Royal Jordanian Air Force
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF; Arabic: سلاح الجو الملكي الأردني, romanized: Silāḥ ul-Jawu al-Malakī 'al-Urdunī) is the aerial warfare branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
| Royal Jordanian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| |
Royal Jordanian Air Force badge | |
| Founded | 25 September 1955 |
| Country | Jordan |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 14,000 Active personnel[1] |
| Part of | Jordanian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Amman |
| Equipment | 231 aircraft |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigade General Mohammad Hyasat[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Air Tractor AT-802 |
| Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
| Helicopter | Mil Mi-26, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk |
| Attack helicopter | Bell AH-1 Cobra |
| Trainer | Grob G 120TP, Pilatus PC-21 |
| Transport | C-130 Hercules, CASA C-295 |
History edit
Early days edit
Jordan gained independence in 1946, but its first air bases had been set up in 1931 by the Royal Air Force. By 1948, Jordan began to develop a small air arm which came to be known as the Arab Legion Air Force (ALAF). The Royal Air Force assisted in training this small air arm and provided equipment. The ALAF's primary fighter was the de Havilland Vampire and a Vickers VC.1 Viking was operated as a VIP aircraft for use by the King of Jordan. By 1955 King Hussein realized the need for Jordan to have a more modern air force, and on 25 September 1955 the RJAF was established. By 1958 the Royal Air Force had left Jordan and the RJAF had taken control of the airfields in the country.[3]
1960s edit
In 1967, in the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force relentlessly attacked Jordan's Air Force and air bases. Jordan lost its entire strength of 28 aircraft and their Air Force was reduced to zero.[4] Israel was victorious in all engagements over Israeli territory.[5][6]
1970s edit
In the 1970s the RJAF was modernised. Lockheed F-104 Starfighters were acquired from the United States following heavy losses in the Six-Day War.[7] However, the Starfighter proved superfluous and several were given to the Pakistan Air Force with the last unit withdrawn from service in 1977 leaving a fighter gap that would not be filled until the arrival of the Dassault Mirage F1 in 1981. The RJAF also acquired Northrop F-5 Tigers via Iran during the reign of the Shah who procured them from the United States. Cessna T-37 Tweets were also acquired for the training role. In 1975, the RJAF gave its fleet of 31 Hawker Hunters to the Sultan of Oman's Air Force, having failed in their efforts to sell them to Rhodesia or Honduras. The Hunters were delivered to SOAF Thumrait between May and June 1975.[8]
1980s edit
Following peace between Egypt and Israel in 1979, the RJAF began to modernize its fleet once again. The first part of this program was the procurement of the Dassault Mirage F1 which became the RJAF's frontline fighter supported by generous aid from wealthy oil-rich Arab states. The Mirage F1 was selected over the General Dynamics F-16/79 (an F-16A powered by the GE J79 turbojet series as opposed to the Pratt & Whitney F100, which had 25% more power in afterburn)[9] while also acquiring the Northrop F-5 to complement the Mirage F1CJ/EJ in the process.
In the 1980s, the RJAF supported Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime during the Iran-Iraq War, committing their aircraft for combat training alongside Iraqi aircraft squadrons with one joint aircraft squadron.[4] It remains unknown whether RJAF pilots took part in combat with Iran, although this seems unlikely. During the 1991 Gulf War, Jordan declared political support for the Iraqi regime, but the RJAF was never committed to combat in that war. The RJAF provided instruction for Iraqi pilots who also operated the similar Mirage F1.
Some six Lockheed C-130H Hercules entered RJAF service and remain critical in supporting Jordan's peacekeeping efforts. In 1987 the RJAF received CASA C-101s to replace the T-37 in the training role.
1991 Persian Gulf War and the 1990s edit
Due to the economic ties between Jordan and Iraq, the fallout of Iraq meant that the RJAF was impacted upon but contrary to some reports, it did not lose its operational tempo and was not forced to cannibalize aircraft for shortages of spare parts. Despite this, the RJAF had to rationalise its existing resources due to a temporary downfall in spare parts and supplies. However, economic difficulties forced the RJAF to seek upgrades rather than the purchase of new equipment originally planned.[4]
Modernization schemes continued with seven F-5Es sold to Singapore and some funding used to upgrade most of the remaining others with the AN/APG-67 radar (found on the aborted Northrop F-20 Tigershark, once an aircraft under evaluation by the RJAF), modern fire control systems, and within visual range (WVR) AAMs, thus putting the F-5 on par with more modern aircraft in terms of electronics. Despite this, the F-5s lacked a BVR combat capability.
