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June 04, 2022

Sukhoi And MiG Merger Moves Forward

Storied Russian Marques Consolidate Under UAC

Twentieth-Century and Cold War icons Sukhoi and MiG have merged with the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Formed in 2006 to consolidate numerous Russian aerospace manufacturers that struggled to retain relevancy after the collapse of the Soviet Union, UAC presently counts Ilyushin, Irkut, Mikoyan, Sukhoi, Tupolev, and Yakovlev among its subsidiaries. UAC is itself a subsidiary of Rostec, Russian, a state-owned corporation that owns over 700 enterprises, including nearly the entirety of Mother Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Flying Hours Key to Readiness …

Across all categories—excepting reconnaissance—the Active-duty Air Force flew fewer hours in fiscal 2021 than it did the previous year. Flying hours are key to readiness, and are a good overall barometer of other readiness factors such as pilot and spare parts availability, speed of throughput at depots, and operations budgets. Flying hours are also affected by combat operations. Inadequate flying hours reduce pilot proficiency and correlate with increased accident rates.

Deal Marks Shift in German Military Preparedness

The German Government today announced that Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook has been selected for the German Bundeswehr (armed forces). Germany will buy sixty Chinooks to replace its aging fleet of CH-53 [Sikorsky Sea Stallions], thereby committing to an oft-postponed decision against the backdrop of war in Ukraine. In a speech to the Bundestag lower house of parliament, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht stated, "With this model we are strengthening our ability to cooperate in Europe." Lambrecht was cagy, however, about what the helicopters would cost.