2025 Military Aviation News
12/13/2025
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles from the United States. The missiles will be compatible with the F-35A multi-role combat aircraft and will supplement the armament of Finland’s future F-35 fleet.
(Read More...)
12/13/2025
The Pentagon is rapidly expanding U.S. military capabilities tied to Operation Southern Spear, a mission that began as a counter-narcotics effort but is increasingly focused on pressure against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
(Read More...)
12/13/2025
While the French create problems with the FCAS sixth-generation fighter project, a serious competitor from the U.S. has appeared in Europe. And we're talking about General Atomics, which wants to sell Germany and other countries in the region its Gambit unmanned fighter. So, a mockup of the European variant of this UAV was presented at the German airport Oberpfaffenhofen. This is promoted as a low-risk and realistic solution for enhancing capabilities in the
(Read More...)
12/13/2025
In the midst of the wait for the definition of the future multirole fighter that will be chosen to renew the combat fleet of the Peruvian Air Force, Congress approved the second tranche of financing destined for the acquisition of 24 next-generation fighter aircraft. The measure was formalized in the Public Sector Borrowing Law for the 2026 fiscal year.
(Read More...)
12/13/2025
Switzerland said on Friday it would reduce the number of Lockheed Martin, opens new tab F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it is buying from the United States so it can stick to the original budget plan after the cost of the order rose. Bern chose the F-35A as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021 for what it considered a fixed price of 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.54 billion) for 36 jets. The United States later said that sum was a misunderstanding.
(Read More...)
12/13/2025
US Air Force pilots have a new training aircraft, the T-7 Red Hawk, promising to prepare them to fly fifth-generation fighters, stealth bombers, and the US' planned sixth-generation fighter. The first T-7 Red Hawk trainer, made by Boeing, arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas this month. The new training aircraft will replace Northrop Grumman's T-38 Talon, which pilots have been training on for six decades.
(Read More...)
12/12/2025
Russia’s Su-57 began life powered by the AL-41F1/117S, a deeply modernized Su-27 engine used as a stopgap while a true 5th-generation powerplant was developed. That engine, now designated AL-51F1 (177S), only flew on a Su-57 testbed in 2017 and has just entered low-rate production.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
12/12/2025
The U.S. military buildup around Venezuela is no routine counternarcotics mission. Washington is assembling a carrier strike group, amphibious forces, long-range bombers, and dense ISR coverage to coerce Nicolás Maduro into dismantling the foothold China, Russia, and Iran have built inside the Western Hemisphere.
(Read More...)
12/12/2025
Ukrainian sources say Russia’s defense industry delivered roughly 14 Su-34 frontline bombers and about 10 Su-35S fighter jets to its armed forces in 2025, expanding Moscow’s tactical aviation inventory as the war enters its fourth year.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
12/12/2025
Germany, France and Spain will try this week to break a deadlock over Europe’s next-generation fighter jet programme, a project worth up to 100 billion euros ($117 billion) seen as vital for the region’s defence ambitions as the war in Ukraine grinds on. The push for progress at talks between the countries' defence ministers follows mounting political pressure to salvage the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), launched more than eight years ago but stalled by industrial rivalries.
(Read More...)
12/12/2025
U.S. nuclear-capable bombers flew over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese fighter jets on Wednesday, Tokyo said, in a show of force following Chinese and Russian drills in the skies and seas around U.S. allies Japan and South Korea. Japan and the U.S. "reaffirmed their strong resolve to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force and confirmed the readiness posture of both the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces," Japan's defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
(Read More...)
12/11/2025
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath flew over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on 4 December, underscoring U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s ability to deliver agile airpower with NATO Allies. The sortie highlighted cooperation across the region as part of ongoing support to Europe’s Eastern Flank.
(Read More...)
12/11/2025
The U.S. has reiterated that Turkey must give up the S-400 missile defense system it purchased from Russia to be eligible for the acquisition of advanced F-35 fighter jets. "As laid out in U.S. law, Turkiye must no longer operate nor possess the S-400 system to return to the F-35 program," U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack wrote in a statement on his X account. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been discussing the issue with President Donald Trump for months.
(Read More...)
12/11/2025
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
(Read More...)
12/11/2025
"As weapons technology continues to develop, fighter pilots need to shoot and intercept adversaries from increasingly longer distances," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Vane, 20th Operations Support Squadron commander. "As a result, we are starting to outgrow our primary air combat training airspace off the S.C. coastline. Additionally, Shaw AFB is situated near one of the busiest air traffic corridors in the United States; there is physically no room for our airspace to grow."
(Read More...)
12/10/2025
Bangladesh has committed to operating the Eurofighter Typhoon, signing a letter of intent with Italy’s Leonardo in Dhaka today. The LOI was signed at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). Present at the signing were Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh H.E. Antonio Alessandro, and other representatives from both the Bangladesh armed forces and Italy.
(Read More...)
12/10/2025
Poland is in talks over donating further MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine. Warsaw hopes to receive access to drone and missile technologies from Kyiv in return. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the general staff of the Polish armed forces announced that “negotiations are ongoing with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft”, without specifying the number.
(Read More...)
12/10/2025
Nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and exited South Korea’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on December 9, 2025, prompting the country’s Air Force to scramble fighter jets, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
(Read More...)
12/10/2025
Russian and Chinese bombers conducted a joint patrol Tuesday, flying over the East China Sea and Western Pacific, prompting Seoul and Tokyo to scramble fighter aircraft to monitor the flights. At approximately 10:00 a.m. local time, seven Russian military aircraft and two Chinese military aircraft entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the same day in a news release. No airspace violation occurred, the release re
(Read More...)
12/10/2025
The two Super Hornets, callsigns Rhino 11 and Rhino 12, look to have remained in international airspace throughout the duration of their sorties in the Gulf of Venezuela today, though this remains unconfirmed. Spoofing aircraft in open-source flight tracking is possible and does happen, but in this case, considering what we are seeing, and the recent history of certain U.S. platforms making their presence very known off the coast of Venezuela, this seems unlikely.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
A Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet was lost during a combat mission on December 8 in the eastern region of the country, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed in a public statement. “At noon on December 8, 2025, in the eastern direction, during the execution of a combat mission in a Su-27 aircraft, the senior navigator of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Vitaliiovych Ivanov, was killed. The circumstances are being clarified.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
Japan on Monday rejected China's claim that interference by Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jets during Chinese naval training prompted radar to be locked on the planes, local media reported. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) jets kept a "safe distance" from Chinese military aircraft off Japan's southernmost province of Okinawa, according to the Tokyo-based Kyodo News.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
Lawmakers resolving differences in the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization bill want to stop cuts to the Air Force’s combat fleet by blocking scores of planned divestments of aging A-10 and F-15E fighters. The bill, unveiled Dec. 7, rejects the Air Force plan to retire all 162 A-10s still flying along with 21 F-15Es in 2026. If passed into law, the measure would limit divestments this fiscal year to just 59 A-10s and no F-15Es.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
Before it bought the more modern Su-30MK2 Flanker fighter jet from Russia, Venezuela’s most advanced combat aircraft was the F-16A/B Fighting Falcon. Indeed, the F-16 was the most advanced combat aircraft in the entire region. Purchased during a period of close US-Venezuelan cooperation, the F-16s symbolized Venezuela’s efforts to modernize and align with the US. Yet four decades later, the fleet is a shadow of its former self.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
The United States government has authorized the possible sale of hundreds of GBU-39/B SDB-I glide bombs intended to equip the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter aircraft. This information comes from one of the most recent notifications submitted by the Department of State to the U.S. Congress in order to approve the operation, which falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program and is valued at US$118.8 million.
(Read More...)
12/09/2025
Congress’ proposed compromise National Defense Authorization Act would authorize $900.6 billion in discretionary defense spending in fiscal 2026, which would be an $8 billion increase over the Pentagon’s budget request this summer.
(Read More...)
12/08/2025
The United States government has authorized the sale of new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35A stealth fighters. This was disclosed in one of the most recent notifications issued by the U.S. Department of State to Congress, approving the operation under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and valued at US$ 730 million.
(Read More...)
12/08/2025
Norwegian F-35 fighter aircraft returned to Ørland Air Base on December 1, marking the end of their operational deployment in Poland. The mission formed part of a joint Norwegian–Dutch air readiness commitment under NATO command.
(Read More...)
12/07/2025
After months of speculation and diplomatic manoeuvres, Bangladesh appears to have made its choice in the race to modernise its air force. Despite earlier interest in European aircraft, Dhaka is now leaning towards a deal with Beijing – a decision that could shift the balance of power in South Asia’s skies.
(Read More...)
12/07/2025
The U.S. Marine Corps says pilots and deck crews from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) wrapped up a fresh round of F-35B Lightning II fighter jet deck landing qualifications aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility. Unit officials described the evolution as a routine but essential step that keeps shipborne aviation procedures sharp, particularly as the MEU prepares for a busy operational cycle across the Pacific.
(Read More...)
12/07/2025
Chinese J-15 fighter jets launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier “intermittently directed their radar" at ASDF F-15 fighters, the ministry said early Sunday. The F-15s had been scrambled as a response to a potential airspace intrusion, and came as the Chinese carrier and three missile destroyers were holding exercises.
(Read More...)
12/06/2025
The Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force (JEMA), General Francisco Braco, has revealed that the Spanish Air Force will take delivery of a total of six new aircraft in the first months of 2026: three Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and three C295 VIGMA maritime surveillance aircraft, and that he is confident in the continuity of the NGWS/FCAS programme for the future European air combat system.
(Read More...)
12/06/2025
MBDA, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have completed major ground integration tests to validate safe carriage and release of the Meteor missile from the F-35A’s internal bay. The step positions the program for flight trials and marks a significant shift in NATO air combat reach and readiness.
(Read More...)
12/06/2025
Argentina has officially received its first six Lockheed Martin F-16A/BM Fighting Falcon fighters, ending a decade without a supersonic interceptor. The jets landed at the Río IV Material Area on Friday, December 5, after a weeklong trip from Skrydstrup, Denmark, with stopovers in Zaragoza, Gando in Spain, and Natal in Brazil.
(Read More...)
12/06/2025
The Austrian Ministry of Defence confirmed on 29 November that it has finalised its purchase of 12 M-346FA (Fighter Attack) aircraft from the Italian aerospace/defence manufacturer, Leonardo. The finalisation of this acquisition – which has been inked as a government-to-government agreement – comes almost a year after Vienna initially announced its decision to procure 12 M-346FAs to replace the Austrian Air Force’s now-retired fleet of Cold War-era Saab J105Ö twin-engine jet trainers.
(Read More...)
12/06/2025
Saab, opens new tab and Airbus, opens new tab are discussing co-operation on unmanned warplane technology, senior executives of the companies told Reuters, a move highlighting surging interest in drones and evolving alliances in Europe's fractured defence industry. The project, revealed in separate CEO interviews at a European industry event this week, focuses on exploring unmanned aircraft to support the current generation of crewed combat jets.
(Read More...)
12/05/2025
South Korea has approved a 435.9 billion won program to develop a homegrown short-range air-to-air missile for the KF-21 Boramae. The effort aims to deepen strategic autonomy and strengthen the fighter's export value as regional demand for advanced aircraft grows.
(Read More...)
12/05/2025
Ukrainian military intelligence forces reportedly carried out a precision operation targeting Russian military infrastructure in temporarily occupied Crimea, destroying a MiG-29 fighter jet at the Kacha airbase and damaging a radar installation near Simferopol, on December 4.
(Read More...)
12/05/2025
It’s a big deal whenever an aircraft carrier loses a plane during a deployment. In a six-month span while deployed to the Red Sea this year, the USS Harry S. Truman lost three F/A-18 Super Hornets, including one that was accidentally shot down by another Navy ship in a friendly fire incident.
(Read More...)
12/05/2025
Northrop Grumman has unveiled a new autonomous combat drone known as Project Talon, with an eye toward dramatically lowering the price point and speeding up the development and manufacture of large uncrewed aircraft.
(Read More...)
12/04/2025
The Brazilian Air Force has completed its first firings of the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile from the Gripen E, marking an important step in the fighter’s operational development. Saab said the November tests confirmed the aircraft’s long range air combat capability after both missiles hit their designated targets during the BVR X Technical Exercise at Natal Air Base.
(Read More...)
12/04/2025
The first jet fighters appeared in World War II – yes, that long ago! Soon after, propeller-driven light combat aircraft were pushed to the margins. This process accelerated further with the spread of missile air defense systems. A shoulder-launched missile can eliminate any slow aircraft, so it seems better not to even come on the modern battlefield with a propeller-driven fighter plane.
(Read More...)
12/04/2025
The exercise was designed to test the 354th Fighter Wing’s ability to rapidly generate, deploy, and sustain its combat aircraft in a near-peer operational environment. F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets have recently been deployed to Alaska to hone their arctic warfare capabilities. The Air Force conducted the exercise to test and validate its Arctic warfare capabilities and prepare for potential combat operations in the High North.
(Read More...)
12/04/2025
An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon belonging to the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team crashed this afternoon in California, the Air Force said. “On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission over controlled airspace in California,” according to a statement from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office. “The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care.”
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
Amid various doubts that seemed to point toward purchasing new F-35 fighters at the expense of the upgrade program, the Hellenic Air Force has ultimately decided to continue moving forward with modernizing its fleet of F-16 Block 50 fighters to the Block 70 standard, a fleet that currently consists of around 38 aircraft. According to local media reports, the decision already has the approval of the current Greek government.
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
Egypt officially announced a significant step in its journey toward localizing defense industries after the Arab Organization for Industrialization revealed its success in locally manufacturing components of the French Rafale fighter jet. This announcement was made during the launch of the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX 2025), currently hosted by Egypt under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has publicly confirmed that India is pursuing a plan to acquire 90 Rafale F4 fighter jets, with an additional option for 24 Rafale F5s, marking the most explicit acknowledgment yet of New Delhi’s commitment to the aircraft’s upcoming variant.
The reference appeared in a ministry analysis, since removed from public access, addressing the information campaign launched by China and echoed by Pakistan following the loss of an Indian Air Force Rafale during M
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
China’s navy is gradually moving closer to becoming a peer adversary for U.S.naval forces in the Pacific region, as evidenced by China’s growing number of modern aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The increasing quality of these flattops also threatens to erase the qualitative advantages that U.S. ships currently have.
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
Air, land and naval forces from Qatar, Turkey, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and the United States converged across their respective domains to raise combat efficiency by building integrated command and control systems capable of achieving combat readiness in joint operations during Ferocious Falcon 6, an exercise hosted and led by Qatar, Nov. 16-20.
(Read More...)
12/03/2025
Carrier Air Wing 8 provides powerful options. Yet while US aircraft carriers have delivered remarkable results in Operation Rough Rider and other strikes in the Middle East, their recent combat success is masking a problem that will only get worse: old planes.
(Read More...)