Modern era edit
Two light CASA C-295s were procured after the Gulf War and procurement is likely to continue of the type. The RJAF also received small numbers of the Antonov An-32 from Ukraine for STOL operations for Royal Special Forces, although the status of the Jordanian An-32s is uncertain. One Lockheed C-130 Hercules was received in March 1997. In 2006, two Ilyushin Il-76MF freighters were purchased from Russia. In 2011, RJAF announced the intention to turn 2 of the CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft into small aerial gunships.[citation needed]
The Jordanian Special Operations Aviation Brigade has been using Sikorsky UH-60L Blackhawk and MD Helicopters MD-530F helicopters for special operations and border security. Two squadrons of ex-US Army AH-1F Cobra gunships were delivered in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Some have been sold to Pakistan and plans are in place to replace the AH-1Fs by the new AH-6I attack helicopters. After signing the MDAP, 18 surplus Bell UH-1H helicopters were delivered in 1994, followed by another 18 in 1996. Two C-130B Hercules transport aircraft and 16 UH-1H helicopters have been delivered to the Iraqi Air Force. Three C-130E will be received from the US in exchange. Currently two squadrons of UH-1Hs and one of AS332 Super Pumas support Army operations.[citation needed]
Between November 2015[10] and 3 March 2016, 8 UH-60A Black Hawks were delivered to Jordan from the United States under a no-cost lease arrangement. The delivery of 8 newly built UH-60M Black Hawks was completed in 2017 as part of a United States grant totaling US$200 million, with Sikorsky being contracted to the U.S. Army to build them.[10][11]
Jordan assists the Air forces in the Middle East, training Bahraini pilots and assisting Iraq. There is also a close cooperation with the USAF. The current commander of the Royal Jordan Air Force is Brigade General Mohammad Hyasat.[2]
Operations in Syria 2014–2015 edit
On the morning of 16 April 2014, Jordanian air force fighter jets destroyed an undetermined number of vehicles trying to enter into Jordan by crossing the border from war-torn Syria during the Syrian Civil War.[12]
On 23 September 2014, Jordanian air force aircraft joined in US-led air strikes against terrorist targets in Syria that later became known as Operation Inherent Resolve.
On 24 December 2014, an RJAF F-16 crashed near Raqqa, Syria, and its pilot, Flight Lieutenant Moaz Youssef al-Kasasbeh, was captured by ISIS militants.[13] On 30 December 2014, a member of the Jordanian parliament, Rula al-Hroob, told America's National Public Radio that the RJAF had suspended military operations over Syria in order to help secure al-Kasasbeh's release. An attempt by US special operations to rescue al-Kasasbeh from Raqqa on 1 January 2015 failed when their helicopters were driven off by heavy enemy fire.
Following unsuccessful negotiations about a prisoner exchange, on 3 February 2015 it was reported that ISIS had murdered al-Kasasbeh by burning him alive, something that was done in early January but not revealed.[14]
On 5 February 2015, the RJAF resumed operations against ISIS targets. The whole daily target list was handed over to 20 Jordanian F-16s.[15][16]
In February 2015 the US resupplied Jordan with munitions to be used in airstrikes against ISIS, including JDAM precision bombs. In the summer of 2015 Israel transferred 16 Bell AH-1E/F Cobras (4–6 to be used as spares) to be used by RJAF in the "border patrol" role, this is counter-insurgency role and in operations against terrorist State forces.[17]
On 7 November 2015, The New York Times claimed that the RJAF had quietly suspended operations against targets in Syria, the last attack being in August, and instead diverted its aircraft to support Saudi-led operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen.[18] This claim was contested by the Jordanian embassy in Washington, which told the paper that Jordan continued to conduct airstrikes on terrorist State targets.
Mission edit
Protect And Defend Sovereignty And The Integrity Of The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan.
- Precision Engagement
- The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.
- Information Superiority
- The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.
- Agile Combat Support
- Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.
- Core Values
- The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three values: Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.
- The Secondary Tasks
- To support Land Forces in any armed conflict with any external power.
- To support security forces in their tasks of maintaining internal security, anti smuggling operations and border security operations.
- Additional Tasks
- Air lift operations.
- Search and rescue.
- Medical evacuation.
- Relief operations.
- Evacuation of citizens from areas of conflict.
