11 Mar 15. Czech Government approves surplus L-159 aircraft sale to Iraq. The Czech Republic Government has authorised Aero Vodochody to sell 15 surplus L-159 advanced light combat aircraft (ALCA) to Iraq. Czech Republic Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky was quoted by Middle East Online as saying: “We are looking at a total of 15 warplanes, four of which come from the Czech Air Force, while 11 others come from surplus stock. “The total cost is CZK750m (€27.5m; $30m).” Iraq will reportedly receive ten single-seater and two two-seater L-159s, along with a complete aircraft package, including ground equipment, spare parts, training and supply of arms and ammunition. Meanwhile, the remaining three aircraft are scheduled to be dismantled into spare parts. Aero Vodochody and the Czech Ministry of Defence signed an agreement for the sale of redundant L-159s to the Iraqi Air Force in August 2014. Iraq will reportedly receive ten single-seater and two two-seater L-159s, along with a complete aircraft package, Under the terms of agreement, the company will initially purchase the aircraft from the Czech Air Force, and then resell them to Iraq, which is currently engaged in a fight with the Islamic State militants. The company will outfit the planes with additional equipment and ammunition prior to delivery to Iraq, in addition to ensuring the training of pilots and the ground stuff, as reported by the Czech News Agency. Despite acquiring 72 L-159s from Aero Vodochody in the 1990s, the Czech Air Force currently uses only one third of them, and has been attempting to sell the redundant planes for several years. The L159 ALCA is a derivative of the Aero L-39 Albatros, designed to perform close air support, tactical reconnaissance, air defence, counter insurgency, border patrol and lead-in fighter and weapons training missions. The contract is subject to the Italian, UK, and US Governments, due to use of foreign technology onboard the aircraft, and deliveries are scheduled to take place over the next three years. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Mar 15. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said he expects to complete work this week on a list of “unfunded priorities” for Congress that may include some Boeing Co F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets. Greenert told Reuters after a Senate hearing that he expected to finalize the annual wish list for U.S. lawmakers this week, so it can be reviewed by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. Greenert has said the Navy faces a possible shortfall of two to three squadrons of strike fighters, or up to 36 airplanes, on aircraft carriers in the 2020s, given how long it is taking to service older F/A-18 aircraft, also called legacy Hornets. (Source: Reuters)
09 Mar 15. UK Apache replacement held up by AgustaWestland, BBC report states. The UK’s efforts to sustain its Apache attack helicopter capability are being seriously hampered by lobbying from AgustaWestland, according to a BBC report published on 7 March. With the British Army’s 66 AgustaWestland-Boeing WAH-64D Block I Apache Longbow AH.1 helicopters soon needing replacement due to obsolescence, the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) preferred option of buying the new AH-64E Apache Guardian directly from the United States is being delayed by AgustaWestland lobbying for work on any such procurement programme, the report quoted government sources as saying. According to the BBC, Boeing has offered to sell the AH-64E to the UK at GBP20m (USD30m) per aircraft (taking advantage of a US Army multi-year procurement package). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Mar 15. India shortlists L&T and Pipavav to build six conventional submarines. The Indian Government has reportedly shortlisted Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering Company for a Rs600bn ($9.56bn) contract to construct six conventional submarines in the country. An unidentified senior defenc