Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Wave of interceptions of Russian aircraft by Spanish fighters in Lithuania

09/17/2025

In early August, the Spanish Air Force deployed eight Eurofighter fighter jets (C-16, according to the Spanish designation) to the Lithuanian base, under the name Vilkas Detachment. This is a Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission with NATO, in which Spanish fighter jets are participating for the 12th time to provide support to three NATO member countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) that have very small air forces and no combat aircraft of their own.

ATAC Awarded Fleet Fighter Jet Services Contract for Up to $555M in Air Services Over Five Years for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc., announced today that it was awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to continue to provide the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with training support services under the Fleet Fighter Jet Services (FJS) program. This latest award builds on ATAC’s 20 years of success supporting the U.S. Navy with high subsonic and supersonic aircraft flying a variety of airborne threat simulations.

China converts Cold War jet into combat drone

At the Changchun Air Show, China publicly displayed for the first time a J-6 fighter aircraft that has been converted into a drone, marking a rare appearance of the retrofitted Cold War-era jet in unmanned form.

US approves $3.4 billion F-16 fighter jet sale to Peru

The United States has struck a potentially significant military deal with Peru, approving a $3.42 billion sale of advanced F-16 Fighting Falcon single- and dual-seat jets plus a support package of weapons and spare parts aimed at modernizing the South American nation’s air force.

Japan deploys fighter jets to NATO bases

Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including four F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the United States, Canada and Europe in an unprecedented mission to support NATO. The mission, dubbed Atlantic Eagles, reportedly marks the first time in history that Japanese warplanes have deployed to Canada and Europe.

UK jets to defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursion

Fighter jets from the UK will join Nato allies in defending Polish airspace after last week's incursion of Russian drones, the defence secretary has confirmed. RAF Typhoon jets will fly air defence missions over Poland as part of the military alliance's mission to bolster the eastern flank.

The Hellenic Air Force is evaluating the purchase of additional F-35A fighters from the U.S. instead of modernizing its 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the Block 70 standard

In what would constitute a significant shift in its future modernization plans, the Hellenic Air Force is reportedly evaluating the purchase of additional F-35 stealth fighters from the U.S., which would effectively rule out continuing the upgrade of its remaining fleet of 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft. According to local media reports, the Greek government is interested in acquiring between 8 and 12 fifth-generation aircraft, which would join the 20 F-35s already ordered.

DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield. With the extensive development of C4I systems, electronic warfare and other avionics, the aircraft has evolved into a system hub. While the global primes work to achieve a sixth-generation capability, it remains crucial that the defence industry continues to develop the 4.5-5th generation market.

Turkey’s Security Outlook Without The F-35: A Multi-Layered Strategy – OpEd

Stealth technology, embodied by the F-35 fighter jet, poses a serious challenge to many air defense systems. But how does a country without access to such aircraft construct an effective defense posture? Since Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program, Ankara has pursued a multi-layered strategy to close the capability gap. The key elements of this approach are outlined below.

British P-8 Poseidon Flies Unusual Overland Mission Along Polish Border

Swedish Air Force Gripen Fighters Intercept Russian Su-30SM/SM2 and Su-35 Combat Aircraft over the Baltic

Poland Purchases Rounds for Its FA-50 Fighter Jets for the First Time

Poland, Romania scramble jets as NATO ally records new Russian drone violation

TAI advances KAAN fifth-generation fighter as European nations express interest

Piloting a Fighter Jet Is One of the World’s Most Dangerous Jobs

US F-35s seen landing in Puerto Rico amid Venezuela tensions

Japan to dispatch F-15s to Europe, Canada for 1st time

Singapore Defence Minister reaffirms plan for 20 F-35 fighter jets as first delivery set for 2026

After Poland, Russia breaches Romania's airspace, prompting Nato to ramp up security

Air Force B-2 bomber tests ship-killer bomb off of Norway