Latest news with #RoyalJordanianAirForce
Roya News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Jordan air force confirms delivery of first F-16 block 70 fighter jets
Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), Brig. Gen. Mohammad Fathi Al-Hiyasat, confirmed that Jordan received two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, with 12 more expected to arrive at a later date, adding that the RJAF will be equipped with a total of 16. In remarks to Roya's 'Helwa Ya Donya', Hiyasat stated that existing aircraft are also being upgraded with advanced navigation systems. In February 2024, the Air Force received two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, as part of a plan to acquire eight by 2026–2027. In December 2023, a new simulated flight training squadron was inaugurated at the Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base, under royal patronage, to enhance pilot performance, Hiyasat continued. And to improve aerial transport, the RJAF acquired three C-130 aircraft equipped with Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) capability, with three more expected from the United States next year. It also received six "Little Bird" helicopters, with six others undergoing upgrades to support ground forces. Additionally, four 'Cessna C-208EX Grand Caravan' reconnaissance aircraft were introduced last year, boosting aerial surveillance capabilities. Hiyasat said that the Air Force has integrated unmanned aerial systems capable of flying 24-hour missions along border areas, transmitting real-time images to command centers. A new UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system was acquired to manage drone operations within Jordanian airspace. Air defense systems have also been enhanced with electronic jamming capabilities and 30mm anti-drone cannons. The RJAF added two new Air Tractor aircraft for firefighting operations, capable of deploying quickly anywhere in Jordan or to Mediterranean nations in need. Hiyasat highlighted significant advancements made under King Abdullah II's leadership, particularly in RJAF's operational readiness, training standards, and integration of modern defense technologies. He said that the Air Force is a cornerstone of national defense and benefits from close oversight by the King, the Crown Prince, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure the highest level of professionalism. Humanitarian and Relief Missions The RJAF continues to play a vital humanitarian role, providing aid to Syria and Turkey after the earthquakes, assisting Lebanon following the Beirut Port explosion, and supporting Libya after devastating floods. The Air Force has also evacuated Jordanians, including patients and the injured, from crisis zones worldwide. Gaza support In response to royal directives, RJAF has conducted 126 air missions into Gaza, delivering food and medical aid across the enclave. Sixteen GPS-guided aircraft have conducted precise airdrops to support Jordan's field hospitals in Gaza, while 53 cargo flights have delivered aid to Egypt's Al-Arish Airport for onward transport into Gaza.
Khaberni
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaberni
Tens of Thousands of Jordanians Gather as Zain Celebrates Jordan's 79th Independence Day with a Grand Festival at King Abdullah
In a majestic national scene that brought together tens of thousands of Jordanians, Zain Jordan celebrated the Kingdom's 79th Independence Day by organizing a massive public festival at King Abdullah II Park in Al-Muqabalein. The celebration was filled with an atmosphere of pride, patriotism, and loyalty to the wise Hashemite leadership. The event ran from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and witnessed wide attendance from families, children, and youth from across the Kingdom. It was attended by Amman Governor Yasser Al-Adwan, Sub-Governor of Al-Qweismeh District, Director of South Amman Police, Commander of the Capital Region, and a group of local community representatives. Zain curated a comprehensive national program for the event, hosted by media personalities Mohammad Al-Wakeel and Razan Salameh. The lineup featured impressive performances by the Jordanian Armed Forces Band, an air show by the Royal Jordanian Air Force's F-16 jets, and a skydiving show by the elite Free Fall Team—Jordanian Special Forces and the Falcons of the Aerial Operations Unit. A patriotic highlight of the evening was the release of a giant Jordanian flag soaring through the skies of the capital. The celebration also included interactive segments with popular content creators Yazan Nobani, Ahmad Ghanem (Abu Al-Ghor), and ElMenz team consisting of Moath Bzour, Hamzeh Al-Ghazou, and Mohammad Al-Zghoul. Zain handed out valuable prizes to the crowd, which responded with great enthusiasm. The festivities continued with a lineup of musical and folkloric performances by beloved Jordanian stars including Hussein Al-Salman, Saad Abu Tayeh, Hussam and Wissam Al-Louzi, and Hamdi Al-Munasir, in addition to the Ma'an Folklore Troupe, which added an authentic traditional flavor to the event. Zain had kicked off its Independence Day celebrations by