Author: Alistair Zammit Farrugia

RNLAF bids farewell to the F-16

On the 27th September 2024, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) bid farewell to its iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon jet.  After 45 years of distinguished service, a formation of 6 F-16s took to the skies for their final formation flight, intended to showcase the aircraft’s legacy across key military sites in the Netherlands. The RNLAF initially ordered 213 F-16s, which entered service in 1979 replacing its Lockheed F-104 Starfighters and Northrop NF-5s. They were license-built by SABCA in Belgium and delivered the last example to the RNLAF in February 1992. Over time, the fleet had been gradually reduced as the RNLAF transitioned to the next-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The remaining F-16s were upgraded to the F-16AM MLU specification, enhancing their capabilities with features such as the Link 16 datalink, Helmet Mounted Sight, Targeting Pods, and the advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. RNLAF F-16s participate in deployments over Bosnia, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Indian Air Force Airbus C-295W Delivery

The second Airbus Casa C-295W for the Indian Air Force landed in Malta earlier this afternoon following a long flight that started from the Airbus manufacturing plant in Seville.

Of the total 56 aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force, the first 16 examples will be built by Airbus in Seville. The remainder will be produced by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in Vadodara, Western India.

The first Casa C-295W to be built entirely in India is scheduled for September 2026.

French Navy AS565 Panther

Earlier this week, a French Navy AS565 Panther was noted onboard FS Courbet as it called to Malta’s Grand Harbour. The AS565 Panther is the military version of the Airbus AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

FS Courbet belongs to the La Fayette Class of stealth frigates within the French Navy, and is named after the 19th-century Admiral Amédée Courbet.

Hellenic Air Force C-27J Spartan

A very welcome visitor this afternoon at LMML came in the form of a Hellenic Air Force C-27J Spartan. The aircraft arrived just before sunset and will spend two nights in Maltese Islands. The Hellenic Air Force operates 12 C-27J Spartans with the 354 Squadron “Pigasos” and are based at Elefsis Air Base located near the outskirts of Athens.

MED9 Summit

Yesterday afternoon, leaders of 9 Mediterranean countries met in Malta along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, to tackle more effectively migration at its roots and transit countries. The leaders of these 9 countries also called for a step up in negotiations on the EU’s Migration Pact and to reach an agreement before the end of the European Commission’s current legislative term.

The MED9 leaders – Malta’s Robert Abela, French president Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Portugal’s prime minister Antonio Costa, Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides, Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenković, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Slovenia’s Robert Golob and Spanish secretary of state for European Affairs Ignacio Navarro Ríos – gathered in Malta as the EU attempts to reach a deal on how to handle asylum seekers and irregular migrants.

RAF Atlas C.1

Yesterday afternoon, a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 landed at LMML for a night stop. The Airbus A400M has been introduced in the RAF since 2014, where it serves to provide tactical airlift and strategic oversize lift capabilities. The aircraft is designed to operate from both remote civilian and military airfields, as well as short unprepared or semi-prepared strips.

US Navy C-2A Greyhound!

Yesterday afternoon, a US Navy Grumman C-2A Greyhound, currently embarked on USS Gerald Ford, visited LMML to transport high ranking Maltese officials and government representatives onboard the super carrier. The C-2A is primarily designed to carry supplies, mail, and passengers, and provide critical logistics support to and from the aircraft carries of the United States of America.

The C-2A is a twin-engine high wing aircraft that first flew in 1964. All aircraft were heavily updated in 2010 with eight blades instead of the original four, as well as additional navigational updates such as the introduction of glass cockpits. The C-2A is entering its last years of operation with the US Navy, and the remaining 27 airframes are set to be replaced with 38 CMV-22Bs that will reach full operational capabilities with the US Navy in 2028.

Bell Boeing CV-22 Osprey in Malta!

All eyes at Malta International Airport this weekend were undoubtedly focused on Apron 2 Stand 15C, where a United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Boeing CV-22 Osprey, based at RAF Mildenhall, visited the Maltese Islands for the very first time.

The CV-22 Osprey is a unique aircraft that combines vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.

The mission of the CV-22 is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces. The CV-22 offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor and other systems that allow it to operate in various austere conditions.

US Navy C-130T visits LMML

Earlier this week, a US Navy Lockheed C-130T Hercules visited LMML to drop off supplies for a US naval vessel berthed in Malta’s Grand Harbour. This particular airframe belongs to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.

It is interesting to note that the C-130T has now been upgraded with 8 propeller blades, contrary to the 4 it used to have previously. A number of US Navy C-130Ts have been undergoing an upgrade from four bladed propellers to eight bladed propellers. This change forms part of a modernisation package for the C-130Ts. The additional blades will deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance. The propeller blades have been manufactured by Collins Aerospace and are made out of composite materials.