Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 2 military aircraft

12/29/2025

The Ministry of National Defense tracked two Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and two official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday. The two People’s Liberation Army did not cross the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

Turkish unmanned fighter KIZILELMA achieves world 1st autonomous close-formation flight

Turkish defense company Baykar announced on Sunday that two prototypes of its Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft have successfully carried out the world’s first fully autonomous close-formation flight by jet-powered drones.

Lockheed Martin awarded $3.6 billion contract for logistics support of global F-35 fighter fleet

On 19 December, the United States Department of War announced the signing of another contract with Lockheed Martin for the provision of logistics support services for the global fleet of multirole combat aircraft from the F-35 Lightning II family. The December agreement is valued at USD 3.6 billion and is to be completed by the end of 2026, with an initial tranche of USD 1.8 billion released at the time of signing.

Japan responds to China with unprecedented number of F-2 Fighters with anti-ship missiles

On 9 December 2025, at Tsuiki Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), at least 16 F-2 fighter aircraft were observed conducting training flights with each jet carrying four ASM-2 air-to-ship missiles mounted under their main wings. The ASM-2 is an indigenously developed Japanese anti-ship missile with a range exceeding 140 km. It employs an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and is equipped with infrared counter-countermeasures (IRCCM) as well as target discrimination capabilities.

Ukrainian Saboteurs Destroy 4 Russian Fighter Jets

Last weekend, the Ukrainian Security Service and Ukrainian Military Intelligence were on the hunt for Russian fighter jets. In two separate operations, the Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed four Russian aircraft (a Su-27 Flanker and three Su-30 Flankers). The four aircraft cost approximately $170 million. On Saturday, the GUR used a saboteur to attack the Russian air base in Lipetsk. In a post released by the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, the Ukrainians called the operation “unique.

Advanced AI sustainment solutions to boost effectiveness of US combat aircraft fleet

A Maryland-based company is set to integrate advanced AI-driven sustainment solutions into the U.S. combat aircraft fleet. For this, Lockheed Martin has partnered with MANTECH, which provides mission-focused technology solutions and services for U.S. defense, intelligence and federal civilian agencies.

Korea Aerospace signs deal to upgrade Philippines' FA-50PH fighter jets

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a Korean aircraft manufacturer, said Friday it has signed a deal with the Philippine defense ministry to upgrade the performance of its FA-50 fighter jets operated by the Philippine Air Force. The company said it will carry out a 93 billion-won ($64 million) performance upgrade program for 11 FA-50PH light attack aircraft through 2029.

Dassault completed the delivery of the first three new Rafale F4 fighters to the Indonesian Air Force

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) officially received the first batch of new Rafale F4 fighters during a ceremony held on November 28, 2025, at Dassault Aviation’s facility in Mérignac, Bordeaux. The event, led by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Wakasau), Air Marshal TNI Ir. Tedi Rizalihadi S., M.M., formally marks the start of the delivery schedule for a total of 42 new aircraft, of which 30 are single-seat and 12 are twin-seat, to be supplied by the French manufacturer.

Russian Tu-95 Bombers Carry Out ‘Scheduled’ Flight North of Scandinavia

Russian nuclear-capable bombers conducted a “scheduled” flight over the Norwegian and Barents Seas, prompting “fighter jets of foreign countries” to escort them, Russia’s defense ministry said on Thursday, according to Russian news agencies. Neither the date of the Tu-95 flights nor the countries that deployed monitoring aircraft were specified.

No F-35A Fighter Debate: There Is No Way Canada Should Buy The JAS 39 Gripen

Polish Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Reconnaissance Aircraft, while Weather Probes from Belarus Violated Polish Airspace

US military moves additional special-ops aircraft, troops into Caribbean as Trump hikes pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro

Editors’ picks for 2025: ‘Ukraine’s air force has survived. Taiwan’s almost certainly couldn’t

South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter jet to gain full air-to-ground strike capability by 2027

Editors’ picks for 2025: ‘More F-35s, more tankers: a reliable way to strengthen Australian deterrence’

Lockheed?Martin?and?MANTECH?Partner To Advance AI Based Sustainment For U.S. Combat Aircraft Fleet

Air Force designates Northrop Grumman’s Talon prototype as YFQ-48A

Russia begins flight tests of Su-57 fighter with new fifth-generation engine

Ukraine said it sneaked into a guarded Russian airbase and destroyed 2 jets worth up to $100 million combined

Saab submits proposal for Canadian Gripen and GlobalEye production with over 12,000 jobs