Aviation

Private Cessna aircraft crashes off coast of Latvia

A Cessna 551 aircraft has crashed off the coast of Latvia under mysterious circumstances. The incident, which occurred on Sunday (September 4) saw the private plane crash into the Baltic Sea after an erratic flight traveling from Spain.

According to FlightRadar24, the Cessna 551 with an Austrian registration took off from Jerez in southern Spain at 12:56 GMT without having a predetermined destination.

Before traveling straight out over the Baltic and passing close to the Swedish island of Gotland, it made two turns at Paris and Cologne. The flight tracker indicated that it was quickly losing speed and altitude around 1737 GMT.

A representative for Sweden’s rescue service stated, “We have learned that the plane has crashed (in the ocean) northwest of the town of Ventspils in Latvia. It is no longer visible on the radar.

The aircraft had been sent earlier for inspection as it flew through the airspace of Germany and Denmark, but the war planes were unable to establish contact. They could not see anyone in the cockpit,” he said.

When it was learned that the plane had crashed, Lithuania dispatched an air force helicopter to the scene to search for survivors, and Latvia dispatched its navy. Veita confirmed that there was still no sign of the four people who had been onboard the private plane.

The Latvian Civil Aviation Authority stated in a statement that “the aircraft was traveling from Spain to Cologne, however the aircraft changed its flight path throughout the journey.”

He also added that the passengers on board were clearly disabled” and that there was “no explanation at all” for what had occurred. The position of the plane’s passengers is still unknown.

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Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.