The Air Force wants to bolster the Afghan military’s air wing with four more A-29 Super Tucanos. Air Force Materiel Command on Oct. 7 posted a “sources sought” notice for the production of four more of the Embraer and Sierra Nevada light air support aircraft for the Afghan Air Force. The AAF already has 20 of the aircraft under contract, with eight currently in operation in Afghanistan. Afghan airmen have increased their operations with the small fleet after reaching initial operational capability in April. As of this summer, the aircraft had not yet employed precision-guided munitions—a capability expected shortly. (See also: The Afghan Air Force’s Manning Shortfall.)
Former British prime minister and now foreign minister David Cameron urged the U.S. Congress not to stop supporting Ukraine, saying the West has gotten a bargain in dramatically reducing Russia’s military power for a fraction of the U.S. defense budget.