12/02/2025
On November 28, 2025, the Indonesian Air Force held an acceptance ceremony for the first three Rafale fighters at Dassault Aviation’s Merignac production line in Bordeaux. Marking the official handover of these jets, the event was attended by representatives of Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales, the Indonesian Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff, who represented the Air Force leadership and oversaw technical presentations, airframe inspections, and reviews of airworthiness and op readiness.
(Read More...)
12/02/2025
Swedish and British armed forces conducted the Viking flame trials at Donna Nook Air Weapons Range in Lincolnshire between 10 and 14 November. The aim was to strengthen self protection capabilities and improve the survivability of NATO combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
12/02/2025
South Korea has formed a government-wide task force to push the development of a locally manufactured engine for next-generation fighter aircraft, according to local media. The ministerial group consists of agencies for industry, land, and defense, with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Korea AeroSpace Administration directing coordination.
(Read More...)
12/02/2025
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth multirole combat aircraft that originated from the U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.1 Classified as a fifth-generation fighter, it is designed for both air superiority and strike missions, while also possessing advanced electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
(Read More...)
12/02/2025
The Sudanese Defence Ministry is reportedly in talks with Russia to acquire Su-30 and Su-35 fighter aircraft, which would be provided in exchange for rights to build a major naval facility on the Red Sea, according to Military Watch Magazine. The development comes as Russia pushes to establish a permanent naval base in Africa, while Sudan seeks additional weapons for its ongoing conflict, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from Western powers, particularly the United States.
(Read More...)
12/01/2025
NATO has once again been forced into action after four Russian fighter jets sparked an urgent response near the border with Poland. The MiG-31 aircraft flew towards Russia's western border, Bild am Sonntag reported, citing NATO sources. Poland and Germany both placed their air defence systems on high alert.
(Read More...)
12/01/2025
Training for the Czech Republic’s future F-35 pilots moved forward last week as members of the 211th Tactical Squadron completed simulator exercises at the Tactical Simulation Centre in Pardubice. The sessions ran from 10 to 14 November and included instructors from the United States Air Force who specialise in the fifth-generation aircraft.
(Read More...)
12/01/2025
Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth-fighter once again enthralled the spectators at the recent Dubai air show. As India prepares to host Putin, defence cooperation has moved to the centre. Expectations around Putin’s visit are high. S-400 is expected to be the star point of discussion. There could be some discussions on Su-57 collaboration as well.
(Read More...)
12/01/2025
The Philippines is eyeing the acquisition of the most advanced fighter jet made by South Korea, the KF-21. An official of Korea Aerospace Industries told The STAR that KAI is in talks with the Department of National Defense and Philippine Air Force for the procurement of the 4.5-generation fighter jets for the PAF.
(Read More...)
12/01/2025
Baykar’s KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft has achieved a breakthrough moment in aviation, completing the world’s first confirmed shoot-down of a jet-powered target using a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The test, conducted over Sinop, took place before the UCAV has even entered operational service.
(Read More...)
11/30/2025
Russia conducted a high-visibility patrol over the Baltic Sea involving Tu-22M3 long-range bombers armed with Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on November 27. The aircraft were accompanied by Su-35S and Su-27 fighter jets throughout the more than five-hour flight in international airspace.
(Read More...)
11/30/2025
On November 27, 2025, the Brazilian Air Force performed the first live launch of the Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile from a Saab F-39E Gripen. The test, made during the EXTEC BVR-X exercise near Natal Air Base, was conducted in a scenario designed to test the missile and the fighter jet against high-speed aerial targets in conditions intended to reproduce complex operational environments.
(Read More...)
11/30/2025
Baykar Technologies has announced a major milestone for Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, which achieved a direct virtual hit on a Turkish Air Force F-16 during a simulated firing test. The trial took place on 19 November 2025 over Tekirdag, with two F-16s participating in the scenario.
(Read More...)
11/29/2025
Saab has delivered another F-39E Gripen to the Brazilian Air Force, with aircraft 4111 landing at Anápolis Air Base at 10:26 on 19 November after a one-hour and three-minute flight from Navegantes. The jet, piloted by Major Thiago Camargo, is now the eleventh Gripen to arrive in Brazil.
(Read More...)
11/29/2025
Newly leaked data shows that the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was the top-scoring aircraft in Canada’s fighter jet competition, outmatching Saab’s Gripen E by a massive margin. In a 2021 evaluation conducted by Canada’s Department of National Defense, the F-35 received a 95% rating for military capabilities. The Gripen-E finished with a score of 33%, scoring 19.8 points out of 60, according to data obtained by Radio-Canada.
(Read More...)
11/29/2025
A Ukrainian crew operating one of their country's few Dassault Mirage 2000s said their French-built fighter has been nearly 100% effective against Russia's weapons. The Ukrainian Air Force released a video about the fourth-generation combat jet on Wednesday, in which a Mirage pilot and several technicians discussed the aircraft at a forward airstrip.
(Read More...)
11/27/2025
One day after US top military officer General Dan Caine arrived in Trinidad and met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, two US military aircraft are believed to have departed from Scarborough Tobago, headed to North America.
(Read More...)
11/27/2025
The Ukrainian Air Force has released a video showing a French Mirage 2000 fighter jet in action during a combat sortie. In the video, pilots talk about their impressions of the aircraft and demonstrate the launch of a Magic 2 missile. The video was posted on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
(Read More...)
11/27/2025
Expert Reuben F. Johnson pairs a personal story of a lost naval aviator with the F-35’s combat debut as both “tip of the spear” and “tail-end Charlie” over Iran. During Operation Midnight Hammer, F-35s escorted B-2 bombers hundreds of miles into Iranian airspace, then loitered to hunt surface-to-air missile sites and cover the raid’s egress — the most vulnerable phase of any strike.
(Read More...)
11/27/2025
Boeing announced on Tuesday that a new F-15EX fighter aircraft, designated EX15, has been officially delivered to the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, marking the unit’s eighth aircraft of the type and adding momentum to the U.S. Air Force’s growing fleet of upgraded Eagles.
(Read More...)
11/27/2025
Dassault Aviation and Thales have entered a long-term strategic partnership to develop “controlled and supervised” artificial intelligence (AI) for future air combat applications, the two companies announced on November 25, 2025. The agreement was signed on November 18, 2025, by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Thales CEO Patrice Caine, and unveiled at the International Adopt AI Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris.
(Read More...)
11/26/2025
Japan scrambled JASDF fighter aircraft after a presumed Chinese high altitude surveillance drone passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan on November 24, 2025. The incident comes as Tokyo prepares to station a new Type 03 Chu SAM unit on Yonaguni, a move that strengthens air defense coverage across one of the most sensitive points in the first island chain.
(Read More...)
11/26/2025
Construction has continued on NATO member Germany’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, the US-based aerospace firm confirmed. A ceremony marking the signing off on the center-fuselage bulkhead and start of final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility was held last week.
(Read More...)
11/26/2025
On November 18, 2025, Breaking Defense reported that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' ongoing talks with Saudi Arabia now include up to 200 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) based on the Gambit family and 130 MQ-9B drones. At the Dubai Airshow, the company's president, David Alexander, noted that production options inside the Kingdom are being analyzed due to the size of the potential order, one of the largest regional opportunities in the company’s history.
(Read More...)
11/26/2025
The defense chiefs of Japan, the UK and Italy on Tuesday discussed their trilateral collaboration to jointly develop the next-generation fighter aircraft. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto held the Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting via teleconference, according to a statement from Japan’s Defense Ministry.
(Read More...)
11/26/2025
Almost a decade has passed since Israel received its first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter from the United States. The fifth-generation aircraft markedly enhanced Israel’s air superiority and technological edge over the wider region, as demonstrated by recent wars, especially the 12-day June war against Iran. With the U.S. signaling its intent to sell F-35s to other regional states, this may prove the beginning of the end for Israel’s regional monopoly on F-35s.
(Read More...)
11/25/2025
Romania’s radar monitoring systems detected new drones on Monday heading towards the city of Ismail in Ukraine. Consequently, two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the German allies and two F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Forces were launched. Authorities across the Prut issued Ro-Alert warning messages last night for the locals in the north of Tulcea county, reports IPN.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/25/2025
U.S. Company Lockheed Martin has begun producing Germany’s first F-35A, following the ceremonial signing of the aircraft’s center-fuselage bulkhead and the start of final assembly in Fort Worth. The milestone marks a major step in Germany’s shift toward fifth-generation airpower and deeper NATO integration.
(Read More...)
11/25/2025
Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) recently made public an evaluation report on a prospective research and development (R&D) project for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of collaborating with Japan’s next-generation fighter aircraft scheduled to be delivered by 2035 as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Italy and the United Kingdom.
(Read More...)
11/25/2025
Germany’s recently appointed Air Force chief, Lieutenant General Holger Neumann, has signaled that Berlin is prepared to consider alternative paths to a future combat aircraft if the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) continues to face delays and political friction.
(Read More...)
11/24/2025
South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae is a home-grown 4.5-generation “budget stealth” fighter aimed squarely at countries that want advanced jets but can’t afford large F-35 fleets—or don’t want the strings that come with them. owered by twin F414 engines, equipped with an AESA radar and modern avionics, the KF-21 trades full stealth and internal bays for lower cost and easier export.
(Read More...)
11/24/2025
After years of uninterrupted cost growth and mounting implementation problems, the programme to modernise the avionics of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft to the TR-3/Block 4 standard has already exceeded its planned budget by more than six billion US dollars and is five years behind schedule. In an attempt to curb this process, the Pentagon plans to reduce the scope of the modernisation, which will result in the installation of a downgraded TR-3/Block 4 package.
(Read More...)
11/24/2025
Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighters are flying tightly integrated mixed formations with French Rafale and Mirage 2000 jets during Exercise Garuda 25 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France from 16 to 27 November 2025. The eighth Indo-French air exercise brings together over 500 personnel and around 25 aircraft for high-intensity air combat drills that deepen interoperability from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
11/24/2025
Ukraine is extremely interested in resolving the issue of what the country’s Air Force will fly in the 2030s-2080s. The answer to this should be 100-150 Swedish Gripen and/or 100 French Rafale aircraft. But in order to have a reasonable hope for the implementation of such plans, it is necessary to resolve the issue of what Ukrainian pilots should fly in the 2020s.
(Read More...)
11/23/2025
Russia has confirmed that it is working on joint production of the Su-75 Checkmate stealth fighter with Belarus, with the prototype now in final assembly and moving into bench testing ahead of an expected first flight in early 2026. The move deepens Russia Belarus' defense integration and aims to position their Union State as a lower-cost alternative supplier of new-generation combat aircraft to markets that cannot or will not buy Western fighters.
(Read More...)
11/23/2025
Experts warn US deal on ‘lethal’ aircraft presents issues for Australia that ‘we’ve tried desperately to ignore with the Israelis’. Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to sell F-35 joint strike fighter jets to Saudi Arabia will rely on critical Australian components, prompting experts to warn Australia could become complicit in human rights abuses.
(Read More...)
11/23/2025
Plans to put 100-150 Swedish Gripen fighters and/or 100 French Rafales into service with the Ukrainian Air Force mean not only the insane costs of their purchase. And not even just the astronomical costs of their maintenance, especially when it comes to 250 fighters, which only a small number of countries can afford. But these are far from all the aircraft that need to be purchased in order to have combat fighters, as they will not fly without pilots.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/23/2025
The United States government has authorized the possible sale of new GBU-53 glide bombs to equip the fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. This approval is reflected in one of the most recent notifications issued by the State Department to the U.S. Congress, aimed at greenlighting the operation under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program, valued at US$82 million.
(Read More...)
11/22/2025
Israel’s F-35I Adir is a uniquely customized variant of the F-35, tailored for deep, high-risk strikes across the Middle East. Built on the U.S. airframe but fitted with Israeli electronic warfare suites, plug-and-play mission computers, local weapons, and jamming pods, the Adir is optimized for long-range, stealthy penetration.
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
The pilot of an Indian combat plane died after the aircraft crashed Friday during a demonstration flight for spectators at the Dubai Air Show, the Indian Air Force said.The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed around 2:10 p.m. local time after the pilot had flown across the site of the biennial air show in Dubai several times. The plane appeared to lose control and dive directly toward the ground just prior to crashing inside the grounds of the airfield.
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
The Trump administration’s agreement to sell F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia marks a major policy shift, with Washington previously being unwilling to export these high-end jets to Arab states in the Middle East. Such a sale would have significant ramifications for the airpower balance in the region, especially as regards Israel, currently the only F-35 operator in the Middle East, but its ripples could also be felt well beyond Tel Aviv.
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
Should Canada choose to fly the Swedish-built Gripen-E, the country’s air force could receive the first aircraft as quickly — or perhaps even sooner — than the long-awaited American-manufactured F-35, the CEO of Saab signalled Thursday. Micael Johansson also said the defence giant is willing to set up not only an assembly factory in Canada, but a full-fledged manufacturing centre and a research and development hub.
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
Türkiye’s unmanned stealth fighter jet Kizilelma has reached a milestone, locking on an F-16 and achieving a direct hit in its simulated test fire using locally produced advanced MURAD AESA radar and firing a local air-to-air missile.
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
The Pakistan Army on Thursday announced a pact with a "friendly country" for the procurement of its JF-17 fighter jet. Without revealing the name of the country, the Pakistan Army's media wing said in a statement that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was "signed with a friendly country for the procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, marking another significant milestone in Pakistan’s expanding defense and industrial partnerships."
(Read More...)
11/21/2025
The Yantar, an infamous spy ship from the Olenya Bay north of Murmansk, is currently sailing north of Scotland. This is its second voyage in UK waters this year. “My message to Russia, and to Putin, is this: We see you, we know what you are doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready,” John Healy said at a news conference. Healy said the vessel is gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables.
(Read More...)
11/20/2025
India is prioritizing the development of its domestic stealth fighter aircraft, AMCA, over potential cooperation with Russia on the Su-57, despite Moscow’s continued offers of technology transfer and local production. According to Defense Express on November 19, Russia has offered India a package deal involving the Su-57E fighter jet, which includes technology transfer and domestic assembly through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
(Read More...)
11/20/2025
The US Air Force conducted a successful integration demonstration between an F-22 Raptor fighter and a MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aerial vehicle on October 21 at the Nevada Test and Training Range. The milestone, however, was only revealed by the service in recent days. This flight is part of a series of internally funded demonstrations aimed at advancing collaboration between crewed and uncrewed combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
11/20/2025
Russia’s primary engine manufacturer, United Engine Corporation (UEC), part of Rostec, has revealed its new 177S turbofan engine at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The fifth-generation propulsion system for tactical combat aircraft was designed as a direct evolution of the proven AL-31F/FP series currently powering the entire Su-27 family of fighter aircraft.
(Read More...)
11/20/2025
Boeing used the Dubai Airshow 2025 to detail how the F-15EX could serve as the command hub for a network of MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones, sharing targeting and sensor data in real time. The approach signals a shift toward scalable mass and lower operating costs as the U.S. and partner air forces prepare for high-end air combat.
