Qatar Ordered Pakistani Super Mushshak Aircraft

EASY To CATCH Boeing ScanEagle UAV - Iran Showing It

Israel Receives Fifth German Nuclear-Capable Submarine

The Israeli regime has received of a fifth submarine from Germany, amid pressure on Berlin to halt the delivery of the state-of-the-art weaponry that is capable of being armed with nuclear warheads. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday welcomed the delivery of the advanced Dolphin-class submarine at the Haifa port north of the occupied Palestinian territories. The submarine, said to be capable of remaining submerged for up to seven days, can be equipped with missiles armed with nuclear warheads.

A German-made Dolphin-class submarine arrives at the military port north of the occupied Palestinian territories on January 12, 2016.

The Tel Aviv regime pursues a 'policy of ambiguity' over its nuclear arsenal, which is widely believed to contain up to 400 nukes. The new submarine has cost Israel about 500 million euros (USD 540 million), with the German government paying one third of the cost. Berlin is also to deliver a sixth submarine in two or three years. Many have criticized Germany for the sales of the modern military equipment to Israel. The administration of German Chancellor Angela Markel claims Germany has an obligation to guarantee the security of Israel.

German media say the delivery of the four previous Dolphin-class submarines have cost German taxpayers over 1 billion euros (USD 1.12 billion). Israel’s ministry of military affairs announced in May 2015 that it had reached a deal with a German shipbuilding company to have four major warships built for the Tel Aviv regime. It said the government in Berlin would pay for one fourth of the deal, which was reported to be more than 400 million euros.

UK Used Brimstone Missiles First Time In Syria

Royal Air Force used Brimstone missiles for the first time in Syria to strike against Daesh. Four attck was carried out by RAF combat jets deployed in the Middle East to fight against Daesh/ISIS/ISIL. Two of the strikes near Raqqa, targeted a vehicle and in the Omar oilfield in the eastern Syria, media reports. Two Tornado jets used a Brimstone missile to destroy a supply truck near Raqqa, and Paveway IV laser-guided bombs to target two IS buildings, including a command and control center. Another two Tornados and a Reaper drone used three Brimstones, as well as Hellfire missiles, to attack a number of mobile cranes brought in by IS to the Omar oilfield to try to repair damage inflicted by previous air strikes.

An MBDA Brimstone II missile 

Brimstone missiles are radar-guided and can be used against moving targets. The RAF has carried out several strikes in Syria since MPs voted in favour of extending UK action into the country on 2 December. The UK and Saudi Arabia are the only two countries to have purchased Brimstones.

Iran Captured Two U.S. Navy Riverine Patrol Boat Near It's Farsi Island, Detained 10 USN Sailors

Two US Navy riverine patrol boats captured by Iranian Navy (IRGC) and Ten sailors were detained. Though Iranian authority had originally told the US that the sailors would be returned promptly, but later soldiers had to spent a night in Iran, media reports. Iran say to return the sailors to the Navy today (Wednesday) morning, a US defense official told to the media.

This type of U.S. Navy Riverine Command Patrol Boats were captured by Iranian Navy near Farsi Island in Parsian Gulf.

A senior administration official confirmed earlier they lost contact with two small US naval craft en route from Kuwait to Bahrain and claimed the drift of those two boats into Iranian waters as a mechanical defect. The official further said "We subsequently have been in communication with Iranian authorities, who have informed us of the safety and well-being of our personnel. We have received assurances the sailors will promptly be allowed to continue their journey." Another senior US administration official told CNN that there's nothing to indicate anything hostile on the part of Iran. Administration officials also reportedly said that releasing the sailors at night would be "unsafe."

Though, later, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the 10 American sailors, who are now being held at an IRGC naval base on Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran said that members of the elite IRGC had confiscated GPS equipment from the boats for the due check whether this drift of US Navy boats were a unintentional technical fault or deliberate sneak-peak. And as per news agency IRGC officials iterates that the data from the equipment would "prove that the American ships [were] 'snooping' around in Iranian waters."

Satellite map

Ben Rhodes, the White House's deputy national security adviser, told reporters that the US is "working to resolve the situation such that any US personnel are returned to their normal deployment." According to a senior US official told the media that US Secretary of State John Kerry immediately called Iran's minister of foreign affairs, Javad Zarif, upon learning of the incident at around 12:30 p.m. EST. Kerry "personally engaged with Zarif on this issue to try to get to this outcome," the official said.

