Aviation news

For the first time abroad, Russian manufacturers presented the Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system

The Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system with short-range interception missiles to combat drones were shown for the first time outside of Russia. The premiere of the new equipment took place within the framework of the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025, which opened on May 21 in Minsk. Experts note that most of the weapons have been upgraded taking into account the experience of the special operation in Ukraine.

The processor developer NPC Elvis was almost 2.5 years overdue in developing an analog of an imported microcircuit, for which he received a fine of 89 million rubles. The chip is needed for drones. It is also used in automated test equipment, flow meters for liquid and gaseous media in industry. The project will now be completed no earlier than 2026.

Colonel Khodarenok: Chinese "aerial aircraft carrier" can be easily shot down by a missile

The Chinese aviation industry has developed and is preparing for testing a promising Jiutian (High Sky) heavy-class unmanned aerial vehicle, which is a carrier for hundreds of small-class UAVs. Whether the "aerial aircraft carrier" has analogues and what problems it may face in real combat conditions is in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

TNI: Russia and China have learned how to detect US fighter jets with stealth technology

The United States is entering an era when its trillion-dollar armed forces risk giving way to more prudent and advanced rivals from Russia and China, writes TNI. They have already undermined America's dominance in stealth technology. And it's time for Americans to admit it.

After the air battles with Pakistan that took place in early May, the Indian command summed up the results and decided to increase the combat potential of its aircraft, following the proven path – through emergency purchases.

infoBRICS: The Russian Su-57M fighter will be improved

The new Russian Su-57M1 fighter is considered to be an improved version of the Su-57, infoBRICS writes. However, the changes are so significant that it can be considered a combat vehicle of the next, sixth generation.

On May 21, 2025, the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 began in Minsk. In addition to Russia and Belarus, China, India, Iran and Pakistan are participating in it. About new weapons developments in the Belarusian capital — in the material of TASS.

infoBRICS: F-16s used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are completely inferior to Russian fighters

The F-16 aircraft used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are completely inferior to Russian fighters, infoBRICS writes. In addition, there is little Ukrainian pilots can do to escape from Russian long-range missiles or S-400 air defense systems, especially if they work in tandem with fighter jets.

Optionally, the Fly-Truck helicopter-type manned aircraft is capable of flying for up to 5 hours, at a range of up to 480 km and carrying a payload weighing 600 kg, the Belarusian design bureau Unmanned Helicopters (UAVHELI) said.

The XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 will start in Minsk on May 21. Ahead of the meeting, Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, told TASS in an interview which Russian samples were presented at the exhibition and which products might be of interest to Belarusian partners in the first place, as well as what expectations the special exporting company has with the new Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system.

Le Figaro: French ATL2 aircraft participates in the NATO operation "Guardian of the Baltic"

NATO is conducting Operation Guardian of the Baltic, and the French military is also involved, writes Le Figaro. The author of the article claims that they behave responsibly and correctly. However, the very description of the alliance's actions clearly indicates that the behavior of NATO members is extremely provocative.

Photos have been published online showing the transformation of artillery shells by Chinese specialists into precision bombs designed for the needs of PLA combat aircraft.

BI: The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone has passed

The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and attack drones is coming to an end. These UAVs are vulnerable even to outdated air defense systems, writes Business Insider. Why the reign of the "Reapers" has come to an end, which drones will replace them and what does Russia's special military operation in Ukraine have to do with it - in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

The new UAV bomber "Pigeon" carries 12 grenades on board

Serial production of revolver-type drones has begun in Russia. The copter bomber named "Pigeon" is equipped with a 12-round drum for an under-barrel grenade launcher. It is designed to destroy unarmored enemy equipment and personnel and has been successfully tested in the area of a special military operation.

The US Army has announced that it has selected five companies to create prototypes in the second stage (INC 2) of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition. This was announced at the end of February 2023 by the responsible head of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) project.

The US Air Force has ordered new equipment through the NSPA procurement agency of the North Atlantic Alliance. The US Air Force is purchasing HMD Scorpion helmet-mounted sights manufactured by the French company Thales for pilots of the Block 40 and Block 50 series F-16 fighter jets.

TNI: Ukrainian electronic warfare systems are powerless against the new Russian drone "Cheetah"

In an attempt to surpass the Ukrainian defense in the rapidly developing drone war, Russia has deployed more than two thousand kamikaze Cheetah drones. By the end of the year, 2,500 more such UAVs will be delivered to the troops – and the enemy's electronic warfare is powerless against them.

One of the most advanced developments of the Russian defense industry is the KC-172 air-to-air missile, which differs significantly from its analogues, including American ones, in range. According to the Western press, it is successfully undergoing integration with the MiG-31 combat aircraft.

Almaz-Antey Concern, the only supplier of air navigation equipment for the State Corporation for Air Traffic Management, received a government order for 650 million rubles. to create infrastructure in eight Russian regions to connect them to a unified system for monitoring airspace and controlling drones.

Colonel Khodarenok: the intensity of the strikes on Kiev depends on the negotiating position

Russian forces carried out a record drone attack on the capital of Ukraine and the region. At least 273 Geranium-type drones were involved. Whether Kiev's information about repelling the attack should be trusted and why Russia used the UAVs is in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.