(Read More...)
11/20/2025
The number of major accidents involving military aircraft spiked in 2024, internal Pentagon figures show, and a series of high-profile aviation mishaps with deaths and the loss of aircraft in 2025 suggest the disturbing trend may be continuing. Across the military, the rate of severe accidents per 100,000 flight hours rose 55% in the 2024 budget year compared with four years earlier. The Marine Corps saw the highest increase, nearly tripling its rate over the same period.
(Read More...)
11/19/2025
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have rotated out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, concluding a six-month deployment that included a groundbreaking three-month forward operation to U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia.
(Read More...)
11/19/2025
Born in the 1970s, the F-16 should be aging out. Instead, a sweeping Service Life Extension Program and F-35–grade tech have effectively rebuilt the jet for modern war. Structural upgrades and new systems push service life toward 12,000 hours, while an AESA radar lets pilots track dozens of targets at far greater ranges. A revamped cockpit, added automation, and the F-16V’s high-def displays, new data bus, EW suite, and helmet cueing all sharpen lethality.
(Read More...)
11/19/2025
Russia is attempting to drum up Arab interest in the Su-57 Felon through impressive aerial displays in the skies over Dubai. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Russia’s state-run military aviation conglomerate, announced that Hero of Russia test pilot Sergey Bogdan, the chief pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, was at the controls of the Sukhoi Su-57E (NATO reporting name “Felon”) at this week’s Dubai Airshow 2025, which kicked off on Monday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(Read More...)
11/19/2025
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to sell the nation’s most advanced fighter jet to Saudi Arabia despite concerns that China could gain access to the plane’s vaunted American technology. The sale to the Middle Eastern nation, whose top trading partner is China, was reaffirmed Tuesday during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/19/2025
The Dubai Airshow 2025 roared to life this week as American air power took a leading role, captivating attendees with aerial demonstrations featuring the venerable B-52 Stratofortress, the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II, the versatile F-16 Fighting Falcon and the capable U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon. The displays highlighted the United States’ commitment to regional security and underscored the unmatched capabilities of American air power.
(Read More...)
11/18/2025
As reported by Aviation Week on November 16, 2025, Saudi Arabia is once again at the center of Boeing’s export strategy as the company promotes the F-15EX Eagle II as a candidate for the Kingdom’s next fighter jet review. Ahead of the Dubai Airshow, Boeing indicated that it aims to secure new F-15EX orders in the Middle East and that Saudi Arabia remains a primary focus for both upgrades of existing F-15C/D airframes and possible new-build acquisitions.
(Read More...)
11/18/2025
On 17 November 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force published a new video on its official X account showing a Mirage 2000 on an active combat mission. The clip is accompanied by the caption: “Mirage 2000 of the Ukrainian Air Force flies on a combat mission, awaiting good news from France.” The short sequence offers an unusually clear view of the aircraft, its weapons loadout and a series of kill markings under the cockpit.
(Read More...)
11/18/2025
President Donald Trump said the US will sell the advanced F-35 stealth fighter jet to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in American defense policy in the Middle East. “We’ll be selling the F-35s,” Trump told reporters on November 17, 2025. The planned sale comes on the eve of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, further underscoring the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia to Washington.
(Read More...)
11/18/2025
An F-22 pilot controlled an MQ-20 drone from the fighter’s cockpit last month, General Atomics announced Nov. 17—a preview of the Air Force’s vision for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. General Atomics partnered with F-22 maker Lockheed Martin and L3Harris, which provided radios and data links, for the self-funded demonstration, which took place Oct. 17 at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
(Read More...)
11/17/2025
Canada is considering diversifying its fighter jet purchases from multiple companies to meet defense requirements as a review of F-35 fighter jets purchases continues, Defense Minister David McGuinty said Sunday. The government is "grateful for any forthcoming offer" and open to joint ventures that create Canadian jobs, McGuinty told the Canadian CTV news.
(Read More...)
11/17/2025
Russia displays the Su-57E export variant of the fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the stealth fighter’s first public appearance in the Middle East and signaling Moscow's bid to become a key competitor in the global stealth fighter market.
(Read More...)
11/17/2025
Russia’s combat aircraft industry is struggling to sustain itself, with the sanctions impacting exports at the eye of the storm, according to a new report. On the eve of the influential Dubai Airshow 2025, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has pointed to supply chain issues and a lack of funding for research and development. Amid these difficulties, China has sought a constructive relationship with states that would have previously been the key customers of Russian suppliers.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/17/2025
At the end of yesterday, the Brazilian Air Force received its new F-39E Gripen fighter aircraft, registration FAB 4111, manufactured by SAAB AB and transported from Sweden by sea. The aircraft arrived in Navegantes, on the coast of Santa Catarina, after completing the Atlantic crossing aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel Fortunagracht. The journey, which began in Norrköping, took nearly 20 days.
(Read More...)
11/17/2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the signing of a “historic agreement” with France to strengthen Ukraine’s air capabilities. He stated this in a morning address. According to Zelensky, the “historic agreement” with France to bolster combat aviation and reinforce the protection of Ukrainian airspace will be signed on Monday, November 17.
(Read More...)
11/16/2025
The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will arrive in the northern Caribbean on Sunday as tensions with Venezuela grow, according to a U.S. military official. The carrier will join 15,000 service members, including 2,000 Marines aboard an amphibious assault ship.
(Read More...)
11/16/2025
Turkey has grounded all C-130 military cargo aircraft as a precaution following a crash earlier this week that killed 20 military personnel, a Turkish Defense Ministry official said on Thursday.“As of November 12, 2025, the flights of our [C-130] aircraft have been suspended as a precaution,” a Defense Ministry official told journalists at a briefing in Ankara. “After all detailed technical checks and inspections are completed.
(Read More...)
11/16/2025
China’s growing anti-ship arsenal is forcing the U.S. Navy to rethink how it fights and survives in the Western Pacific. Rather than betting everything on a handful of big, vulnerable surface combatants, future plans shift toward more numerous small surface ships, new amphibious vessels and a massive expansion of unmanned surface and undersea systems. The strategy is clear: a more dispersed, resilient, allied fleet designed to complicate Beijing’s targeting and outlast its missile salvos.
(Read More...)
11/16/2025
Standing at the crossroads of cultures and a source of great natural wealth, the Gulf region has become a geopolitical hotbed with rising military presence from both global powers and, more recently, the smaller nations that fringe the waters of the Gulf. The last decade has seen a dramatic rise in both the numbers and capabilities of combat aircraft operated by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members.
(Read More...)
11/16/2025
Colombia on Friday signed an agreement for 17 Gripen E/F fighter jets, with a value of €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion), according to a statement by Saab. The deal covers 15 Gripen E one-seater aircraft, along with two Gripen F two-seaters and a host of equipment and weapons, the Swedish company announced. Delivery of the jets will take place between 2026 and 2032.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/15/2025
Embraer and Saab have completed the full flight test and certification campaign for in-flight refuelling between the KC-390 Millennium and F-39E Gripen of the Brazilian Air Force at Gavião Peixoto. The qualification closes a critical gap in Brazil’s new airpower architecture and creates a marketable tanker fighter package for export customers that plan to operate both platforms.
(Read More...)
11/15/2025
Ukraine will soon receive new air defense systems and combat aircraft from its allies, including France. The relevant decisions are already being prepared, and it will be a historic agreement, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy recalled that this week, the Nordic and Baltic states agreed to provide 500 million dollars for the PURL program to supply American weapons to Ukraine. This will significantly help to deter Russian attacks.
(Read More...)
11/15/2025
Venezuela released new footage of F-16 and Su-30 fighters conducting joint maneuvers, filmed from inside a cockpit and shared on official military channels. The timing reinforces Caracas’s intent to project readiness as US naval activity increases in the Caribbean.
(Read More...)
11/14/2025
As the Trump administration tries to finalize a deal to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon intelligence report has raised concerns that China could acquire the warplane’s technology if the sales go through, according to people familiar with the assessment.
(Read More...)
11/14/2025
Several French Rafale fighter jets operated from Ørland Air Base last week as part of a four-day training mission. The aim was to practise rapid deployment with minimal personnel while carrying out complex operations alongside Norwegian F-35s.
(Read More...)
11/14/2025
A joint initiative between Italy, Japan, and the UK, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is developing a sixth-generation fighter to answer the future airpower needs of the three partner nations and attract export orders. GCAP has made significant progress over the last year, with consortia formed and technology demonstrators in build or modification.
(Read More...)
11/14/2025
A Russian Su-30-series fighter crashed in the Republic of Karelia on November 13, with both crew members confirmed dead. According to Russian Telegram channels SHOT and 112, the aircraft went down in a forested area near Petrozavodsk, not far from the city’s civilian airport.
(Read More...)
11/13/2025
According to information published by the Defence Index X account on November 12, 2025, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin confirmed that the F-47, Boeing’s next-generation air dominance fighter, will take its first flight in 2028. The aircraft, part of the NGAD program, is expected to replace the F-22 Raptor and redefine U.S. air superiority.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/13/2025
A few days before the federal budget was tabled, the CEO of Swedish industrial giant Saab flew to Ottawa to meet with the country's top bureaucrat, fuelling the sense a deal is brewing between the Canadian government and the military manufacturer. Sources said the fact that Michael Sabia, the clerk of the Privy Council, made room in his tight agenda on Oct. 31 to meet with Micael Johansson highlights Canada's interest in acquiring European military equipment.
(Read More...)
11/13/2025
France’s Rafale F5 (“Super Rafale”) extends a proven 4+ gen airframe with next-gen sensors, connectivity, and loyal-wingman teaming. A new RBE-2XG radar aims to spot low-observable targets at long range, while upgraded EW, datalinks, Meteor, and expanded SEAD/strike kits push capability without the cost and sustainment burdens of full stealth.
(Read More...)
11/13/2025
Russia’s Su-57 will make its Gulf debut at the Dubai Airshow, one of the few venues open to Moscow’s defense industry since European bans. The export-focused Su-57E targets new buyers, with Algeria reportedly first in line via sanction-bypassing payments. Analysts remain unconvinced: round engine nozzles, limited composites, and uncertain RAM coverage undercut stealth; production is low and combat validation thin.
(Read More...)
11/13/2025
With its fragmented production process, European defence procurement is inefficient and uncompetitive in comparison to the United States. A new approach, prioritising cross-country collaborations, could improve things, but would not be without its own challenges.
(Read More...)
11/12/2025
Leaked files published by InformNapalm on November 4, 2025, indicate that Russia is using components derived from the Su-57 fighter jet for its classified PAK DA strategic stealth bomber program. The files describe hydraulic actuators and geared hinges identified as 80RSh115 and 80RSh, two systems that control internal weapon bays while reducing radar visibility.
(Read More...)
11/12/2025
On November 11, 2025, China marked the 76th anniversary of its air force with the release of a short film titled “Far-Reaching Dreams” showing for the first time its GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth drone (now renamed Dark Dragon) flying in formation with the J-20 fighter jet and J-16D electronic warfare aircraft. The footage begins with the GJ-11 taxiing out of a hangar, taking off, and joining the two manned aircraft in formation.
(Read More...)
11/12/2025
Released videos show little beyond the CCA prototype’s takeoff silhouetted against a sunlit mountain range. But GA-ASI spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley assured that it was more than a Kitty Hawk-style bumping along the terrain: “It went up in the air. It flew for some amount of time. It went up to altitude. It was a true flight.” The flight signified what Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink has called “an inflection point.”
(Read More...)
11/12/2025
The Navy’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, moved into the Caribbean region on Tuesday, adding to the capability of the United States to strike boats suspected of carrying drugs or targets on land in Venezuela as the Trump administration weighs further military steps aimed at ousting the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
(Read More...)
11/12/2025
A Turkish military cargo plane with 20 people on board crashed in Georgia near the border with Azerbaijan on Tuesday, authorities said, but they gave no immediate confirmation of feared casualties. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top officials from Georgia and Azerbaijan signaled that at least some of those aboard were believed to have been killed, without providing details.
(Read More...)
11/11/2025
The Ministry of Defense of Japan plans to equip air bases with camouflage shelters for aircraft to protect them from detection by satellites. The relevant information was published in the budget request for 2026. According to the document, a shelter for fighter aircraft will be built at the Naha air base on the island of Okinawa, where F-15J/DJ fighters are currently based.
(Read More...)
11/11/2025
Rostec State Corporation will present the Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet for the first time in the Middle East during the Dubai Airshow 2025, where it will also take part in the official flying display. The aircraft is designed for high manoeuvrability, low radar visibility, and precision engagement, and has already proven its performance in large-scale combat operations.
(Read More...)
11/11/2025
The Air Force is projecting relatively limited growth for its main F-35 fleet for the rest of the decade, according to the new fighter roadmap it provided to Congress. That roadmap also calls for the overall fighter fleet to shrink for two more years before starting to grow.
(Read More...)
11/10/2025
A central mystery in military aviation is why China constantly shows off its 6th-generation J-36 and J-50 fighters, while the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 NGAD remains top secret. The answer lies in a “PR War.” Chinese developers may be flaunting their aircraft to secure funding in a competitive political system. The U.S., in contrast, feels no need to “show off,” prioritizing the secrecy of its superior technology, such as new adaptive cycle engines and advanced sensor fusion, which form the F-47’s.
(Read More...)
11/10/2025
France’s upgraded Mirage 2000D RMV, a mid-life program covering 55 aircraft, is evolving from a straightforward modernization into one of the French Air and Space Force’s most experimental platforms.
(Read More...)
11/10/2025
The United States has stationed combat aircraft in El Salvador, marking a shift in its military approach to regional security threats. Flights from the country’s main international airport began in mid-October, involving planes equipped for strikes on land and sea targets.
(Read More...)
11/10/2025
For the first time since the end of World War II, the UK’s Royal Navy has deployed 24 fighter jets on an aircraft carrier – a major milestone that significantly boosts the ship’s operational capabilities. The War Zone reported on this. This deployment was carried out entirely by the UK, without assistance from foreign forces – unlike previous missions, when the United States had stationed its own aircraft on the British carrier.
(Read More...)
11/09/2025
In a significant boost to India’s fighter jet programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday (7 November) inked an agreement with GE Aerospace to acquire 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), India Today reported. The deal comes amid improving India–US defence cooperation following recent tariff-related frictions.
(Read More...)
11/09/2025
Just as the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet was essentially an all-new fighter jet compared with the older F/A/18 Hornet, so too is the new Gripen E essentially a new aircraft over the Gripen C/D. In Russia, such upgrades would come with a higher number, implying a new aircraft (e.g., MiG-29 vs MiG-35 or Su-27 vs Su-35), but Saab retained the original brand with just an upgrade to the variant. Here is what to know about the dramatically improved capabilities of the new Saab Gripen E/F.
(Read More...)
