimated $150 million. No more details
defence. Bahrain’s were forthcoming. The notification
F-16s have played a added that the support is required to
part in Operation maintain the operational readiness of the
Inherent Resolve F-16 fleet. The RBAF’s F-16s are aging
(OIR), against Islamic and periodic maintenance
State fighters in Syria. Continued
PICTURES: ALAN WARNES
is becoming increasingly
on Page 18
expensive. The age of the
17
 ROYAL BAHRAINI AIR FORCE

The Bahraini Air Force operates two

squadrons of AH-1s to combat any
ground attack.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Faisal Air Academy, Riyadh or with

fleet, combined with an increased RBAF AIR ORBAT

 



  Emirates Flying Training in UAE on
operational tempo due to recent



 




Cessna 172 or Diamond DA42 aircraft.
involvement in OIR, has led to increased 


 




The RBAF’s fleet of AH-1E/F attack
focus on maintenance and sustainment. 




helicopters and TAH-1P trainers, based at
In the past, Bahrain has looked to 



!"



Riffa, was purchased in two batches
acquire joint defence air munitions #

$

%



during 1994 and 2003 in the wake of the



#&





(JDAMs), as well as advanced beyond- two allied wars with Saddam Hussein. It
'

(


visual-range (BVR) missiles, probably the %

(

is likely they will soldier on for a bit
AIM-120D. Integration of a new joint 

)!!
 

longer yet. Any need for gunships will
helmet-mounted cueing system (JHMCS)
and the Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting
!-+
 /
%/
)!!


pod is also believed to be on the BAF
shopping list, as well as a new active
electronically scanned array (AESA)
radar.
The latter is likely to be a straight choice
between the Northrop Grumman scalable
agile beam radar (SABR) and Raytheon
advanced combat radar (ACR).
qqqqq
Flying alongside the 1 and 2 TFS F-16s at
Isa Air Base are the survivors of 12 F-
5E/Fs delivered in 1985. The RBAF likes
to put pilots in the F-5 before they
progress to F-16s, because it feels there is
no substitute for gaining experience from
flying a jet with an afterburner.
In a bid to consolidate its basic
training, the RBAF struck a deal with
BAE Systems in 2002 to create an air-
training wing (ATW). This led to a two-
aircraft solution being purchased, with
Slingsby Fireflies being used to teach
basic flying skills and BAE Hawk Mk
129s for fast jet glass cockpit training.
A full-motion simulator also ensures
that synthetic training is used whenever
possible to curb costs. BAE Systems
provides two instructor pilots, one field
service representative and a support
18
 *+
,-
.'#)(&




probably be addressed by Saudi Arabia
"!


sending National Guard AH-64s, as it did

in the Shiite uprising three years ago.
The RBAF uses the Bell 212s for flying
package. At least two former Pakistan Air training, augmented by taking slots in the
Force pilots instruct on the Hawks. UAE with the Al Ain-based Horizon
The three Slingsby T67M Fireflies have International Flight Academy, or with the
been serving 4 Squadron since January military in Saudi Arabia. The ageing
2003 at Sheikh Isa Air Base and the Bo105s were used in the role until the
Hawks fly with 5 Squadron. However, the eight UH-60Ms were delivered in 2010 to
Fireflies suffer from a lack of spares and 3 Squadron, which released the Bell 212s
are regularly grounded. In April 2015, to 10 Squadron.
the loss of two pilots, which included an The Bahrain naval forces have two
Iraqi student, in a Royal Jordanian Air elderly Bo105s they have had since 1994.
Force example, led to the RBAF aircraft These could ultimately be replaced by a
being grounded for while. new anti-surface warfare helicopter. And,
Not all the elementary flying training is with the Saudis buying eight Sikorsky
carried out on the Fireflys, as student MH-60Rs, its possible Bahrain could take
pilots are also being trained in Royal the same route if they can find available
Saudi Arabia Force PC-9s at the King funds. n
New fighter pilots familiarise themselves with the after-burner on the F-5 before
progressing to the F-16. This F-5F is seen on the 6 Squadron ramp at Sheikh Isa.
DIVERSITY THE FOUNDATION
OF EGYPT’S POWER PYRAMID
I
t is no surprise that the US ban on
exporting military equipment to
Egypt, which lasted from October
2013 until July 2015, affected the air
force’s modernisation.
After Egyptian president Mohammed
Morsi was ousted in a coup on July 3
2013, US officials announced on October
9 that hundreds of millions of dollars-
worth of military aid to Egypt was being
suspended.
The US provides more than $1 billion
in military aid annually, so it hurt, but
most of the aircraft affected by the freeze
have now been delivered.
The deal for 10 AH-64E Guardians
was one programme halted. However,
some of the suspension order was lifted in
April 2014 to allow the attack helicopters
to head to their new home. They augment
35 AH-64Ds, which were rebuilt and
upgraded from AH-64As in the early
2000s.
The ban was eventually lifted on March
31 2015, allowing the remainder of the remaining four aircraft to complete the The legacy Mirage 5s struck included camps, training sites and
received a
20 new F-16 Block 52s, contracted on order would follow in the autumn. weapons storage areas. Egyptian military
comprehensive
March 2 2010 under ‘peace vector VII’, The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) will avionics upgrade in officials said the air strikes were “to
to be delivered. have taken delivery of 240 F-16s, which the early 2000s to avenge the bloodshed and to seek
One F-16C and three F-16Ds had equip around 10 squadrons. Egypt is the overcome retribution from the killers”.
arrived in Egypt during January 2013, F-16’s biggest customer outside of the obsolescence. A second wave of air strikes were
followed by three F-16Cs and one F-16D USA and operates the -15, -32, -40 and - carried out later in the day, hitting targets
in April 2013 before deliveries were 52 derivatives. in Derna, an extremist stronghold in
halted. It would take more than two years Its F-16s are known to have been eastern Libya.
before eight of the remaining 12 F- involved in a series of dawn raids The EAF operates one of the most
16Cs headed to their new against Islamic State (IS) diverse fighter forces in the world, which
home. All were flown from targets in Libya on February also includes the Chengdu F-7Bs, MiG-
the Fort Worth factory in The 16 2015. The missions 21MFs, F-4E Phantoms, Mirage 5s and
Texas, via Lajes Field, EAF operates came after IS had 2000s. Dassault fighters have been flying
Azores to Cairo West published a video the with the EAF for more than 40 years, so it
Air Base on July 30/31. one of the most previous day of the shouldn’t have been a surprise when the
The US Embassy in beheading of 21 French Government announced on
Cairo announced on diverse fighter Egyptian Coptic February 12 2015 that it had sold 24
July 30 that the forces in the Christians. Targets Rafales to Egypt. The reported €5.2

world.
20

billion ($5.8bn) contract includes 16
dual-seaters (DMs) and eight single-
seaters (EMs), as well as Mica missiles,
Sagem AASM air-to-ground precision-
guided munitions, and Scalp Cruise
missiles. The Scalp will undoubtedly be
the Black Shaheen version developed for
the UAE.
Sagem will deliver the first AASM
Hammer missiles by the end of 2016,
along with associated support services.
All three versions of the AASM now in
service are included: hybrid inertial/GPS
guidance, inertial/GPS and terminal
infrared guidance, and inertial/GPS plus
laser terminal guidance. The first will be
delivered by late 2016.
The AASM Hammer has a range of
more than 37 miles (60km), giving
Egypt’s Rafales a significant operational
edge with the ability to conduct all-
weather, day/night precision ground
strikes against fixed or moving targets.
Equipment fit is expected to be similar to
current French aircraft, including the
Reco NG reconnaissance pod.
In order to speed up initial deliveries,
the first three Rafales, built for the French
Air Force, were diverted off the
production line. The two-seat Rafale DM
variants were formally handed-over
during a ceremony on July 20 at the
Dassault Aviation Flight Test Centre at
Istres-Le Tube.
Dassault chairman and CEO, Eric
Trappier, told a gathered audience: “This
constitutes a new milestone in the
cooperation between Dassault Aviation
EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE
The Egyptian Air and Egypt – following more than 40 years
Force received its
of an exemplary partnership marked by
first three Rafales of
24 on order in early commitment and mutual trust. After the
August 2015. Mirage 5, Alpha Jet, and Mirage 2000
PICTURE: EGYPTIAN MOD. comes the Rafale – the fourth Dassault
aircraft to fly in Egyptian colours – and
Egypt is the first export customer for the
Rafale, as it was for the Mirage 2000.”
The first three aircraft, 9201 (DM01),
9202 (DM02) and 9203 (DM03) were
flown to Cairo the following day and will
be operated by the 203rd Tactical Fighter
Wing ‘Storm’/34 Squadron ‘Wild
Wolves’. They were included in a flypast
on August 5 to mark the inauguration of
the expansion of the Suez Canal. The
remaining aircraft are due
Continued
to follow at a rate of five on Page 22
aircraft per year.
21
 EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE

An Egyptian Air
force Mirage EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE ORBAT
2000 pulls up
HQ Egyptian Air Force, HQ Kobry al Kobba, Cairo
alongside a
Air Defence Command
French Air Force
C-135FR during 104th Fighter Brigade, Al Mansurah AB
22 Sqn F-7B/FT-7B
air-to-air 45 Sqn MiG-21MF/UM
49 Sqn MiG-21MF/UM
refuelling
102th Tactical Fighter Brigade, Marsa Matrouh AB
training. 26 Sqn F-7B/FT-7B

282nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Faid AB

86th TFS F-16C-40/52, F-16D-52
88th TFS F-16C/D-40 /52

Tactical Fighter Command

? Fighter Brigade, Hurghada AB

Sqn or Det F-7/FT-7

? Fighter Brigade, Aswan Int'l Airport

? Squadron MiG-21MF, MiG-21UM

203rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Cairo - West AB

34 Sqn Rafale DM

222nd TFW, Cairo - West AB

76 Sqn F-4E Phantom
78 Sqn F-4E Phantom

232nd TFW, Inshas AB

72nd TFS F-16A/B-15
74th TFS F-16A/B-15

236th Fighter/Ground Attack Brigade, Tanta AB, Birma

69 Sqn Mirage 5SDD, 5SDE, 5SDR, 5SSE
73 Sqn Mirage 5SDD, 5SDE, 5SSE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 242nd TFW, Beni Suef AB

68th TFS F-16C/D-32
The Egyptian Government has also One Mi-17 was destroyed on January 25 70th TFS F-16C/D-32

reportedly been in discussions with Russia 2013, after being hit by a shoulder-launched 252nd TFW, Gebel el Basur AB
71 Sqn Mirage 5SDE/SDR, SDD
during 2015 about the possibility of air-to-ground missile, close to the town of 82 Sqn Mirage 2000EM/BM
Det, Marsa Matrouh AB
purchasing 46 MiG-35s, but its unclear if Sheikh Zuwayed, in North Sinai. An Mirage 2000BM/EM
there has been any recent progress. Islamist militant group named Ansar Beit al- 262nd TFW, Abu Suwayr AB
It is not surprising, given the size of the Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, 60th TFS F-16C/D-40

country, that the EAF operates a huge claimed responsibility for the death of all 272nd TFW, Jiyanklis AB
75th TFS F-16C/D-40
transport fleet, which includes 25 C- five personnel on board. Egypt has suffered 77th TFS
79th TFS
F-16C/D-40
F-16C/D-40
130Hs and 15 Airbus C295Ms. The from a terrorist threat for decades, 516th Transport Brigade, Cairo-Almaza AB
latter have come in four separate orders, highlighted by the regular checkpoints as 2 Sqn/ANS DHC-5D
40 Sqn SA342L Gazelle
with the latest batch of eight eventually you move around the country. ? Sqn Mi17/Mi-8
? Sqn An-74T-200A, Beech 1900C, King Air 200,
bringing it up to 20, making the EAF the There is believed to be around 20 VC-130H Hercules, S-70A-21, VH-3A Sea King,
WS-61 Commando
biggest operator of the type. surviving Westland WS-61 Commando
? Transport Brigade, Cairo Int’l Airport
Most of the transport fleet is based at Mk 1/2s flying with 7 Squadron at Borg 4 Sqn C-130H/H-30 Hercules

Cairo International Airport. el Arab. Three were overhauled by 16 Sqn C-130H Hercules

Two of the eight Beech 1900s are AgustaWestland in Hagerstown, 546th Electronic Countermeasures Brigade, Jiyanklis AB
81 Sqn Beech 1900C
equipped for the electronic intelligence Maryland as part of a $17.3 million 601st Airborne Early Warning Brigade, Cairo - West AB
(ELINT) role. They are thought to have contract in 2009/2010. Another 87 Sqn E-2C Hawkeye 2000

been supplemented by a further two
examples under a $24 million foreign
military sales contract awarded in June
2012, to Raytheon. Two C-130Hs have
also been configured to the ELINT role.
qqqqq
example, a Commando Mk2E, was given 5th Tactical Helicopter Wing, Borg El Arab AB
7 Sqn WS-61 Commando Mk.1/Mk.2B/Mk.2E
a utility configuration in 2014 by Clayton 11 Sqn SA342K/L Gazelle
37 Sqn SH-2G(E) Super Seasprite
International of Peachtree City, Georgia,
? Helicopter Brigade, Al Ismailiyah AB
as part of a $7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee ? Sqn SA342 L Gazelle
? Sqn Mi-17-1V
foreign military sales programme. 
Ten ex-US Navy SH-2F Seasprites, 53rd Helicopter Brigade, Kom Awshim AB
18 Squadron CH-47D Chinook
delivered between October 1997 and 5. Attack Helicopter Brigade, Katameya AB
1999, operate with 37 Squadron at Borg 51 Sqn AH-64D Apache Longbow

Three AN-74T-200A Coalers, purchased el Arab. They were subsequently 53. Helicopter Brigade, Hurghada AB
? Sqn Mi-17-1V, Mi-8?
over the past decade, still serve. At least upgraded in late 2008 onwards as part of 533rd Helicopter Brigade, Cairo-Almaza AB
one is in the VIP role, working alongside a mid-life update, with improvements ? Squadron Mi-17-1V, Mi-8

the survivors of five DHC-5D Buffalos including a digital automatic flight 550th Attack Helicopter Brigade, Az Zaqaziq AB
52 Sqn AH-64D Apache Longbow
with 2 Squadron at Almaza. control system, a FLIR Systems Safire AH-64E Guardian

Seven Hawkeye 2000s fulfil the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret Air Force Academy, Bilbays AB

airborne early warning role. Two were and an AN/ALE-47 countermeasures 117th Primary Training Brigade
? Sqn Grob G 115EG
delivered new and the other five dispensing system. Work on all 10
117th Basic Training Brigade
upgraded from the E-2C standard by Seasprites was completed during 2011. 83 Sqn EMB.312A Tucano
Northrop Grumman in the late 2000s. Meanwhile, AgustaWestland delivered 84 Sqn
201 Sqn
EMB.312A Tucano
K-8E Karakoram
The EAF’s helicopter force, like so two AW139 helicopters in April 2012 to ? Sqn L-39ZO Albatros, L-59E Albatros

many Middle East countries, relies on the
Mi-17 Hip. Kazan Helicopters supplied
24, with the first deliveries taking place
in 2009. They add to the 20 Mi-17-1V
Hips purchased in 1999/2000.
the EAF. Produced in the United States at Weapons Training Brigade, El Minya AB
? Sqn Alpha Jet MS1/MS2
the company’s Philadelphia, Flying Training Brigade, El Minya AB
Pennsylvania, facility, AgustaWestland 85 Sqn
201 Sqn
EMB.312A Tucano
K-8E
configured the AW139s for search and
Border Patrol Unit, Abu Simbel Airport
rescue missions.  n Zlin Aircraft Z143LEAF

22
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IRAN EDGES FORWARD
DESPITE THE SANCTIONS
M
ilitary sanctions have played a
big part in stunting the
modernisation of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).
In a bid to overcome the shortfalls in
capabilities, Iran has created its own
aerospace industry. The IRIAF’s Owj
Complex developed the Saeghe (restored
F-5Es) and Azarakhsh (modernised F-
5Es). Then the IRIAF developed the
Project Saeghe-80, which was effectively
an aerodynamic upgrade of F-5Es and
Azarakhshs by installing V-shape or twin
vertical stabilisers. The Iranians claimed
the Saeghe was a fully indigenous fighter
but it was far from that.
In 2008, sanctions scuppered deals that
would have seen Russian joint stock
company RSK MiG work with the Iranian
Aircraft Industries Company (IAIC) to
modernise and upgrade MiG-29s and Su-
24s. It forced the IRIAF to carry out the
work on Su-24MKs at the 7th Tactical
Fighter Base, Shiraz.
Procurement of 50 Klimov RD-33
engines allowed another 10 MiG-29s,
grounded between five and 15 years, to
return to the air between 2008 and 2012.
In 2008, IACI and the IRIAF modernised
and extended the life of F-4Es under ‘Project
Dowran’. It enabled them to operate with C-
704KD, C-802A and C-803 anti-ship and
Cruise missiles, and integrate the R-73E
infrared (IR)-guided air-to-air missile with
the armament system.
It also saw the conversion of six F-4Es
24
into KF-4E tankers with Beech Pod 1080
refuelling pods, along with the design and
installation of a retractable in-flight
refuelling probe to enable them to
perform buddy refuelling; installation of
new navigation aids (NAVAIDS), new
communication systems, self-defence
systems etc. Further modernisation In a bid to
contracts included the restoration of
Mirage F1s under ‘Project Habibi’ in 2007
overcome the
and modernisation of C-130E/Hs as part shortfalls in
of ‘Project Sattari’ in 2008. capabilities,
A first upgraded C-130 was delivered to
the IRIAF in 2010, followed by the first F- Iran has
4E in 2011 and then the first overhauled created its
Mirage F1 in 2012. own
The IACI started studies on domestic
upgrade and service life extension of IRIAF’s aerospace
Su-24s and MiG-29s in 2009. Three years industry.
later, the Su-24MK went through similar
work, with the first jet re-delivered to the
72nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS)
followed by delivery of the first MiG-29 to
the IRIAF’s 11th TFS in 2013.
IACI is believed to have modernised and
extended the life of 11 F-4Es, eight Mirage
F1s, six MiG-29s, five Su-24MKs and 10 C-
130E/Hs between 2008 and 2015, as well as
performing routine overhaul or
programmed depot maintenance on IRIAF’s
KC-707s, C-130s, F-4s and F-14s.
After president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
left office in 2013, around five of the
Iranian Aircraft Organization (IAIO) and
IACI high-ranking managers, including the
CEO of IACI, allegedly embezzled almost
$15 million of the research budgets or the
costs of Projects Habibi, Dowran and
Sattari. It caused Iran massive delays.
The IRIAF launched its own
modernisation of the F-14As under
‘Project Babaiee’, as well as production of
two electronic warfare aircraft, believed
to be Falcon 2000s, under ‘Project Saye’
and the P-3F modernisation, known as
‘Project Persian Gulf’.
Today the IRIAF has a fleet of 348 fighters,
63 heavy, medium and light transport
aircraft, 58 trainers, seven tankers, three
electronic intelligence/signals intelligence
(ELINT/SIGINT) platforms, two electronic
warfare (EW) aircraft, four maritime patrol
aircraft and 35 helicopters. This is a
considerable combat capability built up to
confront any invasion from the Persian Gulf
states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
 ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AIR FORCE