changing the name of its network to 'J079' on subscribers' phones—a symbolic gesture blending Jordan's national mobile code '079' with the number '79' representing the years of independence, creating a unified name that reflects national pride and Zain's deep-rooted connection to Jordanian identity. Zain also gifted all its subscribers a free 79 GB data bundle through its mobile app (Zain Jo), enabling them to follow and share the Kingdom's Independence Day celebrations across social media platforms. Organizing this national event reaffirms Zain's commitment to its patriotic role and its dedication to celebrating with Jordanians on all national occasions—especially Independence Day, which the company has commemorated with grand celebrations for the past 20 years. The day symbolizes sovereignty, unity, and dignity. This celebration also aligns with Zain's strategy to instill national values and strengthen the sense of belonging and loyalty to the homeland and its Hashemite leadership, the unwavering guardians of independence and progress. It is worth mentioning that Zain also took part in the Independence Day festivities held yesterday, Saturday, at The Royal Automobile Museum in Al Hussein Gardens, which included a variety of national and entertainment activities for families and children, and featured the unveiling of the museum's new logo.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Sweden to charge jihadi over Jordanian pilot burned to death
Representative Image Prosecutors in Sweden on Thursday said they planned to indict a convicted Swedish man for his suspected role in the 2014 capture and execution of a Jordanian pilot by the " Islamic State " (IS) militant group in Syria. Prosecutors allege the suspect helped force the pilot into a metal cage ahead of one of the jihadist group's most infamous murders. What do we know about the case? The 32-year-old Swedish citizen Osama K., originally from the city of Malmo, is suspected of helping in the execution of a captured Jordanian pilot while fighting for IS. Prosecutors said the suspect is to be charged with "aggravated war crimes and terrorist crimes committed in Syria." "The investigation has shown that the man, armed and masked, together with others forced the pilot into a metal cage," prosecutors said. "The cage was subsequently set on fire by one of the co-perpetrators, and the pilot died as a consequence of the fire." The Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot had been captured by the Islamic State after his jet was downed near Raqqa — the de facto capital of IS's self-declared "caliphate" — on December 24, 2014. Images of the death were disseminated online by the jihadist group. Involvement in Paris, Brussels attacks K. joined ISIS in Syria in 2014 and later returned to Europe, prosecutors said. In 2022, he was sentenced in France to 30 years in prison for complicity in the November 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 dead. In 2023, he was given a life sentence in Belgium for his role in the 2016 Brussels attacks that killed 32 people. France agreed on March 12 to hand over K. to Sweden for nine months to allow for investigation and trial. He will be returned to France afterward to continue serving his sentence. Proceedings are scheduled to begin on June 4 at Stockholm District Court.
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Jordan evacuates second group of cancer patients from Gaza
AMMAN: Jordan's government on Wednesday began evacuating four child cancer patients and 12 family members from Gaza. They are the second group of patients evacuated for treatment under the Jordan Medical Corridor initiative, started in March this year, that aims to treat 2,000 Gazan children. The children and their families were evacuated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. They will be treated at the King Hussein Cancer Center. The first evacuees were 29 children and 44 family members. Seventeen of these children have since returned to Gaza with their families after completing their treatment.
Jordan Times
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Turkish embassy commemorates fallen soldiers of World War I in Salt
The Turkish embassy in Amman held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrs of the World War I. The ceremony was held at the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Salt, who died during World War I (Photos by Ahmad Khlifat) AMMAN — The Turkish embassy in Amman held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrs of the World War I. The ceremony was held at the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Salt, who died during World War I. The ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Amman Yakup Caymazoglu and a representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The Turkish ambassador and the representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with several delegations, laid wreaths at the memorial to the martyrs, while buglers played the Last Post. The Turkish ambassador and the mayor of Salt delivered speeches during the ceremony, emphasising the deep bilateral relations between of Jordan and Turkey.