11/09/2025
Ukraine is continuing discussions with Sweden regarding the supply of Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft, as well as the future localisation of their production in Ukraine, according to statements made by Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal. The minister made the announcement during a joint briefing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following high-level meetings in Sweden.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/09/2025
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s final three remaining F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft’s era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
(Read More...)
11/09/2025
At the company’s third-quarter earnings call, CEO Jim Taiclet stated Lockheed is on track to “manufacture one plane for every working day of the year.” The firm confirmed it had already delivered 143 jets by the end of Q3, surpassing its previous annual record of 142 set in 2022. If the target is met, Lockheed Martin could achieve its strongest F-35 delivery year of the decade, marking a 64% increase compared to 2023.
(Read More...)
11/08/2025
Maldives will acquire a military aircraft next year, President Mohamed Muizzu said as he inaugurated the national defence force's first dedicated air station. "The landmark event formalises a key component of the island nation's defence strategy, significantly expanding the capabilities of the newly constituted Air Corps," state-run Public Service Media (PSM News) said.
(Read More...)
11/08/2025
China has commissioned its latest aircraft carrier after extensive sea trials, state media reported Friday, adding a ship that experts say will help what is already the world’s largest navy expand its power farther beyond its own waters. The official Xinhua news agency said the Fujian had been commissioned Wednesday at a naval base on southern China’s Hainan island in a ceremony attended by top leader Xi Jinping.
(Read More...)
11/08/2025
Ukraine and Sweden have agreed to begin localizing the production of Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets on Ukrainian territory, with plans to establish significant domestic manufacturing by 2033, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on 7 November, as reported by Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne.
(Read More...)
11/08/2025
European nations and Canada are “pushing away” from the F-35, motivated by a desire for “strategic autonomy” and political friction with the Trump administration. Spain officially canceled its F-35 purchase in August 2025, opting for European-built alternatives after PM Pedro Sanchez clashed with Trump over NATO spending. Switzerland, meanwhile, is now reviewing its 36-jet deal after being hit with a “shocking” $1.3 billion price hike and new 39% U.S. tariffs.
(Read More...)
11/08/2025
Saudi Arabia’s request for F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters is reportedly progressing within the Pentagon, according to sources cited by Reuters. The move could make Riyadh (RUH) the first Arab nation to field a fifth-generation stealth jet, breaking Israel’s exclusive control of the platform in the region.
(Read More...)
11/07/2025
As reported by Tactical Report on November 3, 2025, Egypt’s negotiations with the United States for the acquisition of Boeing F-15 Eagle fighter jets are still ongoing, with no final agreement or production schedule confirmed. The proposed sale, valued at several billion dollars and covering up to 46 units, is expected to replace the canceled Su-35 procurement and expand Egypt’s Air Force modernization program.
(Read More...)
11/07/2025
China’s J-35 borrows the F-35’s silhouette and internal bays, and it’s being tailored for carrier ops on Fujian. But resemblance isn’t parity. The jet’s twin-engine layout, immature coatings, and unproven avionics trail the F-35’s combat-tested stealth, sensor fusion (DAS), mission-data libraries, and allied network. The Lightning II keeps widening the gap with Block 4 upgrades while the J-35 is still in low-rate production.
(Read More...)
11/07/2025
Sweden and Ukraine are progressing in talks over a major defense agreement that could see Kyiv acquire up to 150 Gripen E multirole fighter jets, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told Reuters on November 6, adding that Stockholm could fund part of the deal via military aid. The deal, if finalized, would mark Sweden’s largest-ever aircraft export.
(Read More...)
11/07/2025
The Air Force plans to modernize early Block 20 F-22s—once training jets—adding open mission systems, improved stealth coatings, EW upgrades, and AIM-9X/AIM-120D/AIM-260 compatibility. The move could boost the combat-coded Raptor fleet to 178 and hedge against delays to the sixth-gen F-47 amid rising J-20/Su-57 threats.
(Read More...)
11/07/2025
The new sixth-generation GCAP fighter should be able to carry a wide variety of armaments and work with any number of different “Loyal Wingman” drones, a leading official on the UK-Japanese-Italy program has said. British defense ministry official Group Captain Bill Sanders said the under-development platform needed to have a weapons bay ready to accept any armament used by the partners, by NATO and by the United States.
(Read More...)
11/06/2025
Saudi Arabia could become the next customer for the Lockheed Martin F-35, with the Trump administration reportedly weighing up the sale of up to 48 jets to the kingdom. Selling the stealth jet to Saudi Arabia would be a significant policy shift, with Washington previously being unwilling to export F-35s to Arab states in the region, for fear of upsetting the strategic balance in relation to Israel.
(Read More...)
11/06/2025
Defense tech startup Shield AI’s X-BAT drone wingman will be powered by GE’s F110 fighter engine, the two companies exclusively told Breaking Defense, giving the recently unveiled loyal wingman drone the same powerplant used in the F-15 and F-16. Under a memorandum of understanding signed by the firms, GE will provide its F110-GE-129 powerplant and integrate a thrust vectoring nozzle critical for the X-BAT platform’s vertical takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) operations.
(Read More...)
11/05/2025
NATO fighters have scrambled three times in a week as Russian drones and reconnaissance aircraft prodded Baltic airspace and nearby corridors. After Polish jets and allies shot down drones that crossed Poland in September—triggering an Article 4 consult—recent incidents saw Il-20, Il-76, and Il-78 flights intercepted in international airspace without transponders or flight plans.
(Read More...)
11/05/2025
The legendary A-10 Warthog has been granted retirement in 2026 for several reasons, including the changing landscape of modern combat and military budget limitations. Due to the aircraft's effective but simplistic design, it lacks some features necessary to compete against other modern forces. For instance, the A-10 Warthog is anything but stealthy or quick, which is a problem when sending this aircraft against an adversary utilizing state-of-the-art air defenses.
(Read More...)
11/05/2025
U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are pursuing carrier-based semi-autonomous uncrewed combat aircraft that operate together with crewed combat aircraft in a new project called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The CCA project seeks to enhance the carrier air wing's combat capabilities; sensing and situational awareness; and ability to blend crewed and uncrewed aircraft to enhance safety and extend the read of carrier-based aircraft.
(Read More...)
11/05/2025
The latest iteration of the innovative Gambit Series of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is Gambit 6, a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) that adds air-to-ground operations to its already proven air-to-air capability. The multi-role platform is optimized for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and deep precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving defense needs.
(Read More...)
11/05/2025
“Updating priors” means revising an existing belief system in the face of new evidence. Much has been written of about the modernization of China’s military in recent years, particularly People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aviation (both the PLA Air Force and PLA Naval Air Force). However, the niche trade of tracking PLA news still causes significant lags in disseminating information among the wider defense journalism, think tank, and defense commentariat crowd.
(Read More...)
11/04/2025
The Netherlands has formally transferred ownership of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania, finalising the agreement in Bucharest. The documents were signed by Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu and Linda Ruseler, Director of Movable Property at the Dutch Ministry of Finance.
(Read More...)
11/04/2025
Sweden’s Saab is considering Canada as a potential assembly site for its Gripen E fighter jets as it looks to expand production capacity amid rising international demand, including from Ukraine. On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a letter of intent in Linköping covering a potential sale of more than 100 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters.
(Read More...)
11/04/2025
While China continues to make steady progress in the development of sixth-generation aircraft, as well as in the production of the new stealth fighters J-35 intended to equip the Navy’s aircraft carrier Fujian, the country has now recorded the first flight of its new advanced carrier-based training aircraft, which will be used to train its future pilots.
(Read More...)
11/04/2025
As the photos in this post show, the Finnish Air Force‘s first F-35 has moved out of final assembly. The service said on its Facebook page; ‘Excitement is building! The Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 has moved out of final assembly, and we couldn’t resist sharing this behind-the-scenes sneak peek.’
(Read More...)
11/04/2025
NATO fighter jets conducting air policing missions in the Baltic states scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian military aircraft, Lithuania's Ministry of Defence announced, according to LRT. On 27 October, NATO aircraft took off to identify a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad Oblast. The aircraft was operating without an activated radar transponder and without a flight plan.
(Read More...)
11/03/2025
United States personnel tasked with the production of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan are working 20 hours a day to expedite the delivery of the aircraft, but will still miss the deadline, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. The ministry made the statement in a report submitted to lawmakers on Sunday, outlining the status of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and noting delays in the delivery of several weapons systems.
(Read More...)
11/03/2025
Several drones spotted above a Belgian airbase over the weekend were there “to spy” on military fighter jets, the country’s defense minister said Sunday, at a time when European nations are on high alert for airspace intrusions. “They come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic things,” Theo Francken told CNN affiliate RTBF.
(Read More...)
11/03/2025
Security sources have ended ongoing disputes over the pricing of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, confirming that Türkiye acquired the aircraft at prices comparable to what manufacturing nations pay, with the jets expected to be flight-ready by the first quarter of 2027. According to security sources cited in a report by Akif Bulbul from Türkiye daily, the Eurofighter jets were not purchased at inflated prices above their actual value.
(Read More...)
11/03/2025
Armenia is finalizing negotiations with India to purchase Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to Indian Defence News, the deal is in the final stage of approval and is viewed as a strategic response to Azerbaijan’s recent purchase of 40 Pakistani-made JF-17C Block III fighters.
(Read More...)
11/03/2025
By selling F-35s to allied nations, America provides them with one of the world’s most effective fighter jets—and an ironclad economic connection to the US defense industry. No modern aircraft has been as politically or industrially successful as the F-35 Lightning II. Conceived in the 1990s as a cost-sharing platform capable of performing as a jack of all trades, the F-35 has since become a cornerstone of Western defense integration, a platform that binds the US, Europe, and pacific allies.
(Read More...)
11/02/2025
The defense ministry detected five Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Three of the aircraft were reported to have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, or ADIZ. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.
(Read More...)
11/02/2025
A Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft has landed in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, signaling Moscow's growing interest in the country, Defense News reports. The Il-76, registered as RA-78765, arrived in Caracas on Sunday after a two-day flight from Russia. The route reportedly passed through Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania before reaching Latin America.
(Read More...)
11/02/2025
The large-scale buildup of U.S. military forces and assets in the Caribbean suggests that the Trump administration is preparing to expand operations. The large-scale buildup of U.S. military forces and assets in the Caribbean suggests that the Trump administration may be preparing to expand operations in the region, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas and raising the possibility of the first U.S. strikes on Venezuela.
(Read More...)
11/02/2025
Footage dated Oct. 31 shows China’s experimental J-36 stealth aircraft flying in formation with a J-20 near Chengdu, indicating paired testing with an operational fifth-generation fighter. If sustained, this points to mixed-generation strike packages and manned teaming concepts that matter for U.S. planning in the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/02/2025
At first glance, the U.S. Air Force looks overstretched: old fleets, tight budgets, sliding deliveries. Look closer and it’s a deliberate pivot from industrial-age mass to sixth-generation, networked power. NGAD as the manned “quarterback,” B-21 for penetrating strike, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft to scout, jam, and shoot turn airpower from counting jets to syncing ecosystems.
(Read More...)
11/01/2025
The Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 BORAMAE 4.5 generation combat fighter will gain ground-attack capability ahead of schedule. Durign ADEX 2025, a company official told FW MAG that KAI remains “on track to complete all flight-test activities for the KF-21 by June 2026.” The first aircraft to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force will be Block 1 variants capable of Air-to-Air engagements only.
(Read More...)
11/01/2025
An unclassified Air Force plan says the service needs 1,558 combat-coded fighters by 2035—about a 22% jump from the projected 1,271 in FY26—to meet the administration’s defense guidance. The roadmap leans on accelerating F-35A and F-15EX buys (while retiring A-10s and older F-15/16s), but flags funding and supply-chain risks.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
11/01/2025
The second of the U.S. Air Force’s two prototype drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft, began flight testing Friday, the service said. Anduril’s YFQ-44A drone carried out its first flight at an unidentified California test location Friday, the Air Force said. It follows the first flight of its General Atomics-made counterpart, the YFQ-42A, which took place in August.
(Read More...)
11/01/2025
Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to supply missiles, radars, and modern combat aircraft, citing the ongoing U.S. naval asset buildup in the Caribbean, The Washington Post reported on Oct. 31.
(Read More...)
10/31/2025
South Korea is in active negotiations to sell KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter to the Philippines, according to reports from the Seoul International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition that was held at Seoul Air Base on October 19. Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) efforts aims to expand its regional market presence. The Philippine Air Force currently operates the FA-50 light fighter and has recently requested more units.
(Read More...)
10/31/2025
America's air dominance is slipping, a former US Air Force pilot and airpower expert said recently, echoing some concerns raised by senior officers. US military officials have long been concerned about the US Air Force's aging and shrinking fleet, especially as China's air force not only grows in size but also in combat capability and readiness.
(Read More...)
10/31/2025
The US Air Force says it needs to grow its fighter fleet by another 1,500-plus aircraft over the next decade to meet national defense requirements, according to a new report submitted to Congress. The unclassified, 10-year plan calls for a total of 1,558 combat-ready fighters, up from the current projection of 1,271 aircraft in fiscal year 2026. The increase would require faster production of F-15EX and F-35A jets and continued modernization of existing aircraft.
(Read More...)
10/31/2025
Ukraine is now exploring the acquisition of Dassault Rafale fighter jets, adding France to its growing list of partners as it works to rebuild a modern and diverse combat fleet. The move follows ongoing F-16 deliveries and renewed discussions with Sweden over the Saab Gripen E/F.
(Read More...)
10/31/2025
A new report to Congress pitching the Air Force’s 10-year fighter jet plan is missing key details and explanations, raising questions and concerns among defense experts. The 24-page document details Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s support of the interim defense strategy’s mandate “to protect the homeland, deter our adversaries, and project decisive airpower” by purchasing more F-15EXs, F-35s and F-47 aircraft.
(Read More...)
10/30/2025
The Swedish defence firm Saab is considering Canada as a place to assemble Gripen fighter jets as it moves to quickly ramp up production to meet demand from Ukraine. Saab's CEO Micael Johansson said in recent interviews with financial news publications that Kyiv's interest in purchasing more than 100 Gripen fighter jets would double the defence company's production requirements.
(Read More...)
10/30/2025
Turkey is bolstering its defense capabilities across the board. From building up its domestic production industry to procuring a wide range of military systems, including fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and missiles, Ankara has its eyes focused on strength. Earlier this month, Turkish officials revealed Ankara’s intentions to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoons in a deal with the United Kingdom.
(Read More...)
10/30/2025
Ukraine has unveiled a concept model of its jet-powered unmanned aircraft, the Fighter Aircraft FA v1, during the Drone Warfare Summit held in Subic Bay, Philippines, according to Defence Blog on October 27. The three-day event, running from October 27 to 29, was the first of its kind in the Philippines and gathered defense officials, manufacturers, and military representatives from across the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
10/30/2025
Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 spy plane over the Baltic Sea on October 28 and escorted it out of the area. Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces reported that the plane did not violate Polish airspace but was flying without a flight plan and with its transponder switched off.
