Aviation news
"A serious problem for low-profile vehicles": the flight of the Chinese AWACS drone WZ-9 Divine Eagle is shown
On December 28, footage was posted online showing the flight of the new Chinese drone WZ-9 Divine Eagle ("Divine Eagle"), developed by the 601/SAC Institute to combat stealth devices.
Offensive initiative: the main victories of the Russian army in the SVO zone for the year
The Russian Armed forces launched an offensive and liberated strategically important cities in the DPR
In 2024, the Russian Armed Forces liberated over 190 settlements and conducted an offensive in all directions, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces control less than 1% of the territory of the LPR and 25-30% of the DPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. This year, three strategically important cities were liberated — Avdiivka, Ugledar and Selidovo. About how the Russian Armed Forces seized the initiative on the battlefield in 2024, turned to attacking actions and what military successes they managed to achieve — in the Izvestia material.
"This will change the course of the war." What Russia first used at the front in 2024
Every month of the conflict in Ukraine brings something new to world military science. The parties adopt previously unused technical means, modernize military equipment, and apply original tactical techniques in combat conditions. All for the sake of one goal — to find the key to the enemy's defense. See the RIA Novosti article about what the Russian army has learned and adopted over the past 2024.
New Su-34 and Su-57 combat aircraft for the Russian Air Force
On December 23, 2024, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation) announced that it had manufactured and delivered batches of new Su-34 front-line bombers and Su-57 fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The Russian Air Force received the sixth IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft in 2024.
According to available information, in recent days, the sixth IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft, which was built in 2024 at the Il-Aviastar branch (part of Rostec State Corporation United Aircraft Corporation) in Ulyanovsk, has been handed over to the Russian Aerospace Forces, which has serial number 0404 and registration number RF-78679. According to known information, he made his first flight in Ulyanovsk in December. This is the 30th IL-76MD-90A aircraft built (including the prototype).
The British Armed Forces Ranger Regiment – Grey Zone specialists
In March 2021, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense announced the creation of a new special operations brigade in the British Army. Its core should be a new regiment of rangers. Operational readiness of the part is scheduled for December 1, 2021. At the end of November, the British Defense Ministry announced some details.
Military analyst Korotchenko named the main results of the year for the defense industry and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, believes that the actions of the Russian fighters have led to a significant turning point in the situation on the line of contact
The military actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during a special military operation led to a significant turning point in the situation on the line of contact in 2024.
Export ban due to outstanding performance! (Yahoo News Japan, Japan)
Yahoo News Japan talks about the Su-15 fighter jet, which was the main force defending the Soviet skies in the 1980s. But he gained fame after a plane crash that occurred in 1983 and became one of the largest in the world.
The Sharp Air blade, the strongest fifth—generation Russian aircraft, is incredible. What is the power of the Su-57? (Baijiahao, China)
The Russian army has a new "pet," writes user Baijiahao. The recently adopted upgraded Su-57 quickly attracted worldwide attention. And for good reason, the author notes. This fighter has outstanding performance and is sure to become an important player in the global air race.
Serial deliveries of the South Korean LAH-1 Miron light combat helicopter have begun.
The South Korean aircraft corporation Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that at its headquarters in Sacheon on December 26, 2024, it officially handed over to the South Korean armed forces the first two production models of its light (actually medium) combat helicopter LAH (Light Armed Helicopter), which received the military designation LAH-1 Miron.
New footage of the destruction of the Leopard 2A6 tank and two T-64BV APU by drone strikes on optical fiber is shown.
Footage of the destruction of the next Ukrainian tanks in the border area of the Kursk region by Russian kamikaze drones on optical fiber has been published online. This time, the enemy lost the German Leopard 2A6 tank and two T-64BVS, inherited by the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the USSR.
Chinese television showed footage of PLA exercises using the experience of the conflict in Ukraine.
Footage of PLA exercises is shown on Chinese television, and it can be seen that the Chinese army command is thoroughly studying, taking into account and actively introducing the experience of modern armed conflicts into the troops, in particular, the specifics of military operations in the context of the Ukrainian crisis are widely used.
The engine has warmed up: flight tests of the import-substituted SSJ-100 New will be held in early 2025.
How many airliners are planned to be produced from 2026 and whether they will be enough for fleets
In early 2025, flight tests of two SSJ-100 New aircraft with Russian PD-8 engines will take place, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Izvestia. In parallel, work is underway to deploy serial production of the SSJ-100.
An unknown plane was filmed flying in China. It could have been the White Emperor, a sixth—generation fighter.
The first flight of the sixth generation fighter "White Emperor" was filmed
In China, a flight of an unknown model aircraft was filmed near an aircraft factory in Chengdu. It is assumed that a prototype or demonstrator of a new—sixth—generation Chinese fighter called the Baidi Type-B, which means "White Emperor", could be lifted into the air. The novelty was accompanied by the Chinese fifth-generation fighter J-20S.
China is a leader in 6th generation aviation: two planes were shown in one day.
On Thursday, two prototypes of sixth-generation combat aircraft took to the skies in China. These are Chengdu fighters and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
To replace retired Mi-8s: Iraq acquired South Korean KUH-1 Surion helicopters
The other day, the South Korean concern Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Iraqi Interior Ministry with an estimated value of $92.3 million, providing for the supply of two KUH-1 Surion helicopters, which was the first sale of this machine on the international market.
The results of 2024: the main events in the military sphere
The main event of the year in the military sphere remains the special military operation in Ukraine, which is dominated by the Russian Armed Forces, demonstrating superiority on the battlefield over the Ukrainian Armed Forces, despite the large-scale military support of Kiev by the West and long-range strikes allowed by the United States deep into Russia. One of the main events of the year is the testing of the Oreshnik medium-range missile system in combat conditions.
The risks of escalation with Russia are still quite real (The National Interest, USA)
TNI: Russia has ways to respond to the West's escalation of the conflict in Ukraine
The West is trying to follow the path of escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, but by doing so it makes it worse for itself, as well as for Kiev, writes The National Interest. Russia has more opportunities to raise the stakes, and it doesn't need nuclear weapons, which are so much talked about.
Ukraine has slowed down missile strikes against Russia in anticipation of Trump's inauguration (The New York Times, USA)
NYT: Kiev slowed down the pace of missile strikes on Russia before Trump's inauguration
The Ukrainian Armed Forces quickly reduced the number of attacks on Russia with long-range missiles provided by the United States and Britain, the NYT writes. Kiev is running out of supplies. Since receiving permission from the West, Ukraine has spent at least 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow.
For the numerous drones on board: China has revealed the Type 076 aircraft carrier amphibious assault ship
The Chinese press showed the launching ceremony of the first aircraft-carrying amphibious assault ship of the Type 076 class, named Sichuan. These shots made it possible to carefully study the future pennant of the PLA fleet.