Because of again post-Soviet military aircraft fleet, Bulgaria is now seeking possibilities to its replacement. New fighter jet will be selected before end of July next year. There are few strong competitors like Lockheed Martin’s F-16, Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and among them is also Boeing and its F/A-18 Super Hornet. 

According to the country’s defense minister Bulgaria will request an offer from Boeing for its F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft. 

The planned contract for new multirole fighter is estimated to be worth some 1.5 billion levs (U.S. $890.9 million). If Bulgarian Ministry of Defence will decide to select the Super Hornet, the country would become the aircraft’s first operator in Eastern Europe. Currently in Europe the F-18 aircraft (in various versions) is used by air forces of Spain, Switzerland and Finland.

On 13 November 2017 China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveiled its new UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle). Its designation is Beihang TYW-1.

New TYW-1 is a sophisticated, as Beihang states, strike-capable UAV with four underwing pylons for armament and/or other devices and it has been reported, that the drone take off weight is about 1500 kg. Drone is 9.85 long and 2.5 high. It has a wingspan of 18 m.  In general its construction is based on the BZK-005 UAV which is currently used by the PLA (People’s Liberation Army – its official name of the Chinese Armed Forces).

In accordance to Chinese media reports, the recently unveiled UAV can carry a 370 kg payload, has a ceiling of 7.5 km, an endurance of 40 hours, and can reach a top speed of 200 km/h.

The US military has begun Northern Edge 2017 (NE17), a joint training exercise in Alaska. The general purpose of this exercise is to prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the Asia-Pacific region. Many participants are involved in this exercise. It includes: airmen, soldiers, sailors, marines and coast guardsmen from active duty, Reserve and National Guard units.

The Alaskan Command-led exercise will see participation from 6,000 service members, 200 fixed-wing aircraft and maritime forces, and several different types of equipment.

The main idea of NE 2017 exercise is to sharpen tactical combat skills, improve command, control and communication relationships. Its goal is also to develop interoperable plans and programmes across the joint force. Because of the tensions in the Asia-Pacific region caused by China expansion and recently North Korea nuclear program, good cooperation between the U.S. and their allies is extremely important.