Despite the limited funds and resources, Jordan has become actively involved in peace keeping operations, In 1994 the Jordanian Air Force participated in the airlifting operations to support the Jordanian troops serving with the United Nations in maintaining and preserving peace and resolving local disputes.
RJAF achieved more than 200 flying hours in support of the Jordanian Armed Forces participating in peace keeping operations in Four ( 4 ) Continents.[19]
Organization edit
The Royal Jordanian Air Force has a strength of 14,000 active personnel.[1] It contains six major airbases in addition to nineteen air squadrons, fourteen I-Hawk Batteries, and two training schools (a fighter aviation training school and a school of air combat). The Royal Jordanian Air Force Headquarters is at King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman.
| Base | Squadron | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| King Abdullah I Air Base[20] Amman Civil Airport Marka, Amman, Jordan | 3 Squadron | C-130H, M28, C-145 |
| 7 Squadron | AS332M-1, UH-60A, EC-635T1 | |
| Royal Squadron | UH-60M VIP, AW-139 | |
| Air Ambulance Center | AW-139 | |
| King Abdullah II Air Base[20] Al Ghabawi, Jordan | 8 Squadron | UH-60M |
| 9 Squadron | S-100, | |
| 10 Squadron | AH-1F SES | |
| 12 Squadron | AH-1F | |
| 14 Squadron | UH-60A | |
| 15 Squadron | Ce208B-ISR | |
| 25 Squadron | AT-802U, AT-802i Block 1B | |
| 28 Squadron | MD530FF | |
| 30 Squadron | UH-60L | |
| Zarqa Air Base[20] Sahel Nassab, Zarqa, Jordan | 9 Squadron | CH4B (withdrawn from use) |
| 26 Squadron | Mi-26T2 | |
| King Hussein Air Base[20] Mafraq, Jordan | 4 Squadron | G120TP |
| 5 Squadron | R44-II | |
| 11 Squadron | PC-21 | |
| Flight Instructor School | G120TP | |
| Muwaffaq Salti Air Base[20] Azraq, Zarqa, Jordan | 1 Squadron | F-16AM/BM |
| 2 Squadron (OCU) | F-16AM/BM | |
| 6 Squadron | F-16AM/BM | |
| Prince Hassan Air Base[20] | 17 Squadron | Hawk Mk 63 (withdrawn from use) |
| Rweished Air Base[20] | 10/12 Squadron (det.) | AH-1F |
| 15 Squadron (det.) | Cessna 208B-ISR |
Squadrons edit
- No. 1 Squadron RJAF – the Squadron was formed in 1958 with the Hawker Hunter and later equipped with F5s, the Mirage F1, and now the General Dynamics/Lockheed F-16.[20] It has been based in Amman, Mafraq and now Azraq, with short periods at H5, and Habbaniya (Iraq).[21]
- No. 2 Squadron RJAF – was first formed in 1958 with de Havilland Vampires then with Hunters and later in 1974 with F5As and Bs as an advanced training squadron at King Hussein Air Base, Mafraq. It subsequently flew from Amman and Mafraq as a fighter squadron, then flew again from Mafraq, renamed in 1978 as the King Hussein Air College, with the CASA C-101 as the advanced jet trainer.[22] It is now at MSAB equipped with the F-16.[20]
- No. 3 Squadron RJAF – was formed in 1959 and was a mixture of fixed-wing and helicopter until February 1973 when a helicopter squadron was formed. Its aircraft have included the de Havilland Dove; Heron; Ambassador; C47; C119; Brittan Norman Islander; CASA 212 and 235, with a helicopter flight of Westland Whirlwind; Widgeon; Scout and Alouette III. The Squadron belongs to the Air Lift Wing and is based at KAAB, Amman (Amman Civil Airport).[23] It is now equipped with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and CASA 295.[20]
Royal Jordanian Air Defence edit
- Royal Jordanian air defense is part of the Royal Jordanian Air Force is equipped with Surface-to-Air missiles and Anti-Aircraft guns and Radar stations, as well as modern Electronic Warfare center and electronic countermeasure which is linked to command and control (C2) centers.