IRANIAN AIR FORCE ORBAT

Squadron Aircraft Type

1st Tactical Fighter Base - Lashgari/ Tehran

11th Tactical Fighter Squadron MiG-29A/B/UB

11th Tactical Transport Squadron C-130E/H

12th Tactical Transport Squadron C-130E/H

11th Tanker Squadron KC-707/ KC-747/ Boeing 747-131/ Boeing 707-3J9C Cargo

11th SAR Squadron (Group) Bell 214C

11th CH-47 Squadron CH-47C

Falcon Star Squadron Lockheed Jet Star/ Falcon 20F/ Falcon 50EX

Fasha Squadron Boeing 707-3J9C/ RC-130H

F-27 Squadron Fokker 27-400M/600

2nd Tactical Fighter Base - Fakkouri/ Tabriz

21st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-5E/F

22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron MiG-29A/UB

23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron Saeghe I/II

UAV Squadron AB-3

3rd Tactical Fighter Base – Noujeh (Shahrokhi)/ Hamedan

31st Tactical Training Squadron F-4E

32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E

31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4E

Left: Despite sanctions, the IRIAF still acquired spares to keep their F-14A Tomcats flying. Six UAV Squadron AB-3
have recently upgraded under ‘project Babaiee’ allowing them to be armed with more 4th Tactical Fighter Base – Vahdati/ Dezfoul
sophisticated air-to-air missiles, including the short-range Russian R-73E (AA-11 Archer). 41st Tactical Training Squadron F-5E/F
Top: IRIAF F-4Es have been upgraded under ‘project Dowran’, with Chinese anti-shipping 42nd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-5E/F/ SR.II
missiles. Several have also been fitted with refuelling pods so they can be used for air-to-air
43rd Combat Commands Training Squadron F-5A/B/ Simorgh
refuelling.
UAV Squadron Mohajer 4
Above: Around eight ex-Iraqi Mirage F1s have been modernised under ‘project Habibi’.
6th Tactical Fighter Base – Yassini/ Boushehr
PICTURES: BABAK TAGHVAEE.
61st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E
IRIAF pilots have practised anti- guided anti-aircraft missiles, as well as
UAV Squadron Mohajer-4
shipping and deep-strike combat tactics AIM-54As, AIM-7E-4s and AIM-9Js in air
7th Tactical Fighter Base – Dowran (Tadayyon)/ Shiraz
for any possible confrontation with other combat. Just six of 62 F-14As have been
71st Tactical Fighter Squadron (Inactive) Su-22M4/ Su-22UM3K
Middle East countries during the air drills upgraded to the Babaiee standard. 72nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Su-24MK
known as ‘Devotees of Velayat’s Territory’ The search for a fourth generation multi- 71st Tactical Transport Squadron Il-76TD
and ‘Defenders of Velayat’s Territory’. role fighter is now under way to replace the 72nd Tactical Transport Squadron C-130E/H
The Velayat maritime joint annual IRIAF’s modernised but old F-4s, F-14s, Bell 214 Squadron Bell 214C
exercises have also taken place all over the MiG-29s and Su-24s. Research at IRIAF PC-6 Squadron PC-6B-2/H-2
country, particularly in the Persian Gulf, HQ on a future procurement began in 8th Tactical Fighter Base – Babaiee (Khatami)/ Isfahan
between 2009 and 2015. December and was boosted by the nuclear 81st Tactical Training Squadron F-14A
deal agreed by Iran and the west. 82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-14A
qqqqq Chinese candidates being considered are 83rd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-14A
the Chengdu J-10S and J-11B, while the sole 84th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-7N/ FT-7N
In any possible military confrontation, Russian candidate is the Su-30MK. The 84th Training Squadron PC-7
IRIAF Dowran-upgraded F-4Es would be Iranian Ministry of Defence wants any deal to 85th Tactical Training Squadron F-7N/FT-7N
used against enemy naval forces with include the licence production of the fighters 81st UAV Squadron RQ-33A x 3
heavy support from the EW aircraft, KF- at the Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing 9th Tactical Fighter Base – Abdol-Karimi/ Bandar Abbas
4Es, KC-707s and KC-747s, while Su- Industry (IAMI) – also known as HESA. 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E
24MKs (15 have been upgraded to full In August, during the MAKS 2015 91st ASW Squadron P-3F
mission capability between 2009 and Airshow in Russia, an Iranian delegation, UAV Squadron AB-3
2015) would fly deep-strike sorties. They which included the IAIO authorities, 10th Tactical Fighter Base – Del-Hamed Brothers/ Chabahar
would be aided by heavy electronic started discussions with the Russians about 101st Tactical Training Squadron F-4D
jamming of advanced US-supplied MIM- the procurement of 24 Su-30MKs, as well 101st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D
104F Patriot (PAC-3) surface-to-air as license production of 48 more examples 102nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Mirage F.1EQ/BQ
missiles (SAMs), put in place to protect in the IAMI facility in Shahin-Shahr. UAV Squadron AB-3
the enemy forces’ high-value targets. Iranians also showed interest in the Yak- Ghiyam Air Base – Kushk Nosrat
The F-7Ns/FT-7Ns, working alongside 130 and Il-76MD-90A as replacements for F.33 Squadron F.33A/C/ Parastoo
F-5E/Fs and Saeghe I/IIs, would provide the IRIAF’s existing fleet of 16 F-5Bs and Mashhad Forward Air Station
close air support for ground forces, while Simorghs (only eight are operational 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron Detachment F-5E/F
the MiG-29s would be tasked to protect simultaneously) and six Il-76TDs (two are
the capital, Tehran, and the north-western operational). But in the wake of the nuclear BABAK TAGHVAEE.
borders. agreement, Iran must wait a minimum of
The Babaiee-upgraded F-14AMs would five years before receiving any combat
be armed with Shahin Havapayeh, Fakkur aircraft from Russia. n
90 and R-73E (AA-11 Archer) fourth
generation semi active, active radar and IR- BABAK TAGHVAEE

25
UNITED STATES HELPS TO
PROPEL IRAQ INTO A NEW ERA
I
raq has seen more than its fair share of
turbulent times over the last few
decades, its once formidable air force
having been decimated by massive coalition
forces during the Gulf War in 1991, which
followed Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
When the US invaded Iraq in 2003 and
toppled Saddam Hussein, this marked the
end for the final remnants of the Iraqi Air
Force, which had already been largely
prevented from operating due to the
imposition of northern and southern no-fly
zones over the country after the Gulf War.
Since that time, a ‘new’ Iraqi Air Force
(IqAF) has been built from scratch, with
extensive assistance from the United States.
None of the aircraft in use prior to the
invasion became part of the new air arm,
which operates an all-new force
comprising aircraft that were initially
donated by the US and neighbouring
allied countries. In more recent years, Iraq
has also found funding to be able to
purchase its own aircraft, which have
come from a variety of sources.
Troubles for the country have not
ceased, however, and since the
withdrawal of the final US troops from
26
Iraq in December 2011, insurgency has
continued and increased. Most recently,
the alarming rise of the Islamic State (IS)
terrorist group in the country, and in
neighbouring Syria, has led once again to
a US-led coalition being formed to
counter the threat.
In August 2014, US aircraft began air
strikes against IS targets in Iraq, later
being joined by other coalition nations.
Daily air strikes have continued and, at
the time of writing, show no sign of
abating.
Under the supervision of US Central
Command’s coalition air force transition
team, plans were put together to rebuild
the IqAF. On August 18, 2003, the
Coalition Provisional Authority
sanctioned the creation of new Iraqi
armed forces, including an air force. The
initial emphasis was to acquire aircraft
for transport and surveillance missions to
support the on-going counter-terrorist
operations.
Operational control of the IqAF was
formally transferred to the Iraqi prime
minister, Nouri al-Maliki, on September
7, 2006. Two Seabird Seeker SB7L-360s
and eight SAMA CH2000 light aircraft,
equipped with electro-optical/infrared
(EO/IR) sensors, delivered in 2004 along
with four AeroComp Comp Air 7SLX
light surveillance aircraft, arrived at
Basra, later joined by two more, all
donated by the UAE in 2004.
Following a fatal crash on May 30, 2005,
the 7SLX was deemed ‘unsafe’ and despite
subsequent rebuild and testing of one of
them at Edwards Air Force Base, California,
the type did not return to IqAF service.
In 2005, three ex-US Air Force C-130E

Hercules were delivered, while on
February 1 of that year Iraq also received
an initial two ex-Jordanian UH-1H
Iroquois, eventually taking delivery of 16.
Due to poor performance in the hot-
and-high conditions in Iraq, these were
soon upgraded to UH-1H-II Huey II
standard. Plans for a further 48 were
abandoned due to cost overruns and it
was, instead, decided to build up the
rotary-wing fleet with more of the tried
and trusted Mi-17s, with which Iraqi
pilots were already familiar. Since then
the IqAF has continued to progressively
build up its Mi-17 fleet.
By mid-2005, four Bell 206 JetRangers
donated by the UAE had also arrived in
Iraq and entered service at Al Taji Air Base
for rotary-wing training, followed later by
a fifth. Five more, sourced from the
civilian sector and converted for training,
were delivered from December 2008.
Ten former US Army OH-58C Kiowas
entered service from April 2008.
PZL Swidnik delivered two W-3 Sokol
and 10 new-production Mi-17V-5s in
2006.
On December 28, 2007, a light
IRAQI AIR FORCE
Far left: The 15 T-6As
equip the 203rd
Training Squadron at
Talil where one of the
two Flying Training
Wings are based.
transport King Air 350ER was delivered, some of the equipment fitted to them, all Top: The IqAF is now
followed by five more in intelligence, six eventually arrived in Iraq between flying 12 Su-25
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) 2011 and 2012. Frogfoots – which were
configuration. A sixth was ordered on A further boost to the transport fleet an emergency
acquisition in a bid to
March 24, 2015, with delivery due by came in the form of six brand-new C-
take on the IS with
March 2017. 130J-30 Super Hercules, delivered some heavy hardware.
Eleven Cessna 208B Grand Caravans between December 2012 and May 2013. Five surplus Russian
have also entered service, the first during A surprising acquisition was the Air Force Su-25
2007. Five are used for liaison and training, purchase of 20 UTVA Lasta 95 primary Frogfoots were
three for ISR and the other three configured training aircraft, a type that was still in airfreighted into
for both ISR and attack, equipped with the development stage when the order, Baghdad-New Al
AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and designated also including 12 options, was Muthanna Air Base
AC-208B Combat Caravans. announced on December 24, 2007. The during June 2014 joined
by seven former Iranian
first three were shipped to Iraq in May
Islamic Revolutionary
qqqqq 2010. Guards Corps Air Force
Over the last few years there have been aircraft, which
For basic training, 12 Cessna 172R protracted negotiations with the Czech originally served the
Skyhawks were ordered, the first two Republic over the purchase of surplus L- Iraqi Air Force.
being airfreighted into Kirkuk on 159 ALCAs. Aero Vodochody president,
October 19, 2007. Options are held on a Ladislav Simek, confirmed at the Paris Inset: Six brand-new C-
further six. Airshow in June that the sale comprised 15 130J-30 Super Hercules
The first four of a total of 15 T-6A L-159s and was progressing with all delivered between
December 2012 and
Texan IIs for training were delivered in milestones so far being passed. The deal
May 2013, have
December 2009 and all were in service by includes 10 L-159A single-seaters and two considerably boosted
November 2010. L-159B dual-seaters, with a further three the IqAF’s airlift
Six An-32 transports were also ordered aircraft being used for spare capabilities.
Continued
from Ukraine and although deliveries parts. Four, including a on Page 28 PICTURES: IRAQ MOD
were delayed by Iraq’s refusal to accept dual-seater, are expected to
27
 IRAQI AIR FORCE

After working up at Tucson ANGB for a year

or so, four F-16C/Ds were delivered to Balad
Air Base on July 13, 2015. Their arrival was
delayed due to the advance of IS.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

be delivered by end of the year and the JetRangers, nine OH-58C Kiowas and 22 IRAQ AIR FORCE/ARMY ORBAT
remainder next year.  One of the dual- Mi-171Es.
seaters will be converted from a L-159A.  Since then, further acquisitions have Iraqi Air Force
Baghdad-Al Rasheed Air Base
On June 28, 2014, five surplus Russian included 24 Eurocopter EC635T2+ 109th Attack Sqn Su-25/UBK
Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft were helicopters, deliveries of which began in Baghdad -Al Muthanna AB
airfreighted into Baghdad’s New Al mid-2010. 23rd (Transport) Sqn C-130E, C-130J-30
33rd (Transport) Sqn An-32B
Muthana Air Base. After re-assembly and Three Bell T-407s were accepted into 87th Sqn Beech 350ER ISR/LTA
test flying, they were put into service. service on September 23, 2009, to act as ? Sqn DHC-6
? Sqn
On July 1, seven former Iranian trainers for 30 armed Bell IA-407s,
Balad Air Base
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Air which were delivered from August 2012. 9th (Fighter) Sqn F-16C/D Bk 52
Force aircraft were delivered. They Delivery of a further 16 T-407s had been
Kirkuk
comprised four Su-25Ks and three Su- completed by January 2015. 3rd Sqn Cessna 208 ISR/AC 208B
25UBKs. ? Sqn U-28A

The US Congress was notified on May qqqqq Talil

70th Reconnaissance Sqn SAMA CH2000, SB7L-360
13, 2014, of a possible sale to Iraq of 24 Flying Training Wing
armed Beechcraft AT-6C Texan IIs. No The US Congress was notified on July 25, 203rd Training Squadron T-6A Texan II
202nd Training Squadron Lasta 95N
further announcements have been made 2013, of the possible sale to Iraq of 12 Bell
Tikrit
since then and it is unknown whether the 412EPs, but nothing further has been Flying Training Wing
deal has progressed any further. heard of this potential order and it is 201st Training Sqn Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
204th Training Sqn T-50IQ (24 on order)
An order for 24 KAI T-50IQ Golden unclear whether it has progressed. It was
Eagle jet trainer/light attack aircraft was also announced by the Pentagon on
Iraqi Army Aviation
signed on December 12, 2013. First January 6, 2014, that 10 ScanEagle Al Kut
deliveries are scheduled for later this year. unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) were to be 28th Attack Helicopter Sqn Mi-28NE
?? Transport Helicopter Sqn Mi-17V5/Mi-171
Iraq also ordered 36 F-16IQ (F-16C-D supplied to Iraq, with deliveries due in the
Al Taqaddum
Block 52) fighters, in two batches, each spring of that year. There has been no 22nd Attack Helicopter Sqn IA-407
of 18 aircraft (split between 12 F-16Cs confirmation as to whether this took place. Army Aviation College
16th Training Sqn Mi-17/171
and six F-16Ds in each batch). After Iraq has also recently begun taking 200th Training Sqn Bell 206/AB 206/Bell 407GX
300th Training Sqn OH-58C
initial pilot training in the USA, the first delivery of Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack 500th Training Sqn UH-1H
four IqAF F-16s arrived at Balad Air Base helicopters from Russia. The first three
Basrah
on July 13, 2015. from the order, believed to be for 30 of 85th Transport Sqn Mi-17
In mid-2010, the majority of the the type, arrived in the country on Tajl
IqAF’s rotary-wing assets were August 30, 2014. 2nd Utility Sqn UH-1H Huey II
4th Utility Sqn Mi-17/171
transferred to the newly formed Iraqi An unconfirmed number of Mi-35M 35th Attack Helicopter Sqn Mi-35M
Army Aviation Corps. These included six Hind-Es have also been ordered. The first 88th Attack Training Sqn SA342M
32nd Special Operations Avn Brigade
former French Army SA342M Gazelles, four arrived in Iraq on November 29, 2013, 15TH Special ops Sqn Mi-17-1V, Mi-171, Mi-171Sh
21st Assault Helicopter Sqn IA-407/T-407
which were delivered between March with at least 16 now known to have been 55th Assault Helicopter Sqn EC635T2
and June 2010, plus 10 Bell 206B delivered out of a possible total of 28. n

28
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 This RJAF F-16AM equipped with a Sniper ATP
was one of four along with a F-16BM that
participated in a Red Flag exercise at Nellis
AFB, Nevada in August.
PICTURE: NATE LEONG

Inset: A RJAF AS332 Super Puma and UH-60

accompanied by a pair of AH-1 Cobra
helicopters depart after dropping special
operations forces service members.
PICTURE: USAF-STAFF SGT TYLER MCLAIN

Right: The RJAF’s tactical transport fleet

comprises four new C-130Hs acquired in the
70s, one of which is seen here and three ex-
USAF C-130Es delivered in 2011/12.
PICTURE: ALAN WARNES

30

JORDAN STRIKES BACK
WITH A GROWING FORCE
J
ordan is a close ally of the west and
among a number of Arab nations
attacking the so-called Islamic
State (IS) in Syria.
Back in February 2015, the world was
shocked by the execution of a Royal
Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) F-16 pilot, Lt
Moaz al-Kasasbeh, by IS. The pilot had
been shot down in December 2014 and
captured by the jihadists. Subsequent to
his death, which saw a huge outpouring
of grief by the Jordanian public, King
Abdullah II vowed to use all the weapons
at his disposal to destroy IS.
Aware of the huge insurgency issues in
Jordan, even before IS was in its
ascendency, the Royal Jordan Air Force
had been increasing its capabilities. The
slaying of the young pilot only increased
the modernisation tempo, with several
large deals subsequently announced.
qqqqq
The RJAF is known to be hosting several
detachments of ‘Operation Inherent
Resolve’ fighters, including French Air
Force Mirages, Dutch F-16s and US F-
16/F-22s at Al Azraq, and there is likely
to be several other facilities in use for
special ops use.
In June, the RJAF ordered 10 Sniper
advanced targeting pods (ATPs) to
sharpen the F-16’s ground attack
capabilities. Under the contract,
Lockheed Martin will deliver the pods
and provide integration support,
beginning before the end of 2015.
The RJAF is currently conducting
precision-strike missions with five Sniper
ATPs acquired in 2014. Sniper ATP
detects, identifies, automatically tracks
and laser-designates small tactical targets
at long range. It also supports employment
of all laser and GPS-guided weapons
against multiple fixed and moving targets.
Rich Lovette, Sniper ATP international
programme director at Lockheed Martin
Missiles and Fire Control said: “Sniper ATPs
enable the RJAF to perform long-range target
detection and identification and continuous
stabilised surveillance for all missions,
including close air support of ground forces.”
The RJAF flies around 45 F-
16AM/BMs acquired second-hand from
the US Air Force, Belgium and The
Netherlands. It previously operated 60,
but in 2014, 13 F-16A/B-15 ADFs, which
had been upgraded earlier by Turkish
Aerospace Industries, were sold to the
Pakistan Air Force.
During August, five F-16AM/BMs flew
to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to
ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE
participate in ‘Red Flag’, the world’s
premier air combat exercise. An Israeli
Air Space Force (IASF) KC-707 refuelled
the jets over the Atlantic. The tanker had
escorted five IASF F-15Is and five F-
15C/Ds, which were going to the same
exercise. All 15 jets shared the ramp at
Lajes, Azores before crossing the sea.
Jordan is the most liberal of all Arab
nations towards Israel and, while they don’t
work together very often, they both share
common enemies in Iran and IS, so its
possible they could work together if
necessary.
qqqqq
Last year, 16 ex-Israeli Air Force AH-1Fs
that had been retired in August 2013,
were transferred to the RJAF to boost its
firepower. They were refurbished free-of-
charge by the US, but the transfer had
The RJAF previously been kept under wraps. A US
official confirmed on July 23 that the
puts great transfer had taken place, saying they were
being used for border security missions.
faith in its Not all have been put into operational
service with the RJAF. ‘Some’ were used
old AH-1s, purely for spares, according to the same
official. It is believed that up to 12 are
having active, with at least four being used for
operated parts.
The RJAF puts great faith in its old AH-
them 1s, having operated them since 1985,
when 24 brand new AH-1Ss were
since delivered. They were supplemented by
nine AH-1Fs in September
1985. 2000, but their numbers Continued
on Page 32
decreased when eight AH-
31

