16 Jul 24. Dominican Republic Air Force acquires decommissioned Pillán training aircraft from Spain. The Dominican Republic Air Force (FARD) has acquired seven ENAER T-35 Pillán trainer aircraft, decommissioned from Spanish Air and Space Force service.
The Dominican consulate in Seville, Spain, wrote in an 8 July social media post that the seven aircraft are being disassembled by FARD technicians at the Maestranza Aérea de Sevilla maintenance centre and will be transported to Santo Domingo via ship “in the coming days”.
Neither the FARD nor the Dominican Ministry of Defence had responded to questions at the time of publication. The service already operates 4 Pilláns, according to Janes: World Air Forces .
The Pillán fleet is the FARD’s second major fixed-wing aircraft acquisition programme. The service is also domestically assembling 10 Flying Legend TP-75 Dulus trainer aircraft, two of which are already operational.
Chilean aerospace company ENAER developed the Pillán as a basic training aircraft. The company is developing a new version, Pillán II, for which design is scheduled to be finalised in mid-2025.
For more information, please see FIDAE 2024: Third TP-75 Dulus under construction in Dominican Republic.
(Source: Janes)
16 Jul 24. Belgian Defence embraces future with F-35 simulator training.
Belgium’s first F-35 instructors embark on simulation training in the US.
Belgian Defence is propelling its air component into the future with the initiation of its first F-35 simulator instructor training programme, marking a leap from 4th to 5th generation fighter capabilities.
Belgium is procuring 34 of the aircraft and selected them over the Eurofighter because of more favourable prices. The aircraft will allow interoperability with EU and NATO forces. According to GlobalData’s intelligence on the Belgian defence market, 30% of the components of the aircraft will come from Europe, with Belgium seeking to balance European and US loyalties. For the Belgian Defence, the journey from traditional 4th generation fighter jets to the 5th generation F-35s has officially begun. This shift is being spearheaded by the nation’s first cohort of F-35 instructors, who, since June 2 2024, have been immersed in a five-month training programme in the United States, mastering the intricacies of the flight simulator.
The training regimen, a blend of theoretical coursework, hands-on practical exercises, and simulator sessions, prepares these instructors for integrating the F-35 into Belgium’s Air Component. By the end of their training, these instructors will possess the expertise to create and manage many flight scenarios, ensuring that future pilots receive the most realistic and varied training experiences possible.
Upon their return to Belgium, these newly trained instructors will be stationed at Florennes Air Force Base. Their mission is to train the next generation of F-35 pilots, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to operate these aircraft effectively. This role is vital for integrating the aircraft and maintaining Belgium’s position at the forefront of modern aerial combat capabilities.
In Europe, the growth of the combat aircraft segment is mainly driven by F-35 programmes in countries such as the UK, Norway, Belgium and Finland, as highlighted by GlobalData’s “The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2023-2033” report.
In other European F-35 developments, Greece is advancing its military modernisation by proposing the purchase of 20 F-35 jets.
This move emphasises Belgium’s commitment to enhancing its military and adapting to the evolving demands of modern warfare. By investing in training and technology, the Belgian Defence is future-proofing its capabilities. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
13 Jul 24. 40 Commando Royal Marines, part of the Littoral Response Group (South), has been deployed to Darwin in Australia for Exercise PREDATORS RUN. The LRG (S) consists of Commandos from across the UK Commando Force, RFA Lyme Bay, and RFA Argus. The Commandos are in the Northern Territory to work alongside 1 Brigade of the Australian Army, the lead Littoral Brigade within the Australian Defence Force.
Other participants in Ex PREDATORS RUN include the USMC and other regional partners such as the Philippines, and Timor. The exercise presents a unique opportunity to validate the OF4 Headquarters, ensuring 40 Commando, and LRG(S) are prepared for warfighting operations, in support of our Allies and Partners in the region and across the Globe.
In the build-up phase of the exercise in early July a UK Polaris MZRZ- D4 was, for the first time ever, loaded into a US MV-22 Osprey. With only inches to spare either side the evolution proved that a MRZR can, theoretically, be deployed to any established helicopter landing site in the world by an MV-22. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)