- Jordan provided with an integrated, real-time air picture across multiple command centers and many remote sites to better protect the country's airspace. The system, known as Omnyx™, will combine sensor, voice and data communications to provide interoperability throughout the Royal Jordanian Air Force and other elements of Jordan's armed forces. With input from radars and other data links, the system will assist in detecting incoming air traffic and also provide the capabilities needed for airspace management, air sovereignty and air defense missions.[24]
- RJAF C2 and EW Capability
- Omnyx™ System enabling Jordanian Air Force to track and identify aircraft, evaluate any threats, initiate or monitor airborne engagements and enhance situational awareness of Jordanian airspace at all times.[24][25]
- Jordan have a C4ISR subsystem capable of serving multiple internal services and agencies within Jordan and An Air Defense subsystem capable of early warning of air attack and real-time Command and Control (C2) of national air defense forces.[26][27][28][29]
- RADIANT C4I National EW network, connecting regional control centers, ground radars and AD assets.
- Jordan has the ability to detect cruise missiles, aircraft and unmanned drones at long distances through the project linking five U.S. 3D radars (1 FPS-117, 4 TPS-77), QAIA Radar and Gap-filler radars with ADSI (Air Defence System Integrator),[30] Airbases and all Fire Units to build air defence umbrella (IADS).
- Air Surveillance Radars
- 1 AN/FPS-117 3D Radar [31]
- 4 AN/TPS-77 3D Radar
- 5 AN/TPS-63 Tactical 2D Radar
- 5 Marconi S711 Radar (Upgraded by AMS UK in 2005)
- Gap-filler & Border Surveillance radars
- Medium & Long Range Air Defence
- 24 MIM-23B Phase III I-Hawk[32] (upgraded in 2016)[citation needed]
- In the period from 2004 to 2012 the components of 8 Hawk Phase III batteries were acquired gradually and some old Hawk batteries were modernized to Phase III,[33] Jordan received more than 400 MEI-23E missiles in 2014 and 2016.[citation needed]
- 24 MIM-23B Phase III I-Hawk[32] (upgraded in 2016)[citation needed]
Equipment edit
Aircraft edit
Retired aircraft edit
Previous notable aircraft operated by Jordan consisted of the de Havilland Dove,Hawker Hunter, F-5E Tiger 2, Northrop F-5A, F-104 Starfighter, Dassault Mirage F1, Cessna T-37, Boeing 727, Gulfstream III, An-12 Cub, Bulldog 125, CASA C-235, Piper PA-44, Alouette III, Aérospatiale Gazelle and the Sikorsky S-76[37][38][39]
Future developments edit
The Royal Jordanian Air Force has received new aircraft, and other types of use have been withdrawn and put up for sale. On 24 July 2019, The Royal Jordanian Air Force Commander, Major General Yousef Huneiti, was appointed to a senior position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces. The current Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force is brigadier general. Pilot Zaid Al-Najrish, who aims to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor in terms of more professionalism in the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
On the 3rd of March 2020, It was announced that instead of upgrading, Royal Jordanian Air Force is now looking to buy the latest F-16 Block 70/72 model to replace its current fleet of older F-16s. As early as September 2017, the Royal Jordanian Air Force was working with the U.S. Air Force Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), based at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to begin the Viper Block-70 operational upgrade program. This study is still under way, but it is unclear whether, and when, it will apply where necessary congressional approvals are needed to sell these possibilities to Jordan.[40]
It was announced on the 28th of July 2021, that F-16 MLU fighter levels 5 and 6.5, which is approximately equivalent to F-16C/D Block 50/52 and F-16C/D Block 50/52 + the except of the radar armed with GBU, JDAM bombs, AAM and ASM missiles, and targeting and reconnaissance pods, a video was released by the Ministry of Defense showing Jordanian pilots training in the newly upgraded F-16s.[41][42]
With addition to the latest upgrade of F-16 fighters to MLU level, it was announced on 14 November 2021, that the latest F-16 MLU 6.5 were upgraded with fighter aircraft painted with radar-absorbent paint GLASS V PAINT.[43][44]
On the 3rd of February 2022, The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of F-16 C/D Block 70 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.21 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale that day.[45][46][47] It is believed that Jordan aims to acquire 12 C models, and four D models, as well as 21 F100 engines (providing five spare engines) and associated weapon and system packages.[48]
Personnel edit
Commanders edit
The Royal Jordanian Air Force is headed by the Commander. The chiefs of the RJAF are as follows:[49]
- 1956–1962 Major (Colonel) Ibrahim Osman
- 1962 Major Jereis Musharbash
- 1962 Major Sahal Hamzeh
- 1962–1970 Major (Major-General) Saleh El Kurdi
- 1971–1973 Brigadier Walid Sharafuddin
- 1973–1976 Brigadier Abboud Salem Hassan
- 1976–1980 Major (Major-General) Saleh El Kurdi
- 1980–1982 Brigadier (Major-General) Tayseer Zarour
- 1983–1993 Brigadier (Lieutenant-General) Ihsan Shurdom
- 1993–1994 Brigadier (Major-General) Awni Bilal
- 1994–1995 Brigadier (Major-General) Mohammed El Qudah
- 1995–1999 Brigadier (Major-General) Mohammed Khair Ababneh
- 1999–2002 Brigadier (Major-General) So'oud Nuseirat
- 2002–2004 Brigadier (Major-General) His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Hussein
- 2004–2006 Brigadier (Major-General) Hussein Al Biss
- 2006–2010 Brigadier (Major-General) Hussein Shodash
- 2010–2013 Brigadier (Major-General) Malek Al-Habashneh
- 2013–2016 Brigadier (Major-General) Mansour Al-Jbour
- 2016–2019 Brigadier (Major-General) Yousef Huneiti
- 2019–2021 Brigadier (Major-General) Zaid Naqrash
- 2021–Present Brigadier (Major-General) Mohammad Hyasat
Notable persons edit
- Amer Khammash, the first recognized Jordanian pilot and received his pilot training in Middle Wallop in the United Kingdom in 1949, and received his wings in 1950 from the Late Founder of Jordan, King Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein.
