Latest news with #airforce
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan says US confirmed no F-16s flown, shot down during India standoff
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday the US had confirmed to Pakistani officials that no F-16 fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were flown or shot down during the four-day conflict with India last month. Militaries of nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan faced-off in four days of fighting between May 7-10, which saw the use of fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery by both sides before a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump. In the days that followed, Indian media claimed the Indian Air Force had shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet during the conflict. 'Turned out to be a lie that the F-16 they claimed of shooting down,' Dar said while addressing a press conference. 'It was proved when we approached relevant authorities in America, they confirmed in 24 hours that no F-16 was flown from Pakistan or went down.' The US has not commented on the Pakistani deputy PM's remarks. The use of F-16s in the latest conflict could have raised concerns due to the strict end-use monitoring agreements imposed by the US. In February 2025, the US had released $397 million for a program aimed at ensuring that Pakistan's F-16s were used exclusively for counterterrorism operations and not against other nations, particularly India. The funds will support the Technical Security Team (TST), a group of contractors stationed in Pakistan to oversee the use of F-16s under strict end-use monitoring rules. According to Pakistan-specific defense and analysis group Quwa, TST has been present in Pakistan since 2019 when the US approved its current deployment with a $125 million support package for the PAF F-16 fleet. Pakistan in 2019 invited US officials to conduct a count of its F-16 jets after India made a similar claim of shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight in the skies that year. According to a Foreign Policy magazine report, the officials had said that all F-16s were present and accounted for. In 2022, the US government had notified Congress of a proposed $450 million foreign military sale to Pakistan to support the sustainment of the PAF's F-16 program. Tensions between Pakistan and India remain high after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10. Both sides accuse each other of supporting militancy across their respective borders, allegations both governments deny.
Sky News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'The capital is under attack': At least 12 dead and dozens injured as Russian drones launched over Ukraine
A "massive" Russian drone and missile attack hit several regions in Ukraine overnight - leaving 12 dead, including children, and dozens injured, authorities have said. Amid flailing peace talks, the widespread strikes took place for a second consecutive night - as planned prisoner swaps continue in the daytime. Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first deputy prime minister, said three children were among the 12 dead. Writing in a post on X, she descrived it as "another night of terror" and said: "Russia's targets are clear: homes, families, children." Ukraine 's air force said Russia bombarded the country with 298 drones and 69 missiles, making it one of the largest aerial attacks of the war since the invasion in February 2022. The air force said it downed 266 drones and 45 missiles. Sounds of explosions could be heard throughout the night in Kyiv and the surrounding area. At least four people in the capital were among the dead, according to Ukraine's security service. There were attacks elsewhere as well, including drone strikes in Mykolaiv, where a residential building was hit. Footage from Odesa showed emergency responders trying to extinguish fires as smoke billowed from cars and houses. Meanwhile, Russia said it also faced a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, and that it intercepted and destroyed around 100 near Moscow and across the country's central and southern regions. It's defence ministry did not report any casualties. The attacks took place ahead of the third day of a planned prisoner swap - the only tangible outcome from peace talks earlier in May which have so far failed to produce a ceasefire. 'Massive' attack In Kyiv, the city's administration urged people to remain in shelters. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko described it as a "massive" attack. He said: "Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working. The capital is under attack by enemy UAVs. Do not neglect your safety! Stay in shelters!" Mr Klitschko said a student dormitory in the city's Holosiivskyi district was hit by a drone and one of the building's walls was on fire, while in Dniprovskyi district, a private house was destroyed. In her post on X, Ms Svyrydenko said: "In Zhytomyr, three children were killed - 8, 12, and 17 years old. "In Kyiv region, four more people were killed. Sixteen injured. "In Khmelnytskyi, four dead, five wounded. "In Mykolaiv, a Russian drone targeted a five-story apartment building, killing one and injuring five." She continued: "Ukraine is standing. But we are asking-not for sympathy, but for action. Air defense. Sanctions. Pressure. Now." It came after at least 15 people were injured in attacks the night prior. Russia 'dragging out the war' Despite the attacks, Russia and Ukraine have continued the prisoner exchange, marking a rare moment of co-operation in the war. Once completed, the swap will amount to the largest exchange of prisoners in more than three years. Amid the most recent attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated his calls for sanctions on Russia. Russia "fills each day with horror and murder" and is "simply dragging out the war", he said. "All of this demands a response - a strong response from the United States, from Europe, and from everyone in the world who wants this war to end," Mr Zelenskyy added. Every day "gives new grounds for sanctions against Russia", he said, and each day without pressure proves the "war will continue". Ukraine, meanwhile, is ready for "any form of diplomacy that delivers real results".
