World military today (April 18): Egypt is about to buy aircraft...

Egypt to buy FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea

According to DefenseWeb, Egypt is in the final stages of negotiations with South Korea on a plan to purchase about 100 FA-50 Fighting Eagle light fighters . The deal not only includes technology transfer, but also allows the assembly of most of the aircraft in Egypt, aiming to modernize the air force and expand the defense industry of the North African country. This is also considered a new step in the increasingly deep strategic cooperation between Egypt and South Korea.

FA-50 Fighting Eagle light fighter. Source: KAI

In March, Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman confirmed in an interview with Yonhap News Agency that Cairo was close to signing a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). According to DefenseWeb, the contract is expected to include about 100 FA-50 aircraft, of which the first batch will consist of 36, worth about $1 billion. The remaining 70 FA-50s will be assembled at Egypt's Helwan factory, under a cooperation agreement signed in 2023 between KAI and the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) — Egypt's state-owned defense company.

The FA-50 is a light fighter aircraft with a component ratio compatible with the F-16 fighter up to 70%. When delivered, the FA-50 will officially replace the old Alpha Jet and K-8E trainer and attack aircraft in the Egyptian Air Force.

The FA-50 procurement agreement is the latest step in the deepening of defense cooperation between Egypt and South Korea. In 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed an expanded defense and economic cooperation agreement, which furthered bilateral defense ties. Following the agreement, Egypt received a Pohang-class frigate from South Korea in 2017.

By 2023, Egypt will continue to sign contracts to purchase 216 K9 Thunder self-propelled guns, an unspecified number of K10 ammunition transport vehicles, and 51 K11 fire command vehicles with a total value of 1.66 billion USD from South Korea's Hanwha Defense Group.

The FA-50 is currently one of the most successful export products of the Korean defense industry thanks to its flexible combat capabilities, reasonable cost and high operational efficiency.

US invests in fixed military surveillance balloons

In order to enhance situational awareness and information gathering capabilities on the battlefield, the US Army has just signed a contract worth up to 4.2 billion USD with QinetiQ US, a company specializing in providing surveillance solutions using fixed balloons (aerostat).

The fixed-wing balloon is used to support surveillance operations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Source: Army Recognition

QinetiQ US will serve as the prime contractor for the US Army’s “Fixed Surveillance Aerial System” program under a 10-year framework contract. In addition to providing the surveillance aerobatics, QinetiQ US will be responsible for system integration, supporting equipment, engineering support, logistics support, and operations throughout the product’s lifecycle.

Fixed surveillance balloons are considered one of the effective solutions to help the US Army maintain the ability to observe and monitor a wide area for a long time, especially in areas with complex combat conditions. According to QinetiQ US representative, current fixed surveillance balloons can operate continuously for up to 30 days at an altitude of about 4,500m, equipped with electro-optical/thermal imaging (EO/IR) sensor systems, surveillance radars, multi-mode detection devices and real-time data transmission systems.

In addition to day and night observation capabilities, fixed surveillance balloons can be integrated into the Battlefield Information Sharing Network (PSDS2) system, which helps connect data between balloons, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground sensors and command systems, thereby supporting US military units as well as allied partners to enhance situational awareness, especially in multi-mission coordinated operations and in different combat areas.

Military experts consider surveillance balloons to be an ideal solution for base protection, convoy escort, border surveillance, and early detection of threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs). With much lower operating costs than manned aircraft or high-altitude drones, surveillance balloons are playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. Army’s strategy of force preservation and control of combat areas.

Ukraine tests unmanned ground vehicle

Ukraine has just tested its largest unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to date, within the framework of the Brave1 defense technology initiative, with more than 70 UGV devices from 50 domestic manufacturers participating.

An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) participates in the test. Photo: Army Recognition

The ground unmanned vehicles conducted a 10km-long test drive through complex terrain to evaluate their transport capabilities and performance in harsh conditions, including electronic warfare with constantly changing frequencies and unmarked routes.

In addition, the test also focused on testing the UGV's communication capabilities and mobility in wide-range combat missions.

According to the plan, the next phase of the Brave1 initiative will focus on developing UGV operational tactics in logistics and casualty evacuation missions, as well as designing combat UGV variants with optimized firepower and mobility.

According to military experts, UGVs can take on many different roles, from reconnaissance, precision strikes to remote mine transport, mine clearance, ammunition and equipment supply support or explosives transport. Compared to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), UGVs have a distinct advantage in terms of their ability to carry large payloads.

Earlier this year, Ukraine began deploying full-fledged robotized units in several frontline brigades to reduce risks to soldiers in high-risk missions.

LOYAL (synthesis)

* Today's World Military column on the People's Army Electronic Newspaper sends readers the latest information on world military security and defense activities in the past 24 hours.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/quan-su-the-gioi-hom-nay-18-4-ai-cap-sap-mua-may-bay-chien-dau-fa-50-cua-han-quoc-249784.html