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
1Fs were donated to the Pakistan Army in
March 2010 to fight terrorism in the
Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).
Three of the original AH-1Fs arrived at
Huntsville, Alabama, USA in March to be
upgraded by Science and Engineering
Services (SES), with new avionics and
targeting systems. The work includes
integration of the MX-10 electro-
optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor. They
should be delivered to Jordan next year.
The RJAF AH-1F/S Cobras fleet is
operated by10 and 12 Squadrons, based
at Zarqa-King Abdullah II Air Base.
A single UH-60M Black Hawk has
been ordered for the RJAF under a
$11.28 million foreign military sales
(FMS) contract awarded to Sikorsky on
July 9, with delivery expected before the
end of the year.
The RJAF has taken delivery of eight
UH-60L and two VIP VH-60M Black
Hawks, operated by 30 Squadron at
Zarqa. The UH-60Ls are flown in support
of Jordan’s Special Operations Aviation
Brigade, while the VH-60Ms act primarily
as back-up aircraft for the Jordanian Royal
Flight, but are also made available for
special operations training as required.
qqqqq
Four IOMAX Air Tractor AT802U ISR
aircraft are being supplied by L3
Communications. The company
announced in mid-September that its
Platform Integration Division had been
awarded a $9.78 million Foreign Military
Sales contract to deliver the aircraft. The
deal also includes pilot, maintainer and
mission systems training. The contract
should be completed by September 30,
2016. All four aircraft were originally
earmarked for the Yemen Air Force, but
the deal was cancelled due to the ongoing
situation there (see Yemen).
The unarmed aircraft will be fitted with
Wescam MX-15 electro-optical infra-red
sensors to support counter-terrorism
efforts in Jordan.
The RJAF already operates six of
Iomax’s earlier Block 1 BPAs, which are
based on the Air Tractor AT-802U and
initially delivered to the UAE.
Thales announced at the Paris Airshow
in June that it was to provide the RJAF with
additional I-Master synthetic aperture
radar/ground moving target indicators
(GMTIs). It follows the installation of the
radar on to the RJAF’s AC 235 last year.
While the announcement didn’t reveal on
which platform they would be installed, the
RJAF has taken delivery of a second AC
235. The two aircraft were a joint
collaboration between Orbital ATK and
32
ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE
ROYAL JORDANIAN with Hellfire missiles, 2¾in guided rockets,
ATK’s side-mounted M230 30mm chain
AIR FORCE ORBAT
Royal Jordanian Air Force gun, an integrated defensive suite, mission
and fire control systems, plus electro-
Operations Command
1 Sqn Al Azraq/Shaheed Muwaffaq AB F-16AM/BM (MLU)
optical and radar sensors.
2 Sqn, Al Azraq/Shaheed Muwaffaq AB F-16A/B-15 ADF The RJAF operates six Cessna 208Bs,
3 Sqn, Amman-Marka C295M, C-130E/H, configured for the ISR role, with an under
M-28-05 Skytruck
6 Sqn, Al Azraq/Shaheed Muwaffaq AB F-16AM/BM (MLU) -fuselage EO/IR turret. Three were
7 Sqn, Amman-Marka AS332 M1 Super Puma delivered in November 2009, followed by
8 Sqn, Amman-Marka UH-1H two more in May 2010 and the last one in
Det, Al Mafraq UH-1H
9 Sqn,King Abdullah II F-5E/F Tiger II November 2011. All are operated by 14
10 Sqn,Zarqa AH-1F/S Cobra Squadron at Amman-Marka, which also
12 Sqn,Zarqa AH-1F/S Cobra
flies the EC635T1, UH-1H Iroquois and
14 Sqn, Amman – Marka EC635 T1, C208B ISR G Caravan
17 Sqn, H5/Prince Hassan AB F-5E/F SA2-37A. Some, if not all, of the Cessna
208s may have been modified with the
Training Command, Al Mafraq - King Hussein Air College
4 Squadron T-67M-260 Firefly II
Thales I-Master EO/IR systems.
to be replaced by PC-9M A PZL M28-05 Skytruck was delivered
5 Squadron AS350 B3 Écureuil to the RJAF’s 3 Squadron at Amman-Marka
Robinson R44
11 Squadron C-101CC Aviojet
in December 2014. This is the first of the
to be replaced by PC-9M type for the RJAF, although it is thought
Falcons Aerobatic Team EA-300 three further examples were an option.
Special Operations Aviation Brigade, Amman-Marka Three former US Air Force Lockheed
BPA Squadron AT-802U BPA C-130E Hercules transport aircraft were
CASA 235 Squadron AC-235 Gunship delivered to the RJAF in December 2011
28 Squadron, Zarqa Hughes 500E/MD530FF
30 Squadron, Zarqa UH-60L, VH-60M and April 2012. The aircraft, valued at
$45 million, were donated to the RJAF to
supplement its existing cargo and troop
King Abdullah II Design and Development airlift capability, which includes four C-
Bureau (KADDB). 130H Hercules that are operated by 3
ATK announced on February 19, 2011, Squadron at Marka. 
that it had been awarded a contract by
KADDB to modify two RJAF CN-235 qqqqq
transport aircraft into highly capable and
cost-effective special mission With an urgent need to modernise its
aircraft. ATK, with the full participation pilot training, the RJAF purchased nine
of KADDB, began the US-based flight Pilatus PC-9M turboprop trainers in
and gun test programme in autumn 2013, August. The deal, which was announced
following completion of conversion in by Pilatus Aircraft, also includes a
ATK’s facility at Fort Worth-Meacham simulator, training equipment and a
International Airport, Texas. The comprehensive logistics support package.
comprehensive test programme was The Swiss manufacturer said it had won
conducted to validate the performance of the order after several years of hard
the gunship and to perform system negotiations, adding that the RJAF PC-9Ms
checkouts. Testing included a full suite of would be ready for delivery from January
aircraft flying qualities, sensor and 2017 and would form the backbone of the
weapons testing, with accuracy validation RJAF pilot training programme.
completed in March 2014. The RJAF will use the PC-9Ms for both
The first aircraft was delivered to the basic and advanced pilot training.
RJAF in April 2014 and made its public Currently, this is carried out at the King
debut at the tenth Special Operations Hussein Air College at Al Mafraq. Initial
Conference and Exhibition (SOFEX), in basic training uses the T-67M-260 Fireflies
Amman, Jordan the following month. of 4 Squadron, from which pilots progress
The second example was in service within on to the 11 Squadron CASA C101CC
weeks. Aviojets. 
Airbus Defence and Space, ATK and the Eight Robinson R44s were ordered in
KADDB announced on June 17, 2014 that With October 2014 for the primary rotary-
they would cooperate on the wing training at King Hussein Air
development of a gunship version of an urgent need College. They have replaced the six
the C295 transport aircraft. One of to modernise its remaining MDH MD500Ds,
the two C 235s currently operated by
the RJAF will be used for the
pilot training, the RJAF which are now for sale.
The R44s are equipped with Aspen
conversion programme, undertaken purchased nine Pilatus and Garmin glass avionics, together
by ATK in the USA. PC-9M turboprop with Bendix King’s new military
The new AC-295 configuration will KTR909 UHF transceiver. All of the
be similar to the AC 235 Light Gunship,
trainers in R44s are now operational. n
August.
On September 11, the Kuwait Air Force
announced it had ordered 28 Typhoons after
negotiations with AleniaAermacchi. Kuwait
will be the third Typhoon operator after
Saudi Arabia and Oman.
KUWAIT CONCENTRATES
ON SUPPORT STRUCTURE
he operational doctrine of the
T
Kuwait Air Force (KAF) is to
support its ground troops. It is not
designed to fight a war alone, but tasked
with operating as part of a coalition.
This is the main reason why it has
invested much of its oil money recently on
transport aircraft and helicopters rather
than fighters and training aircraft, like
most of its neighbours.
However, after several years of
deliberations, going back to the early-
2000s, the KAF has finally opted to buy
new fighters – 28 Eurofighter Typhoons.
The deal, believed to be worth around £8
billion ($12.2bn), was brokered by
Alenia Aermacchi and announced by
Eurofighter GmbH on September 11. It
includes 22 single-seater and six twin-
seater tranche 3s from the Italian
production line, all fitted with the new
Selex ES e-scan radar. Deliveries are
expected to begin from 2019.
The Italian marketing campaign began
in 2012 with flight trials and technical
and operational evaluations.
The acquisition of a new fourth
generation fighter will probably also
34
mean new lead-in fighter training aircraft
(LIFT). Up to nine surviving Hawk
Mk64s, acquired in 1985/86, and 16
Tucanos, purchased in 1995, are all
showing their age.
BAE Systems is keen to reactivate the
KAF Hawks, which are known to have
low hours and stored in good condition at
Ali Al Salem Air Base. If contracted in
2015, the solution could see all the
trainers returned to service in 2017.
However, BAE Systems will face fierce
competition from Alenia Aermacchi’s
own T-346A in any LIFT contest. Italy
and Kuwait already have a military
cooperation programme that will see 35
KAF pilots trained at the Italian Air
Force’s training school in Lecce, southern
Italy, flying FT-339A/Cs.
This is also home to the new T-346A
lead-in fighter trainer and, undoubtedly,
KAF personnel would have been given
detailed briefings on the jet. While the
Hawk is a good jet trainer, the Mk 64s,
delivered between October 1985 and 86,
would need extensive avionics updates to
bring them in line with the capabilities
the T-346A can offer.
Meanwhile, the KAF’s elderly fleet of
F/A-18C Hornets has been operational
since 1992 and the KAF has recently
opted to support its own air defence
needs better, for the interim anyway, by
modernising the Hornets.
A US Defense Security Cooperation
Agency (DSCA) notification submitted
to Congress on June 26, 2012 showed a
possible $51 million foreign military sales
(FMS) deal to Kuwait for 43 joint helmet-
mounted cueing system (JHMCS) units

and associated equipment and
support. The deal is believed to have gone
through.
L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3
Link) announced in May 2013 that two
F/A-18C tactical operational flight
trainers (TOFTs), built for the KAF, have
been unconditionally accepted as ready
for training. The training system contract
was awarded by the US Naval Air
Warfare Center Training Systems
Division in August 2010.
qqqqq
French company Defense Conseil
International (DCI) announced in May
2014 it had started teaching the first of 30
Kuwaiti pilots to fly at the French Air
Force’s Salon de Provence École de l’Air
(air college). They would be screened and
then streamed to fly helicopters,
transports or fighters.
On the transport side, the KAF has
upped its capabilities with the acquisition
of three KC-130Js under a $245 million
FMS deal done in May 2010, with
deliveries in 2014. The new tankers are
providing its F-18 pilots with air-to-air
refuelling skills and augment its current
airlift fleet of three L-100s.
Two C-17s, acquired in two separate
FMS deals, were delivered in February and
September 2014. The tactical airlifters are
equipped with AN/ALR-47 counter-
KUWAIT AIR FORCE
The Kuwait Air Force operates two C-17As
which were delivered in 2014.
PICTURE: JAMES RONAYNE
Below: With its three new KC-130Js, the KAF
now assist with any air to air requirements
by Operation Inherent Resolve commanders.
measures dispensing system (CMDS) and
AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems.
On June 10, 2015 it was announced
that Kuwait had ordered 24 H725
Caracal helicopters. The contract is
believed to have been signed in
September.
Their introduction will probably mean
the end of the road for the KAF’s five AS
332Ms and seven SA330L Pumas, as well
as its 16+ SA342K Gazelles.
The KAF operates 16 AH-64D Apache
Longbows that have been in service since
January 2007. Three S-92As, acquired in
2007, are configured for search and
rescue duties, manned by the 91
Helicopter Squadron at Kuwait City.
qqqqq
KUWAIT AIR FORCE ORBAT
All of the F/A-18C/D Hornets are based
at Ahmed al Jaber, while most of the
helicopters and training aircraft reside at
Ali al Salem, with the C-17s and the VIP
aircraft at Kuwait City International
Airport.
In addition to the aircraft flown by the
KAF, the Government has a VIP transport
flight based at Kuwait International
Airport, operated by Kuwait Airways. It
includes a Boeing 737-9Q8ER, a 747-
400, an airbus A319CJ, A300-620, A310-
300, A320-200 and A340-542, while
three Gulfstream V business jets and an
Gulfstream 550 are also available. n
35
WAR AGAINST TERROR
DRIVES LEBANESE APPROACH
L
ebanon has suffered significantly
over the last 30 years from internal
strife.
There has been the occupation by
Israeli and Syrian troops, as well as armed
groups – including Hamas and Hezbollah
– fighting each other and launching
attacks into Israel.
Now the country is struggling with the
burden of refugees arriving from Syria.
During the civil war that ended in 1990,
the Lebanese Air Force (LAF) lost most of
its aircraft or ran out of spares to fly them.
The 11 Mirage IIIEL/BLs it acquired in
1968, and stored at Rayak for many years,
were sold to the Pakistan Air Force in
2001.
Their sale meant the only fighters the
LAF owned were four vintage Hunters,
stored for more than 15 years until 2008,
when they started flying again. They were
looked upon as part of the solution to
LEBANESE AIR FORCE ORBAT
36
combat the increasing terrorism threat
from Syrian-backed rebels. However in
the end they were not required and are
now back into storage.
Today, the LAF’s offensive aircraft
comprise the armed Cessna AC 208
Caravans being used against Islamic State,
Al Nusra and al Qaeda affiliated militants.
The first was delivered by US aerospace
company ATK (now Orbital ATK) on
April 15, 2009, modified to carry AGM-
114 Hellfire missiles on under-wing
hardpoints.
qqqqq
A further example was acquired in August
2013, which by June 2015 was going
through a similar modification programme.
A third aircraft ordered from Orbital
ATK, in May 2015 had been purchased by
the company in a ‘green’ configuration
and was set to undergo the necessary
airframe modifications. As well as mission
equipment, including a Wescam MX-15D
imaging system, there will be the adaption
for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Work on
the contract is to be completed by May 30,
2016.
Fighting the terrorist threat is now the
LAF’s biggest role, so it isn’t surprising
that six A-29 Super Tucanos are on order
under a foreign military sales (FMS) deal
that was given the go-ahead on June 9.
The purchase will provide Lebanon with
much-needed close air support (CAS)
platforms to meet present and future
challenges posed by internal and border
security threats.
The US Defense Security Cooperation
Agency (DCSA) estimates the cost of the
acquisition will be $462 million, including
associated equipment, parts and logistical
support.
qqqqq
The FMS deal will also include two spare
PT6A-68A turboprop engines, eight
ALE-47 countermeasure dispensing
systems, 2,000 advanced precision kill
weapon systems (APKWS) precision
laser-guided rockets, eight AN/AAR-
60(V)2 missile launch detection systems
and non-selective availability anti-
spoofing module (SAASM) embedded
GPS/INS (EGIs).
The DSCA notes this proposed sale
enforces United Nation’s Security Council
resolutions 1559 and 1701, regarding
counter terrorist threats. According to
local media reports, the purchase is to be
funded by Saudi Arabia.
A batch of six UH-1H Iroquois
helicopters, newly upgraded to UH-1H-
II Huey II standard, were delivered to the
LAF in December 2012. All were painted
white overall, with no markings. Their
acquisition, worth $63 million, including
spare parts, maintenance, support
equipment, training and logistics
support, was followed by a $180 million
LEBANON AIR FORCE

Left: The Lebanese Air Force continues to

operate the survivors of 22 UH-1Hs
delivered in 1995 and 2001.

Far left:
Three S-61s were delivered in June 2009
for fire-fighting, but when not being
utilised they are probably used for SAR
and logistical flights.

Left, centre: With continued threats from

terrorism, the LAF utilise this Cessna 208
in the ISR role, to monitor borders and
other areas of interest. It also has rails
under the wings to fit Hellfires if
required. Two more Cessna 208s are to
be delivered in similar configuration.

ALL PICTURES: JOE BENJJY

purchase on September 19, 2014 for a

further 18 Huey IIs.
The 24 new helicopters will replace the
LAF’s aging fleet of UH-1H aircraft and
provide the LAF with mission-capable assets.
The US donated 16 Bell UH-1H
Iroquois in July 1995 but the helicopters
were only delivered in batches of eight in
1999 and 2000, with a further six handed
over in 2001. They are currently allocated
to two squadrons based at Beirut Air Base
– Rafic Hariri International Airport,
although some are deployed for use by
further units based at Rayak and Kleyate
Air Bases.

qqqqq

To provide initial helicopter training for

Lebanese pilots, four Robinson R44
Raven IIs were delivered in 2005 and are
flown by the 15th Squadron at Rayak on
the eastern border.
For basic pilot training, the LAF uses
three Bulldogs delivered in 1975 and
returned to operational service in 2010
after many years of storage.
In early 2007, the United Arab
Emirates donated nine Aérospatiale SA
342L Gazelles to Lebanon. The UAE has
been a major donor of aircraft. During
2009 it transferred seven upgraded IAR
330SM Pumas and is believed to be
providing up to four AT802 Air Tractors
for counter-insurgency operations.
The LAF’s medium-lift requirements
will be met by the acquisition of seven
AS532 Cougars from Airbus helicopters –
a contract should have been signed in
September. The purchase is being funded
by a $3 billion Saudi Arabian grant,
approved by the French Government in
October 2014. n

37
LIFE AFTER GADDAFI
A STRUGGLE FOR LIBYA
T
he air force run by colonel Gaddafi,
prior to his death no longer exists.
All its modernisation plans are
long gone. It has been split by tribalism,
which like so many countries in Africa and
the Middle East means more to many,
than living in peace as one nation. The
remnants of the official Libyan Air Force
(LAF) is still in use fighting a war against
terrorist organizations such as IS and
Ansar al-Sharia, as well as the
internationally recognized government of
Tobruk, where Qatar and Turkey
recognize the Libyan Dawn government
in Tripoli.
Once it was planned to equip the LAF
with Rafales, Su-30s, Su-35s, Yak-130s
and even Typhoons in 2010 to replace its
small but combat capable fleet. This
comprised almost thirteen Mirage F1s, six
Su-24MKs and around 30 Su-
22M3/UM3s, 25 MiG-21bis/UMs and 27
MiG-23ML/UBs. However, the LAF soon
found itself in war against anti-Gaddafi
revolutionaries and then Gaddafi loyalists
during the 2011 Libyan civil war. The US
and the west also helped to destroy much
of the LAF during Operation Unified
Protector.
The so-called Arab spring reached
Libya in 2011 and the first protests
against Muammar Gaddafi started to take
hold in January. Quickly, the Libyan
armed forces together with the air force
were tasked to bomb and rocket the
protesters in various cities of the country.
The brutal suppression of the civil
unrest headed the country toward a long-
lasting war which started against pro-
Gaddafi forces and is still being continued
among militias and internationally-
38
recognised governments of the country.
Starting in March 2011, the brutal way
Gaddafi confronted his enemies caused
widespread insubordination among the
personnel of the Libyan Air Force,
especially in the east of the country, where
Benina AB and Tobruk AB had been
located.
Earlier in February, most of the
operational combat aircraft of the Umm al-
Atiqa, Benina and Gamal Abdel Nasser
(Tobruk) air bases were forward-deployed
to the Ghurdabiyah AB at Sirte in order to
be used in strike missions against the civil
protesters and then militias.
Just nine operational MiG-21s, four in
Benina AB and five in Tobruk survived,
and the other operational Fishbeds were
destroyed under NATO air raids against
Ghurdabiyah AB in March and April
2011. Several Mirage F.1s, including the
sole Mirage F.1BD of the air force, all of
the operational Su-22s and Su-24s as well
as almost nine operation-ready MiG-23s,
tens of L-39s and several Galebs were
destroyed by the NATO air forces in
Ghurdabiyah and Misurata.
Several Libyan Air Force officers
defected, to create the Free Libyan Air
Force (FLAF) in March 2011 by raising all
available operational aircraft or defective
jets now in Benina and Tobruk air bases.
The first attacks came on March 14, 2011,
when two MiG-21s of the FLAF were used in
a CAS mission to support the anti-Gaddafi
militias commanded by Abdel Fattah Younis
against the loyal Gaddafi forces in an area
between Brega and Ajdabiya. It was followed
by more attacks until NATO declared a No
Fly Zone over Libya and started bombing
Gaddafi loyalists.
qqqqq
On 20th August 2011, Tripoli fell to the
rebel’s hands and then the Sirte followed in
October 2011. Gaddafi was killed on
October 20 and his regime crumbled.
Only a fleet of 44 operational combat
aircraft comprising three MiG-21bis’,
three MiG-21UMs, two MiG-23MLDs,
one MiG-23UB, two Mirage F.1EDs, three
L-39ZOs, four Galeb G-2s, three
SF.260Fs, two An-26s, an An-72, one C-
130H, two C-130H-30s, an Il-76MD, one
Mi-2, three Mi-8Ts, three Mi-14s, two Mi-
17s, five Mi-24Vs and two CH-47Cs were
left for the FLAF.
Two more Mirage F1EDs and two Mirage
F1ADs survived, but they were not
operational. Five more MiG-21bis’, four
more MiG-21UMs, three other MiG-
23MLDs and one more MiG-23UBs were
found in good condition suitable for
restoration and overhaul in various air bases.