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia launches major aerial attack on Ukraine capital
At least 14 people have been injured in a major Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, city authorities say. Russia launched 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles against Kyiv, Ukraine's air force said, causing fires in residential buildings. It was one of the biggest combined aerial assaults on the city since the war began. The air force said it had downed six missiles and 245 drones. "With each such attack, the world becomes more certain that the cause of prolonging the war lies in Moscow," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X. The barrage came hours after Russia and Ukraine took part in a prisoner swap agreed after talks between the two countries' officials in Turkey. Describing a "difficult night", Zelensky said there had been fires and explosions across Kyiv with homes, businesses and cars damaged by strikes or falling debris. Olha Chyrukha, a 64-year-old local resident who lives just outside central Kyiv, told Reuters news agency: "I wish they'd agree to a ceasefire. To bomb people like this - poor children. My three-year-old granddaughter was screaming scared." Zelensky said only "additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy" could push Moscow to agree to a ceasefire. Last week, Russia said Ukraine had launched hundreds of exploding drones at the country, including strikes over Moscow. The Russia's Ministry of Defence said that 485 drones had been shot down. Hectic two weeks leaves Russia confident - and peace in Ukraine feeling no closer Ukraine and Russia take part in biggest prisoner swap since 2022 invasion
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Expresses Solidarity with Egypt and Conveys Condolences Over Martyrdom of Air Force Jet Crew
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Arab Republic of Egypt and conveyed its sincere condolences over the martyrdom of air force training jet crew during a military exercise. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
China to launch drone mothership
China is preparing to launch a new drone-carrying mothership capable of releasing 100 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the same time. The Jiu Tan, which means 'high sky', is a high-altitude long-range UAV that can transport weapons and equipment. Over the weekend, state media reported that the fourth prototype had completed its structural assembly and was undergoing installation and testing. It will set off on its maiden flight next month as China looks to boost its air force capabilities. The Jiu Tan was developed by Shaanxi Unmanned Equipment Technology and was first unveiled at the Zhuhai air show, the largest in the country, in November. The vehicle has a 25-metre wingspan and can fly for 12 hours, with a maximum range of 7,000 kilometres (4,350 miles). It has a take-off weight of 16 tons and a transporting capacity of six tons, which could be used to carry anything from surveillance technology to ammunition. However, the most noteworthy part of the new aircraft is its ability to launch large quantities of drones at once, making it difficult for a defender to respond. Video footage released by state media replicates what this could look like. Drone swarms can be hugely beneficial for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, which would be important in the event of an escalation in conflict between China and Taiwan. The aircraft can also carry cruise missiles and medium-range air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-12E. Its ability to reach high altitudes means it would be harder to detect from ground-based radar systems and could fly above many of the defence systems operational around the world. Drone warfare has become increasingly important in recent years because of its central role in Russia's war in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's production of drones – specifically first person view (FPV) drones, which are capable of destroying tanks – has surged. Pat Harrigan, a member of the US House of Representatives, said last month that FPV drones were responsible for 80 per cent of Russian casualties in Ukraine. Ukraine has also developed a growing fleet of long-range drones, capable of hitting military bases and weapons storage facilities deep inside Russia. China already has a large drone capacity. Earlier this year, it tested the TP1000, the first unmanned transport aircraft capable of carrying more than a ton of goods. The country has also previously operated long-endurance drones, such as the WZ-7 drone and the TB-001 Scorpion drone, around contested islands in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The development of the Jia Tun could be the latest in China's effort to expand its aerial capabilities to rival those of the US. Experts have said that the drone-carrying mothership will be a probable competitor to two American carriers, the RQ-4 Global Hawk and the MQ-9 Reaper. Neither the RQ-4 nor the MQ-9 are capable of the swarm strikes that make the Jia Tun a noteworthy addition to China's arsenal.