The latest incident comes on the heels of Iran's rocket test in late December near US warships and boats passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The incident also comes hours before US President Barack Obama is due to give his final State of the Union address before Congress. This is not the first time Iran has detained Western navy sailors operating in or near Iranian waters. In 2004, 15 British Royal Navy personnel from a training team based in southern Iraq were detained while delivering a boat from Umm Qsar to Basra, then The Telegraph reported.

Iran-Oman Joint Naval Drills Underway in Persian Gulf

A two-day maritime joint exercise of the Iranian and Omani naval forces started on Wednesday in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz and will continue in the Persian Gulf, Iranian media reported. According to Farsnews agency, the two countries develop strong military cooperation and have already conducted several joint naval exercises.

"It is the fifth joint wargames by Iran and Oman of this type and level, with a set of specified goals," Commander of the Iranian Navy's First Zone Rear Adm. Hossein Azad told journalists as quoted by Farsnews.

According to Azad, the purpose of the drill is to train Navy's ability to provide vessels, cargo ships and oil tankers, constantly passing through the region, with necessary security level. The decision to hold joint naval drills was made on December 19 at the opening of the Omani-Iranian Joint Military Friendship Committee's 12th meeting in Tehran.

Iran and Oman singed a memorandum of understanding for military cooperation in 2013. The memorandum includes cooperation in fighting against drug and human trafficking, strengthening of educational and cultural ties between the two countries` armed forces.

Are Turkey and Saudi Arabia Going to be Busted!?

King Salman and Turkish President Erdogan are about to spark a new war for control over Middle Eastern oil but the plan, which was in fact devised by Washington, will ultimately backfire, F. William Engdahl asserted. Riyadh, assisted by Qatar and Turkey, is striving to bring oil fields and pipeline routes in Iraq and neighboring Syria "under direct Saudi control," the expert on oil politics noted. "Unfortunately, as in all wars, there will be no winners," Engdahl wrote in an opinion piece for New Eastern Outlook. He also named the EU, the Iraqis, Syrians and Kurds as the main losers. 

The historian named four key groupings, which will be involved in the upcoming conflict. Sunnis, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Daesh and the recently formed Saudi-led anti-terrorist coalition, make up the first group. The second one consists of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Hezbollah, with Russia also being a factor. The analyst named Israel as the third player. Engdahl maintains that the fourth group, led by the United States, is "playing the most sly, deceptive role" at the moment.

"Washington is preparing a devastating trap that will catch the foolish Saudis and their Turkish and other Wahhabi allies in a devastating defeat in Syria and Iraq that will no doubt then be proclaimed as a 'victory over terrorism' and a 'victory for the Syrian people,'" the historian assumed.

Daesh, according to Engdahl, is instrumental to the Saudi plan. The oil kingdom wants the group to perform "ethnic cleansing of the legitimate Syrian populations" living in oil-rich regions so that it would then be able to transport fuel from Qatar and Saudi Arabia to Turkey through Syria. "Erdogan's Turkish military and most especially his Turkish intelligence, MIT, headed by close crony, Hakan Fidan, is playing a key role in the planned Saudi-Turk-Qatari coalition's move to destroy the regime of Assad and at the same time seize control for them of the rich oil fields of Iraq between Mosul and Kirkuk," the historian explained.

Although many see the recently-adopted UN Security Council resolution on Syria as an achievement that will help to bring lasting peace to Syria, Engdahl views the document as a "a near-perfect deceptive maneuver" designed by Washington to "set the stage for the imminent Saudi-Turk oil wars and subsequent debacle in Syria and Iraq." The agreement paves the way for a ceasefire, which is expected to be followed by the UN-supervised free and fair presidential election. "That ceasefire excludes Saudi and Turkey-backed Daesh, and the al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front. At the same time, it calls for an immediate, simultaneous start of a 'political transition' which means completely contradictory things for the United States, Germany, France and the UK as it does for Syria, Iran, and Russia," Engdahl warned.

The expert maintains that Russia, Damascus-led forces, Hezbollah and Iran will abide by the resolution, while Daesh and the like will "have free reign to grab the oil riches" in Iraq and Syria. "At that point, the trap will have been set and Washington will no doubt spring it, with Russia, Iran and Assad … able to do little to prevent it," he observed.

