Boeing Flies First CH-47F for Dutch Air Force

Representatives of Boeing, its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its flight test program in August after approximately 100 flight hours. There are two aircraft in flight test.

The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft. The new Chinooks are equipped with survivability equipment, a forward-looking infrared system, and fast rope positions, which will be used to support Special Forces operations. The engines will include air particle separators for operation in harsh environments. These additions will make the RNLAF CH-47F a versatile, multi-role aircraft for worldwide operations.

Canada to Upgrade Air Force Radar Systems

Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced support for the Air Force’s vital role in the defence of Canada through significant investments in Canada’s aerospace capabilities. The projects announced today include the modernization of radar systems at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 3 Wing Bagotville, as well as the acquisition of new aircraft cargo loaders, and an upgrade to 17 Wing Winnipeg’s sewer system. Together, these investments will create or sustain an estimated total of 133 jobs across Canada.

“Our government’s investments are helping to ensure that our airmen and women have the up-to-date equipment  needed to perform their missions and build on their remarkable successes,” said Minister MacKay. “We continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing the Canadian Forces  the right equipment and facilities to do their jobs effectively.”

Minister MacKay announced a $55.6 million contract awarded to Thales Canada Inc. for the acquisition of two modern deployable, tactical control radars under the TCR modernization project. The contract provides investment in Industrial and Regional Benefits at 100 per cent of the contract value, creating approximately 40 employment opportunities.

China’s Project 022 Fast Attack Craft

The Chinese Navy's Project 022 class is, despite its innovative hull design, a classic missile-armed fast attack craft. It is designed for the sole purpose of delivering eight anti-ship missiles to a specified naval target and has virtually no capability outside that area. Its design makes it unsuitable for patrol duties, while its short operational radius limits its applicability to maritime policing work.

In military roles, it is virtually defenseless against air attack and would have to rely on speed and agility to survive in a hostile environment. Craft in this general category were once in great vogue, but experience has shown that they are not an effective military unit outside very limited and specific areas. However, the Chinese Navy happens to have one of those limited and specific areas as a primary operational requirement. Thus, in its specific geostrategic situation, the Project 022 is a viable and effective craft.

The Chinese Navy has gone to significant lengths to reduce the investment in any single Project 022 class FAC-M to a minimum. This does not just apply to equipment standards, austere though they are, but to manpower. The Project 022 has a crew of 12 to 14 sailors, less than half that of similar craft. At a unit cost of an estimated $50 million each, the Chinese could afford both the financial and manpower commitment needed to operate a very large fleet of these craft. Construction is expected to exceed 100 hulls and may well go beyond that point.

Taiwan calls for US fighter jets

A top Taiwanese official has renewed calls for Washington to sell the island advanced aircraft in the wake of China's s development of its first stealth plane, a report said Wednesday.

Parliamentary speaker Wang Jin-pyng warned that China could upset regional and global order by developing the J-20 jet, the state Central News Agency said.

He urged Washington to provide Taiwan with advanced fighter jets to counter a serious imbalance between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait due to China's rapid military expansion, the report said.

France-Russia sign Mistral warships deal

France on Tuesday inked a lucrative agreement to sell four Mistral warships to Moscow, with two to be built in Russia, in a move bitterly opposed by ex-Soviet states in the Baltics.

The deal for the amphibious assault ships will be the first sale to Russia of such technology by a NATO country.

France's NATO allies -- in particular Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia -- have expressed concern about arming Russia with modern Western weaponry.