On October 23, 2011, the National
Transitional Council of Libya officially
LIBYAN ORBAT
declared the country liberated. To celebrate
the occasion, three MiG-23s and three MiG-
21s performed a fly-past over Benghazi.
From November 2011, the MiG-21s of
the FLAF together with two surviving L-
39ZOs were used for border and
maritime surveillance missions across
Libya by forward-deploying to the
western and southern airfields of Libya.
Between March 25-31, Libyan
governmental militias confronted Tubu
tribesman in a bid to bring some order to
Sabha. The FLAF forward-deployed one
L-39ZO and two MiG-21s to Sabha
International Airport armed with S-5
rockets to patrol the region.
In December 2013, the General
National Congress of Libya, supported by
Qatar and Turkey, voted to enforce a
version of sharia law. However not
agreeing with its increased power, general
Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National
Army (LNA) dissolved the GNC in
February 2014 and subsequently
established the government of Tobruk, the
sole internationally-recognised
government of the country.
Later the Libyan Islamists supported by
a Qatari-Turkish mandate conducted
several offensives on Benghazi. Quickly
the LNA conducted Operation Dignity in
May 2014 to repel the Islamists from
Benghazi in May 2014.
Separated in two parts, the Libyan Air
Force and Dawn Libyan Air Force now
fight a full scale war against each other as
well as the terrorist organizations and
militias such as Ansar al-Sharia and ISIL
of Libya since late 2014.
LIBYAN AIR FORCE
Far left: All of the
Libyan Air Force
There have been several examples of
clashes, including the bombing of a Greek Su-24 Fencers were
destroyed during the
oil tanker by Hafter’s LAF MiG-21s in
NATO strikes on
2014, and Libyan Dawn Air Force MiG- Guardibya.
25Rs (restored by Ukrainian technicians
from Zaparozhie Aircraft Overhaul Plant Above: There are
in Sirte in 2014) then flying air still a couple of Mi-
interdiction sorties against Haftar forces. 14s flying from
Several LAF MiG-21s, Mi-8s and Mi- Metiga. They were
35s were lost in 2014, due to low quality once used for ASW
maintenance and pilot errors, the but are now likely to
be used for general
Egyptian Government donated at least six
transport duties.
MiG-21bis and six Mi-8T helicopters to ALL PICTURES:
the Haftar forces, which are being heavily ALAN WARNES
used in the war. Also the UAE funded
procurement of two Mi-35s for the Libyan
Air Force.
qqqqq
Meanwhile, the opposition Libyan Dawn
Air Force base their aircraft at Misurata,
Tripoli and Sirte and receive financial
support from Turkey and Qatar. This has
allowed it to buy spare parts and pay
overhaul costs for three MiG-23MLs, two
MiG-25Rs, a MiG-25PU, a Mirage F.1ED
several Super Galebs and L-39ZOs.
Despite the small size of the Libyan
Dawn Air Force, its aircraft have been
heavily used in air raids against the LNA at
Zintan and Woutiya Air Base in summer
2014. There is also a single Mirage F1 and
BABAK TAGHVAEE. a Galeb G-2AE which were involved in at
least 15 interdiction sorties against IS
hideouts in the outskirts of Sirte during
July 2015. The Dawn Air Force has lost
two MiG-23s, two MiG-25s and two L-39s
in various accidents in 2015. n
BABAK TAGHVAEE
39
ROYAL SUPPORT SPARKS
MOROCCO INVESTMENT
U
ntil King Mohammed VI came to
the throne in July 1999, the Royal
Moroccan Air Force (RMAF)
had suffered from little investment. The
young king, who had served in the army,
changed all that.
As a result, the air force has purchased
within it means, upgrading Mirage F1s
and F-5s with clever avionics and
acquiring a batch of F-16 Block 52s.
Fighting between the Moroccan
military and the Polisario Front, which is
pushing for an independent state and is
backed by Algeria, has been on and off for
nearly 40 years.
There are around 100,000 refugees
living in Polisario camps in Algeria and,
as a result, the long-running mistrust
between these two neighbours simmers The two RMAF
on. Morocco views Algeria as a threat to KC-130Hs would protection at low to medium altitude, designation pods and Delilah Cruise
its stability, highlighted by the shooting need to top up the providing an air surveillance range of up missiles are also thought to have been
down of a RMAF C-130H on October 12, Mirage F1 during to 75 miles (125kms) supporting a purchased from Israel.
1981 by a Polisario surface-to-air missile any deep strike multitude of advanced weapons systems The F-5 has a complete tactical
(SAM). The weapons were allegedly sorties. The F-5Es like Hawk and Stinger missile air defence situation awareness system associated
could use the
supplied by Algeria and Morocco has systems. The 3D system, equipped with a with a Link-16 type data-link, allowing
Delilah stand off
never forgotten this incident or others weapon and the phased array X-band unit capable of the aircraft to share and receive tactical
like the shooting down by a SAM-6 of an F-16s could call automatic target detection and tracking, information from ground air defence
F-5E 91921 along the Algerian border on upon conformal fuel plugs into Morocco’s highly autonomous radars to build the air picture.
January 12, 1985. This and other fighter tanks. command and control system. After the F-5 modernisation came the
wrecks are displayed in the Polisario PICTURES: ALAN WARNES Having also acquired eight Sentinel upgrade of 27 Mirage F-1EH, F1CH and
Museum at Tindouf in Algeria. M1152 high mobility multipurpose wheeled F1EH-200s, the latter fitted with air-to-
All Moroccan combat aircraft are net- vehicles (HMMWVs) to tow the radars, it is air refuelling probes, into one common
centric, highly integrated by datalink with now a highly mobile system aimed at Mirage F1EM/CM-VI fleet. The upgrade
the new Thales ground radars. It is a well- protecting the country from airborne threats. was designed by the Association Sagem
thought-out modernisation programme The whole fleet of around 20 F-5Es has Thales pour la Rénovation d’Avions de
to stretch the Algerian air defences. been upgraded with IAI Elta’s multi- Combat (ASTRAC) consortium.
The core of the network are eight mode EL/2032M radar and other SABCA, of Belgium, was sub-
AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radars, offering associated avionics. Litening laser contracted to integrate the new systems,

40

which include a new Thales RC400 (RDY-
3) multi-mode Doppler radar based on the
Mirage 2000-5 RDY radar, albeit with a
smaller antennae giving shorter range.
The cockpit has been transformed with
two-colour multi-function displays, a
heads-up display (HUD) and hands-on
throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) capability.
One of the main features of the
upgrade is the enhanced electronic
warfare (EW) capabilities – its
suppression of enemy air defences
(SEAD)/destruction of enemy air
defences (DEAD) capabilities are a real
threat to Algeria.
The French jet is equipped with the
new Armement Air-Sol Modulaire
(AASM) Hammer, principally for
challenging Algeria’s Pantsir S2 SAM
ROYAL MOROCCAN AIR FORCE
Top: An F-16C fitted
with conformal fuel systems and SU-30MKAs. winning the contract as Dassault had
tanks, allowing deep- Four Thales Analyseur de Signaux been in losing it. The F-16Cs were ferried
strike missions. TACTiques (ASTAC) electronic to Morocco during July/August 2011 and
PICTURE: LOCKHEED MARTIN
intelligence (ELINT) pods were supplied serve with the 6 BAFRA at Ben Guerir,
Left: When T-6Cs were by the French Government for the which was officially opened on July 27,
delivered in 2011, to upgraded F1s to assist in the development 2009 after many years of renovation.
replace T-34Cs, it of an impressive capability to map All three F-16 units EDC ‘Falcon’,
allowed the RMAF to Algeria’s radar and communication ‘Viper’ and ‘Spark’ are trained to fulfil the
train pilots in new networks. These pictures can then be data- air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The deal
modern cockpits linked to the two Falcon 20ECMs, is believed to also include AIM-120C-5
before heading into
the upgraded Alphajet modified in 2005, to attack Algerian AMRAAMs, AIM-9M Sidewinders,
lead in fighter trainer. systems, with on-board EW wizardry. The AGM-88B/C HARM, AGM-65D/G/H
$2.4 billion acquisition contract for 16 F- Mavericks, joint direct attack munition
Right: Most of the AB 16C Block 52s and eight F-16C Block 52s (JDAM) tail kits, GBU-24 Paveway III
206 Jet Rangers are was an unlikely choice, as Morocco was kits, GBU-10 Paveway II kits, GBU-12
operated by the Centre expected to stick with French aircraft, as it Paveway II and Enhanced GBU-12
d’Instruction de
Pilotes d’Helicoptéres had a generation earlier when buying the Paveway II. Four Goodrich
Continued
(CIP) training pilots to Mirage F1 and Alpha Jet. DB-110 electro- on Page 42
fly helicopters. Lockheed Martin was just as startled at optical/infrared (EO/IR)
41

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

airborne reconnaissance system pods and
12 Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper
targeting pods were also required.
ROYAL MOROCCAN AIR FORCE

  
2014, the latest Bell 407 training
helicopter, UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z
ROYAL MOROCCAN ORBAT
Viper, were all being promoted, although



It is likely the AIM-9X and joint the latter pair were not present.
 

 
helmet-mounted cueing systems France’s Aerotech Group was also
(JHMCS) have also been purchased. exhibiting an upgraded SA341F Gazelle,       !" !
The RMAF’s 16 strong C-130H which would catapult the RMAF’s    
   !" !
Hercules fleet includes a pair of KC- Gazelle fleet into a new era.
130H air-to-air refuellers and a surviving The Centre d’Instruction au Pilotage 

   !#   !" !

EC-130H, fitted with sideways-looking (CIP, Pilot Training Centre) at Marrakesh $% &
airborne radar (SLAR). They are backed is tasked with training new pilots. First
   $ '"
up by seven light airlift CN235Ms and step for the students is the sélection en vol
four Alenia C-27Js. Five Bombardier 415 (flight selection), where they will be     '"
‘super scoopers’ were acquired between screened while flying one of around 10  (#  
2011/2013 to help with the increasing AS 202 Bravos. If successful they will be
number of wildfires spreading through cleared to the next level, flying the new 

 
 ") $ '&*
the northern part of the country. A ultra-modern T-6C. 

  + ") $ '&*

couple of the King Air 200s are also used


 +$ ") $ '&*

for VIP purposes and operate in the Al qqqqq
Ghait rain-making programme. 

 
The helicopter fleet, housed at Rabat- The RMAF took delivery of 24 T-6Cs in ,  -
Sale, has seen little change over the past 2011 after signing a $185 million
30 years. contract on September 21, 2009.    .+ -/0",-/0
Ageing AB205s, purchased in the late Multi-engine training is carried out on &    .+ -/0"
 &/
60s, continue to soldier on in light a handful of King Air 100 and 200s,
transport duties but are also used to spray based at Kenitra, while learning to fly -    .+  1 2'3 &453 6 &-'
insecticide on locusts infesting many parts helicopters takes place at Rabat-Sale on !7 8  &//3 -//3  '/3 

of Morocco. The latter role sees them the AB 206 Jet Ranger. '/3 //3 (#
  ''/3 (#
 
equipped with spray bars to dispense Pilots heading into the fighter world !!..3 (#
  !!!
insecticide in the offending areas. will spend around a year flying Alpha Jets 


 
with the Centre d’Instruction des Pilotes
qqqqq de Combat (CIPC) at Meknès (BAFRA 1 
 
2). Students ply their trade on Alpha   0
+ 9  &/'3  &/3  &&3 -2&:
Tactical helicopter support is provided by Jets recently upgraded under a
  0
+ 9 024 #3  --/:
around 20 SA-330Js, which have been €27million deal awarded to Thales in
stretched in recent years because of the late 2009.
CH-47C Chinooks grounding. In August, SABCA, based at Charleroi, has been 


 
three CH-47Ds ordered in 2011 were responsible for developing the upgrade
delivered, which will take some of the kits, which includes HOTAS, HUD and 
burden off the Pumas. flight instruments in the centre of the :   ! #  # 7
 
The survivors of 24 SA342L Gazelles, control panel.
: 9
   
 &/& ;
acquired around 30 years ago, provide The rear cockpit has a new multi-
sterling service in the communications function display that enables the <
  7
  .
role and also provide a light attack instructor to monitor the weapons and    1   7 &-
capability when deployed to the Western navigation systems. The upgrade is a more
Sahara. affordable way of modernising the Alpha   
Bell Helicopters would like to Jet. These new digital systems provide   ! #  7
   1 !7 
+ 5 !
modernise Morocco’s helicopter fleet. most of the advantages of a glass cockpit
During the Marrakesh Airshow in April without the expense of fitting one. n  !  "

<
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+   &/ 5 

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Morocco’s F-5Es  have been modernised in recent years and can use the
Delilah stand-off weapon. The F-5 is supported by the KC-130H.

42
T
he Sultanate of Oman was not
renowned for its big defence
spending but it has invested
heavily over the past five years into
modernising the Royal Air Force of
Oman (RAFO).
The list, including F-16C/Ds (12),
Typhoons (12), Hawk AJTs (8), C295Ms
(8), C-130Js (3) and NH90s (20), is
transforming the RAFO into a compact
modern air arm. Iran poses a menace,
although this threat may have subsided in
the wake of the nuclear agreement in
mid-2015.
An initial order for 12 F-16C/D Block
50s concluded in May 2002 under the
foreign military sales (FMS) contract
‘Peace A’sama A’safiya’ (clear skies). This
led to eight F-16Cs (now seven after one
crashed) and four F-16Ds being delivered
OMAN FOCUSES ON
to Thumrait-based 18 Squadron, which
led to the Jaguars being retired.

qqqqq
A further $600 million order followed for
10 F-16Cs and two F-16Ds on December
14, 2011, with deliveries to 20 Squadron at
Thumrait completed by December 2014.
A $23 million contract was awarded to
Lockheed Martin in July 2012 for
additional Sniper advanced targeting
pods as well as the upgrade of the
RAFO’s existing pods and support. It also
acquired DB 110 reconnaissance pods
from Goodrich (now UTC).
The US Defense Security Cooperation
Agency (DSCA) revealed in December
2012 that the RAFO had requested the
purchase of 27 AIM-120C-7 advanced
medium range air-to-air missiles
(AMRAAM), 162 GBU-12 Paveway II
500lb (227kg) laser-guided bombs, as
well as an assortment of other munitions.
While no further acknowledgement of
the deal has been forthcoming, it is likely
RAFO UPGRADES
all the weapons have been delivered.
The RAFO’s fighting capabilities
received a considerable boost in
December 2012, when it signed a deal
with BAE Systems for 12 Typhoons and
eight Hawk advanced jet trainers that
should be delivered in 2017.
A new air base is being built at Adam,
around 100 miles southwest of Muscat,
to house the Typhoons. Construction
started in early 2010.
Meanwhile, the new Hawk AJTs are
expected to replace the older Hawk Mk
100/200s serving 6 Squadron at Masirah.
In a bid to boost the RAFO training
capabilities, Pilatus, is now putting all 12
of the PC-9s on strength through a major
overhaul. The first two were re-delivered
back to 1 Squadron at Masirah in August
2014 and work on the remainder of the
fleet continues. Four had returned to
Oman by August 2015.
An agreement to train 16 RAFO
students and two flight instructors was
signed with the Croatian Ministry of
Defence on March 5, 2014. The course
took place at Zadar-Zemunik, the home
of the Croatian Air Force’s Flying
Academy, from March to December.
The training course on PC-9Ms was
split into five flying segments: basic and
aerobatic, visual flight rules (VFR),
instrument flight rules (IFR), nighttime,
and formation. 
RAFO ordered eight C-295Ms under a
contract signed on May 21, 2012,
comprising a combination of variants in
both transport and maritime patrol
configurations. 
Five of the aircraft are being configured
for tactical transport operations, while
the remaining three will be maritime
patrol aircraft.
The first aircraft was equipped with a

44
 ROYAL AIR FORCE OF OMAN

The RAFO has 23 F-16C/Ds ordered in two batches separated by

nine years. This example was among ten F-16Cs ordered in 2011.
PICTURE: LOCKHEED MARTIN

Left top: The RAFO received two former

Royal Flight Gulfstream IVs in late 2013.

Left bottom: Much of the RAFO’s transport fleet has been

modernised over the past five years. This C-130J was one of
three delivered between 2012-2014.
PICTURES: ALAN WARNES

new generation of the fully integrated One of the first deals to be signed as
tactical system (FITS), which
ROYAL OMAN AIR FORCE ORBAT
Royal Air Force of Oman
part of the RAFO’s modernisation was a
incorporates a number of improvements HQ Royal Air Force of Oman, HQ Muaskar al Murtafa'a contract for 20 NH90 TTHs, on July 24,
to make it more user-friendly. It features a 1 Sqn RAFO Masirah MFI-17 Super Mushshak, PC-9M
2004, which included a comprehensive
search radar and electro-optical/infra-red 2 Sqn RAFO Seeb Seavan, Skyvan support package with a contractor’s field
(EO/IR) sensors, Terma 9000 sideways- 3 Sqn RAFO Salalah Super Lynx Mk.120, assistance on several bases, training aids
4 Sqn RAFO Seeb Airbus A320, Gulfstream IV
looking airborne radar (SLAR) and self- 5 Sqn RAFO Salalah C295M, Skyvan
and mission preparation stations. 
protection equipment, amongst other 6 Sqn RAFO Masirah Hawk Mk.103, 203 They replaced the fleet of ageing
role-specific equipment. 14 Sqn RAFO Al Musana’a AS332C, AS332L1, NH90TTH AB205A/206/212/214s.
SAR Det, RAFO Khasab
The aircraft will enhance Oman’s 15 Sqn, RAFO Al Musana’a Super Lynx Mk.120
ability to patrol its territorial waters and SAR Det, RAFO Masirah qqqqq
to conduct missions against piracy, illegal 16 Sqn, RAFO Seeb C-130H, C-130J, C-130J-30
17 Sqn, RAFO Al Musana’a NH90TTH
immigration and smuggling. Most have 18 Sqn, RAFO Thumrait F-16C/D-50 However, it was nearly six years before
been delivered. 20 Sqn, RAFO Thumrait F-16C/D-50 the first two NH90s were delivered on
June 23, 2010.
qqqqq All are now split between 14 and 17
Squadron based at Al Musana, although
Its transport needs were further boosted one is thought to have been lost in a July
by three C-130Js, delivered between 2012 accident.
September 2012 and May 2014, which Airbus Corporate Jet Centre
went to 16 Squadron at Seeb, Muscat. announced on October 11, 2011 that it
The first aircraft was returned to has been selected to maintain the RAFO
Lockheed Martin in late April 2013 and Airbus ACJ320 fleet from 2011 to
fitted with a VIP interior. 2013. The RAFO ordered an initial two
The RAFO also operates three older ACJ320 Prestige aircraft to replace its
model C-130H variants, which are being three elderly BAC One-Elevens, taking
upgraded by ST Aero in order to remain in delivery of both (serials 554 and 555) in
service for another 20 years. Modernisation 2009. It is believed the two airliners,
and full-scale maintenance of the first one operated by 4 Squadron at Seeb are still
was completed by February 2014. maintained by ACJC. n

45
 QATAR’S SMALL FORCE
IS THINKING BIG...
T
iny Qatar, which is barely a 20th of
the size of neighbouring Oman,
has a small air force with little
more than 1,500 personnel.
However, that is all set to change in the
wake of some big purchases,
undoubtedly as part of some payment
package by the US for using the massive
Al Udeid Air Base.
The facility houses the US Air Force
(USAF) Middle Eastern Combined Air
Operations Centre (CAOC) as well as
QATAR EMIRI AF ORBAT
HQ Qatar Emiri Air Force , HQ Doha


many US aircraft involved in the fight
against Islamic militancy in the region.
Having been used for the air wars over
Iraq and Afghanistan, it is now one of the
main air bases from which the US
launches air strikes against Islamic State
(IS) targets.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has
one fighter wing, based at Al Garyeh.
Housed there is No 7 Air Superiority
Squadron, flying nine Mirage 2000-5EDAs
and three Mirage 2000-5DDAs. They have
been in service since 1997, even though the
QEAF has been trying to sell them in recent
years to partly fund a new acquisition.
trained.
The other unit at Al Garyeh, with the 1
Fighter Wing, is 11 Fighter/Ground
Attack Squadron, flying six Alpha Jets.
Whether these will be upgraded with a
glass cockpit in the wake of the Rafale
deal is unknown.
Prior to the Rafale deal, the QEAF’s
main priority was the creation of a new
flying academy.
It was announced on July 23, 2012
that the QEAF had awarded a contract to
Pilatus for the procurement of a
complete PC-21 training system,
consisting of 24 PC-21 trainer aircraft, a


 Although it failed to attract a new suite of ground-based training system




 


  buyer, it was announced in Paris on April assets and an extensive logistics support

 !