Secret US Commandos Forced to Leave Libya After Facebook Post

“A group of US commandos who landed in Libya on Monday were ordered to leave almost immediately because of a possible mix-up between the Libyan air force and army,” the US media quotes US and Libyan officials as saying on Thursday.

The decision came after four pictures of about 20 US Special Operations Forces servicemen, arriving at Libya’s Wattiya airbase, have been posted on the Facebook page of the Libyan Air Forces.

The post said the servicemen "disembarked in combat readiness wearing bullet proof jackets, advanced weaponry, silencers, handguns, night vision devices and GPS devices."

The local commanders however asked them to go because the servicemen landed “without prior coordination” and had no permission to be at the base.

Flight trackers apparently show that the unit was flown back to Pantelleria airport, Sicily.

It appears there was a breakdown in communication between Libyan Air Force and the Libyan army.

When questioned by Libyan soldiers, the Americans said they were "in coordination with other members of the Libyan army," the Libyan Air Force said.

A Pentagon statement confirmed US forces were at the base.

“With the concurrence of Libyan officials, US military personnel traveled to Libya on 14 December to engage in a dialogue with ‎representatives of the Libyan National Army. While in Libya, members of a local militia demanded that the US personnel depart. In an effort to avoid conflict, they did leave, without incident,” the US media quotes a spokeswoman as saying in a statement.

Why The JF-17 Thunder Should be Egypt's Perfect Upgradation of Mirage 5s and Chengdu F-7s?

Despite having opted for French and Russian fighter aircraft earlier this year, Egypt has reportedly expressed an interest in the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder. This has come as a surprise to analysts who had considered the possibility of Egypt acquiring the JF-17 to be lost. The interest comes as part of a wider push to increase defense industry cooperation between the two countries, according to a Dec. 4 news release by the Pakistani government's Press Information Department. It outlined how the Egyptian ambassador to Islamabad, Sherif Shaheen, met Pakistan's Minister for Defence Production Tanveer Hussain to discuss improving bilateral defense cooperation.
 

PAF Mirage and JF-17 Thunder.

A cadet exchange program is already in place, but both sides were "looking at collaboration in defense industry as the core of relations between Pakistan and Egypt," according to the news release. As a matter of policy, officials in Pakistan do not discuss potential defense deals until they are signed.

However, author, analyst and former Pakistani Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail says there are two main reasons the JF-17 appeals to developing nations. "It offers the best value for money, being one of the cheapest of the modern fighters to purchase and maintain," he said. "Its sale is not constrained by big power politics, in that it is not likely to be used as a tool for exercising leverage over the purchaser's foreign or defense policies. Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Jordan (possibly) and now Egypt are keenly eyeing the JF-17 for these reasons."

In respect to a potential Egyptian deal, author, analyst and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad Brian Cloughley believes the JF-17 has a key advantage over other fighter aircraft the Egyptians may be able to acquire. "The Egyptians have many sources for combat aircraft, but none of those being considered for provision of advanced fighters manufacture anything like the JF-17," Cloughley said.

The Rafale and MiG-35 are larger twin-engine fighters in comparison to the JF-17, and unlike the latter are off the shelf purchases, with no local production offered for Egypt. Analysts believe this is where the JF-17 has another advantage, and one that builds on experience. Egypt already operates 120 Sino-Pakistani Hongdu K-8 jet trainer aircraft, the majority of which were built in Egypt by the Arab Organization for Industrialization. A similar deal for the construction of the JF-17 has been speculated since Egypt first reportedly expressed an interest in the JF-17 in 2010.

The bulk of Egypt's modern fighter fleet comprises of some 220 F-16C/Ds, but these are supported by a larger number of legacy Mirage 5, MiG-21 and Chengdu J-7 fighters. The order for 46 MiG-35s will likely replace the MiG-21s, but this leaves nearly 140 Mirage 5s and J-7s needing replacement. As the JF-17 was designed precisely to replace these types, Tufail says it is "an excellent platform to replace the older fleet of Mirage III/5, MiG-21/F-7" and the "glitch-free induction and full operational capability of the JF-17 in the Pakistan Air Force makes a great sales pitch for export."