- Muath al-Kasasbeh, Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot captured, held hostage, and burned alive by the Terrorist group ISIL in 2015.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (25 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 347. ISBN 9781032012278.
- ^ a b "Jordanian military gets new chief". Janes. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ Yitzhak, Ronen (2004). "The Formation and Development of the Jordanian Air Force: 1948–1967". Middle Eastern Studies. 40 (5): 158–174. doi:10.1080/0026320042000265701. S2CID 145457986.
- ^ a b c Spencer C. Tucker, ed. (2014). Persian Gulf War Encyclopedia: A Political, Social, and Military History: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. p. 195. ISBN 9781610694162.
- ^ Spencer C. Tucker (2010). The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts [5 volumes]: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. ABC-CLIO. p. 663. ISBN 978-1-85109-948-1.
- ^ Simon Dunstan (2012). The Six Day War 1967: Sinai. Osprey Publishing Limited. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-78200-241-3.
- ^ Zimmermann, Anne Mariel (2016). US Assistance, Development, and Hierarchy in the Middle East: Aid for Allies. Springer. p. 132. ISBN 9781349950003.
- ^ Peterson, J. E. (2013). Oman's Insurgencies: The Sultanate's Struggle for Supremacy. Saqi. p. 376. ISBN 978-0863567025.
- ^ "F-16 Versions – F-16/79 :: F-16.net". from the original on 21 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ a b David Donald (12 May 2016). "Black Hawk remains firm favourite [SOFEX16D3] | IHS Jane's 360". Janes.com. from the original on 13 May 2016.
- ^ Malkawi, Khetam (4 March 2016). "Jordan receives eight Blackhawks from US". The Jordan Times. from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Jordanian air force destroys vehicles entering from Syria". from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ "Jordan pilot ejected over Syria after 'technical failure'". Yahoo News. 31 December 2014. from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Botelho, Greg; Ford, Dana. "Jordan executes prisoners after ISIS hostage burned alive". CNN World News. from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ "Jordan F-16s strike ISIS targets and honor dead pilot's family". f-16.net. from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
- ^ "Jordan launches new air strikes against ISIL". aljazeera.com. from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
- ^ "Royal Jordanian Air Force". Airheadsfly.com. from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ Eric Schmitt; Michael R. Gordon (7 November 2015). "As U.S. Escalates Air War on ISIS, Allies Slip Away". The New York Times. from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "RJAF Mission".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Armed Forces Overviews". Scramble. from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ RJAF official site
- ^ rjaf.mil.jo
- ^ "RJAF". RJAF. from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Lockheed Martin • Lockheed Martin Receives $26 Million Contract to Help Royal Jordanian Air Force Control and Defend Its Airspace". from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Jordan: Air Force interoperability and modernization". Middle East Confidential. from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ (PDF) (Press release). Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 28 September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2011.
- ^ "FMS: Jordan Seeks Integrated C4ISR System". from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Jordan to Establish C4ISR Network – Tags: ARMS transfers MILITARY art & science". from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Jordan seeks C4ISR upgrade". Archived from the original on 8 April 2013.
- ^ . 18 October 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015.
