DefenseNews.com
• Pierre Tran
France has received its first Airbus A400M transport fitted with underwing refuelling pods, advancing Paris's plan to field tanker‑capable tactical airlift. Airbus Defence and Space says it continues work on two key capabilities sought by France as the programme moves from modification trials toward operational deliveries.
DefenseNews.com
• Valerie Insinna
By DefenseNews.com: Canada’s Liberal government will announce next week plans to proceed with an interim buy of used F/A-18 Hornets from Australia, dashing Boeing’s hopes of a Super Hornet sale, three sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.
DefenseNews.com
• Barbara Opall-Rome
By DefenseNews.com: The Israeli Air Force has declared its initial squadron of nine F-35 stealth fighters ready for operational use, less than a year after the first two were delivered here by the U.S.
DefenseNews.com
• Valerie Insinna
By DefenseNews.com: Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein says sequestration would be worst case scenario for the service, but a long-term continuing resolution would also have serious implications.
DefenseNews.com
• Stephen Losey
By DefenseNews.com: The 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, resumed flying T-6A Texan training flights on Tuesday. But the cause of the hypoxia-like symptoms that led Vance officials to ground the Texan fleet Nov.
DefenseNews.com
• Lolita Baldor, Robert Burns
By DefenseNews.com: A U.S. official says the Pentagon has received permission from the government of Niger to begin flying armed drones from the capital, Niamey.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
By FlightGlobal: The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has released images of its developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft, converted from the first C-2 transport delivered, as the service weighs acquisition numbers and its future transport fleet composition.
New York Times
• Helene Cooper
By New York Times: The Ford is now entering its 10th month of deployment after arriving in the Middle East from the Caribbean.
newsable.asianetnews.com
Space Intel Report
• Peter B de Selding
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