Likewise, Cloughley believes the JF-17 still has a good chance to secure a sizable Egyptian order but believes it is too early to be certain. "It seems that it would be a good choice to replace the Mirages, which are very long in the tooth, but as always the detail is in the possible deal. It's too early to speculate on what mutually agreeable terms might be, but it's likely that Pakistan (and China) would come up with a tempting offer," Cloughley said. Pakistan is accepting JF-17 Block 2 aircraft into service, of which it ordered 50. There have been some key Block 2 features such as in-flight refueling and other modifications that will be retrofitted to the Block 1 aircraft.

 

However, recent reports in the Chinese media have stated any export customers will be acquiring the forthcoming Block 3 that is in its final design stages. Though it is believed to feature an AESA radar, officials are tight-lipped on confirming specific details, only saying the Block 3 will be a "game changer." A two seat, fully combat-capable variant of the JF-17 is also believed to be undergoing the final stages of testing in China before it is unveiled.

 

By Usman Ansari

Deadly Air Strike Hits Syrian Forces, For Troops Killed

An air strike has killed four Syrian military personnel in Deir al-Zor province, news reports said on Monday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike hit part of the Saeqa military camp near the town of Ayyash in Deir al Zor province. 

The air raid wounded 13 Syrian military personnel.

A source close to the Syrian government confirmed the strike to the Reuters news agency and said there had been casualties and vehicles destroyed.

The strike hit some time in the last 24 hours, the monitoring group said.

It was not immediately clear which air force was responsible. The area is largely under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

A US-led coalition has regularly targeted the group in the Syrian province.

Russia also began launching air strikes in Syria in September. 

In Deir al-Zor city, another air strike overnight Sunday killed a woman and two of her children, the Observatory said.

German Cabinet Approves Troops Deployment in Syria

German cabinet gives a "go ahead" for army troops deployment in Syria. Earlier Germany decided to deploy 1,200 troops of its army men in Syria to assist France's anti-ISIS campaign in response of Paris attack on November, 13. Already French president Hollande visiting friendly countries to make its new coalition against terrorism, in relation, he visited Russia and met with Putin to fight ISIS.

Al-Quds Brigades' General Qassem Soleimani Lightly Wounded in Syria

Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations wing, was lightly injured in fighting against Syria rebels near Aleppo, a monitoring group and a security source said Wednesday.

Soleimani "was injured a few days ago" in an offensive in the southwest of Aleppo province, a security source on the ground told AFP.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the general was hurt.

He was "lightly injured three days ago in the Al-Eis area in the south of Aleppo province," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

For several days, reports have been circulating on social media claiming the powerful commander was wounded or even killed in Syria, where Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad against an uprising that began in March 2011.

In response, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards, Rameza Sharif, said Tuesday that Soleimani was "in perfect health and full of energy."

"He helps the Islamic resistance in Syria and Iraq," Sharif added, according to SepahNews, the official site of the Revolutionary Guards.

Abdel Rahman said the commander was wounded while "leading military operations on the outskirts of Al-Eis, which is under the control of pro-regime forces."

"Many Iranian fighters are present in the area," he added.

Abdel Rahman said rebel groups launched a counteroffensive on Sunday in a bid to push regime forces from several areas in south Aleppo that they captured with support from Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah ground forces and Russia air strikes.

Russia, another key Assad ally, began airstrikes in support of the government on Sept. 30.

Last month, a US official said some 2,000 Iranian or Iranian-backed forces were participating in the regime's Aleppo operations.

Iran has not officially acknowledged sending troops to Syria, but says it has "advisers" on the ground assisting regime forces.

Iran-backed Hezbollah also acknowledges its forces are fighting on the ground, and the presence of Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan "volunteers" has been documented.

Egypt, Russia Negotiating Air Defense Missile Systems Sale

Russian State Technologies Corporation (ROSTEC) says it is holding pre-contract delivery negotiations for the supply of the Antey 2500 and Buk missile systems ordered by Egypt in 2014 to upgrade the capabilities of its Air Defense Force (ADF).

Antey-2500 air defense system components. 

According to a military source quoted by Interfax in March this year, the missile order is part of the multi-billion Russian-Egyptian arms deal of 2014 and involves the supply of Buk air-to-air missiles, the Antey 2500 (S-300VM) anti-ballistic missile system, command posts, spares and accessories at a cost of US$1 billion. Egypt will also receive auxiliary technological equipment,launchers and other essential equipment to support the system.