 


 
"
 30, 2015 that Qatar had reached an and maintenance package.



 
 
  agreement to acquire 24 Dassault Rafales. The air arm selected the PC-21 as its
#
 !


 $%&'( It led French president Francois Hollande fixed-wing basic and advanced training
)

 *+,!! -# ../01$ to visit Doha on May 4, 2015, when the aircraft after a thorough evaluation, both
2
 
3 / -# ../01

formal contract was signed for the in Switzerland and in Qatar.


 
 aircraft, as well as an order for MBDA The QEAF Air Academy started

 / -$2 missiles to arm the jets. The acquisition, receiving its first PC-21s in March 2015,
&*4



 -$2 worth an estimated €6.3 billion with operations being supported directly

 
  
 ($7.05bn), comprises a firm order for 18 by Pilatus under a long-term
5!

 /  '6.!
 $"$ single-seat and six twin-seat Rafales, with performance-based support contract. 
 options for the purchase of either 12 or 24 The QEAF is also setting
7.../86/ 

 +/. 9//8 Continued
 :  additional aircraft. It also includes 36 up a PC-21 aerobatic team. on Page 48
Qatari pilots and 100 technicians being Consequently, all of the

46
QATAR EMIRI AIR FORCE

Opposite: A Mirage 2000-5DDA

from the 7th Air Superiority
squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, Doha
lifts off from the Konya runway
during a recent Anatolian Eagle
exercise in Turkey.
PICTURE: CHRIS LOFTING

Above: The Qatar Air Force was

the first operator of the C-17A in
the Middle East. The first pair
arrived in 2009 in Qatar airways
markings. Since then two more
have arrived and another four
more are on order. They are all
based at Al Udeid.
PICTURE: BOEING

Four C-130Js were delivered to

12 Squadron in late 2011.
PICTURE: ALAN WARNES

47
 QATAR EMIRI AIR FORCE

Qatari Emirai Air Force Mirage

2000s deployed to Tanagara in
September 2013 for an exercise
with their Hellenic Air Force
counterparts.
PICTURE: KIRK PALAOLIAN.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

display pilots flying with the Croatian Air
Force aerobatic team, Krile Oluja (wings
of storm) quit their roles in late 2014 and
should have taken up similar posts in
Qatar during mid-2015.
Qatar announced its biggest ever
package of defence contracts on March 27,
2014 during the Doha International
Maritime Defence Exhibition and
Conference (DIMDEX) at the Qatar
National Convention Centre in Doha. 
The deals, worth a total of $23.89
billion, included 24 Boeing AH-64E
Guardian attack helicopters, three Boeing
737 airborne early warning and control
(AEW&C) aircraft, two Airbus A330
multi-role tanker transports and 22 NH90
helicopters and PAC 3 Patriot systems.

qqqqq

Overall, the contracts cover deals with 20

different companies, of which the US
portion amounts to $7.6 billion, including
$2.44 billion for the Apache acquisition.  intelligence, surveillance and target
When the US Congress was notified of the
proposed sale on July 10, 2012, it also
included 576 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles,
295 FIM-92H Stinger reprogrammable
micro-processor (RMP) block I missiles, 50
Stinger air-to-air launchers and 4,092 2.75in
Hydra rockets.   on June 8, 2011. All of them were officially
The 22 NH90s will comprise 12 tactical
transport helicopter (TTH) and 10 naval
frigate helicopter (NFH) versions. The
order for these helicopters is still to be
finalised.
In addition, Thales signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) at
DIMDEX with the Qatar Armed Forces to
provide assistance in the development of an
optionally piloted vehicle-aircraft (OPV-
A), which will provide a high-performance
acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR)
system. Thales will also deliver a full end-
to-end training solution.  Operation Unified
Four C-130J-30s were purchased from
Lockheed Martin on July 26, 2008, leading
to the first aircraft making its maiden flight
handed over at the factory on September
28, 2011. Three were delivered together,
in late October 2011, before the fourth
joined them at Al Udeid in December
2011.
Qatar was the first Middle East
customer to order C-17s. A contract for its
initial two aircraft was announced on July
21, 2008 and saw them being handed over
on August 11 and September 10, 2009
albeit in Qatar Airways markings.
One of the jets, a An option on a further two was then
dual seat Mirage converted into a firm order and the last of
2000F carried six these two additional C-17s was delivered
on December 10, 2012 in military attire.
Protection Qatar’s C-17s supported the NATO-led
mission marks, to operation in Libya during 2011 and
denote the
provided relief for drought victims in
number of bombs
it had dropped Kenya. 
over Libya in 2011. In early 2010, QEAF C-17s delivered
PICTURE: KIRK PALAOLIAN humanitarian aid to Haiti and Chile
following devastating earthquakes.
A deal for a further four C-17As was
announced by the manufacturer at the
Paris Airshow on June 15. General Ahmed
Al-Malki, deputy commander, QEAF and
chairman of the airlift committee said:
“We are very pleased with the C-17s from
Boeing and look forward to doubling our
fleet to enhance worldwide operations.” n

48
SAUDI CONTINUES TO BUILD
SUPERIOR DEFENCE FORCE
T
he Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)
has never been as busy as it is
right now – fighting wars on two
sides. Since October 2014, it has been
working with the US and its allies,
fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS)
in Syria as part of ‘Operation Inherent
Resolve’.
In March 2015, Saudi led a military
campaign, known as ‘Operation
Decisive Storm’, against the Shia Houthi
forces inYemen, with air support from
the RSAF.
If all that wasn’t enough, it lost its
commander, lieutenant general
Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al-Shaalan, on
June 10, in mysterious circumstances.
The official report is that he died after a
heart attack in a London hospital, while
on a business trip outside the kingdom.
However, anonymous and unverified
Yemeni sources say that he was killed in
Yemeni Army and Ansarullah (Shia
Houthi forces) missile attacks against
Khamis Mushayt on June 6.These
reports have been widely repeated in
50
the press, especially in pro-Iranian news
outlets.
Fearful of an uprising across the
country and from external threats like
IS, al Qaeda or Iran, the Saudi monarchy
has increased its defence spending by
20% since the Arab Spring in 2011. It is
the world’s biggest importer of defence
equipment, with expenditure expected
to reach $48.8 billion by the end of 2015
and forecast to rise to $62 billion by
2020.
Saudi Arabia has the best-equipped
armed forces in the Gulf region, but
fewer than 20% of the 230,000 troops
serve the air force.
While the defence of national
interests are the RSAF’s primary focus,
it maintains interoperability with the
US and its coalition forces. As a result,
the RSA Government works closely
with the US and the UK to ensure its air
force remains at the technological
cutting-edge. BAE Systems plays a big
part in the modernisation of the RSAF.
The RSAF’s offensive fighter force,
comprisingTyphoons, F-15S and
Tornados, are all participating in the
Syrian andYemen conflicts.The RSAF
took delivery of its firstTyphoons in late
June 2009, which led to 10 Squadron
standing up atTaif-King Fahd Air Base,
followed by 3 Squadron and, more
recently, 80 Squadron.
On September 17, 2007, Saudi Arabia
signed an agreement, known as Project
Salam, for the acquisition of 72
Eurofighters in a deal reputedly worth
£4.4bn ($6.9bn).The last 48 aircraft were
to be built by Al Salam Aircraft Co in
Riyadh but this fell through.
After protracted discussions, a
renegotiated contract was settled in
February 2014, which agreed price
escalation terms under the Salam
programme.To date, 51 of the 72 aircraft
 ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE

Main picture: One of the three F-15SA development aircraft, comes into land at
Boeing’s Plant 42 test facility at Palmdale. The F-15SA test programme has
slipped back a year or so, but the RSAF should expect to start taking deliveries of
the new generation Eagle soon.
PICTURE: KEVIN WHITEHEAD
Left: RSAF and RAF personnel stand together at RAF Coningsby during Exercise
Saudi-British Sword. This was the second occasion RSAF fighters had deployed
to the UK. The first time was six years earlier when Tornados deployed to RAF
Lossiemouth, Scotland. PICTURE: UK MOD
Right: RSAF Typhoons are heavily involved in Syrian and Yemen conflicts.
PICTURE: JAMIE HUNTER

on order have been delivered –
comprising 24 from batch 1, 23 (one is
still at Warton undergoing trials work)
from batch 2, and four from batch 3,
which covers another 24 jets, all of the
latest tranche 3 derivative.
The first deliveries of the latter began
this summer to 80 Squadron, which
should have been the first fighter unit to
reside at the King Khalid Military City.
However, work at the facility is not
completed.
As a result, the four jets, delivered in
two batches – 8001, 8002 left BAE
Warton in early June followed by 8003,
8004 in July – are working with 3 and 10
Sqn atTaif.
The RSAFTyphoons will, on the
whole, be armed with the weapons of
the UK Royal Air Force jets, Brimstone 2,
Paveway IV and Storm Shadow. But,
instead of opting for the Meteor beyond
visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile,
which is expected to equip RAF
Continued
Typhoons in June 2018, it is armed with on Page 52
the Iris-T.

51
 ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51
The Storm Shadow stand-off weapon,
which is already on the Tornado
Sustainment Programme (TSP) aircraft,
will be integrated on to the tranche 3s
before the RAF Typhoons, probably by
late 2017. At that point, the Saudi
Typhoons will be the most potent aircraft
of all. They have already been seen
operating the 250lb GPS/INS Paveway IV
munitions while on operations over
Yemen.
The targeting pod is the Damocles
system, as also used on the Tornados.
There is a requirement for 72 more
multi-role Typhoons to replace the
upgraded Tornados, which are expected
to be phased out in the early 2020s.
However, it is unknown as to the
progress, if any, on this.
The 72 F-15S’, which equip three units
– 6 Squadron and 55 Squadron at
Khamis Mushayt and 92 Squadron at
Dhahran, were delivered in the late-90s.
The F-15S is an F-15E Strike Eagle
variant with less capable avionics.

qqqqq

The aircraft were delivered with low

altitude navigation and targeting infra-red
for night (LANTIRN) targeting pods and
a simplified Hughes APG-70 radar
without computerised radar mapping.
Initially, the RSAF experienced
serviceability problems with the Pratt &
Whitney F100-PW-229 engines supplied
with the original F-15S fleet. As a result,
it ordered 156 General Electric F110-GE-
129C engines, at a cost of more than
$750 million, to replace them.
In March 2009, a $41.9 million order
was placed with Lockheed for AN/AAQ-
33 Sniper advanced targeting pods
(ATP), specifically for the F-15S. These
mark a significant improvement over the
LANTIRN pods. They were all delivered
to Saudi Arabia ahead of schedule and
were declared ready for operational use
by the end of January 2010.
Saudi F-15Ss have taken part in five
‘Red Flag’ exercises at Nellis Air Force
Base, Nevada, USA – the most recent in
June 2014.
On March 8, 2012 Boeing announced
the RSAF had agreed an $11 billion deal
for 84 new F-15SA Eagles. The jet is a
new development of the successful F-15
Eagle, being funded by the Saudis. A year
after the agreement was announced, the
RSAF committed to upgrading 68
surviving F-15S Strike Eagles to the F-
15SA under a $3.5 billion deal.
The first new-build F-15SA undertook
its maiden flight on February 20, 2013
and was subsequently rolled-out for a
formal presentation ceremony at St
An RSAF Typhoon and
Tornado fly in Louis, Missouri, on April 30, 2013.
formation with an RAF However, not all appears to be running
Typhoon and Tornado smoothly with the test programme, which
during Exercise-Saudi is now a year past its planned July 2014
Sword in September completion date. The first of 12 F-15SAs,
2013. These kind of which should have made up a training
exercises are valuable
squadron in the USA by now, is yet to be
to both sides.
PICTURE: UK MOD
delivered.
The F-15SA is the first Eagle to feature
Below: The RSAF has digital fly-by-wire controls and is being
taken delivery of a large put through an extensive flight test
number of Beech 350s programme, even longer than initially
over the past couple of envisaged. At the hub of its digital
years. This example is prowess is the new Raytheon AN/APG-
seen passing through 63(V)3 active electronically scanned
Luton Airport on delivery
array (AESA) radar. It is equipped with
during November 2013.
PICTURE: ALAN WARNES
the F-110-GE-129 improved
performance engines, third generation
Tiger-Eye LANTIRN navigation pods,
digital joint helmet-mounted cueing
systems (JHMCS), DB-110
reconnaissance pods and AN/AAQ-33
Sniper targeting pods.
While the F-15SA may not be a game-
changer, this new Eagle, with all its
cutting-edge capabilities, including newer
weapons and powerful engines, will
definitely bring more clout to the RSAF’s
fighter force.
The new Digital
JHMCS being tested on Continued
the F-15SA is part of the on Page 54
JHMCS II system that

52
TOTAL DOMINANCE

www.eurofighter.com

BENCHMARKING EXCELLENCE

Effective: being the most powerful and reliable swing role fighter

Proven: in global operations with highest operational statistics

Trusted: to deliver performance, political and industrial partnership

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52
will incorporate a new night capability,
elevating it into a new generation of
Eagle. With this, the new digital
electronic warfare system (DEWS) and
common missile warning system
(CMWS), the Saudi jets will be more
modern than anything the USAF flies.
DEWS is an all-digital system using
digital radio-frequency memory (DRFM)
technology. Targets detected by DEWS
will be fused with radar and infra-red
search and track (IRST) data and shown
on the F-15SA’s large cockpit displays.
The first three F-15SAs are
instrumented production aircraft being
used in the flight-test and development
programme at Boeing’s Plant 42
Production Flight Test Installation at
Palmdale, where they have been since
November 2013. There are believed to be
several full standard F-15SAs in store.
Deliveries should start this year and
continue until 2019.
For self-defence, the aircraft will boast
the close-range AIM-9X Sidewinder
missile and AIM-120C7 advanced
medium-range air-to-air missile
54
Top:
Having acquired
(AMRAAM). For ground attack the six A330MRTTs, the Lockheed Martin is to establish the
AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod will RSAF now has a first Sniper ATP expanded repair
work with a plethora of new laser/GPS capable air to air capability facility outside the US in Saudi
munitions. refueling tanker Arabia.
The US Defense Security Cooperation which can use hose Announcing the decision on
and drogue, as well
Agency (DSCA) announced on October September 15, 2014 the company said
as a boom. It has
11, 2013 that Saudi Arabia had requested meant the RSAF can that the facility would be formed in
various munitions and associated deploy fighters conjunction with the Advanced
equipment, parts, training and logistical overseas more Electronics Company (AEC) to provide
support with an estimated cost of $6.8 regularly now. both affordability benefits and expedited
billion. The list of weapons included 650 PICTURE: SAM PILCHER repair times for the RSAF. Lockheed
AGM-84H stand-off land attack missiles- Martin and AEC have previously
expanded response (SLAM-ER), 973 Bottom: collaborated on modernised target
AGM-154C joint stand-off weapons Maintaining an acquisition designation sight/pilot night
(JSOW), 400 AGM-84L Harpoon block airborne warning vision sensor special repair activities and
II missiles and 1,000 GBU-39/B small and control LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods.
diameter bombs (SDB). capability is The upgraded Tornados all operate
On July 24, 2015 it was announced the extremely important from Dhahran, serving 7, 75 and 83
to the RSAF.
RSAF had ordered 355 AGM-154 block Squadrons. The RSAF has put its
It operates five
III C Unitary JSOWs at a cost of $123 E-3As which have operational Tornado fleet through an
million, with deliveries expected to be been continuously upgrade programme. The basis for the
completed in April 2018. upgraded over the programme is the UK mid-life update and
As part of the F-15SA/S modernisation years. its successor programmes, package 1 and
effort, 158 Sniper ATP pods are being PICTURE: JAMES RONAYNE package 2.
purchased, comprising one for each of The first four aircraft were sent to BAE
the new and upgraded aircraft, plus six Systems for modification in 2007 under
spare. the RSAF Tornado sustainment

programme (TSP1 and TSP2), which,
besides updating the avionics, radios and
navigation equipment, allows the aircraft
to deploy the advanced short-range air-to-
air missile (ASRAAM), the air-launched
anti-radiation missile (ALARM),
Brimstone and Storm Shadow weapons,
and utilise the Damocles targeting pod.
TSP2 was concluded with the last
aircraft delivered in April 2013. They are
expected to continue in service until the
early 2020s.
The RSAF has deployed fighters twice
to the UK in recent years. In
August/September 2007, eight Tornado
TSP 1s deployed to RAF Lossiemouth,
Scotland for a two-week exercise labelled
‘Saudi Green Flag’, which saw the RSAF,
RAF and BAE test the aircraft’s new
systems. Seven years later, the RSAF sent
four Tornados and four Typhoons to RAF
Coningsby for three weeks, for ‘Exercise
Saudi-British Green Flag’ to test the
interoperability of the RAF and RSAF
fighter fleets.
In 1995, the Peace Shield air defence
network was completed. The system
integrates the airborne warning and
control system (AWACS), ground-based
radars, fighters, surface-to-air missiles
and anti-aircraft artillery, with five sector
command posts controlled by a
command operation centre located in
Riyadh.
The survivors of 98 F-15C/Ds,
delivered from 1982 onwards, fulfil the
air defence quantitative risk assessment
(QRA) and combat air patrols for
missions over Syria and Yemen.
The F-15C/Ds fly from King Fahd Air
Base (5 Squadron), Dhahran-King Abdul
Aziz Air Base (13 Squadron) and Tabuk-
King Faisal Air Base.
In June 1986, the first of five Boeing
E-3A Sentry AWACS was delivered and
the fleet continues to receive the latest
upgrades, among them the radar system
improvement programme phase II,
funded in June 2010.
The E-3s were joined by eight KE-3A
tanker variants in the mid-1980s. At least
one of these has been modified to fulfil
the electronic intelligence (ELINT) role.
All of the E-3s are flown from Prince
ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
The first RSAF Hawk
Mk 165 flew on
September 30, one of Sultan Air Base in two squadrons
22 on order which assigned to 6 Wing, and all have been
will eventually modified to similar standards as regards
replace the Hawk avionics and other systems, to rationalise
Mk65. the fleet.
PICTURE: NEVILLE BECKITT The need to modernise the E-3A
AWACS saw the US State Department
approve, in August 2014, a planned $2
billion foreign military sales (FMS) deal
to upgrade the aircraft. It included five
AWACS block 40/45 mission computing
upgrade systems and 20 AN/UPX-40
next generation identification friend or
foe (NG IFF) systems as well as other
support services.
On January 3, 2008, Saudi Arabia
finalised an agreement to purchase three
A330 multi-role tanker transporters
(MRTT) equipped with both an aerial
refuelling boom system and two Cobham
905E under-wing refuelling pods. In July
2009, the requirement was increased to
six of the type and all have now been
delivered.
Two A330 MRTTs were
Continued
used to refuel the eight F- on Page 56
15S’ that deployed to Nellis
55

