An unidentified Italian aircraft, possibly operated by the intelligence services, flew to Tehran today using a fake identifier. The reason behind the flight remains unknown, but it is still interesting to retrace the investigative process that allowed us to establish a few key points about this flight, while leaving many questions unanswered.
https://t.co/gbjxYjRXpY
Today has been a day of intense NATO activity over the Black Sea. It has been a long time since we last tracked such a concentration of SIGINT activity all at once.
https://t.co/RfNG7gBS3p
@lnteISky It’s possible. P-8s often fly using tactical callsigns. However, it’s also true that P-8s have become quite a rare sight at Sigonella lately, so we cannot rule out the possibility that it was indeed the same aircraft.
Yesterday, we tracked its return to Sigonella. Today, the same Poseidon (reg. 170269) returned to Varna, where it will be employed in maritime surveillance missions over the Black Sea.
Today, after a few months, we tracked a Greek P-3 Orion actually conducting a mission. It is believed to be one of the modernised Greek P-3s, possibly the first aircraft to undergo the upgrade.
(thanks to @Geiasou69)
https://t.co/lsGPCOhfZ7
@Geiasou69 Sì, sicuramente è un P-3 e dovrebbe essere il primo di quelli ammodernati. Lo avevamo tracciato già qualche mese fa durante un volo di prova con lo stesso c/s.
Di solito viaggia sempre con tutto spento.
The Italian Air Force Lockheed C-130J carrying the remains of the four Italian servicemen killed in last week’s tragic accident in Bosnia is currently en route to Ciampino.
🙏
Another change of the guard at Souda. This morning, a Rivet Joint (reg. 62-4132) arrived at Souda from RAF Mildenhall, while this afternoon another aircraft (reg. 62-4138) departed Souda for RAF Mildenhall.
These assets are most likely operating in the Gulf region, although their missions are not trackable.
During the bilateral talks held at Decimomannu Air Base on the UK-Italy air relationship and opportunities to further deepen cooperation in the field of Air Mobility, this patch was spotted on the arm of a British pilot.
😍
The US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon deployment to Varna, Bulgaria, for maritime surveillance missions over the Black Sea appears to have come to an end.
The aircraft has departed the Bulgarian city and is currently en route to NAS Sigonella.
Carabinieri Agusta A109N (reg. MM81663 – c/s FIAMMA42) flying over Turin.
Although assigned to the Albenga Helicopter Unit, the helicopter is based in Turin these days.
(📷 Matteo Arrotta)
This morning, we tracked a new US Navy P-8A Poseidon mission over the Black Sea. This was not a SIGINT mission, as such flights have not been conducted for several months, but rather a maritime surveillance mission conducted within the Bulgarian EEZ to help prevent Russian maritime drone attacks against civilian shipping.
Details ⬇️
https://t.co/A9VIjDN2Dc
The whole arrangement is based on the current division of work shares among the three partners: the UK, Italy and Japan. If Germany were to join the programme, these shares would have to be renegotiated, something Japan has already indicated it would not look favourably upon.
There could also be changes to the project itself (I would be surprised if Germany agreed to participate without wanting to have a say in its development), which would inevitably mean further delays. On this point, Japan has been very clear that it is unwilling to compromise on the schedule.
Perhaps the best solution would be to welcome Germany as an observer, although this is not something Germany itself wants.
In short, we need to proceed very cautiously, especially given the considerable funds already committed to the programme.
Following the developments in Poland, the Polish President, who was en route to Senegal aboard flight PLF101 for a state visit, is now returning to Warsaw.