Thai and US military officials have begun negotiations over the fate of the Royal Thai Air Force's eight Boeing F/A-18C/D fighter aircraft, which Thailand says it can no longer afford. The Thais would like the USA to consider deferring payment or for the US Navy to try to find another customer for the aircraft, which cost $400 million. Deliveries of the F/A-18have not started.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