(Read More...)
10/30/2025
The Spanish government has approved a €3.12 billion agreement for the acquisition of 45 Hurjet training aircraft, designed and manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The Hurjet, a single-engine advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, will be produced at TAI’s facilities in Turkey.
(Read More...)
10/29/2025
China has conducted the maiden flight of a new jet trainer aircraft, as shown in recently published images circulating on Chinese social media. The prototype aircraft was spotted during pre-flight preparations and later airborne, marking its debut in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s expanding aviation program.
(Read More...)
10/29/2025
In a formal ceremony, NETMA and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH signed the contract for 20 new Eurofighter Tranche 5 for the German Air Force. The aircraft will be equipped with the newly developed ECRS Mk1 radar (Eurofighter Common Radar System Mark 1) developed by HENSOLDT and Indra, as is already the case with the Quadriga fleet. The new radar provides Eurofighter with unique detection capabilities indispensable for the future air combat environment.
(Read More...)
10/29/2025
Ukraine is in talks with France on the possible supply of Rafale fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on 28 October, Militarnyi reports. The French-made multirole Rafales could become a new component of Ukraine’s air fleet as the country transitions away from its aging Soviet aircraft during the Russian invasion.
(Read More...)
10/29/2025
Ukraine is working to build a fleet of 250 modern fighter aircraft, including F-16s, Swedish Gripens, and French Rafales, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday. The program is part of Ukraine’s long-term strategy to modernize the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) and strengthen national security.
(Read More...)
10/29/2025
Korean Air has signed a partnership framework with Lockheed Martin to maintain and repair American military aircraft stationed across the Indo-Pacific. Announced in Goyang, the deal supports the Pentagon’s Regional Sustainment Framework, which aims to improve combat readiness by moving plane repairs and upgrades closer to where US and allied forces operate.
(Read More...)
10/28/2025
Russia has tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, Moscow's top general has said. "We have launched a multi-hour flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it covered a 14,000km (8,700-mile) distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov told President Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting. The low-flying experimental weapon, first announced in 2018, has been hailed as having a potentially unlimited range and the ability to evade missile defences.
(Read More...)
10/28/2025
Northrop Grumman has combined two advanced technologies—its Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) and Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) AESA radar—to enhance the F-16 fighter jet’s survivability and lethality. The systems were designed to operate together, sharing the same portion of the electromagnetic spectrum without interference or performance loss.
(Read More...)
10/28/2025
The Philippines is in talks with South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for additional fighter jet acquisitions, as reported by South China Morning Post on Monday. The discussions come on the heels of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition 2025, where KAI showcased its KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
10/28/2025
Dozens of fighter jets gathered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last week to kick off one of the service’s biggest air combat exercises—even as much of the government remains in shutdown. More than 50 aircraft and 500 personnel are participating in Checkered Flag 26-1, which began Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 6. USAF is flying F-16, F-22, and F-35A fighters, and the U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Australian Air Force are contributing F-35C and E-7 aircraft, respectively.
(Read More...)
10/28/2025
An Indonesian official’s announcement earlier this month that Jakarta intends to buy at least 42 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft raised more than a few eyebrows. After all, the development followed similar pledges to acquire the South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae and Turkey’s TAI Kaan. The Asian nation has also previously expressed an interest in operating the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II from the US.
(Read More...)
10/27/2025
Turkey and the UK are expected to finalise a multibillion-dollar Eurofighter Typhoon deal during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to Ankara on Monday, several sources told Middle East Eye. Ankara has been in talks with the UK, the lead country in the Eurofighter consortium, since 2023 over the purchase of the fighter jets. In 2024, Turkey cleared a key hurdle by overcoming Germany’s veto, which had blocked the sale.
(Read More...)
10/27/2025
France will provide Ukraine with additional Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets and Aster surface to air missiles for the country’s SAMP/T batteries, French president Emmanuel Macron announced on October 24, 2025. The handout of these weapons systems, which will also be accompanied by the provision of the related training programs for Ukrainian personnel, may take place in the very short term.
(Read More...)
10/27/2025
A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet went down Sunday during separate routine operations over the South China Sea, and all crew members were safely rescued, the Navy’s Pacific Fleet said. The Navy has launched an investigation into the cause of both incidents.
(Read More...)
10/26/2025
On October 21, 2025, Shield AI, a prominent player in aerospace and defense technology, introduced an innovative concept of an AI-driven, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) named the X-BAT in Washington, D.C. This development represents a significant advancement in military aviation, emphasizing autonomy and adaptability in complex operational environments.
(Read More...)
10/26/2025
Lockheed Martin is investing heavily in self-funded prototype development, aiming to demonstrate advanced capabilities directly to the U.S. government, CEO Jim Taiclet said on 20 October. The approach marks a shift toward "big-bet, home-run heavy allocation," including full-scale prototypes to prove scalable, reliable systems.
(Read More...)
10/26/2025
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, billed by the US Navy as “the most capable, adaptable, and lethal combat platform in the world,” is being sent to the Caribbean as the Trump administration ramps up military pressure on Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking. Here’s a look at the Ford and the military assets it will bring to US operations in the region. With a displacement of more than 100,000 tons and a length of 1,100 feet, the Ford is the largest warship the US has ever put to sea.
(Read More...)
10/26/2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine expects to receive up to 150 Swedish Gripen fighter jets, with the first deliveries planned for next year. Writing on Telegram, he said that together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly strengthen its combat aviation. He called the deal an ambitious but necessary task.
(Read More...)
10/26/2025
Japan scrambled fighter jets to monitor nuclear-capable Russian warplanes that flew over international waters along the edge of Japanese airspace off its coast. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan’s air force launched the jets in response to Russian bombers approaching the Sea of Japan.
(Read More...)
10/25/2025
Sweden’s Gripen E multirole fighter could provide Ukraine with a high-survivability platform capable of contesting Russian airspace and defending against long-range threats. Designed for electronic warfare resilience and dispersed operations, the aircraft’s capabilities could alter the tactical balance in the region.
(Read More...)
10/25/2025
Talks on selling 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye are approaching final stages, with Germany lifting its longstanding reservations about the sale, according to Airbus Defense and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn. In an exclusive interview with state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Schoellhorn said Germany's past objections have been overcome, and the new coalition government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made clear it will not block the sale to NATO's second-largest military force.
(Read More...)
10/25/2025
France’s approach to defense exports, especially fighter aircraft, has long favored industrial reach and diplomatic flexibility over strict end-use control. Once seen as deft statecraft, this policy now arms U.S. adversaries and undermines the security of America’s closest partners—notably, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Taiwan.
(Read More...)
10/25/2025
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 is arguably the most popular aircraft. The fifth-generation fighter jet has already delivered over 1,200 units, and total program commitments exceed 3,000 aircraft across 20 nations.
(Read More...)
10/24/2025
Lithuania's army reported on Thursday that two Russian military aircraft had crossed the Lithuanian border, remaining in the NATO member state's airspace for 18 seconds. The aircraft, a fighter jet and a tanker, flew 700 meters (nearly half a mile) into Lithuania from the Kaliningrad region. The Lithianian air force detected the Russian SU-30 and IL-78 aircraft near Kybartai at around 6 p.m. (1600 GMT).
(Read More...)
10/23/2025
Britain and Germany will join forces to hunt down Russian submarines. The Royal Air Force (RAF) and Deutsche Marine aircraft will jointly conduct defensive patrols for Russian submarines, working side by side from RAF Lossiemouth, defending NATO’s Eastern and Northern flanks. British and German forces will also ramp up their cyber and military co-operation in a bid to strengthen Nato’s security.
(Read More...)
10/23/2025
France plans to expand its Rafale fighter fleet by more than 60 aircraft under its 2026 finance bill, potentially raising the total number of combat-ready jets for the French Air and Space Force and French Navy to 286.
(Read More...)
10/23/2025
Sweden has signed a letter of intent that could see it supply up to 150 of its domestically produced Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The two leaders met for talks in Linkoping in southern Sweden and visited Saab, opens new tab, which is the maker of the JAS 39 Gripen fighter, the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, missile systems, anti-tank infantry weapons and other equipment.
(Read More...)
10/23/2025
Anxious to bolster its air power, Turkey has proposed to European partners and the U.S. ways it could swiftly obtain advanced fighter jets as it seeks to make up ground on regional rivals such as Israel, sources familiar with the talks say.
(Read More...)
10/23/2025
Ukraine has hit a Russian chemical plant with Storm Shadow missiles, its military said on Tuesday, referring to the UK-made long-range weapon. Calling the strike "a successful hit" that penetrated the Russian air defence system, Ukraine's general staff of the armed forces said they were still assessing the outcome of the "massive" strike.
(Read More...)
10/22/2025
France’s carrier-capable Dassault Rafale M is the only non-U.S. fighter jet certified to operate from American aircraft carriers, a unique interoperability proven since 2007. This capability holds particular strategic significance in the vast Indo-Pacific region, where both France (with its extensive Pacific territories) and the U.S. have major interests.
(Read More...)
10/22/2025
The U.S. military has built up an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, when the Trump administration first began to shift assets to the region as part of its so-called war against narcoterrorism.
(Read More...)
10/22/2025
New agreements to strengthen Ukraine's combat aviation and air defense, transformation of the NSDC Secretariat became the main topics of President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov.
(Read More...)
10/22/2025
Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft will take two important steps in its development when it tests its ability to conduct combat and then later collaborate with another jet fighter, a senior company official said Oct. 20. Boeing previously announced that it would autonomously fire an air-to-air missile from the MQ-28 by the end of the calendar year. That test is still on track, Randy Rotte, the company’s regional director for India, Asia and Pacific, told reporters at the ADE
(Read More...)
10/22/2025
Shield AI’s new unmanned, vertical-takeoff-and-landing fighter jet concept is designed to be a drone wingman or a standalone aircraft, marking the latest autonomous aircraft announcement by defense companies in recent weeks. The X-BAT, revealed at a private event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening, is Shield AI’s first unmanned fighter jet offering.
(Read More...)
10/21/2025
There is a significant fighter jet maneuver that seems to wow the crowd at Russian air shows called the Pugachev Cobra Maneuver. It’s more for show than for tactical advantage in a dog fight, but it looks intriguing and demonstrates just how much certain fighter jets can conduct aerial feats like no other aircraft in the world.
(Read More...)
10/21/2025
The Swedish Armed Forces officially received their first JAS 39 Gripen E fighter aircraft during a handover ceremony on 20 October 2025 at the Skaraborg Air Wing (F 7) in Såtenäs. The event marks a key milestone in Sweden’s air power modernisation, bringing a new generation of combat air capability into service.
(Read More...)
10/21/2025
Raytheon has delivered the first PhantomStrike radar to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for its FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, marking a key milestone in their defence technology partnership. The radar is a compact, fully air-cooled fire-control system that combines advanced threat detection, tracking, and targeting with high efficiency and reduced cost.
(Read More...)
10/21/2025
The United States Air Force is retiring combat aircraft nearly five times faster than it is building new ones, raising concerns among defense analysts about the country’s long-held aerial dominance. According to Defense Express, citing a recent analysis published by Defense News, the United States is on track to decommission approximately 340 aircraft in the 2026 fiscal year while producing only 76 new ones.
(Read More...)
10/21/2025
Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares "in close proximity" to its patrol jet over the South China Sea. The Australian government has raised its concern with Beijing over the "unsafe and unprofessional" manoeuvre, the defence department said in a statement on Monday. There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter.
(Read More...)
10/20/2025
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has deployed its latest JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan to participate in the bilateral air combat exercise Indus Shield Alpha, the service announced via its official channels on Sunday.
(Read More...)
10/20/2025
Canada’s long-delayed F-35A fighter jet program is facing renewed uncertainty as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government weighs whether to proceed with its planned fleet of 88 aircraft from Lockheed Martin or diversify toward a mixed fleet that could include Saab’s Gripen E.
(Read More...)
10/19/2025
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported on Friday that it had tracked 27 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels operating close to its territorial boundaries. The ministry said that 19 of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering the northern, central, and southwestern parts of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
(Read More...)
10/19/2025
When McDonnell Douglas first conceived of the F-15 in the late 1960s, they had one, and only one, purpose: to create the world’s best air superiority fighter. When the F-15A and B variants entered service in the mid-1970s, they embodied that design philosophy, incorporating powerful twin engines, a massive thrust-to-weight ratio, and a radar built only for finding other aircraft. In short, the original F15s were built strictly for air superiority, and had virtually no use beyond that.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
10/19/2025
A civilian-owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet, acting as a “red air” adversary for the U.S. Navy, crashed into the Pacific off Big Sur, California, this week. The pilot, working for the contractor ATAC, safely ejected after a suspected engine failure and was rescued uninjured. The incident highlights the role of private companies in military training and the inherent dangers of aviation.
(Read More...)
10/19/2025
GA-ASI was selected to work on Navy CCA designs emphasizing a modular approach to platform selection, capable of being rapidly reconfigured and upgraded to meet changing mission requirements, including operations on and from aircraft carriers. GA-ASI’s approach supports the Navy’s revolutionary acquisition strategy of smaller, frequent purchases that enable rapid technology insertion rather than traditional long-lifecycle programs.
(Read More...)
10/18/2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement took many by surprise, including Idaho’s governor and federal lawmakers who weren’t informed ahead of time. And it was criticized across the political spectrum, with a number of prominent right-wing Republicans questioning what came off as the U.S. permitting the Middle East nation to establish an air base in Idaho.
(Read More...)
10/18/2025
A previously unseen image of Russia’s Su-57 multirole fighter has surfaced on pro-Kremlin social media channels, showing the aircraft’s internal tail-mounted weapons bay in detail. The release appears to be part of a broader effort by Moscow to promote the export potential of the fifth-generation jet as it seeks foreign funding to complete development.
(Read More...)
10/18/2025
NATO has begun its annual nuclear deterrence training exercise, Steadfast Noon 25, involving 70 aircraft and approximately 2,000 personnel from 14 Allied nations, the alliance confirmed this week. The long-scheduled drill, which runs from October 13 to 24, is part of NATO’s recurring efforts to validate its nuclear posture and joint force readiness. The exercise does not involve live nuclear weapons, and NATO officials emphasized that it is unrelated to current geopolitical developments.
(Read More...)
10/18/2025
The U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 has returned from a five-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Operating under CENTCOM’s Ninth Air Force, VMFA-542 flew over 1,099 combat sorties and logged 4,736 mishap-free flight hours, according to the Marine Corps. During the deployment, the unit conducted Close Air Support, Defensive Counter-Air, and Armed Overwatch missions in support of U.S. and partner forces across the region.
(Read More...)
10/18/2025
Russian forces accidentally shot down one of their own military aircraft overnight while attempting to intercept Ukrainian drones over Crimea, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Ukrainian authorities say they are still gathering information about the incident. Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, said the plane was shot down by Russian air defense missiles while defending against incoming Ukrainian drones.
