Alexiandra announces multi-billion credit Air Force modernisation
LOCKBOURNE, ALEXIANDRA - The Alexiandran Defence Directorate today announced a new, 35 billion credit modernisation programme for the National Air Force. At a press conference in Lockbourne, the nation's capital, Defence Consul Lysander Corleone promised 'a wholesale expansion of the valuable role played by our valiant airmen and women'. The announcement comes just days after rebels in the troubled Hamza Strip downed an AH-93 Spirit helicopter gunship with shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. Monday's incident cost the lives of four Alexiandran servicemen and prompted retaliatory bombing of militant targets across the region by Alexiandran air assets.
Asked about what forms the new investment would take, Consul Corleone mentioned 'a successor to the Illusion multirole fighter', which was developed in Anemos Major and acquired via purchase in 2012. The successor, he promised, would be 'Alexiandran through and through', and would 'lead the industry in terms of both performance and economics'. This move towards domestically sourced vehicles fits a developing pattern in Alexiandran military procurement, according to experts. In recent years, the National Armed Forces have commissioned a new, domestically produced main battle tank - the MBT-45 Brimstone - and a series of small arms manufactured within the Republic.
In addition to a replacement for the Illusion Multirole Fighter, Consul Corleone promised 'new strategic options' and 'a wealth of innovative technologies in a wide variety of expanding fields'. Experts have interpreted this as a reference to the stealth bomber rumoured to be under development by the Air Force, as well as a hint at a new focus on cyber warfare and satellite technology.