According to the initial agreement, deliveries are expected to start later this year and be complete by late 2016.

"Today, we are considering the possibility of delivering to Egypt the anti-ballistic missile system Antey-2500 and the Buk 2 surface-to-air missiles. Negotiations are continuing," ROSTEC CEO Sergey Chemezov told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS at the end of the recent Dubai Airshow.

He said the Egyptian air defense systems sale will contribute substantially to the $12.5 billion in arms exports that Russia expects to earn by end of the year.

"Rosoboronexport foreign arms sales should reach $12.5 billion by the end of this year. We hope it (arms export revenue) will be a little more, but we will definitely fulfill the plan," Chemezov said.

The Antey 2500 system is an upgraded version of the S-300 missile aerial defense system. It can destroy aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles flying at a range of up to 250 km and a height of up to 25 km.

The 9K37 Buk missile system is designed to hit aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying at distances of up to 30 miles and altitudes of up to 15 miles. Egypt is the third buyer of the Russian air defense system after Venezuela and Iran.

9K37 Buk missile system. 

Russia is aggressively marketing upgraded weapons and aerial defense systems in the Middle East. ROSTEC exhibited and demonstrated the new Antey 2500 and upgraded Buk-2 missile system to Middle Eastern and African customers in Abu Dhabi early in 2014.

Germany Going to Put on Steps in Syrian Soil

Germany is planning to deploy 1,200 troops to help France in the fight against Islamic State jihadists in Syria, its army chief said Sunday, in what would be the military's biggest deployment abroad.

"From a military point of view, around 1,200 soldiers would be necessary to run the planes and ship," army chief of staff Gen. Volker Wieker told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that the mission would begin "very quickly once a mandate is obtained."

"The government is seeking a mandate this year," said Wieker.

Berlin on Thursday offered France Tornado reconnaissance jets, a naval frigate, aerial refueling and satellite images in the fight against the IS group.

Between four and six Tornados would be deployed to deliver images of the ground, even in poor weather and during the night, Wieker said.

Asked why Germany had shied away from participating in direct air strikes, Wieker said the coalition already had "sufficient forces and means" dealing with that aspect of the battle.

"What is needed is reconnaissance on the ground, so that these forces can be deployed effectively. Our Tornados can contribute a lot in that area," he said.

Talks are ongoing with Turkey and Jordan on stationing the planes in Incirlik — which also serves as a base for US jets, as well as in Amman.

Wieker swiped aside any criticism that Germany had opted for "the least dangerous" tasks, saying: "This allegation is not justified. What is the difference when you fly a bomber jet or a reconnaissance plane over the same area? The levels of threat and danger are the same."

Post-war Germany has been traditionally reluctant to send troops abroad, although it has joined UN-mandated missions in the Balkans and elsewhere, and the NATO coalition in Afghanistan.

Germany has not taken part in air strikes against the IS in Syria and Iraq, which have been mainly flown by US and French aircraft.

After France last week invoked a clause requiring EU member states to provide military assistance after the Paris attacks, Germany swiftly announced its participation in the fight in Syria.

Russia Will Take Diplomatic, Military Measures After Turkey Downs Su-24

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that Moscow has already taken and will take diplomatic and military measures after the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkey.

The Russian prime minister said that the downing of the Russian warplane over Syria was an "act of aggression" committed by Turkey.

"This was certainly an act of aggression against our country by Turkey, our neighbor and a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization."

"Military and diplomatic measures with regard to this crime have already been taken and more will be taken," Medvedev said during a government meeting on Thursday.

On Tuesday, a Russian Su-24 jet crashed in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the plane was downed over Syrian territory by an air-to-air missile launched by a Turkish F-16 jet, and fell 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Turkish border. Putin described the Turkish attack as a "stab in the back" carried out by "accomplices of terrorists."

Dmitry Medvedev has instructed the Russian government on Thursday to work out measures against Turkey after Tuesday's downing of a Russian military jet.

Moscow's response measures against Ankara may affect financial operations, investment projects, as well as the work of Turkish companies in Russia, Medvedev said.

According to Medvedev, measures taken by Russia will be temporary and depend on the development of Moscow-Ankara relations and international situation.