(Read More...)
10/17/2025
Indonesia will acquire 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10C fighter jets in a deal valued at over $9 billion, marking the country’s first major non-Western aircraft procurement, according to top defense officials in Jakarta. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating that the aircraft, produced by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, would soon be flying over Jakarta.
(Read More...)
10/17/2025
Royal Air Force fighter pilots will be trained by Indian flying instructors for the first time under a new defence deal with Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has agreed to send some of its “Top Guns” to teach British cadets how to fly Hawk T2 fast jets from October next year, The Times has learnt.
(Read More...)
10/17/2025
General Atomics will build MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft for the U.S. Army under an $86.4 million contract. The MQ-9B, derived from the Reaper, offers 40-hour endurance, SATCOM-only control, and full all-weather capability with advanced radar and infrared sensors. Operators including Canada, the U.K., Belgium, and Japan employ the MQ-9B for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine missions, and precision strike operations.
(Read More...)
10/17/2025
The United States and China are locked in an intense race to develop unmanned aerial vehicles — a new class of weapon poised to transform the future of aerial warfare. In late August, the US military conducted the first flight test of its YFQ-42A unmanned aircraft. Just a week later, China unveiled a drone closely resembling it during a military parade marking what they call the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
(Read More...)
10/17/2025
The Netherlands has officially joined the United States Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, an initiative focused on developing autonomous unmanned air systems designed to fly in coordination with manned fighter jets such as the F-35. The agreement was confirmed on 16 October with a letter of intent signed by State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman in Washington, just ahead of the annual Defence Industry Days held at the Dutch embassy.
(Read More...)
10/16/2025
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said his country is ready to strengthen military support for Ukraine, including through the PURL initiative and the aviation coalition, speaking ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Ukrinform reported on Oct. 15.
(Read More...)
10/16/2025
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin revealed Wednesday that Indonesia would soon buy China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jets as the country sought to upgrade its military fleet. Sjafrie, however, did not give a time frame for when the purchase would take place, including the number of fighter jets. The J-10s will soon fly in Jakarta,” Sjafrie said, as reported by the state news agency Antara.
(Read More...)
10/16/2025
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has confirmed that all the F-16 fighter jets pledged by Belgium to Ukraine will indeed be delivered, reiterating his government’s commitment during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Francken emphasized that the aircraft transfer would take place once Ukrainian pilots have completed their training and all necessary technical procedures are finalized.
(Read More...)
10/16/2025
In a dramatic 1989 defection, Soviet Air Force Captain Aleksandr Zuyev escaped to the West in his advanced MiG-29 fighter. His daring plan involved baking a cake laced with sleeping pills to incapacitate his airbase comrades. After cutting phone lines and getting wounded in a shootout with a guard, Zuyev successfully took off and flew across the Black Sea to Turkey.
(Read More...)
10/16/2025
Germany is strengthening its defence capabilities with the purchase of 20 new Eurofighters. Under the contract, Airbus will produce the multi-role combat aircraft at its final assembly line in Manching, near Munich in Germany. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the German Air Force in 2031, the last in 2034.
(Read More...)
10/15/2025
The federal industry minister is putting pressure on U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to provide more economic benefits in Canada if the government is to proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. Otherwise, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in a French-language interview on Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir, Ottawa could move forward with a smaller fleet of F-35s and the acquisition of a second fleet of Gripen-E fighter jets manufactured by Sweden’s Saab.
(Read More...)
10/15/2025
According to the same leaked document that outlined Russia’s plans to supply Iran with 48 Su-35S fighters, Moscow also reportedly planned the sale of up to six new aircraft of the same model to the Ethiopian Air Force — a deal that has not yet been officially confirmed. If finalized, the acquisition would represent a major step forward in the modernization of Ethiopia’s combat fleet and stands out as part of a broader set of sales that have recently come to light.
(Read More...)
10/15/2025
Saab has received an order worth approximately SEK 2.6 billion ($238 million) from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for continued conceptual studies on future fighter systems. The new contract, covering the 2025–2027 period, builds upon the original agreement signed in March 2024 and expands the scope of work under Sweden’s Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS) – or Future Combat Aviation Concept study.
(Read More...)
10/15/2025
Among the topics apparently addressed during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in May was a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighters. However, despite boasting of having signed “the largest defense sales agreement in history”, Washington may still prove reluctant to sell Riyadh the fighter, raising questions over whether the Kingdom might accept less advanced warplanes.
(Read More...)
10/15/2025
Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said he will give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on how the services jointly buy air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and the new, secret AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.
(Read More...)
10/14/2025
France is preparing to modify its fleet of Mirage 2000D fighter jets to intercept long-range suicide drones such as Iran’s Shahed-136, according to Opex360 on October 12. The move is part of a broader effort to develop a cost-effective aerial platform for countering UAV threats, taking cues from Ukraine’s experience defending against Russian drone attacks.
(Read More...)
10/14/2025
The F-22 Raptor began a new era of aircraft in 2005–the fifth generation. As the first of this new generation, the Raptor featured a combination of stealth and speed that had never been seen before. While there have been new additions to the fifth generation, the F-22 is the poster child of this class. This aircraft alone sets the United States light years ahead of its NATO allies.
(Read More...)
10/14/2025
The Swedish Armed Forces is set to receive their first Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets on October 20, 2025, during a formal handover ceremony at Skaraborg Air Wing (F 7) in Såtenäs, marking a major milestone in Sweden’s long-term defense modernization. During the ceremony, a pilot from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) will land one of the new aircraft and hand the logbook to Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman, symbolically transferring the jet into Swedish Air Force service.
(Read More...)
10/14/2025
Boeing is designing a tiltrotor drone wingman concept to support the Army’s helicopter fleet, similar to the Air Force’s push for collaborative combat aircraft, as the Army rushes to field unmanned drones. Renderings for the CxR aircraft revealed by Boeing on Monday at the Association of the U.S. Army’s conference in Washington. The company’s pitch would place unmanned vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft alongside Army helicopters in combat and cargo operations.
(Read More...)
10/14/2025
On October 9, 2025, at approximately 18:15 local time (UTC+3), Russian forces struck a target in the Chechel district of Dnipro city, located roughly 120 km inside Ukrainian-controlled territory from the nearest front line in the Zaporizhzhia direction. A video posted on social media showed a blurred object flying through the night sky toward its target, followed by images of a column of dark gray smoke rising above the city.
(Read More...)
10/13/2025
Belgium will receive its first four F-35A fighter jets at Florennes Air Base on October 13, according to the service. Belgian Air Force pilots were preparing to fly these aircraft from the US to Europe over the weekend. The delivery initiates the next step in Belgium’s transition from F-16s to fifth-generation fighters.
(Read More...)
10/13/2025
While the attention of the defense community has focused on the performance of new Chinese-origin platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder and J-10CE, the F-16 fighters remain one of the main pillars of the Pakistan Air Force’s combat aviation. Given their importance, the U.S. government could move forward—at Islamabad’s request—with the provision of new AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip them, according to a recent contract dated September 30 published by the Department of Defense.
(Read More...)
10/12/2025
India is now believed to be the biggest supplier of fuel additives used to enhance the capabilities of Russian fighter jets, according to a new report. More than half a dozen Indian companies – suppliers and manufacturers based in Delhi and Mumbai – were found to have supplied nearly half of the total of Russia’s imported fuel additives in 2024, a Kyiv-based think tank has found.
(Read More...)
10/12/2025
A strong case is made that Canada is already “all-in” on acquiring the F-35, with the final contract signing being a mere formality. The proof lies in irreversible actions already underway: Canadian pilot training slots are booked in the U.S. for 2026, and air bases like Cold Lake and Bagotville are undergoing major upgrades to F-35 standards. The F-35 is not a standalone purchase but the “keystone” of a broader, integrated strategy to modernize Canada’s Arctic and NORAD defenses.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
10/12/2025
Russia has suffered another loss of combat aircraft – a Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter crashed. The incident was reported by Russian propagandist Fighterbomber, who published an emotional post. Another Russian propaganda outlet, Voyevoda Veshchayet, reported that two ‘experienced’ pilots were killed. The Ministry of Defence of Russia has not commented on the situation, and there is no public information about the crash site or the circumstances of the incident.
(Read More...)
10/12/2025
The United States has finalized an agreement with Qatar to deploy an Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the arrangement following a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
The facility will support the training of Qatari pilots on F-15 fighter aircraft. The number of F-15s to be based at the site has not been disclosed.
(Read More...)
10/12/2025
Egypt has received a batch of Rafale F3R fighters under a contract signed with France in 2021.
This was reported by the Egyptian media. The number of aircraft in the batch was not disclosed. The contract for the supply of 30 Rafale F3R fighter jets was signed in 2021. It became the second large-scale aviation agreement between Cairo and Paris after the first deal in 2015. The total value is €3.75 billion.
(Read More...)
10/11/2025
Sweden will participate in NATO’s annual nuclear military exercise for the first time, a major step for a nation that avoided military alliance for 200 years and has avoided nuclear entanglements entirely. The Swedish government’s statement on Friday regarding the deployment of Saab Gripen fighter jets to the Steadfast Noon exercise follows Finland’s confirmation of its participation with F/A-18 Hornets.
(Read More...)
10/11/2025
F-16 fighter jets, provided to Ukraine as part of military aid, carry out about 80% of all combat sorties flown by the Ukrainian Air Force. The Air and Space Forces Magazine reported on this.
These combat aircraft are used, in particular, to intercept Russian cruise missiles and Shahed kamikaze drones.
(Read More...)
10/11/2025
A Russian MiG-31 fighter-interceptor jet crashed in Lipetsk Oblast while attempting to land, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Oct. 9. The MiG-31, a twin-seat supersonic aircraft capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, has been widely used by Russia to strike targets deep inside Ukraine.
(Read More...)
10/11/2025
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon has agreed to build a new facility in Idaho to host fighter jets and pilots from Qatar. Hegseth made the announcement during a Pentagon ceremony honoring Qatari Minister of Defense Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, where the Trump administration official also highlighted the “core part” the Gulf nation played in securing the Gaza peace deal.
(Read More...)
10/11/2025
Denmark pledged today to spend 56.4 billion Danish Krone ($8.77 billion) on “significantly strengthening” its defense capabilities, split between a second tranche acquisition of 16 Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, valued at 27.4 billion Danish Krone, and an Arctic spending plan at a cost of 27.4 billion Danish Krone.
(Read More...)
10/10/2025
Airstrikes that Afghanistan’s Taliban government blamed on neighboring Pakistan struck two eastern provinces of the country, killing at least three people, wounding seven others and damaging homes, officials and witnesses said Thursday. In Kabul, the foreign ministry decried the strikes that took place late Wednesday in Nangarhar and Khost provinces, calling them a “provocative act” by Pakistan and summoning the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul.
(Read More...)
10/10/2025
Deliveries of F-15EX aircraft are being delayed by labor strikes at Boeing, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his Oct. 9 confirmation hearing to be Air Force Chief of Staff. During the hearing, Wilsbach touted the value of the EX and other fourth-generation platforms despite their lack of stealth, saying they can contribute in other ways. As an example, he cited the F-15EX’s expected ability to carry oversized hypersonic weapons.
(Read More...)
10/10/2025
The United States Navy is close to naming the winner of its highly anticipated contract for its sixth-generation fighter. The still-unnamed aircraft, known simply as the F/A-XX, will eventually replace the service’s aging carrier-capable F/A-18 Super Hornet, the updated variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
(Read More...)
10/10/2025
NATO allies are discussing the possibility of a stronger response to Russia’s ongoing provocations, including potentially allowing pilots to open fire on Russian aircraft and expanding military exercises along the Alliance’s eastern border, the Financial Times (FT) reported on October 8, citing four NATO officials.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
10/10/2025
Air Force pilots are not flying enough, and the service must fix what has become a chronic issue and the myriad of factors that contribute to it, particularly a lack of spare parts, the nominee to become the next Chief of Staff of the Air Force told senators during his confirmation hearing Oct. 9.
(Read More...)
10/09/2025
More frequent and more provocative Russian aircraft incursions into NATO airspace and rising pressure within the alliance to respond with force are raising the risks for front-line pilots flying air policing missions.
(Read More...)
10/09/2025
Greece is buying 20 F-35s (Lot-20) for about $8.6 billion, with deliveries targeted from 2028, to complement its F-16V fleet and transform the Hellenic Air Force’s reach, survivability, and ISR. The F-35’s stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare sharpen air policing and intercept missions across Greece’s vast coastline and islands while deepening NATO interoperability.
(Read More...)
10/09/2025
Boeing’s Government Services team has completed subsystem upgrades on 37 F-15C Eagle fighter jets at the Louisiana Air National Guard Base in New Orleans. The enhancements are part of a four-year effort to ensure the ageing aircraft remain combat-effective and secure into the 2030s.
(Read More...)
10/09/2025
When the first T-7A Red Hawk trainer arrives at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph this December, it will mark more than just the introduction of a new aircraft. It represents the U.S. Air Force’s acknowledgment of a decades-long training crisis that has quietly undermined pilot development: the service has been teaching aviators habits they’ll later need to unlearn, building muscle memory for aircraft that retired before many current pilots were born.
(Read More...)
10/09/2025
The German budget committee approved a long-planned order of advanced Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets today, greenlighting the €3.75 billion ($4.36 billion) procurement of 20 additional aircraft, designed to the Tranche 5 standard. In a translated statement, the German Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that the combat jets will be equipped with E-scan radars with deliveries set to run from 2031 to 2034.
(Read More...)
10/08/2025
Two air forces fly the Chinese-manufactured J-10 fighter – China and Pakistan – but a third nation could soon become an operator of this 4.5-generation jet. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Bangladesh’s top air force officer, announced last month that his country’s interim government had given an in-principle approval for the purchase of “multirole combat and attack aircraft” plus new surface-to-air missiles and long-range radars.
(Read More...)
10/08/2025
Details remain scant about an unspecified U.S. Air Force aircraft, widely believed to be a drone of some kind, which came down in southern Nevada not far from Area 51 nearly two weeks ago. Whether the aircraft was ever actually inside Area 51’s highly restricted airspace, also known as “The Box,” is unknown. The mishap prompted authorities to temporarily close the airspace above the crash site, with some exemptions, while the wreckage was cleared.
(Read More...)
10/08/2025
India and Brazil are in talks over a landmark defense deal that could see both nations swap high-value military platforms instead of paying in cash, according to local media. While specifics remain undisclosed, reports suggest New Delhi would acquire Brazil’s Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, while Brasília would receive an equivalent value of Indian-made defense systems.
(Read More...)
10/08/2025
The appearance of purported photos of the Russian Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate fighter aircraft has created a stir in the combat aviation community. Images show what appears to be the preparation of a flying prototype for a flight test on a tarmac. That facility is assessed to be the factory aerodrome of the Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KNAAPO) in Khabarovsk Province, Russian Far East.
