Search

Reports that Raytheon's Beech aircraft unit has received US government permission to sell the Guardian electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft to South Korea. No order by South Korea yet; Approval took a year and a half; Description of the Guardian.

Reveals that India is switching to Western and Israeli-made weapons after decades of reliance on Russian arms. Indian air force in advance negotiations with Israel Aircraft Industries for improvements to more than 100 MiG 21 fighters; Purchase of tank fire control systems; Artillery equipment and ammunition for India's Soviet-made T-72 tanks.

Announces Argentina's air force is buying 36 mothballed US A-4Ms for $125 million to replace the surviving 16 A-4B/Cs from a lot delivered in the early 1970s. The additional aircraft will bring the Argentine Air Force 5th Aviation Group's two fighter-bomber squadrons up to pre-war strength.

States the Japanese army will start procurement of a new anti-tank helicopter in 1999 to replace its Bell/Fuji AH-1Ss. The Ground Self-Defense Force has been using 84 AH-1Ss since 1982 and formed five anti-tank units starting in 1986. Candidates include the McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache and the Eurocopter Panther and Tiger helicopters.

Cites figures from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force on numbers of intercept scrambles in Fiscal 1992, due mainly to less Russian activity. While Russian reconnaissance flights around Japanese islands did not decrease significantly, training, fish spotting and other flights have dropped considerably. The decline may also be due to shortages of aviation fuel in eastern Russia.

States Japan's Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces have decided to open pilot jobs to women, who would be allowed to fly transports, liaison, rescue and other non-combat aircraft. No sign the Defense Agency will alter regulations concerning women and combat assignments; Currently no women pilots in Japanese military or on commercial airlines.