Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Retired U.S. General slams U.S. delay in fighter transfers to Ukraine

03/02/2026

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula criticized U.S. policy on military assistance to Ukraine during a Substack Live podcast hosted by military historian Phillips P. O’Brien, arguing that Washington delayed providing key combat capabilities early in the war because American leaders were deterred by Russian rhetoric.

Israeli Air Force deploys F-35I Adir fighter fleet in Operation Roaring Lion amid pngoing strikes on targets in Iran

The Israeli Air Force is using its most advanced combat aircraft, the F-35I Adir, in strikes on targets in Iran. These aircraft are adapted to Israeli requirements and represent a customized version of the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

A, B, C: What’s the difference between the different Lockheed Martin F-35 variants?

To maintain combat dominance across air, land, and sea, the multirole F-35 strike fighter is available in three major variants: a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, a short/vertical takeoff and landing (SVTOL) variant, and a carrier-based variant.

UK fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone flying towards Qatar

A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatar, the UK’s Defence Ministry has said. It is believed to be the first drone shot down by a UK fighter jet since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliation. A squadron of Typhoons was deployed to Qatar earlier this year.

Japan joins U.S., Philippines for military exercises in waters near Taiwan

Japan, the Philippines and the United States held joint military drills near the Bashi Channel, the waterway between the Philippines and Taiwan, for the first time earlier this week. The naval and aerial exercises were conducted under the framework of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), and ran from Feb. 20 through Thursday.

Sweden confirms Russian drone intercepted near French aircraft carrier

Sweden’s military has confirmed that a drone disabled near a visiting French aircraft carrier this week was Russian, prompting France to condemn what it described as a “ridiculous provocation” by Moscow. The incident took place in the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark, as France’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was on a visit to the region.

France May Partner With India on Sixth-Generation Fighter as Germany Proves Difficult Match

Against the backdrop of the European FCAS sixth-generation fighter program's collapse, talk has begun about participants seeking other partners. Among these is France's proposal to replace Germany with India. Various media, particularly Indian and Asian outlets, began spreading such information. Though this may seem strange from the outside, these countries may genuinely have more in common than it appears.

Open-source data indicates more than 300 US military aircraft deployed to CENTCOM

As tensions grow between the US and Iran, Anadolu has tracked dozens of jets and military aircraft heading to US bases in the Middle East. According to open source intelligence reports, there are more than 300 US military aircraft in the region, primarily distributed between Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, including carrier air wings 8 and 9 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers.

The Brazilian Air Force’s Gripen E fighter jets carried out their first Air Defense Alert mission

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) reached a new milestone in its operational history with the first Air Defense Alert mission carried out by its modern F-39E Gripen fighters. The deployment, conducted from Anápolis Air Base (Brazil), marks a new chapter in the consolidation of the weapons system after achieving Full Operational Capability.

IDF says 200 jets involved in Air Force’s largest-ever attack sortie

Afghanistan Says Pakistan Fighter Jet Down as Cross-Border Strikes Flare

The Uruguayan Air Force officially presented its first A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft in Durazno

US and Israel carry out joint attack on Iran as Tehran launches retaliatory strikes

Türkiye Secures Landmark Hürjet Export Deal with Spain

Argentina’s Historic Leap Forward with the Incorporation of Cutting-Edge Military Technology

Iran Turned to Russia, China for Missiles After 12-Day War

US ramps up deployments to CENTCOM despite ongoing talks with Iran

U.S. Deploys F-22s to Israel as Iran Tries To Intimidate Washington’s Arab Partners

Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan in ‘Open War’ Against Taliban Government

Coming Soon: Experimental CCA Ops, Flights with F-22s