(Read More...)
10/08/2025
After months of delay, the Pentagon will select as soon as this week the defense company to design and build the Navy's next stealth fighter, a U.S. official and two people familiar with the decision said, in what will be a multibillion-dollar effort for a jet seen as central to U.S. efforts to counter China.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
10/07/2025
This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China has revealed a previously undisclosed aerial confrontation in 2024 involving a domestically produced J-16 fighter jet and two unidentified foreign stealth aircraft near its coastal waters, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
(Read More...)
10/07/2025
NATO allies are increasing pressure on Greece to transfer part of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter fleet to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. The push reflects broader NATO efforts to reinforce Kyiv’s air defenses using allies’ stockpiles, according to Piraeus-based news agency Kathimerini.
(Read More...)
10/07/2025
The Air Force may upgrade 35 older F-22 Block 20 Raptors once slated for retirement, converting training airframes into combat-coded jets to bolster stealth capacity before sixth-generation NGAD arrives. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works says talks center on adding modern sensors, infrared search-and-track, electronic warfare, open-mission systems, and manned-unmanned teaming links for Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
(Read More...)
10/07/2025
The U.S. Navy’s maintainers have had to strip submarines and fighter jets for spare parts to repair other planes and subs, a government watchdog found. In at least one case, mechanics repairing a Navy fighter jet could not repair a radio because the cables needed for the job were only available from the manufacturer.
(Read More...)
10/07/2025
Spain is reportedly considering acquiring Turkey’s incoming fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets after shelving plans to purchase US-made F-35s in August in favor of European-built platforms. Madrid’s alleged interest in the KAAN is tied to growing defense ties with Ankara, including the prominent presence of Turkish defense companies at the Madrid defense fair in May and Spain’s acquisition of the Hürjet training aircraft in July, according to El Economista.
(Read More...)
10/06/2025
Human rights lawyers and the Greens are accusing the federal government of "hiding" details of Australia's involvement in a global supply chain Israel uses to maintain its F-35 fighter jets.
A page on the Department of Defence website once explained how the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program was "transforming Australian industry".
(Read More...)
10/06/2025
Raytheon has announced a new variant of its APG-82 radar for the F-15EX fighter aircraft that offers increased effective range without requiring additional power. The new solution was unveiled during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in mid-September.
(Read More...)
10/06/2025
A newly leaked document allegedly from Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec appears to outline detailed pricing, delivery schedules, and export plans for advanced Sukhoi fighter jets destined for several foreign clients — including Iran, Algeria, and Ethiopia. The material was published online on October 3 by the hacker collective Black Mirror, which claims to have accessed more than 300 internal documents from Rostec’s systems.
(Read More...)
10/06/2025
Turkish drone maker Baykar Technologies has completed the second captive munition flight test of its Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet, this time using Roketsan’s TEBER-82 precision-guided bomb. The test involved two 500-pound TEBER-82 laser and GNSS-guided bombs mounted on external hardpoints of the Kizilelma PT-3 prototype.
(Read More...)
10/06/2025
While much of the attention in recent years has been focused on the development and production of the new KAI KF-21 Boramae, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has also been making steady progress in other capability enhancement programs. In particular, the one centered on upgrading 134 of its KF-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to the Block 72 Viper standard, with confirmation last September that the flight simulators will also be brought up to the same new configuration.
(Read More...)
10/05/2025
A leaked document regarding KRET equipment for Russian fighter jets to be exported revealed that Iran will receive 48 Su-35 fighters to modernise its fleet. The leaked document was shared on social media platforms, which provides information on the amount of the state-owned KRET’s RF equipment.
(Read More...)
10/04/2025
Two new F-16 fighter jets arrived in Bulgaria on October 3 in fulfillment of the 2019 contract, the country’s Defence Ministry said. The aircraft landed at the Graf Ignatievo near Bulgaria’s city of Plovdiv. Of the combat aircraft that arrived on October 3, one is a single-seater and one a double-seater, the Defence Ministry said.
(Read More...)
10/04/2025
With the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean expanding to become a “non-international armed conflict,” the prospects of some kind of confrontation between the U.S. military and Venezuela are rising, too. On top of the counter-narcotics effort, some officials in the Trump administration are pushing to oust Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.
(Read More...)
10/04/2025
The United States Air Force’s Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk has officially been “retired” from service. Yet the twin-engine stealth attack aircraft continues to turn up in the most unexpected places—and at times doing the quite unexpected. So it was earlier this week, when trade publication The Aviationist reported that two of the advanced Nighthawk fighters were seen being refueled from a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker on Tuesday over Los Angeles.
(Read More...)
10/03/2025
The Air National Guard lost a fighter unit Sept. 23 when the Maryland National Guard formally ended the A-10C Thunderbolt II mission at Warfield Air National Guard Base outside of Baltimore. The last A-10 departed the base two days later. The 104th Fighter Squadron had operated the aircraft for 45 years. The action was part of an Air Force plan announced in March 2024 to convert the 175th Wing from a dual-mission wing to an exclusively cyber wing.
(Read More...)
10/03/2025
In US President Donald Trump’s view, NATO countries have every right to shoot down Russian jets and drones crossing into their airspace. The alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte took a similar stance, saying members can target Russian drones and airplanes “if necessary.” CEPA asked its military and security experts: How should NATO respond? Their warning is clear — the alliance must establish and enforce clear red lines or risk the collapse of the very deterrence on which it relies.
(Read More...)
10/02/2025
A Dutch Air Force F-35 fighter jet has shot down a Russian Shahed drone, as evidenced by a marking left on the aircraft’s fuselage, according to Defensie.nl. As evidence, the outlet published a photo of the aircraft featuring a marking of a Russian attack drone on its fuselage.
The downing likely occurred in Polish airspace on September 10.
(Read More...)
10/02/2025
Japan and the United Kingdom are deepening their defense ties as security challenges grow across the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Following the U.K. Carrier Strike Group’s three-week visit to Japan in August and September 2025, which included joint fighter jet training over the Sea of Japan, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) dispatched F-15 fighters and support aircraft to Europe and North America for unit-to-unit exchanges.
(Read More...)
10/02/2025
In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk, warned that Russia is poised to increase its airstrikes and said that more Western aircraft are desperately needed. Havrylyuk added that help is on the way and that Kyiv is expected to receive “additional deliveries of F-16 aircraft, as well as French Mirage and Swedish Gripen” jet fighters.
(Read More...)
10/02/2025
The Air Force is racing toward 2035 with a simple idea: keep the edge by mixing a few game-changers with smarter versions of what already works. The B-21 Raider sneaks in first; the B-52J lugs big magazines from afar. Up top, the new F-47 NGAD leads with stealth and sensor fusion while “loyal wingman” drones add mass. In the middle, refreshed classics—F-15EX for big weapons and jamming, a “Super” F-22, and a “Ferrari-ized” F-35—stretch every dollar.
(Read More...)
10/02/2025
The Air Force is laying the groundwork to start incorporating the T-7A Red Hawk into its pilot training operations. But the service is still about two years away from the first student pilots learning in the new, fifth-generation, Boeing-made jet. Before that can happen, the Air Force has to train its own trainers, said Air Education and Training Command deputy commander Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn.
(Read More...)
10/01/2025
The Trump Administration is exploring a workaround to restore Turkey’s access to F-35s by deeming Ankara’s Russian S-400 “inoperable” after removing a component—an attempt to skirt CAATSA sanctions that Congress must review. Critics warn the reversible fix sets a dangerous precedent: Iran or North Korea could cite it to “disable” systems temporarily while preserving rapid reactivation.
(Read More...)
10/01/2025
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, hinted in a BBC interview that the country anticipates receiving additional combat aircraft, including F-16, as well as French Mirage jets and Swedish Gripen fighters.
(Read More...)
10/01/2025
Türkiye has started fitting its own developed engines into land, air, sea and missile systems, a key move toward full self-reliance in defense.The push, driven by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), aims to cut reliance on foreign parts like engines for home-built platforms.
(Read More...)
10/01/2025
Taiwan has expressed interest in acquiring Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation to replace its aging Mirage 2000 fleet, according to company Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. Although Taipei has extended the service life of its Mirage 2000s, Trappier noted that Taiwan and other operators may face growing sustainment challenges as production support for the aircraft declines with Dassault’s shift toward the newer Rafale.
(Read More...)
10/01/2025
The Pentagon’s Joint Program Office and manufacturer Lockheed Martin have finalized a deal for roughly $24.3 billion that covers nearly 300 F-35 stealth fighters, the two parties announced Monday evening. The agreement provides for 148 airframes each in production lots 18 and 19, according to a Pentagon contract announcement, concluding negotiations that have stretched on for roughly two years. The deal includes jets for the US government as well as foreign buyers.
(Read More...)
09/30/2025
The Air Force is studying whether a large flying wing-type stealth aircraft armed with dozens of air-to-air missiles could be an element of its future air superiority force, sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The aircraft could be based on the Northrop Grumman B-21, but the concept is at an early stage and other contractors could potentially have a shot at the work due to Northrop’s limited B-21 production capacity.
(Read More...)
09/30/2025
Türkiye's indigenous fighter jet program is advancing as planned and will not be dependent on any single foreign engine supplier, according to the country's top defense procurement official late on Sunday. The remarks came shortly after Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye was waiting for approval by the U.S. Congress for deliveries of American-made engines intended for the first batch of the advanced Kaan warplanes.
(Read More...)
09/30/2025
Swedish Gripen has been repeatedly mentioned in discussions about supplying aircraft to Ukraine, but priority was given to the F-16 platform. It seems the situation is changing now. What are the advantages of the Gripen, and what tasks can it perform?
(Read More...)
09/30/2025
The company is considering relocating the Super Hornet work to its other sites, starting with its facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and San Antonio, according to the press release. In addition to St. Louis, the modification work is also currently being performed in San Antonio and Jacksonville as well as at the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego.
(Read More...)
09/30/2025
Earlier this month, a swarm of Russian drones violated Poland’s borders. Some were shot down. A few days later, another Russian drone overflew Romania en route to Ukraine. The Romanian air defence let it get away. Then, on 19 September, three Russian MiG-31 fighters intruded into Estonia’s airspace. Italian F-35s – in the area on a Nato mission – intercepted the Russians and saw them off.
(Read More...)
09/29/2025
NATO fighter jets were scrambled and air defense units put on alert in the early hours of Sunday in response to a major Russian drone and missile strike on Ukraine, the Polish Operational Command said in posts to X. "Due to the activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation, which is carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace," the command said in a statement.
(Read More...)
09/28/2025
Singapore is set to receive the first of its 20 F-35 fighter jets by late 2026, marking an important step in its Air Force modernization, according to the Singapore Defence Ministry.
The procurement of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft is part of a “long-term strategy to build up the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s [RSAF] future fighter fleet, which will comprise a diversified fleet of F-35As, F-35Bs and F-15SGs,” the ministry stated.
(Read More...)
09/28/2025
The bombing mission is the first time fighter jets have flown from an aircraft carrier in the North Sea to reach a target at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland, the easternmost arm of the Baltic Sea. "We can fly the F-18s 1,000 miles (1,600 km), and even longer with aerial refuelling. No problem to reach Finland," said Capt. David J. Dartez, commander of the Air Wing Eight which is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
(Read More...)
09/27/2025
Unidentified drones were observed near military installations in Denmark overnight, the Armed Forces said on Saturday, following several drone incursions near airports and critical infrastructure this week. "The Danish Defence can confirm that drones were observed at several of the Danish Defence's locations last night. Several capabilities were deployed," a spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.
(Read More...)
09/27/2025
Türkiye's unmanned fighter aircraft Bayraktar Kizilelma completed its first captive flight test successfully, carrying Aselsan's TOLUN precision munition, marking a significant milestone in the drone's weapons integration phase. Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar and the company shared footage of the test on social media platforms, showing the third prototype of Kizilelma carrying two SADAK-4T smart racks, each fitted with one TOLUN small-diameter bomb on external hardpoints.
(Read More...)
09/27/2025
Speaking before the National Assembly, Trappier highlighted that several countries — including India, Qatar, Egypt, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates — are now planning to replace their Mirage 2000 fleets with Rafale fighters.
(Read More...)
09/27/2025
Russia’s MiG-31 remains pivotal thanks to rugged steel/titanium airframes, periodic depot overhauls, and major upgrades. Variants like MiG-31BM add Zaslon-M radar and R-37M shots; MiG-31K carries the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, turning a Cold War interceptor into a long-range strike host.With Mach 2.8 speed, big sensors, and heavy missile loads, the MiG-31 fills a niche Russia can’t readily replace, evidenced by recent NATO-border incidents.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
Ukraine’s Defense Forces shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber over the Zaporizhzhia axis on the morning of September 25, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Telegram. The aircraft was downed at around 4 am while conducting strikes on Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a landmark contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal, valued at Rs 62,370 crore (around $7.5 billion), was signed in New Delhi on September 25, 2025. It covers 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
Amid what it described as a "hybrid attack," NATO ally Denmark said drones were spotted near an airbase housing F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. Drones also disrupted airports across the country. Danish officials reported drone sightings near multiple airports Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, with the military saying it saw drones at "several military installations."
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command, under NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, conducted Agile Combat Employment operations at King Salmon Airport, Alaska, from Sept. 8-12, 2025. Four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, conducted Homeland Defense operations from remote airfield King Salmon, demonstrating the capability to conduct Homeland Defense missions from dispersed locations in the Alaskan.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
Helsing has unveiled the CA-1 Europa, an autonomous uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that the company says could be operational within the next four years. The full-scale design study was presented at Grob Aircraft, the German light-aircraft manufacturer that Helsing acquired in June 2025. Development and testing of the platform will take place at Grob’s facilities with support from European partners across the aerospace ecosystem.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has successfully completed a critical round of testing on its small turbofan engine family, paving the way for integration into next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The tests confirmed that thrust levels on these engines can be significantly increased, strengthening their suitability for advanced military applications.
(Read More...)
09/26/2025
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sept. 24, 2025. NORAD responded with an E-3, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tankers to positively identify and intercept in the Alaskan ADIZ.
(Read More...)
09/25/2025
Late on a Friday night, a handful of Russian fast jets veer into the airspace of one of Nato’s frontline states with their transponders switched off. Instead of flying parallel to the border and then slipping away as they usually would, this time they make an abrupt turn inland, seemingly heading towards a military facility.
(Read More...)
09/25/2025
Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have touched down in Iran, giving the country’s aging air force a short-term boost amid escalating Middle East tensions, an Iranian lawmaker said Tuesday.
Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of parliament’s National Security Committee, called the MiG-29s a “short-term solution” while Tehran awaits the more advanced Sukhoi Su-35 jets, signaling a broader push to strengthen its military capabilities.
(Read More...)
09/25/2025
Air Force may get a reading on how many combat coded fighters it will need in years ahead as the result of a study that just began. “I know we don’t have enough right now,” Maj. Gen. William Betts, the director of plans, programs and requirements at Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley AFB, Va., said in an interview on Wednesday.
