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Military Aviation News

Northrop Grumman to Develop USMC Collaborative Combat Aircraft

01/14/2026

Northrop Grumman and defense partner Kratos were selected on January 8, to develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) initiative. The Other Transaction Agreement award is worth about $231.5 million and funds a rapid two-year effort.

Navy demonstrates AI-enabled autonomy for future collaborative combat aircraft

The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Croatian Air Force Dassault Rafales Can Now Patrol Eastern Europe

On January 1, 2026, NATO member Croatia assumed complete air policing duties, concluding a transition period during which aircraft from the Italian and Hungarian air forces had filled the role. Following the modernization of its air force, Croatia now independently monitors the skies over its homeland—yet it continues to operate 24/7 under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS).

China confirms J-10CE achieves first combat victory

China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense confirmed on Jan. 12 that the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory last May, stating that the aircraft downed several adversary aircraft in an aerial engagement without suffering losses.

India and France near major deal for 114 Rafale fighters ahead of Macron visit

India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. According to new Indian media reports, New Delhi is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large IAF order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to plug growing gaps in its fighter inventory.

Dassault Aviation leads $200 million Harmattan AI Series B to support AI integration in combat air systems

Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems. As part of the agreement, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.

Exclusive: Pakistan and Indonesia closing in on jets and drones defence deal, sources say

Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player.

The NGAD Program Is More than Just a Fighter Jet

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is centered around the F-47, a manned fighter contract that was awarded to Boeing last spring. But the NGAD program contains more than just the F-47—the program also includes unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), for manned-unmanned teaming, and a series of sensors, networks, and other weapons.

Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS

Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI and is leading the startup’s $200 million Series B funding round to accelerate the integration of “controlled autonomy” and artificial intelligence into future combat aviation systems.

Expert: Issue of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine resolved, technical consultations ongoing

India Allocates $1 Billion to Replace Russian Il-78MKI Refueling Aircraft

Italy Is Breaking Ground on Europe’s First F-35 Training Center

JF-17 gains traction as Iraq explores fighter jet purchase

Pakistan negotiates a $1.5 billion military agreement with Sudan that would include JF-17 Block III 4.5-gen fighter jets

Russia lost up to 21 tactical aircraft in 2025 – Defence24

US Marines test deadly autonomous drones that can assist crewed fighter jets

While the US military grabbed Maduro, where was Venezuela’s air force?

Why is Pakistan selling its JF-17 fighter jets to Bangladesh and others?

US military planes pictured at Scottish airport during tanker seizing operation

UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says