- ^ (PDF). www.dsca.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2003. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2023). Hackett, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2023 (Report). Routledge. p. 335. ISBN 9781032508955. ISSN 0459-7222.
- ^ "results".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
- ^ "Candid back in RJAF service". Scramble. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Jordan acquires ex-Israeli Cobra attack helicopters". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "World Air Forces 1987 p. 67". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ "World Air Forces 1975 p. 304". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ "أعلان بيع طائرات".
- ^ "RJAF is now looking to buy the latest F-16V Block 70/72 model to replace its current fleet of older F-16s". www.udefense.info. March 2020.
- ^ نشّاب | Nashab 🇯🇴 [@Nashab_32] (28 July 2021). "#سلاح_الجو_الملكي_الأردني 🇯🇴 المقاتلة أمريكية الصنع F-16 MLU من @LockheedMartin من المستويين 5 و 6.5 أي ما يوازي تقريبا Block 50/52 و +Block 50/52 بإستثناء الرادار تتسلح بقنابل GBU, JDAM وصواريخ AAM و AGM وبودات تهديف واستطلاع تمرين #عرين_الأسود #RJAF #Royal_Jordanian_Air_Force t.co/X3VpBbedB1" [#RoyalJordanian_Air Force 🇯🇴 The American-made F-16 MLU fighter from @LockheedMartin of levels 5 and 6.5, which is approximately equivalent to Block 50/52 and Block 50/52 +, except for the radar. It is armed with GBU, JDAM, AAM and AGM missiles, and targeting and reconnaissance pods. #RJAF #Royal_Jordanian_Air_Force] (Tweet) (in Arabic). from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Jordan – F-16 Air Combat Training Center | Defense Security Cooperation Agency".
- ^ نشّاب | Nashab 🇯🇴 [@Nashab_32] (14 November 2021). "Image of a Royal Jordanian Air Force 🇯🇴 F-16 MLU 6.5 (161) fighter aircraft painted with radar-absorbent paint GLASS V PAINT Photo from the Royal Jordanian Air Force Ladies Club's visit to the Martyr Muwaffaq Al Salti MSAB base, the headquarters of Jordan's F-16 fighter jets. t.co/vTvppl1exD" (Tweet). from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ نشّاب | Nashab 🇯🇴 [@Nashab_32] (30 January 2022). "Officially shown is the Jordanian 🇯🇴 RJAF F-16 MLU fighter with radar-absorbent paint GLASS V PAINT رسمياً تظهر المقاتلة F-16 MLU من سلاح الجو الملكي الأردني 🇯🇴 المطلية بطلاء الماص لأشعة الرادار GLASS V PAINT t.co/Jz0yzQkDmM t.co/VneKdmNjMb t.co/UQ5o5FV0x8" (Tweet). from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Jordan – F-16 C/D Block 70 Aircraft | Defense Security Cooperation Agency". www.dsca.mil. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ نشّاب | Nashab 🇯🇴 [@Nashab_32] (3 February 2022). "أبشروا يا النشااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااااامى وأخيراً 😍 إعلان بيع 16 مقاتلة F-16 Block 70/72 الأحدث والأعلى تقنية في العالم لسلاح الجو الملكي الاردني 🇯🇴 بقيمة 4.21 مليار دولار سأفصل سبب إرتفاع الصفقة لاحقاً وهو بسبب وجود المزيد من قطع الغيار والتسليح ضمن الصفقة t.co/r3Wc8hzHLr t.co/7sTAN3jiTw" [Good tidings, young people, and finally 😍 Announcing the sale of 16 F-16 Block 70/72 fighters, the latest and highest technology in the world, to the Royal Jordanian Air Force 🇯🇴, at a value of $ 4.21 billion. I will detail the reason for the increase in the deal later, which is because there are more spare parts and armament in the deal.] (Tweet) (in Arabic). from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State [@StateDeptPM] (3 February 2022). ".@StateDept authorizes a proposed Foreign Military Sale #FMS to #Jordan for their purchase of up to 16 F-16 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of up to $4.21 billion. #FMSUpdate – t.co/bIhBlKnCaC t.co/1qdRyiEPqb" (Tweet). from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Biden administration approves $4.2B F-16 sale to Jordan". Defense News. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "RJAF Commanders". www,rjaf.mil.jo. Royal Jordanian Air Force. from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
- Griffin, David J., 60 Years of the Hawker Hunter, 1951 to 2011
External links edit
- Official Site of the Royal Jordanian Air Force
- courtesy of Scramble.nl
- Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16s