A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) General Dynamics F-111G crashed into the South China Sea off the Malay peninsula on 19 April, killing both crew. The aircraft, of 6 Sqn, one of 15 acquired from the US Air Force in 1993, is reported to have hit a peak on the island of Pulau Aur. It had been rehearsing a maritime strike mission as part of ongoing Five Power Defence Arrangement training exercises.
Source: Flight International
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Saab a SKr466 million ($42 million) contract to support further development of the nation’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
Madrid has signed a project Halcon II contract covering the production of a further batch of 25 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
The German air force’s three Airbus A350 VIP transports are to be protected by Elbit Systems-supplied directed infrared countermeasures equipment.