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55
for ‘red flag’ in June/July 2014, on a
three-leg journey of some 9,000 miles
(16,600km). The two tankers were
operated by the RSAF’s first combat-
ready tranche of boom-qualified crews
(pilots, air refuelling operators, mission
operators) who successfully offloaded
around a million pounds of fuel through
the fly-by-wire boom during the mission,
despite challenging weather and light
conditions.
Additional transport capacity is
provided by a fleet of 44 Lockheed
Hercules of various marks, comprising 27
C-130Hs, two C-130H-30s, seven KC-
130H tankers, three L100-30s and five
VIP-configured VC-130Hs.
There is an intention to purchase 20 C-
130J-30s and five KC-130J tankers, as
first revealed on November 9, 2012, by
the DSCA.  The order should include 20
additional spare Rolls-Royce AE2100D3
engines, 25 Link-16 multifunctional
information distribution systems (MIDS),
spares, support and training. The total
estimated cost for all 25 aircraft and the
associated spares, support and training
was given by the DSCA as $6.7 billion.  qqqqq
qqqqq
However it appears the order is to be split
down and two KC-130Js were ordered
under a FMS contract valued at nearly
$181 million in October 2013. Deliveries
should be completed by April 2016.
L-3 Communications in Greenville,
Texas, was awarded a $61 million firm-
fixed-price contract on August 22, 2013
for the modification and integration of
intelligence surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities on to
two King Air 350 aircraft for the RSAF.
Work on this FMS contract was
performed at Greenville, Texas, and was
completed on December 31, 2015. Initial
FMS funds to the value of $30 million
were released at the time of award.
The RSAF took delivery of an initial two
King Air 350s in August 2011 from an
order said to comprise four aircraft, with
options on a further four. A larger deal was
subsequently agreed for an unspecified
number of additional aircraft. A total of at
least 12 were in service by late 2013, but it
is believed up to 30 may have been
ordered, although it is unclear how many
are planned to be in ISR configuration.
As part of the Saudi-British defence
programme (SBDP), BAE Systems
announced on May 23, 2012, that it had
been awarded a £1.6 billion contract to
support the future aircrew requirements
of the RSAF. The contract covers the
provision of equipment and training
56
ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
ROYAL SAUDI AF ORBAT
devices, such as aircraft simulators,
training aids and aircraft to train aircrews.
The requirement called for the supply
of 55 Pilatus PC-21s to replace the PC-9s
in the basic training role and 22 Hawk
Mk 165 advanced jet trainers (AJT) to
take over from the Hawk Mk65s, which
had been operational since 1997.
The new Hawks will provide potential
fast-jet pilots with access to the very latest
in advanced simulation for radar,
weapons and defensive aids training to
enable a smooth transition to front-line
aircraft, including Typhoon.
More than half of the 55 PC-21s had
been delivered to the King Faisal Air
Academy in Riyadh by early October.
Meanwhile, BAE Systems flew the first
Hawk Mk 165 AJT, wearing test serial
ZB101 (‘ST001’) at BAE Warton on
September 16. The new Mk165s differ
from the UK RAF AJTs, as they have a new
data link, a different radio system and an
updated version of the Rolls-Royce Adour
Mk.951 engine. However, like their Mk
65s, the Saudi examples will have the
capability of dropping and firing weapons,
unlike the British aircraft that simulate the
process. ST001 is one of 15 of the Saudi
aircraft currently on the production line.
Of the 22 aircraft on order, 14 should be
delivered by the end of 2016.
The earlier Hawk Mk 65/65As are
used for training by four 7 Wing
squadrons, 21, 37, 79 and 88 Squadron
at Tabuk, but have a secondary ground-
attack role.
A first batch of 30 Hawk Mk 65s was
delivered in 1987 and 1988, with the
second batch of 20 Hawk Mk 65As in
1997. They have been derived from the
original T1 delivered to the UK RAF and,
like them, they can carry a variety of
weapons, including AIM-9L Sidewinder
air-to-air missiles on the under-wing
pylons. Another weapons point is on the
under fuselage centre-line and a 30mm
Aden cannon can be carried in a pod there.
The Hawks were purchased under the
same Al-Yamamah deal as the Tornados.
BAE Systems also brokered a deal for
25 Cirrus SR22T aircraft to fulfil the
primary training role, which Cirrus
Aircraft announced on July 29, 2013.
Deliveries of the composite four-seater
aircraft, which replaced the old Reims-
Cessna 172 Skyhawks at King Faisal Air
Academy, was completed by the end of
2013. They operate alongside the
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex MFI-17
Super Mushaks, delivered in 2004/5.
Significant numbers of helicopters are
operated by the RSAF, including
Eurocopter AS532A2 Cougar Mk 2s,
equipped for the combat search and
rescue (CSAR) role, and Bell (Canada)
and Agusta-Bell-built 212 and 412EPs,
which are flown in the search and rescue
and utility roles in three squadrons, as
well as on detachments away from their
home base.
Plans call for more helicopters to be
purchased. n
 www.alsalam.aero

■ Manufacturing of parts for military

ALSALAM and commercial aircraft

■ VIP aircraft completions,

AIRCRAFT
refurbishment & interior design

■ VIP aircraft maintenance &

modifications

COMPANY ■ Military aircraft assembly, depot

level maintenance, modifications
& upgrades, canopy repairs
A CENTER FOR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
& SERVICES IN THE MIDDLE EAST ■ Military technical support services

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P.O. Box 8012, Riyadh 11482, King Khalid International

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Tel: +966 11 874 2222

Fax: +966 11 220 0196
Email: businessdev@alsalam.aero

SYAAF SPEARHEADS THE
FIGHT AGAINST JIHADISTS
S
ince the beginning of Syria’s civil
war in 2011, the Syrian Arab Air
Force (SyAAF) has been the main
factor behind the armed forces’ supremacy
in the war against the Jihadist groups.
The Syrian Army owes its victories and
survival to the air force, with its 208
fighters and 29 attack helicopters that
have flown in hundreds of close air
support, and air interdiction sorties against
the militias, now armed with man-portable
air-defence systems (MANPADs).
Today, the SyAAF activities are mainly
focused on conducting the aerial resupply
of Syrian Army units deployed to the
front lines, and conducting the bombing
of rebel-held territories.
In 2012, the Syrian armed forces were
enjoying air superiority in the battle zone
provided by fighter/bombers and attack
helicopters stationed in Dumayr, Mezzeh and
Tiyas air bases. However, Qatar and Turkey
allegedly started to supply the anti-Assad
regime militias with MANPADs. Delivery of
at-least 10 units of ex-Sudanese FN-6 surface-
to-air missiles (SAMs) to the Al-Qaeda-linked
Nusra Front through Turkey and financed by
dispensers on its MiG-23s and Su-22s
during their domestic overhaul and
modernisation at al-Nayreb Aircraft Repair
Plant.
Furthermore, because of the heavy uses
of combat aircraft and attack helicopters in
strikes, the SyAAF has been operating its
large fleet of Mi-8/17s to drop iron-bombs,
known as barrel bombs. The vulnerability
of the Mi-8s, which were not equipped
with self-defence systems, has taken a
heavy toll.
In 2007 and 2011, the Syrian
Government ordered 12 MiG-29M2s and
36 Yak-130s in a $550m deal. Delivery of
the MiG-29s was scheduled for 2016-

 





SYRIAN ARAB AIR FORCE
After the Russian Air
Force intervention 2017, while delivery of the Yak-130s was
on September 30, the planned to start in 2014. But, due to the
Syrian Air Force war as well as the pressures of the west on
MiG-23BNs have Russia, both contracts are on hold.
ventured back into The SyAAF is believed to have 27
the air war. operational MiG-21bis/UMs, 74 MiG-
23BN/MLD/UBs, 40 MiG-29B/UBs, 47
Su-22M2/M4/UM3/UM3Ks, and 20 Su-
24MKs forming the backbone of its strike
force. Combat readiness of the fleet is
assessed at almost 70%.
For heavy transport and logistical
support of the SyAAF’s air bases, three of
its Il-76Ts and five An-26s are being used.
They are mainly based at Damascus
International Airport.
Recent Islamic State (IS) advances in
 SyAAF ORBAT Syria, which led to the occupation of the
abandoned Abu Kamal Air Base at Deir




   
Qatar in 2012 has been confirmed by the ez-Zor, plus an increased threat to

  
Stockholm International Peace Research 


  
strategic ports of Tartus and Latakia, has
Institute (SIPRI).  
  led to Russian armed forces being

  
 deployed to Syria instead of arms, which
qqqqq 
   
 will put Moscow under even more


    
! political pressure from the west.
 
  
!
It has not only been the rebels’ To provide air support not only for the

   "#
MANPADs and anti-aircraft artillery  $
%
 
 deployed Russian ground forces, but also
downing SyAAF aircraft. The Turkish Air 



     the Syrian Arab Army in the northwest
Force and Israeli Defence Force shot     and northern fronts of the war, the
down a Su-24MK, Mi-17 and a MiG-  
  & Russian Air Force deployed two Mi-17s
23MLD in 2013 and 2014 respectively.  
  #  and seven Mi-24s in An-124-100s
   # 
At least 18 aircraft and nine helicopters  $
%
 

between September 15 and 22.
– an An-26, a Mi-14, eight Mi-8/17s, 


   Later 12 Su-24Ms, 12 Su-25SMs and
three L-39s, six MiG-21s, four MiG-23s, 
   four Su-30SMs flew to Syria between
two Su-22s and three Su-24s, of the 
   September 19 and 22. All of the deployed
Syrian armed forces – have either been 
 
   aircraft are now stationed at Bassel al-

  
shot down or crashed due to a variety of Assad International Airport near Latakia.

   '
accidents during the civil war. 


  () The recent Russian deployments will
As a consequence of the MANPADs  
   ' compensate in the decline of SyAAF
threat, the SyAAF speeded up the      ' combat sorties and will probably change
installation of the Belarusian chaff/ flare BABAK TAGHVAEE. the outcome of the war. n

58
BORDER TERROR MEANS
TUNISIA LIVES ON THE EDGE
T
unisia, the smallest country in the
Maghreb region of North Africa, is
strategically located bordering the
Mediterranean Sea to its north and east,
with Algeria to the west and Libya to the
southeast.
It has one of the smallest air arms in the
region.
Following the terrorist attack on the
Bardo Museum in the centre of Tunis on
March 18, which killed 21 tourists, the
threat of further attacks in the country
remains high.
Cross-border terrorist activity and the
fighting in neighbouring Libya has led to
heightened security on the borders with
Algeria and Libya.

qqqqq
The Tunisian Air Force’s primary air defence
is provided by a fleet of Northrop F-5E/F
Tiger IIs. Initially, eight single-seat F-5Es and
four twin-seat F-5Fs were delivered between
1984 and 1985, followed in 1989 by four
former US Air Force (USAF) F-5Es. At least
two of the single-seat aircraft and one of the
two-seaters have been lost in accidents since
then. The 12 surviving aircraft are flown by
15 Squadron at Bizerte-Sidi Ahmed Air
Base.
A planned $60 million avionics upgrade
for all 12 remaining F-5s, to be undertaken
by Northrop Grumman, was announced
by the US Defense Security Cooperation
Agency (DSCA) on September 19, 2013.
This was to include 12 LN-260 standard
positioning system-embedded GPS/INS,
control display unit, electrical power and
environmental control system. It is unclear
whether or not this modernisation has yet
gone ahead, but it would appear to
indicate that there are no immediate plans
to replace these aircraft.
Tunisia took delivery of 12 Aero L-59T
Super Albatros armed jet trainers in 1995-
6 and, after three were written off, the nine
survivors were overhauled by the
manufacturer and returned to service in
2006-7. It is believed that they all remain
active. The type was confirmed as still
being operational in April 2014, when it
was used for reconnaissance and counter-
insurgency missions to support a major
Although the
Tunisian Air Force military offensive in the Mount Chaambi
has operated around border region against Ansar al-Sharia and
16 HH-3Es, it is al-Qaeda-linked militants.
thought that only The country’s most recent acquisitions
one is serviceable. have been a pair of Lockheed Martin C-
A replacement 130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft. The
helicopter is
order was announced on March 2, 2010,
urgently required.
PICTURE: USAF
with the first delivery taking place on April
4, 2013. The second was handed over on
December 11, 2014.
Two older model C-130Hs had been
operated since new in 1985, although
one was retired after a ground accident
in 1996 and eventually sold still
unrepaired, to Derco in December 2007.
In addition, eight elderly surplus US Air
Force C-130Bs, built between 1959 and

60

1962, were acquired between 1994 and
2002, five of which are believed to
remain in service.
For the training role, nine SIAI
SF260CTs were delivered from 1975,
followed by 12 SF260WTs from 1979. A
small number are thought to have been
retired, but the majority are believed to
still be in service.
Tunisia’s helicopter fleet is a mixed bag
of various types, including small numbers
of long-serving Alouette II/IIIs, SA342L1
Gazelles, AS350B Ecureuils and Agusta-
Bell 412s, plus around 30
Bell/AB205/UH-1H variants and,
unusually, around a dozen USAF surplus
Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giants.
Renewal of the helicopter fleet began
only recently, with signature of an
agreement to purchase eight armed
Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks on
December 18, 2014. Sikorsky was
awarded a $93 million production
contract for the eight ‘green’ airframes that
will be equipped to Tunisian requirements.
Manufacture is scheduled to be completed
by December 31, 2016.
and integration of a precision-guided
rocket capability, 9,100 2¾in Hydra
unguided rockets, 100 AGM-114R
Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, 24 GAU-
19 0.50 calibre machine guns and
associated equipment. The numbers being
acquired will presumably now be reduced
in view of the lower number of helicopters
being acquired.
The Black Hawks will augment the
existing helicopter fleet and be used in a
variety of roles, including combat
operations, precision engagement, troop
transport, airborne reconnaissance,
search and rescue (SAR), medical
evacuation and night/limited visibility
operations. They will also be used as
rapid reaction assets along Tunisia’s
border and within its military zones to
improve counter-terrorism operations
and strengthen border control.
Another possible Tunisian acquisition
was notified to Congress by the DSCA on
June 30, 2010, when plans for the

TUNISIAN AIR FORCE ORBAT



TUNISIAN AIR FORCE
Members of the purchase of 12 surplus US Navy Sikorsky
Wyoming Air SH-60Fs were revealed. Including
National Guard and refurbishment, spares and logistical
the Tunisian medical
support, the cost was put at $282
military personnel
walk towards a C- million. They were being sought
130H at Bizerte-Sidi primarily for the overwater SAR role.
Ahmed in Tunisia, Nothing further has been heard of this
during May, 2012. planned deal and it is presumed that the
PICTURE: USAF more recent deal for multi-role UH-
60Ms, which will also fulfil the SAR
Inset: The Tunisian mission, has superseded this proposal.
Air Force has been The SH-60Fs had been planned to
flying F-5s since the
replace the HH-3F fleet.
mid-80s and no
replacement is yet
in sight. qqqqq
In addition to the air force, the Tunisian
Government operates a single Boeing
737-700BBJ, delivered in August 1999,
as a VIP transport. A new VIP Airbus
A340-542 was ordered and initially
delivered to Tunis on December 19,
2009, before being returned to Bordeaux
for installation of its VIP interior.
Although this was completed by early
2011, the aircraft has not been delivered

 and remains in storage at Bordeaux in
Plans for this procurement were first     
!
 full Tunisian Government colours.
revealed on July 24, 2014, when the DSCA  "#$ %& '(
 A small helicopter fleet is also flown by
) "#$ %& '(

notified Congress of the proposed deal, * *+ 
!
 the air component of the Tunisian
although at that time it was planned to  *, 

 -%( Gendarmerie. Six AS350B Ecureuils were
 #"./0"/)"123/"4
 
!

purchase 12 UH-60Ms. It is unclear 
"*
/"*
/1../

((( 


 delivered in 1983, of which four or five are
whether Tunisia still plans to buy the 
"*
/"*
/1../
*" thought to be still in use. An unknown


(( 



remaining four at a later date. 5 1.. 
 number of AS355F Twin Ecureuils were
The DSCA stated that the deal would  ..+ 


 reported as being delivered at the same
6
"*
/1.. -%(
include 24 M134 7.62mm machine guns  time, but this has never been confirmed. n

61
TURKEY CONSTANTLY ON
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
S
haring borders with Syria, Iraq and
Iran in the east, and having long-
standing disputes with Greece in
the west, means trouble is never far away
for Turkey. So the Turkish Air Force
(TuAF) is on a constant state of alert and is
one of the busiest air forces in Europe.
On top of that, Turkey is a key NATO
ally, as it has proved during operations
over Iraq, Yugoslavia and Libya in the
past 25 years.
On August 29, it went further by
joining anti-Islamic State (IS) operations
in Syria. A year of watching developments
in Syria eventually led to Turkey joining
‘Operation Inherent Resolve’.
Although Turkey had previously
bombed IS positions in Syria on July 24,
those missions were independent of the Turkish Aerospace
US-led attacks. They were undertaken NATO bombed the Milosevic regime into Industries delivered It is no surprise Turkey invests heavily
the last of 30 F-16
without entering Syrian air space. giving up Kosovo. Six Turkish F-16s into its military and its aerospace industry.
Block 50Ms in 2012.
contributed to ‘Operation Unified The public The government is working towards self-
qqqqq Protector’ over Libya in 2011. aerospace company sustainment with Savunma Sanayii
There have also been long-standing is now moving Müste arlı ı (SSM – defence industries
However, to complicate matters, Turkish F- historical issues with Greece over Cyprus towards F-35 work. undersecretariat).
16s allegedly also bombed Kurdish and the disputed Aegean islands. PICTURES: ALAN WARNES SSM is the procurement authority
resistance fighters. With the Kurds working Turkey broke off diplomatic relations under the Ministry of National Defence. It
with the allies to defeat IS, this, not too with Israel after its military attacked the implements the decisions made by the
surprisingly, has caused tensions. MV Mavi Marmara in May 2010, the defence industry executive committee,
August also saw Turkey allow the US to flagship of a flotilla crewed by an alliance including major procurement projects.
use Incirlik Air Base to launch attacks of pro-Palestinian activists, who had SSM is also reorganising the existing
against IS. This is nothing new as NATO combined to deliver 10,000 tonnes of aid Turkish defence industry to conform to
aircraft flew from Turkish bases against to Gaza. Eight Turkish citizens were international standards. It is aimed at
Saddam Hussein in 1990, ‘Operation killed in the attack. building a defence industry that welcomes
Provide Comfort’ in 1991 and ‘Operation Until then, the Turkish and Israeli Air private entrepreneurship and allows
Northern Watch’ throughout the 90s. Force enjoyed a good military relationship, balanced collaboration with international
However, Turkey refused to allow strikes with jets from both sides regularly partners. SSM is targeting a turnover of
from its bases during the second Gulf War exercising together. The Anatolian Eagle $8 billion for 2016 with an export volume
in 2002. (AE) exercises, one of the biggest held in of £2 billion.
TuAF F-16s deployed to Italy in the Europe, often hosted Israeli Air Force F- Havelsan, Roketsan and Turkish
mid-90s for ‘Operation Deny Flight’ over 15s. Today, Konya where the AE Aerospace Industries (TAI) are among the
Yugoslavia, which eventually evolved into manoeuvres are held regularly, hosts jets biggest players in these ambitious plans.
‘Operation Allied Force’ in 1999, when from friendly Middle East countries. The TuAF combat strength is made up

