Cairo will buy a spy satellite from .... Russia

Despite the awkwardness of the timing, it seems that Russia will build and launch a remote sensing spacecraft for Egypt. The spy satellite that will be built by the Russian aerospace manufacturer Energia, will be launched by the end of this year, said a responsible of the space corporation to Interfax agency during MAKS airshow.

The panchromatic satellite will have the ability to take pictures in full colors or in infrared mode, giving it the possibility to film with a resolution from 4 to 1 m, objectives at night.

The type 559PK spacecraft will be launched from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan by a Soyuz-U Rocket.

Ex Belarussians Su 24 finally sold to Sudan

The long standing mystery around the fate of the withdrawn tactical bomber jets Su 24 from Belarus is finally solved. After rumors of a transfer to Yemen, the dozen of retired bombers were spotted in  Wadi Sayyidna Air Base near Um Dorman in Sudan, together with Belarusian personnel and crews.

Sudanese air forces received very recently a batch of second hand Su 25 from Belarus as well. The light bomber is essentially used for COIN and CAS operations across the country.

Sudanese air forces faced a long internal conflict against in its southern areas that finally led to the independence of the South Sudan. Today, a strong tension still remains in the regions of Abiye and Kordofan. A war might even happen for the control of this oil worthy area.

Sudan is also in the middle of a possible future conflict for war, especially after the sudden decision of the Ethiopian government to erect a dam across the Nile, causing the fury of Egypt, whose authorities clearly threatened the African horn’s country of military retaliation.

The introduction of the Su 24 in Khartoum’s inventory, will give a substantial firepower to the Sudanese air forces. It will allow Sudan to strike in depth in case of conflict with any of its turbulent neighbors.