Reuters
A Colombian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules (FAC 1016) crashed near Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo shortly after taking off from the La Tagua airstrip, local media and the defense ministry said. Authorities reported about 110 soldiers were aboard; casualties and cause remain unconfirmed as investigations begin.
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
By AeroTime: Spain says some F-18 Hornets may remain in service until 2040, pointing at rising sustainment costs and a widening fighter replacement gap.
DefenseNews.com
• Dusan Stojanovic
By DefenseNews.com: Serbia is also interested in buying a Russian air defense system as well as opening a repair center for Russian MIL helicopters.
DefenseNews.com
• Jon Gambrell, Josh Lederman
By DefenseNews.com: The decision is the latest signal that the Trump administration is prioritizing support for Sunni-led countries seen as critical to opposing Iran's influence in the Middle East over human rights issues that Obama had elevated.
DefenseNews.com
• Rachael Kalinyak
By DefenseNews.com: On March 30, the Defense Acquisition Board will review whether the low-rate production for the initial 24 King Stallion helicopters will be approved.
DefenseNews.com
• Aaron Mehta, Valerie Insinna
By DefenseNews.com: Navy Rear. Adm. Mat Winter joined the F-35 office in 2016, after serving as the chief of Naval Research.
DefenseNews.com
• Valerie Insinna
By DefenseNews.com: The F-15's age and growing threat environment could influence its retirement date.
DefenseNews.com
• Vivek Raghuvanshi
By DefenseNews.com: The joint production of the helicopters in India now awaits formal approval by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will lead to the new production entity Indo-Russian Helicopters Private Limited.
Wall Street Journal
• Lara Seligman, Shelby Holliday
New York Times
• Alexander Cardia, Christoph Koettl