62

of around 240 F-16C/Ds and 50 F-4Es,
which equip 15 operational units.
Each base operates a search and rescue
(SAR) fleet, usually made up of AS532
Cougars, that also fulfils a combat SAR role.
Since 1987, the TuAF has taken
delivery of 270 F-16s to equip 13
squadrons based at six bases. They fulfil a
variety of roles including air defence,
suppression of enemy air defence
(SEAD), anti-shipping, close air support
and ground attack.
The F-16s represent the cutting edge of
the TuAF’s tactical strike capabilities and
most were assembled by Ankara-based
TAI. They include 34 F-16C-30s, nine F-
16D-30s, 102 F-16C-40s, 15 F-16D-40s,
60 F-16C-50s, 14 F-16C-50Ms, 20 F-
16D-50s and 16 F-16D-50Ms. The last
Block 50s were delivered by TAI in
December 2012.
In April 2015, TAI completed the last
upgrade of 165 Block 40/50s with the F-16
common configuration implementation
programme (CCIP) as part of the Peace
Onyx III deal agreed in 1995. The work
included the installation of the APG-68(V)9
multi-mode radar, colour cockpit displays
and recorders, new core avionics processors,
a joint helmet-mounted cueing system
(JHMCS), Link 16 data link, APX-113
advanced identification friend or foe (IFF)
interrogator/transponder, integrated
precision navigation GPS/INS, an upgraded
version of the self-protection electronic
warfare system, and compatibility with a
number of new weapons such as AIM-9X
and targeting systems.  due to the increases in unit costs and
qqqqq
After delivery of the final upgraded
aircraft, TAI formally announced it was to
start similar work on the surviving Block
30 aircraft. Once completed, TAI will
have finished the bulk of its F-16 work
and will concentrate on the F-35.
The TuAF has a requirement for 100 F-
TURKISH AIR FORCE
All the Turkish Air
Force F-16 Block 35A Joint Strike Fighters. A $489.5
40/50s have been million advanced acquisition contract was
upgraded by TAI in a awarded by the US Department of
programme that was Defense (DoD) to Lockheed Martin on
completed in April
June 15, 2012 for long lead-time parts,
2015.
materials and components required for
low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot VII
of the F-35 production.
The first two F-35As were originally
due to be delivered, for pilot training
duties in the USA, during 2015. However,
in a statement issued by SSM on January
12, 2013, the timeline was to be delayed
delays in the operational development of
the type.
The Turkish MoD announced the
purchase of the first two F-35As in May
2014, and reaffirmed the country’s
commitment to eventually acquire 100 F-
35As. In November 2014, the US DoD
assigned Turkey with F-35
Continued
initial heavy engine on Page 64
maintenance, repair,
63
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63
overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) for the
European region.
In January 2015, the Turkish MoD
announced the purchase of four
additional production F-35As.
Turkey has declared that there exists F-
35 industrial opportunities for Turkish
industries, which could reach $8 billion.
In September 2009 TAI had signed a
five-year $28.4 million contract with
Northrop Grumman to reproduce
composite air inlet ducts, a major structural
element of the F-35 Lightning II central
fuselage. Delivery of the first one, from
Ankara, took place in March 2011.
The 50 or so F-4E-2020 Terminators
work in the air-to-ground role with three
operational squadrons at Erhac or
Eskisehir. They worked alongside a small
number of RF-4Es but a mid-air collision
during a night sortie on February 24,
claiming the lives all four aircrew, saw the
surviving eight aircraft grounded. Their
premature withdrawal means there is
more pressure on TAI to push on with
development of its Anka-B UAV.
qqqqq
SSM and TAI signed a formal acquisition
contract for 10 Anka Bs on October 25,
2013, which should see deliveries to the
TuAF between 2016 and 2018. The first
new generation Anka Block B took to the air
for the first time on January 30. This version,
known as the Anka B by the TuAF, adds a
synthetic aperture radar (SAR), with inverse
SAR and ground moving target indicator
(GMTI) capability. It will have a 30,000ft
(9,145m) ceiling and a 24-hour endurance.
However, it is unclear if these examples
will be upgraded to the S version, which
will come with a satellite link.
The initial version of Anka is the Block A,
fitted with an electro-optical/infrared
(EO/IR) sensor payload. The first of six
prototypes took to the air on December 30,
2010 and operational flight trials continue.
There are several other programmes,
which will shape the way the TuAF
operates. One of the most important is
the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning
and Control (AEW&C) Peace Eagle.
Having such a capability has been a long
time coming as the four aircraft were
ordered in a $1.6 billion deal in 2002.
Deliveries were originally due to begin
before the end of 2008 but radar and
systems integration problems caused a
six-year delay and it wasn’t until January
31, 2014 that the first was handed-over to
the TuAF. All four are now in country with
131 Filo at Konya, although it is unclear if
initial operational capability (IOC) has
been reached yet. When fully operational,
64
these aircraft will provide capabilities that Right: No 131 Filo Transport requirements are backed up
the TuAF never had before, like looking operates the Boeing by 50 CN235Ms built by TAI, which are
737 Airborne Early
deep into neighbouring countries’ air split between the units at Kayseri and
Warning and Control
space. (AEW&C) Peace Etimesgut, and 13 C-160D Transalls,
Turkey’s transport fleet includes six Eagle known locally based at Kayseri. The latter are being
elderly C-130Bs and seven C-130Es as the E-7T. Four replaced by 10 A400Ms.
earmarked to go through a TAI aircraft were The first example was delivered to Kayseri
modernisation programme, Project ordered in a $1.6 on April 16, 2014, with the following one in
Erciyes. billion deal in 2002, December 2014. Unfortunately, the third
The Hercules will receive a new glass but the first aircraft example crashed on its maiden flight from
cockpit that includes four multi-function was not delivered Seville, on May 9, 2015 with the loss of four
until January 2014
displays, two control display units and a Airbus employees. Two others were seriously
due to integration
pair of multi-mission computers (MMCs). issues. injured.
It is the first C-130 upgrade to have Link
16 as well as a multifunctional Above, top: qqqqq
information distribution system (MIDS) The last eight RF-4Es
terminal on board – allowing the transport were grounded in With the TuAF planning to buy 100 F-
aircraft to play a part in secure flying February 2015 after a 35As, a lot has been put into modernising
operations when required. mid-air collision. the training systems. Most of the flying
To date, one C-130E and one C-130B training is carried out at Izmir-Cigli,
Above, bottom:
have been completed and work on the where the TuAF plans to inaugurate a
The Turkish Air
remainder was to be completed by the Force operates multi-national military flight training
TuAF’s 2nd Air Supply and Maintenance seven KC-135Rs school in late 2015. The school is
Centre at Kayseri. However, TAI is now delivered between expected to use Korean Aerospace
working on two more aircraft, which December 1997-July Industries (KAI) KT-1T Hurkus trainers
should be completed by the end of the 1998. They provide and T-38AMs.
year, while Kayseri is working on their the F-16s with a The TuAF has taken delivery of 40 KAI
first example. These latest three should be deep strike KT-1T turboprops in a deal reputedly
flying with the TuAF in early 2016. The capability whenever worth $356.5 million.
required.
upgrade will see the Hercules continue in TAI assembled 35 of them during 2010-
service for another 20 years. 12. Options for a further 15 aircraft look
It is possible the six Royal Saudi Air Force to have lapsed.
(RSAF) C-130Es acquired in 2011 could go TAI is continuing with development of
through the Erciyes modernisation, but no its Hurkus trainer. Two are currently
decision has yet been made. The first two involved – the first flew on August 29,
examples have been through an extensive 2013 and the second on September 10,
overhaul at Kayseri. 2014. The TuAF is expecting to receive its
 TURKISH AIR FORCE

TURKISH AIR FORCE ORBAT

Turkish Air Force

1st Air Force Command, Eskiehir

1st Main Jet Base Command, Eskiehir

111.Filo F-4E-2020 Terminator
201.Filo AS532AL/UL Cougar
CN-235M-100

4th Main Jet Base Command, Ankara – Akinci

141.Filo F-16C/D-50+
142.Filo F-16C/D-30/50M
143.Filo F-16C/D-30/50

6th Main Jet Base Command, Bandirma

161.Filo F-16C/D-40
162.Filo F-16C/D-40
6th SAR Sqn AS532AL Cougar

9th Main Jet Base Command, Balikesir

191.Filo F-16C/D-40/50
192.Filo F-16C/D-40

2nd Air Force Command, Diyarbakir

5th Main Jet Base Command, Merzifon

151.Filo F-16C/D-50
152.Filo F-16C/D-30/40
5th SAR Sqn AS532 UL Cougar

7th Main Jet Base Command, Malatya - Erhaç

171.Filo F-4E-2020 Terminator
172.Filo F-35 (on order)
173.Filo Armed UAV
7th SAR Sqn AS532 UL Cougar

8th Main Jet Base Command, Diyabakir

first example in June 2018 and the
complete batch a year later.
Negotiations are currently progressing
with regard to a full production contract,
with the initial order expected to be for 15
Hurkus B variants. The prototype is
designated the Hurkus A and is a basic
version that will be certified for sale on the
civilian market.  system (EFIS), VHF omnidirectional
The military production variant is more
advanced, with integrated avionics and a
mission computer, plus a fighter-style
cockpit suitable for training future F-16
and F-35 pilots.  As well as the new avionics, some seven
The armed version will be designated
the Hurkus C and be capable of carrying a
3,300lb (1,496kg) weapons load. The
Turkish armed forces are also interested in
this variant to support the army’s attack
helicopters.
TAI plans a fourth version with a forward-
looking infra-red sensor that would be
suitable for the Turkish Coast Guard’s
maritime patrol operations, with the rear
seat occupied by a sensor operator.  the fighter’s preliminary design work. It is
The next step for pilots at Izmir,
destined to fly fighters, is the upgraded T-
38AM. TAI was awarded a contract in
2007 to design, develop and implement
an avionics upgrade for 55 of the TuAF’s
ageing fleet of T-38As. The first was
handed over on April 20, 2012 and was
subsequently followed by four more
prototypes before the work was
transferred to the 1st Air Supply and
Maintenance Centre at Eskisehir.
A further 15 T-38s have been added to the
requirement, pushing up the number to 68. 181.Filo F-16C/D-40
The T-38AM incorporates a new 182.Filo F-16C/D-40
202.Filo AS532AL/UL Cougar, CN-235M-100
digital-state-of-the art head-up display
(HUD), multi-function colour display 900D Filo, Batman
(MFCD), DVDR/DTS, hands on throttle Aerostar, Beech 350ER ISR King Air, Beech B300 King Air, IAI Heron I
Searcher II
and stick (HOTAS), new generation
intercom, V/UHF radios, cockpit ******
camera, electronic flight information Air Training Command, Izmir – Çili
Flight Training Centre Command
2nd Main Jet Base Command
range/instrument landing system 121.Filo T-38A Talon, T-38M Ari
122.Filo KT-1T
(VOR/ILS), avionic activation panel
(AAP), main control computer and Air Training Liaison Det Command, Izmir - Adnan Menderes IAP
software. 203.Filo CN-235M-100
Air Force Academy, Istanbul – Yeilköy
miles (10 km) of cabling has been 5.Filo T-41D Mescalero
changed in the aircraft. HvHO A&KK UH-1H Iroquois
Gliding Unit, Yalova SZD-50-3 Puchacz
********* Design - ATC to here
qqqqq
3rd Main Jet Base Command, Konya
131.Filo E-7T (B737AEW&C 'Peace Eagle')
Longer term, the TuAF is considering a 132.Filo F-16C/D-50
new tactical fighter (TF-X). On June 5, the 134.Akrotim Filo NF-5A-2000, NF-5B-2000
Turkish Government required prime 135.Filo AS532AL Cougar

contractor TAI to issue requests for 10th Tanker Base Command, Adana – Incirilik
proposals for a collaboration company for 101.Filo KC-135R Stratotanker
11th Air Transport Main Base Command, Ankara - Etimesgut
now studying responses from Alenia 211.Filo CN-235M-100
Aermacchi, Airbus Defence and Space, 212.Filo UH-1H, CN-235M-100, C550, C560 Citations
BAE Systems and Saab and a decision is Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream IV, A319, A320
Joint Staff Electronics Cd CN 235W ELINT/SIGINT
expected by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, engine proposals are also 12th Air Transport Main Base Command, Kayseri - Erkilet
221.Filo A400M Atlas, C-160D Transall
being studied from General Electric and 222.Filo C-130B/E Hercules
Safran, Snecma and Eurojet, which would 223.Filo CN-235M-100
offer the EJ 200. All three designs are
Air Logistics Command, Ankara - Etimesgut
consistent with air force requirements. 1st Air Supply Maintenance Center Command, Eskiehir
The new fighter is expected to fly by 2nd Air Supply Maintenance Center Command, Kayseri - Erkilet
2023, when the Turkish republic celebrates 3rd Air Supply Maintenance Center Command, Etimesgut
its 100th anniversary. n

65

UAE’S FORCE TARGETS
PEACE IN THE REGION
I
n May 2015, His Highness sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
vice president, prime minister and
ruler of Dubai, told reporters: “Our armed
forces are strong, they protect the
homeland, safeguard its independence
and sovereignty, establish security and
stability in the land, and carry out their
assigned tasks to the best.”
He spoke of the UAE’s participation in
‘Operation Decisive Storm’ (in Yemen) and
‘Operation Restoring Hope’ (over Syria)
and how the emirates would do its best to
maintain security and peace in the region.
His Highness sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, UAE president and supreme
commander of the UAE Armed Forces,
and His Highness sheikh Mohammed bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu
Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of
the UAE Armed Forces, are leading the
UAE fight against terrorism.
UAE F-16s deployed to Al Azraq,
Jordan on February 9 to participate in the
anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition;
launching strikes against the terrorists on
February 10, followed by further strikes
on February 12.
While they continue to conduct
operations, UAE ground troops,
supported by air power, are also bidding
to push Houthi rebels out of Yemen.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE
Several soldiers have been killed on the
ground during the fighting.
The United Arab Emirates Air Force
and Air Defence (UAEAF&AD) is one of
the west’s closest Arab allies, having
participated in the 2011 ‘Operation
Odyssey Dawn’ in Libya, when it
deployed six Mirage 2000-9s and six F-
16s to Italy.
In August, six Mirage 2000s took part
in a unilateral strike from Egypt against
targets around Tripoli Airport, which
killed around 20 militia.
Libya’s slide into anarchy has alarmed
the UAE, which has voiced concern that
the chaos there will spread the jihadist
threat to other regions.
The UAE is the fourth largest arms
importer in the world and is expected to
spend more than $27 billion on military
The UAEAF’s F-16Es
and F-16EFs Block
60s are the most
capable in the
world. They are
fitted with an agile
beam radar, which
the UAE developed
with Northrop
Grumman.
equipment in 2015. Its current inventory
PICTURES: ALAN WARNES
includes 140 fighters, which includes 78
F-16C/D Block 60s, equipped with the
agile beam radar, and 62 Mirage 2000-9s
that equip six operational squadrons.
In January 2014, the US Defense
Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
notified the UAE’s intention to acquire a
$270 million package of equipment and
logistics to support its purchase of 30
Block 61 aircraft and the upgrade of the
78 surviving Block 60 Desert Falcons.
Although Lockheed Martin has declined
to comment on the equipment fit for this
new Block 61 variant, it is believed that
any differences to the UAE’s current
aircraft is the choice of radar. Northrop
Grumman has ceased production of its
APG-80 agile beam active electronically-
scanned antenna (AESA) radar, which is
installed in the UAE’s current Block 60
aircraft, with the new designation possibly
reflecting the choice of the scalable agile
beam radar (SABR) from the same
manufacturer or, alternatively, Raytheon’s
advanced combat radar (RACR).
Meanwhile, the UAE is still looking for
a new batch of 60 fighters in a deal that
could be worth $6 billion. The Typhoon
and Rafale have both been considered.
Continued
However, BAE was notified in December on Page 68
2013, before the F-16 upgrade and
67
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67
acquisition was made public, that it was
no longer being considered. The status of
this fighter procurement programme is
now unknown.
The UAE indicated its clear intentions
to strike when required in October 2013,
with a variety of sophisticated, precision-
guided weapons detailed in a substantial
‘wants list’. Most notable was the
procurement of 1,200 AGM-154C joint
stand-off weapons (JSOW), 300 AGM-
84H stand-off land attack missiles -
expanded response (SLAM-ER) and 30
AN/AWW-13 advanced data link pods,
the latter intended for use with the SLAM-
ER.
While fighters remain the cornerstone
of the UAEAF&AD’s front-line, its
counter-insurgency (COIN) inventory has
also been growing in recent years. The
threat of civil disobedience born from the
Arab Spring has now evolved into
possible attacks from Islamic extremists
like IS.

qqqqq

This has seen the UAE’s Joint Aviation

Command (JAC) acquire new assets,
which included 24 Iomax Air Tractor 802
border patrol aircraft (BPA). However,
they are now being replaced by 24 Iomax
Archangels, a third generation BPA
aircraft based on the Thrush S2R-T660
agricultural aircraft. Iomax executive vice
president, KC Howard, said at the 2015
Paris Airshow: “It was time to take the
next step and it couldn’t be done with the
Air Tractor. So we looked at the S2R-
T660. It provides the speed, space
(because of its dual seats, which allows
the aircrew to split the work), visibility
and the adaptability of more advanced
weapons systems. It can also carry enough
fuel to fly for 10 hours equipped with 48
2.75inch Roketsan Citit rockets.”
The weapon, specifically requested by the
UAE military, had already been integrated
on the Air Tractor, while two other Roketsan
weapons are expected to be tested on the
Archangel – the UMTAS laser-guided anti-
armour missile and the Teber GPS-guided
bomb. The firings are believed to have taken
place in UAE during August.
Archangel is currently cleared to
employ Hellfire missiles, Roketsan Cirit
2.75inch laser-guided rockets, GBU-12
500lb (227kg) and GBU-58 250lb
(114kg) Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
Iomax also ordered 28 L3 Wescam
MX-15D electro-optical/infrared
(EO/IR) imaging and designating turrets
in February, which will be fitted on the
aircraft. Four will be spares.
Archangel deliveries to the UAE started
in July and are expected to continue until
September 2016.
They will work alongside eight armed
Cessna AC 208 Caravans, supplied by GAL
via Sierra Nevada Corporation, which have
been upgraded with BRITE Star 380HDs
with moving target indicators (MTIs), plus
nine de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300
Twin Otters, which have also received the
BRITE Star 380HDs.
Abu Dhabi-based NorthStar Aviation is
delivering 30 Bell 407MRHs, which can
be armed with a Hellfire missile, GAU-19
machine gun, M134 mini-gun and M260
rocket pods, as well as a FLIR 260HLD
EO/IR turret. Deliveries started in late
2014 and will continue to early 2017.
qqqqq
The JAC has absorbed most of the aviation
elements from the UAE Land Forces and the
Special Operations Command, along with
the Naval Squadron. All 30 AH-64D
Apaches and 18 AS550C3 Fennecs serve
the new command.
The Apaches were modernised from
AH-64A to ‘D standard between 2008
and 2010 and are likely to be upgraded to
AH-64E Guardian specification – along
with the acquisition of a further 30 new-
build AH-64E Guardians – for an
estimated total value of around $5 billion.
The majority of the helicopters now
Top: UAEAF Hawk
Mk63s based at the operate under the auspices of the JAC,
Flying Training which has absorbed the Presidential
School at Al Ain taxi Guard/Special Operations Command,
out for a cross- previously referred to as Group 18.
country training The JAC continues to maintain a major
flight. presence at Sas Al Nakheel, the island
base very close to Abu Dhabi City, which
Bottom: This white
remains home to the command’s
UAEAF C-130H-30
may be over 30 years increasing number of Boeing CH-47F
old, but it is still one Chinook and Sikorsky UH-60M Black
of the youngest Hawk helicopters.
serving the fleet. There are 22 CH-47Fs in service, which
Two Gabon AF L100- are all being upgraded with the L3
30s were purchased Wescam MX-15 EO/IR turrets.
from DERCO in 2001. As many as 40 UH-60M Black Hawks
This example is also are operational, with the majority
operated by Maxim
supplied in an armed configuration, with a
Air Cargo, hence its
white colour door-mounted GAU-19/A 12.7mm
scheme, a UAE machine-gun and an EO/IR turret
charter airline that installation beneath the helicopter’s chin.
also flies An-124s. The UAEAF&AD announced on
February 24 that it had signed a $199
million contract with AgustaWestland for
nine AW139 medium-twin helicopters.
Six will be used for search and rescue
(SAR) duties and the other three for VIP
transport. Four (three in SAR
configuration and one VIP) were
airfreighted to the UAE in January.
The UAEAF&AD uses Abu Dhabi
Aviation Company (ADAC) to man the
SAR services, using the three AW139s,
which will rise to nine.
The acquisition for 25 PC-21s, plus an

