Looks like the US may have succeeded in spiriting a copy of Russia’s main short range SAM system out of Libya. (h/t to an alert reader of the blog. Thank you)
February 23, 2021
September 8, 2020
Another Russian jet down in Libya?
Maybe. Story here.
May 26, 2020
MiG-29s in Libya
Looks like Russia is sending clandestine support to rebels in Libya. The most interesting part of the story to me is the fact that the MiG-29 is almost completely out of the Russian Air Force inventory.
October 9, 2019
An interesting story
...from the end of the cold war. I recall that the Israelis did something similar stealing an entire SA-2 or SA-3 SAM radar unit from the Egyptians back in the 70s.
May 7, 2019
Libyan F.1
Reports are that a Portuguese pilot flying as a mercenary for rebel forces in Libya has been shot down by Libyan National Army forces. More as the story develops.
January 10, 2018
Interesting story
I ran across this on the internet. I hadn’t heard this particular story before regarding the French operations in Chad.
May 12, 2015
Libyan rebel MiG-25s
I previously noted that the Libyan rebel group, Libya Dawn was reported to be trying to get ex-LAF MiG-25s flying again to use as bombers against government forces.
Much to my surprise, they apparently got at least one of the two-seat trainer MiG-25s flying. Unsurprisingly it apparently crashed or was shot down while being used as a bomber.
In this photo, the rebel group has apparently put some sort of insignia on he aircraft.
I will be interested to see what happens next.
April 15, 2015
MiG-25 news
Apparently Libyan rebels are trying to get some MiG-25s flying again, and apparently using them for ground attack. Color me amazed if they manage to do it.
July 23, 2014
Ouch.
Man, this was expensive. I cannot imagine the insurance fight that is going to take place on this claim. Remind me not to fly to Tripoli.
October 27, 2012
Devastating, if true
More info on the debacle in Libya. Bing West is a respected military writer and reporter. If what he says is true, someone needs to be punished.