"[The measures include] the suspension of the implementation of programs of economic cooperation, restrictions on financial transactions and on foreign trade transactions, changes to customs duties, measures in thetourism sector, to affect the tourism sphere, transportation, including transits."

The prime minister said that Russian authorities were considering the introduction of bans on Turkish companies' activities in the country.

There could also be introduced restrictions or bans on the supply of products, including foodstuffs, and the work of Turkish companies on Russian territory, Medvedev said.

According to him, the measures will be introduced in accordance with a 2006 law "designed for similar situations."

Speaking at the same meeting, Russia's Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev underscored that any possible measures introduced against Turkey by Russia would not contradict WTO norms.

Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has already announced health and sanitary claims against a Turkish company specializing in poultry production, while the Russian Foreign Ministry recommended tourists to avoid traveling to Turkey.

In Photos: Russian Su-24 Fighter-Bomber Shot Down Over Syrian Sky

Two parties, Russian & Turkish, claiming their own positions over Su-24 jet shot down issue. Turkish officials said that tje Su-24 jet which one has been shot down by Turkish Airforce F-16 yesterday violated Turkish airspace near Turkomen Mountains border. In the other hands, Russian Defense Minister & other official said that the jet was inside Syrian skies while being shot down by ground based anti-aircraft artillery. Two pilots ejected safely but one of them already killed by rebels while another pilot being captured by them, sources ensured media.  

The Kuwait Air Force (KAF) Inventory And Air Power

The Kuwait Air Force (القوات الجوية الكويتية) al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), was formed in 1961 while in late 1960s twelve Strikemaster Mk.83s, Lightning F53s and two T55 trainer versions  were delivered.

Subsequently in 1971, two Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules subsequently  between 1968 and 1977 two Bell 206, eight Agusta Bell 205s entered the service.

In 1974. a total of 27 Mirage F1CKs and seven Mirage F1BKs were ordered and delivered in two separate batches until 1983.

Thirty six (36) Douglas (T) A-4KU Skyhawks that were ordered in 1974 and delivered during 1977.

During he same period, twenty four (24) SNIAS SA342K Gazelles were delivered, four were later transferred to the Kuwait Police Air Wing.  Four L-100-30 Hercules transport aircraft were delivered in 1983, replacing the shorter L-100-20 version from which only one survived (the other crashed in France). Also in 1983, twelve Hawk T64 were ordered to fulfill the requirement  for training capacity.

The Shorts Tucano T.52, was scheduled for delivery 1990 but was deferred to 1995 due to the Kuwait's occupation.

After the the liberating Kuwait from Saddams’s forces, the KAF underwent reorganization and both the Douglas A-4 Skyhwaks and the Dassault Mirage F1s were phased out in favour of the McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet. 32 F/A-18Cs and eight F/A-18D Hornets. The Mirages have been  withdrawn from service and placed in storage.

The first six of sixteen ordered AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters were delivered to the Kuwait Air Force on 3 February 2006. The remaining ten aircraft were delivered thereafter. All the helicopters are preconfigured to carry the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar kits.

The air force is capable of performing a range of missions.  Has enhanced the ability to react rapidly and provide anti-armour support to land forces.

Commander of the Air Force: Vice Marshall Yusef al-Otaibi

Air Force Personnel Strength: 2,500

Inventory Summary:
Combat: 58 (total),  39 (in service)
Transport: 5 (total), 5 (in service)
Helicopters: 48 (total), 39 (in service

Source: IHS Jane's
Photos: Google Earth & ArabAviation

Carrier Operation of French Navy

Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and the largest western European warship currently in commission. She is the tenth French aircraft carrier, the first French nuclear-powered surface vessel, and the first and so far only nuclear-powered carrier completed outside of the United States Navy . She is named after French statesman and general Charles de Gaulle .

The ship carries a complement of Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard, Dassault Rafale M and E‑2C Hawkeye aircraft, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopter for combat search and rescue, as well as modern electronics and Aster missiles. It is a CATOBAR-type carrier that uses two 75 m C13‑3 steam catapults of a shorter version of the catapult system installed on the U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, one catapult at the bow and one across the front of the landing area. Thanks to her characteristics,Charles de Gaulle is the only non-American carrier-vessel in the world empowered to operate American aircraft such as the F/A-18E Super Hornet or C-2 Greyhound, which operate from American carrier-vessels.