68

integrated ground-based training system
at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Air College,
took place between 2011/12.
The induction of the PC-21 into the
pilot training syllabus has allowed most of
the Hawk Mk63 aircraft, the oldest of
which were delivered some 30 years ago,
to be used for target-towing.
Al Ain-based Horizon provides
helicopter-flying training to the
UAEAF&AD on Bell 206 and Bell 407s,
while Etihad Airways offer fixed-wing
training on Cessna 172s and DA42NGs.
The largest improvement in the
UAEAF&AD’s airlift capabilities saw
three A330 multi-role tanker transports
(MRTT) delivered to Al Ain during 2013.
Certification to refuel the air force’s
Mirage 2000-9 and F-16E/F aircraft
allowed the direct support of overseas
deployments and multinational
operations.
The UAE’s A330 MRTTs are equipped
with Airbus Military’s own fly-by-wire
aerial refuelling boom system (ARBS),
two under-wing hose and drogue pods,
and a universal aerial refuelling receptacle
slipway installation (UARRSI), which
enables the aircraft to be refuelled from
another tanker. They are configured to
carry up to 256 passengers.
In February 2014, at least one of the
aircraft was successfully employed to
support the trans-Atlantic deployment of
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE
six F-16E/F Desert Falcons, which were
en route to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada,
to participate in exercise ‘Red Flag’.
Six Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs were
delivered between May 2011 and June
2012, and have been used to support
coalition operations overseas. At least one
aircraft was deployed in April 2013 to Mali
to support the French Air Force with the
airlift of supplies during ‘Operation Serval’
and to provide support for the multi-
national search for the missing Malaysian
Airlines Boeing 777, flight MH370.
qqqqq
An additional two Boeing C-17As were
ordered on February 26, 2015 in a deal
worth $618 million. The aircraft are two
of the ‘white tails’ built by Boeing in
anticipation of further orders, as
production has been wound down over
the last year.
An order for 12 C-130J-30 Super
Hercules, announced in 2009, has not
materialised. This is likely to have been
due to a $42.75 million contract,
announced in February 2013, awarded to
the Advanced Military Maintenance
Repair & Overhaul Center (AMMROC),
to install digital cockpits and upgrade the
avionics systems of the six existing L-
100/C-130Hs.
The UAE’s position on the Arabian
(Persian) Gulf, and close proximity to the
strategically important Strait of Hormuz,
has ensured that priority has been given to
the procurement of a capable maritime
patrol aircraft (MPA).
Two Bombardier DHC-8Q315 Dash
8s, operated by the Canadian company,
Provincial Aerospace Ltd (PAL), have
been used for MPA work since March
2012.
In July 2012, Piaggio Aero, announced
an agreement with Abu Dhabi
Autonomous Systems Investments
(ADASI) to develop an intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)-
configured variant of its P180 Avanti II.
These have been dubbed multi-role patrol
aircraft, with Saab selected as the systems
supplier and given a wide-ranging brief to
develop and integrate a suite of sensors
that will be suitable for ISR missions over
both land and water.
In February 2013, it was publicly
announced that Telephonics
Corporation’s RDR-1700B radar had
been chosen as the centrepiece of the
aircraft surveillance system, although
neither of the P180 prototypes have flown
yet.
Saab, meanwhile, delivered a Saab
Top: The UAEAF SAR 340AEW, fitted with the Erieye system, in
Flights operate nine late August 2010, with the second aircraft
AW 139s, with the following in April 2011. The Swedish
latest batch company is believed to be working with
announced earlier the UAE at Al Minhad Air Base on
this year now developing an indigenous airborne early
delivered. They are warning (AEW) system.
owned by the UAE The UAE military works closely with
Armed Forces but
the local aerospace industry, which has
manned by
personnel from Abu been restructured within the past year in a
Dhabi Aviation. bid to make it more efficient.
The formation of the Emirates Defence
Bottom: The down Industries Company (EDIC) by Tawazun
wash of this UAE Holding and Emirates Advanced
AH-64D is evident Investment Group, on December 2, 2014
here as it comes into should help to harmonise the UAE’s
land. The Joint defence industry. 
Aviation Command
By merging the defence and aerospace
operates around 30
AH-64Ds, which sector of Mubadala (which makes up
were upgraded from 60% of the company) and the defence
AH-64As and will side of Tawazun (40% of its business),
now be modified to EDIC will strategize the UAE’s defence
become AH-64Es. industry. 
There is also an Led by chairman, Homaid Al
order for 30 brand Shemmari, and former Thales frontman,
new AH-64Es. Luc Vigneron, EDIC will “champion
innovation and technology development”
under one management team. It will
harness the wealth of knowledge coming
from the likes of manufacturing, training,
logistics, technology development and
communications subsidiaries that were
previously in competition. A
Continued
single maintenance, repair on Page 70
and overhaul (MRO) service
69
 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 69
centre for air, land and sea platforms will
be built.  UAE AIR FORCE ORBAT
As the new chairman, who once ran
Mubadala, said: “We are positioning the
sector for more growth and to maximise
our potential.”    II Shaheen Sqn
The first phase saw 11 subsidiaries from
Mubadala, Tawazun and AIG investment
groups being brought into the EDIC
fold. They comprised Al Taif Technical
Services, Bayanat (mapping and
surveying), and Horizon International
Flight Academy from Mubadala; NIMR
Automotive, Tawazun Dynamics and
Tawazun Precision Industries from
Tawazun Holding; and C4 Advanced
Solutions, Global Aerospace Logistics
(GAL), Naval Advanced Solutions, Secure
Communications, and Thales Advanced
Solutions from EAIG.
In phase 2, announced on February 21,
they were joined by Abu Dhabi
Autonomous Systems Investment
(ADASI), AMMROC, Burkan Munition
Systems, Caracal Light Ammunition
(CLA) and Caracal International.  Central Air Command, Al Minhad AB, Dubai
qqqqq
Speaking at this year’s International
Defence Exhibition and Conference
(IDEX), which took place in February,
His Excellency Homaid Al Shemmari,
chairman of EDIC, said: “These five
companies were selected as part of EDIC’s
strategy to be the region’s premier
integrated defence manufacturing and
services platform.”
Al Shemmari also noted: “As a result of
this integration, the defence services
industry will benefit from improved
alignment, enhanced performance,
increased capacity and greater economies
of scale, be better positioned to serve the
armed forces of the UAE and compete for
business in the region.”
The companies should benefit as the
UAE steps up its military spending to
combat the increasing threat from Islamic
extremists, and to fend off any potential
threat from Iran. Of the 16 companies,
ADASI, AMMROC, GAL, Horizon and
Tawazun Dynamics currently make up the
bulk of the military aerospace
business. There is a crossover of
responsibilities but this will be resolved in
Al Shemmari’s master plan.
The biggest shake up concerns the
maintenance, repair and overhaul of the
UAE’s military assets. AMMROC, the
Abu Dhabi-based joint venture owned by
Mubadala, Sikorsky and Lockheed
Martin, was formed to provide the best
maintenance service and support for
military customers across the South Asia,
70
Middle East and North Africa (SAMENA)
region. A massive MRO centre is being
UAE Air Force & Air Defence Command built at Nibras Al Ain Aerospace
Park. The free-zone project, jointly
Fighter Wing, Al Dhafra AB, Abu Dhabi
I Shaheen Sqn F-16E/F-60
developed by Mubadala and Abu Dhabi
F-16E/F-60 Airports Company (ADAC) will support
III Shaheen Sqn F-16E/F-60 the establishment of a sustainable
71 Sqn Mirage 2000-9DAD/EAD/RAD
76 Sqn Mirage 2000-9DAD/EAD/RAD aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi.
Det Sharjah IAP, Sharjah AMMROC currently provides a full
86 Sqn, Al Safran AB, A Dhabi Mirage 2000-9DAD/EAD/RAD performance-based logistics or ‘power by the
Transport Wing, Al Bateen AB, Abu Dhabi hour’ service to 18 military aircraft operated
C-130 Sqn C-130H Hercules in the UAE. For now, the work is being done
6 Sqn AB.412HP/SP in several locations – mainly Al Dhafra and at
CASA Sqn CN-235M-110
Puma Sqn SA330SM, IAR-330L, IAR-330SM Puma Al Ain at the GAMCO/Etihad facilities.
MSA Sqn DHC-8-Q315 Dash 8 Its capabilities are set to include
AEW&C Sqn, Al Minhad AB Saab AB S100B Argus
C-17 Sqn, Al Minhad AB C-17A Globemaster III
services for both rotary and fixed-wing
Aerial Refuel’g Sqn, Al Ain IAP A330 MRTT aircraft including: component services;
 engine services including repair,
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, Al Ain IAP, Abu Dhabi
4 Squadron PC-7, PC-21
overhaul and depot work; modifications
63 Squadron Hawk Mk.61, 63A, 63C and upgrades – weaponisation,
Air College Squadron G 115TA Acro equipment installation and upgrade. The
Horizon Flight Academy AB.206B-3 JetRanger III, Bell 206B-
3 JetRanger, Bell 407 latter means there will be a cross-over
with Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL),
FIS Squadron, Al Minhad AB, Dubai which overhauls helicopters, weaponises
MB-339A(NAT)
 them and installs equipment.
102 Sqn
Transport Sqn, Dubai IAP
Hawk Mk.102
C-130H-30/L100-30 Hercules
qqqqq
Naval Squadron, Al Bateen AB, Abu Dhabi GAL is a leading provider of government and
AS332B/AS332M Super Puma,
AS565SB Panther
defence aerospace services encompassing
 aviation maintenance, component repair and
NCMS Cloud-Seeding Flight, Al Ain IAP, Abu Dhabi overhaul, aviation logistics, maintenance
C90 King Air C90-1 King Air C90GT King Air, C90GTi King Air

repair facility, aircraft sales, tactical pilot
Joint Aviation Command (JAC) training, and defence aviation consulting and
Group 18, Sas Al Nakheel, Abu Dhabi project management. According to a source,
AS550C3 Fennec, AS565UB Panther, Bell
407MRH, CH-47C+, CH47F, IAR- GAL will now work under the AMMROC
330SM Puma, UH-60L Black Hawk, UH- budget.
60M Black Hawk, AAR Airlift will support the design,
Group 18, Sweihan AT-802U BPA, AC-208 Combat Caravan,
DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, GippsAero Airvan outfitting and integration of key areas of its
VIP Flight AS365 N3 Dauphin II, AW109S Grand, state-of-the-art facility in Al Ain. While
AW139
AMMROC creates a component repair and
Group 10, Al Dhafra AB, Abu Dhabi depot-level maintenance facility, AAR will
Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow provide assistance in building up the 1.2
UAV Unit, Various Locations Seeker II, Camcopter S-100 Al Sabr
Various SAR Dets AW139 million square feet of infrastructure. It will
also train AMMROC personnel, who will
work on 45 different variants of 36 types,
which will total more than 500 aircraft.
AAR is targeting the implementation of
common procedures with work on eight
platforms now under way. “These eight –
A330 MRTT, AH-64, CH-47, C-17, C-
130, F-16, Mirage 2000 and UH-60 – are
where the volume is and we are targeting
operations to commence with them in
May 2016,” said a spokesman.
Further types operating with the UAE
military, to be maintained by AMMROC at
Al Ain, include the A109, AW139, AT802,
AS332, AS350, AS365, AS550, AS565,
Bell 407 (training/special mission), Cessna
172 Skyhawk, Cessna 208, CN 235,
DASH-8, Diamond DA42, Grob 115,
Hawk 51, Hawk Mk 102, King Air,
MB339, Piaggio P180, PC-7, PC-21,
Seeker, and Twin Otter/Guardian. n

YEMEN FUTURE BLEAK
AS FLEET IS WIPED OUT
C
ontinuing unrest in Yemen led to
the capital, Sana’a, being overrun
by Houthi rebels in September
2014.
The government then resigned en
masse in January 2015 and, on February
21, president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi
fled Sana’a for Aden, which he declared to
be the country’s temporary capital.
However, with the Houthis closing in on
Aden, he was forced to flee to
neighbouring Saudi Arabia in March.
Following a request for assistance from
Hadi and the legitimate Yemen
Government, a coalition of nine Arab
states, led by Saudi Arabia, began carrying
out air strikes on Yemen on March 26,
2015. In addition to Saudi Arabia, fighter
aircraft from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Sudan and the
UAE, took part in this military
intervention, codenamed ‘Operation
Decisive Storm’.
It was as a result of these operations
that most of the Yemen Air Force’s
remaining airworthy aircraft, which were
under the control of the Houthi rebels,
were destroyed on the ground. The first
air strikes on March 26 targeted Sana’a Al
Dailami Air Base, the main Yemen air
base, which is adjacent to the
international airport. A number of Yemen
Air Force aircraft were destroyed, as was
much of the air defence system. Al Anad
Air Base was also hit on the same day.
On March 27, an air base in the Abyan
Governorate was the subject of further air
attacks. The next day, Al Hudaydah Air
Base was targeted. Another unspecified
military air base was hit on March 29.
After the third day of air strikes, Saudi
Arabia announced that Yemen no longer
possessed jet fighters, while most of the
Houthi weapons arsenals, air defences,
communications lines and command-and-
control centres had also been destroyed.
Eventually, on April 21, Saudi Arabia
YEMEN AIR FORCE
The workhorse of
the Yemen Air
Force transport
fleet for many
years was the An
26. It’s unclear
how many are
now flying after
most of the
Yemen Air Force
declared an end to the air strikes, saying was attacked and
they had achieved their aim and efforts destroyed by
would now shift to a political process fighters of the
under ‘Operation Restore Hope’. Royal Saudi Air
The coalition added, however, that it Force led
coalition, in
did not rule out using force again if further
March 2015.
threats surfaced from the Houthis and,
subsequently, there were additional air
strikes.
These included one on the main runway
at Sana’a International Airport on April
28 by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s to
prevent an Iranian Red Crescent aircraft,
which was already on its approach, from
landing.
This effectively closed the airport, with
the munitions having cratered the runway
at strategic points along its length and also
hit the taxiways.
Precise details of the aircraft destroyed
during these operations are difficult to
ascertain but photographs of the
aftermath at Sana’a show the burnt out
shell of Yemen’s sole CN235 transport
aircraft, which had only been delivered in
2013, in a destroyed hangar. Also visible
were the wrecks of a King Air 350, an Continued
Agusta-Bell 212 and a UH-1H-II Huey on Page 72
II. Two Ilyushin Il-76s were also burnt
71
 YEMEN AIR FORCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 71
out on the airfield, at least one of which
was confirmed as an air force example.
 YEMEN AIR FORCE ORBAT


 

 comprising three CN235s and one
C130H, for the Yemen Air Force to

Videos released later by Saudi officials







 supplement its existing fleet. Since then






also showed two Sukhoi Su-22s and an F-  there appears to have been no further
5 being destroyed while they were parked 
   progress on this proposed acquisition.

  
in the open at an unspecified base. 
  !"
#
Under a separate deal, the US financed
Prior to the Houthi take-over and $
 "$    the purchase of a brand-new CN235M-
subsequent decimation of its assets in air 
 "%& '#(#) 300 for Yemen, which was first noted test
*&
 +,-.'-/.*0 
strikes, the Yemen Air Force had not been 
 *1  flying from the factory in Seville, Spain, in
in the best of health anyway, with the 
 
''  February 2012. Delivery was, however,

 2) 
serviceability of its aircraft said to be very 
3 ) #
0343 delayed until it finally left the factory on
low. Information from the country is 5
 6.$- # September 27, 2013. As noted earlier, this
difficult to obtain and exactly what was 
3 6.$- '#(#)
5
 6.$-7.676 
aircraft was destroyed in the air strikes on
still airworthy prior to the unrest is 5
  !"
# March 26, 2015.
unconfirmed. On paper at least, Yemen 5
  # A contract was also awarded to L-3
 "%&
should still have had F-5E, MiG-21bis,
MiG-29 and Su-22M aircraft in its combat
fleet, although it is unknown how many of
each type were still operational.
Around a dozen Aero L-39C Albatros
jet trainers were also thought to be still in
service, along with 10 Zlin Z242Ls and a
single Z143L, which were also used for
training.
qqqqq
The helicopter fleet should have included
Mi-8/17/171Shs and Mi-24 Hind
gunships, plus small numbers of Agusta-
Bell 212s, Bell 206B JetRangers and UH-
1H-II Huey IIs.
Two Ka-28 Helix-As and two Mi-14
Haze aircraft may also still have been
operational. Transports comprised a
handful of Antonov An-12BP, An-24RV
and An-26 aircraft, a CN235M-300 and a
couple of Il-76TDs, plus a single C-130H
Hercules.
As already mentioned, the main air base
at Sana’a had housed the combat aircraft
fleet of F-5Es, MiG-29s and Su-22s, plus
An-24, An-26, C-130H, CN235 and Il-
76TD transports, together with AB212,
Bell 206B JetRanger, Mi-8//17-171Sh,
Mi-14, Ka-28 and UH-1H-II Huey II
helicopters.
The MiG-21s were split between Al
Anad at Al Hudaydah, while Taiz Ganed
housed Mi-8/17s and Mi-24s. Al Anad
also hosted an Mi-8 squadron, and a
detachment of Mi-8/17s and Mi-24s was
maintained at Aden International Airport.
The L-39C trainers operated from Al
Anad, with a detachment at Al Hudaydah.
After years of neglect and lack of
funding, during a visit to Russia in April
2013, President Hadi had been seeking
new aircraft and helicopters in what was
planned to be a straight oil for weapons
exchange. The types involved were not
reported and nothing further has been
heard of this proposal since then.
There had been an earlier contract with
Russia to refurbish the Yemen Su-22
72
5
#
 Communications on June 2, 2014, for the
fleet, but by 2011 only three had been
completed and no further work took
place. Similarly, eight MiG-21bis were to
be acquired by Yemen from the Odessa
Aircraft Repair Plant in Ukraine, where
they are believed to have been in storage.
Their overhaul and refurbishment,
including a limited avionics upgrade, was
completed and they had been painted in
full Yemen Air Force markings by early
2010. However, the deal was cancelled,
reportedly due to financial problems,
with the aircraft remaining in open store
at Odessa. Five of them were
subsequently sold to the Croatian Air
Force.
Over the last few years, a US military
aid package had been supporting the
acquisition of additional aircraft for the
Yemen Air Force to assist with its fight
against insurgents in the country,
particularly Al-Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula (AQAP). However, with the
current turmoil, the present status of
some of this aid is now uncertain. One
delivery that is confirmed as having been
completed was that of two Cessna 208B
Grand Caravans, which arrived at Sana’a
on September 17, 2013.
US Naval Air Systems Command
issued a request for information on
December 17, 2012, seeking sources for
five second-hand transport aircraft,
supply of four unspecified aircraft in
intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) configuration.
These are believed to be Beech 350ER
King Airs, a theory supported by the loss
of one such aircraft in the air strikes on
Sana’a. The contract was due for
completion by September 30, 2015, but it
is unclear whether any of the others have
been delivered.
US Naval Air Systems Command also
awarded a contract to KIG Technical
Services of Sterling, Virginia, on
September 26, 2013, to provide 12 light
observation aircraft with electro-
Yemen’s only CN235
was destroyed too in optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads to
March, barely 18 Yemen. First delivery had been scheduled
months after being for March 2015, with all 12 due in service
delivered. by September 2015. Due to the current
situation, it seems unlikely that any of
these have arrived.
qqqqq
The SB7L-360 Seeker had originally been
selected for this requirement, but bids
were then solicited for alternative options
and the type finally selected is unknown.
US Central Command had also been
seeking four ISR-configured precision
strike aircraft for delivery to Yemen from
mid-2015, with the Air Tractor 802Us
equipped with EO/IR systems being tipped
as the aircraft. It now seems that they were
and are now destined for delivery to Jordan
instead.
A contract was awarded on September
29, 2014, to Insitu for one ScanEagle
unmanned air vehicle (UAV) system for
Yemen, comprising nine ScanEagle EO
and three ScanEagle IR air vehicles. This
was due for completion by September
2015, but may also have been deferred
due to recent events.
With the continued instability in the
country, the future of the Yemen Air Force
remains uncertain. For the present,
however, it effectively no longer exists as
an operational force. n
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