Page 27 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

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Last ROKAF KC-330 close to delivery In Brief

Indonesia seeks
THE FOURTH and final in ROKAF service – was code on the tail, which was In related news, Airbus Block 72 F-16s
A330-200 Multi-Role Tanker scheduled to be delivered replaced by ‘053’ for its return is hopeful of securing a The Indonesian Air Force
Transport (MRTT) for the to the operator this month. to Spain. The EC-series test South Korean order for is looking to procure
Republic of Korea Air Force The aircraft, MRTT053, registration is apparently no its A400M transport. The two squadrons of F-16V
(ROKAF) has returned to had arrived at Cambridge longer worn by the Airbus company announced it was Block 72s under its next
Airbus Defence and Space Airport in the UK for painting tanker-transports. Airbus offering the Atlas to meet strategic plan, covering
facilities in Getafe, near on October 10 and emerged delivered the third ROKAF an ROKAF requirement 2020 to 2024. The plan
Madrid, after being painted from the paint shop as serial MRTT in August (see Third at the Seoul International was announced by air
in the UK. The aircraft – 19-004. On its arrival in the ROKAF A330 MRTT prepares Aerospace & Defense force chief of staff Marshal
designated KC-330 Cygnus UK the aircraft wore the ‘K4’ for delivery, August, p24). Exhibition 2019 (ADEX 2019). Yuyu Sutisna on October
28. Currently, the air arm
operates 32 F-16s: 18 F-16C
Block 25s, five F-16D Block
25s, seven F-16A Block 15s
and two F-16B Block 15s.
Go-ahead for Japanese
Eagle upgrade
The US has approved
a US$4.5bn upgrade
for 98 of the Japan Air
Self-Defense Force’s
156 F-15Js to Japanese
Super Interceptor (JSI)
ROKAF A330 MRTT serial 19-004 lands at Getafe on October 28 using the callsign ‘AED353’. José Ramón Valero configuration. The JSI
will include AN/APG-
Philippine Friendship still going strong 82(V)1 active electronically
scanned array radar,
DESPITE CONTINUED see also PAF C295M ready Presidential Airlift Wing), unit also operates a single Advanced Display Core
Processor II mission
deliveries of C295Ms to for delivery, November, which is based at Manila’s F28-3000 Fellowship. The computer and AN/ALQ-
the Pilipinas Hukbong p24. It will be flown by the Colonel Jesus Villamor previous three C295Ms 239 Digital Electronic
Himpapawid (Philippine Air 251st Presidential Airlift Air Base/Ninoy Aquino were delivered to the Warfare System.
Force, PAF), F27-200MPA Squadron (part of the 250th International Airport. The 221st Airlift Squadron. PTDI delivers
Friendship serial 10620 Nepalese Army CN235
is still active with the air The Nepalese Army has
arm. Originally delivered received a CN235-220
in 1982, the transport was transport from Indonesia’s
photographed in Manila on state-owned PT Dirgantara
October 7. It is reportedly Indonesia (PTDI). Serial
operated by the 221st NA-062 departed
Airlift Squadron at Mactan- Bandung, West Java, on
Benito Ebuen Air Base, October 30, arriving in
Cebu. Three F27-200MPAs Kathmandu, Nepal, on
were delivered to the PAF November 2. The CN235
from 1981, and this is the was ordered in June 2017.
last active example. India donates final two
The fourth and latest Mi-24Vs to Afghanistan
C295M for the air arm, India handed over two
serial 177 (c/n 177), arrived more refurbished Mi-24Vs
in Manila on October 9 – Hans Jacobs (serials 125 and 126) to
the Afghan National
ANALYSIS Taiwan F-16 upgrade delays Defense and Security
Forces (ANDSF) in Kabul
provided a total of four
TAIWAN’S DEFENCE the US for training and problems faced during the a deal approved by the on October 15. New Delhi
minister Yen Teh-fa admitted upgrade validation work. integration of subsystems. Trump administration in ex-Belarusian Mi-24Vs,
to delays in the Republic of Taiwan is launch The revelation sparked August. On October 24, replacing a similar number
China Air Force’s (ROCAF’s) customer for the F-16V concern over the reduced Taiwan announced it had of attack helicopters
F-16V upgrade programme upgrade, known locally number of fighters available received a draft letter of previously gifted by India
during a parliamentary as the Phoenix Rising for operational use. To offer and acceptance from to Afghanistan in 2015.
session on October 16. Work programme. The latest remedy the problem, 200 the US, and would examine Indonesia eyes
is currently being undertaken upgrade schedule planned additional staff have been it before signing the C-130J purchase
by the Aerospace Industrial to retrofit batches of four, hired by AIDC, while the official agreement. A week The Indonesian Air
Development Corporation 24, 27, 34, 36 and 15 F-16A/ ROCAF said it will diligently later, Taiwan’s parliament Force has identified a
(AIDC) – Lockheed Martin’s Bs each year between scrutinise the programme. passed a bill authorising requirement to procure
local technical partner – 2018 and 2023. While the The ROCAF’s other a maximum budget of an undisclosed number of
at its Taichung facility. target for 2018 was met, frontline fighters include 129 US$8.08bn for the purchase. C-130J transports to replace
According to Yen, there’s it was revealed that only upgraded F-CK-1C/D Ching- The ROCAF intends to existing KC/C-130B/Hs and
a backlog of 32 aircraft six aircraft deliveries have Kuo Indigenous Defense station the newly built L-100s. Jakarta also hopes
awaiting or in various stages been made this year. All Fighters and 55 Mirage F-16Vs at Chihhang AFB to secure an industrial
of upgrade. It’s understood deliveries thus far have been 2000-5Ei/Di jets, the latter in Taitung by the mid- co-operation deal relating
that this includes examples made to the 4th Tactical suffering from comparatively 2020s. The base is currently to the Super Hercules. Both
that have been previously Fighter Wing (TFW) at lower availability due home to the 7th Flight topics have been discussed
declared non-airworthy. The Chiayi Air Force Base. to high operational and Training Wing (FTW) flying by Indonesian and US
figure represents nearly a Yen attributed the delays maintenance costs. the F-5E/F, which will be officials after Lockheed
quarter of the ROCAF fleet to insufficient manpower Taiwan is also pursuing replaced by the indigenous Martin responded to a
of 145 F-16s, out of which and expertise at AIDC. the sale of 66 additional T-5 Advanced Jet Trainer in request for information
a further 16 are based in This was compounded by F-16V Block 70s, under the next decade. Roy Choo issued in mid-2018.

www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 27

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