(Read More...)
09/25/2025
The first time he throttled the MiG-21 to full power, soaring 20km above the Earth at twice the speed of sound, the young fighter pilot felt utterly weightless, as if the sky itself had let him go.
"At Mach 2 you can feel the lightness in the stomach. The MiG-21's turns at that speed are vast - banking sharply can carry you over many kilometres before completing a full arc," recalls Air Marshal (retired) Prithvi Singh Brar. He joined the Air Force in 1960, switched to the Soviet jet in 1966, an
(Read More...)
09/24/2025
Through recent statements by Estonia’s Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, the Baltic country expressed its readiness to host on its territory the future stealth F-35A fighters of the Royal Air Force (RAF), which the United Kingdom is set to acquire with nuclear strike capability provided by the United States. The declaration follows the September 19 incursion of three Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-31 interceptors, which violated the country’s airspace for twelve minutes.
(Read More...)
09/24/2025
On September 19, US aerospace company Radia announced a massive new cargo aircraft designed to move outsized military equipment without disassembly, aiming to plug what it calls a growing strategic airlift gap for the Pentagon and allied defense ministries. The aircraft, branded WindRunner for Defense, was announced at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference outside Washington.
(Read More...)
09/24/2025
Lockheed Martin is pushing to expand F-22 modernization to include 35 older Block 20 trainers—saving them from scrapping—and to pursue a broader “fifth-gen-plus” path for the F-35. Skunk Works’ OJ Sanchez says discussions are underway to fold Block 20s into upgrades already hitting Block 30/35 jets (open mission systems, new IR defenses, radar/EW enhancements).
(Read More...)
09/24/2025
The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group hosted Weapons System Evaluation Program Combat Archer 25.09 here Sept. 8-19, 2025. WSEP is a recurring exercise that provides units with a chance to evaluate combat readiness by conducting live-fire exercises with real air-to-air weapons, supported by full-scale and subscale drones, allowing aircraft, weapons and crews to perform in realistic scenarios.
(Read More...)
09/23/2025
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has demonstrated its ability to launch and recover aircraft from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian. Official imagery released by the PLAN today confirms that the new J-35 naval stealth fighters and KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft are carrying out carrier trials, something that had not been seen until now.
(Read More...)
09/23/2025
The Air Force’s first F-47 fighter is now being built by Boeing, and the advanced jet is expected to have its initial flight in 2028, Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said Monday. Allvin, speaking at the Air and Space Forces’ Air, Space and Cyber Conference, said that Boeing’s team worked quickly to start manufacturing the sixth-generation fighter after their selection was announced in March.
(Read More...)
09/22/2025
Estonian MP and security expert Eerik-Niiles Kross says NATO’s rules of engagement explain why Russian fighters weren’t shot down – but argues Estonia still needs its own jets. Russia’s violation of Estonia’s state border on 19 September was clearly unfriendly and deeply unsettling. I understand those who ask why the aircraft were not shot down. As a nation we cannot, and will not, tolerate aircraft from an aggressor state entering our airspace.
(Read More...)
09/22/2025
Germany’s air force says it has scrambled two Eurofighter jets to track a Russian reconnaissance aircraft after it had entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea. In a statement, the air force said its “quick reaction alert force” was ordered on Sunday by NATO to investigate an unidentified aircraft flying without a plan or radio contact.
(Read More...)
09/22/2025
Lockheed Martin unveiled a new autonomous drone called “Vectis,” which the company’s Skunk Works advanced products division thinks is the right-sized platform to partner with both Air Force and Navy crewed combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
09/21/2025
Canada is reassessing whether to complete its 88-jet F-35 purchase or pivot to Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen amid political frictions and cost debates. Security advocates argue the F-35’s stealth, sensors, and MADL networking are essential to police Canada’s vast Arctic and western approaches while interoperating with NORAD and allied F-35 fleets. Sixteen jets already purchased are insufficient to maintain a continuous 5th-gen air envelope.
(Read More...)
09/21/2025
Russian military aircraft violated Estonian airspace on Friday, ignoring signals from Italian jets on NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission, a senior Estonian military official confirmed. The 12-minute incursion represents the latest test of the alliance's response to Russian airborne threats, following around 20 Russian drones entering Polish airspace on 10 September.
(Read More...)
09/21/2025
America-class LHAs are the Navy’s largest amphibs and “lightning carriers” for USMC F-35B STOVL jets. USS America (LHA-6) and USS Tripoli (LHA-7)—omit a well deck to add fuel, maintenance space, and a 20–25 aircraft air group, boosting F-35B reach and sortie rates.45,700 tons, 844 ft, two gas turbines, >20 knots, and ESSM/RAM/CIWS self-defense. America is returning to San Diego; Tripoli is forward-deployed to Sasebo.
(Read More...)
09/21/2025
India’s ambitious fighter jet program stands at a crossroads. While American promises of engine technology transfer remain stuck in bureaucratic delays, French aerospace giant Safran has stepped forward with a game-changing proposal that could reshape India’s military aviation future.
(Read More...)
09/21/2025
Polish and allied military aircraft were scrambled early Saturday after Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine including strikes that targeted near its western border with Poland. It came hours after NATO intercepted three Russian jets over Estonia’s airspace and with Europe on heightened alert following a series of Russian airspace violations in eastern countries.
(Read More...)
09/20/2025
The Air Force cannot return to dominance by scaling up today’s force or chasing a single breakthrough. Adversaries now field sensors, precision weapons, and resilient command and control that are comparable to what the United States has. Meanwhile, each new crewed aircraft generation costs more to acquire and sustain, and personnel costs outpace inflation.
(Read More...)
09/20/2025
The Polish Border Guard reported that two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea on Friday, September 19, flying directly over it.
TVP World reported this, according to Ukrinform. “Two Russian fighter jets performed a low pass over the Petrobaltic platform in the Baltic Sea. The platform's safety zone was violated,” the Border Guard stated.
(Read More...)
09/20/2025
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was purpose-built for close air support: long loiter, armor, and a 30mm cannon to shred tanks. But in peer fights with dense, layered air defenses—like those seen over Ukraine—non-stealth jets struggle to survive near the front. The F-35 can’t loiter like an A-10, yet its stealth, precision weapons, and powerful sensor-fusion let it find, fix, and pass targets while staying alive, teaming with drones, AC-130s, and helicopters for effects.
(Read More...)
09/20/2025
After Russian MiG-31 fighter jets flew into NATO member Estonia's airspace without permission, Italian F-35 stealth fighters scrambled to respond. The incident marks the fourth time this year the Russian military has has violated Estonian airspace. It also comes at a time of rising tensions between the alliance and Moscow.
(Read More...)
09/20/2025
NATO has reacted after Russian military jets breached Estonian airspace on Friday, marking a fresh provocation near the bloc's eastern flank. Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for several minutes earlier in the day, before leaving again, according to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(Read More...)
09/19/2025
Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a formal mutual defence pact in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions. The enhanced defence ties come as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary about the reliability of the US as their longstanding security guarantor – concerns heightened by Israel’s attack in Qatar last week.
(Read More...)
09/19/2025
NATO has warned Denmark that it has too few fighter jets and urged the country to boost its air combat capacity, according to broadcaster DR News. NATO is warning that Denmark must increase its Air Force fighter jet strength by 60% to meet the alliance’s recently updated target of 43 jets, according to DR sources. This increase corresponds to Denmark buying 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the US and Lockheed Martin, the jets’ manufacturer.
(Read More...)
09/19/2025
Venezuela began large-scale military drills on the Caribbean island of La Orchila, mobilizing thousands of troops, warships, aircraft, and air-defense systems in a show of force it said was a response to United States naval deployment in the southern Caribbean.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
France has sent three Dassault Rafale fighter jets to Poland to protect NATO’s eastern border following a series of Russian drone incursions, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
The US Air Force (USAF), in partnership with Raytheon, recently conducted the longest recorded launch of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) from a fifth-generation fighter. The test took place at Eglin Air Force Base and involved an F-22 Raptor, highlighting the missile’s extended flight capability under the current F3R development program.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
The Italian firm Leonardo formally presented its proposal to supply 32 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 5 fighters to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The offer seeks to meet the requirement of the multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) program, in which the Typhoon stands out as the first twin-engine fighter in the competition.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
On 15 September, the US Department of State announced the approval of a request from the Peruvian authorities regarding a potential purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70 multirole fighter aircraft. The request is linked to Peru’s ongoing tender for next-generation combat aircraft, with the American offer being one of several under consideration.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
Lockheed Martin has announced an upgrade to the Republic of Korea Air Force’s F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to reflect the advanced capabilities of its upgraded F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft. These upgrades reflect enhanced mission capabilities of the Republic of Korea Air Force, providing high-fidelity simulated environments for pilots to train like they fly.
(Read More...)
09/18/2025
Three Polish organizations have formed a strategic consortium to build what they claim is Europe's first unmanned fighter aircraft designed to combat the growing threat of drones, drone swarms and loitering munitions on the modern battlefield.
(Read More...)
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.
(Read More...)
09/17/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/17/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/17/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/17/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
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.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
A U.K. Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was noted today flying in Polish airspace along the border with Russia and Belarus, apparently highlighting a significant, if overlooked, overland surveillance mission for the type. The unusual flight comes amid rising tensions between NATO and Russia in the region, following the Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace last week.
(Read More...)
09/16/2025
In the days before and after the Russian drone incursion into Poland, the Swedish Air Force confirmed the interception over the Baltic of Russian Armed Forces combat aircraft, as well as signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft, by its JAS-39 Gripen fighters, in coordination with Denmark.
(Read More...)
09/15/2025
Turkish company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi signed an agreement to export 20 mm ammunition for FA-50 light fighter jets to Poland at the DSEI 2025 exhibition. This will allow aircraft delivered in 2023 to begin using their cannon weapons.
(Read More...)
09/15/2025
NATO allies Poland and Romania both scrambled fighter jets to respond to Russian drone and missile attacks in Ukraine on Saturday, as the alliance looks to bolster its defensive options in response to repeated violations of allied airspace by Russian munitions.
(Read More...)
09/15/2025
Share
Most Read
1
Türkiye’s rising 'ghetto tourism': Poverty as a commodity amid urban inequality
2
Exclusive: Ex-FBI agent explains why US political violence is on rise
3
Türkiye extradites 8 fugitives wanted on red notices, national warrants
4
Türkiye falls short in EuroBasket final, securing silver in 88-83 defeat to Germany
5
Fidan attends Arab-Islamic preparatory meeting ahead of Gaza summit
newsletters
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is advancing development of its KAAN f
(Read More...)
09/15/2025
The human body has not evolved to meet the physical demands of flying a fighter jet. High G-forces, high altitude, low oxygen—the fighter jet places the human body in an environment and in situations far removed from what that body is built to withstand. Put simply, without specialized training and equipment, the environment is not compatible with life. This is why flying a fighter jet is among the most physically demanding and physically dangerous occupations in the world.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
Five U.S. F-35 aircraft were seen landing in Puerto Rico on Saturday after President Donald Trump last week ordered 10 of the stealth fighters to join a military buildup in the Caribbean to counter drug cartels amid rising tensions with Venezuela. The F-35s were seen landing at the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, by Ricky Arduengo, a contract photographer working for Reuters.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced that F-15 fighter jets from the Air Self-Defense Force will fly to the other side of the world to demonstrate Japan’s commitment to deepened exchanges with like-minded nations. He said the aircraft would visit the United States, Canada, Britain and Germany over roughly two weeks from Sept. 14.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to acquiring 20 F-35 fighter aircraft during a visit to Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The first aircraft is on track for delivery at the end of 2026.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
After Poland, a Russian drone breached the Romanian airspace, raising worries among Nato over a war spilling over. The incident prompted Romania to scramble F-16 fighter jets to track the unmanned aircraft for nearly an hour. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ramped up its security after a Russian drone violated Romanian airspace on Saturday. The incident prompted Romania to scramble F-16 fighter jets to track the unmanned aircraft for nearly an hour.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
One of the Air Force’s most powerful bombers recently flew to the Arctic to test out its ship killing bomb earlier this month. A B-2 Spirit bomber flew with planes from the Norwegian Air Force in a test of the military’s “Quicksink” munition, taking out a floating target.
(Read More...)
09/14/2025
One month after Boeing won the USAF’s F-47 NGAD, Lockheed Martin surprised observers twice: it declined to protest and unveiled a “Ferrari” F-35 concept—a fifth-gen-plus upgrade leveraging NGAD tech. Thus far, Pentagon and JPO reactions are muted, and insiders note upgrade programs rarely mint generals, dampening enthusiasm inside the Air Force.
(Read More...)
09/13/2025
U.S.–Iran antagonism did not begin with this June’s B-2 strikes. In 2013, after Iranian jets harassed U.S. MQ-1 flights in international airspace, the Pentagon began escorting drones with fighters. During one mission, two Iranian F-4 Phantoms closed on a Predator—until an F-22 Raptor flown by Lt. Col. Kevin “Showtime” Sutterfield slid unseen beneath them, verified their loads, then pulled alongside with a radio warning: “You really ought to go home.”
(Read More...)
09/13/2025
China’s two-seat J-20S debuted prominently, highlighting a shift toward manned-unmanned teaming and airborne command roles. Beijing touts the back-seater as a “mission commander,” potentially controlling loyal-wingman drones.
(Read More...)
09/13/2025
As anyone who has glanced inside the cockpit of an older aircraft can tell you: the cockpit used to be a clutter of gauges and switches, a schematic overload that could leave the layman disoriented. This effect was hardly isolated to the layman; the confusing gauge-filled cockpit was also a source of friction for the pilot, albeit one that could be somewhat mitigated through training and repetition.
(Read More...)
09/13/2025
Decades of force cuts and deferred modernization have left the U.S. Air Force unable to simultaneously deter nuclear attacks, defend the U.S. homeland, and defeat Chinese aggression at acceptable levels of risk. Years of insufficient resources have also eroded the Air Force’s ability to conduct long-range, penetrating attacks against China’s centers of gravity and deny the operational sanctuaries the People’s Liberation Army.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
France will send three Rafale fighter jets to help defend Polish airspace following what Warsaw described as an unprecedented Russian drone attack that violated NATO territory 19 times, President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
A second B-21 bomber has flown from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base in California, ramping up the Air Force’s test effort for its new fleet. The flight occurred Sept. 11, the Air Force confirmed. Aviation enthusiasts snapped photos of the B-21 taking off and flying from outside the fence line at Plant 42, where the aircraft is manufactured. Photographer Jarod Hamilton shared a video on social media showing the Raider soaring across a cloudless sky, accompanied by an F-16.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
The US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program—slated as drone “wingmen” to the Boeing F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program—represents a leap forward in unmanned aerial operations. Whereas today’s drones rely upon remotely piloted systems, complete with human operators and satellite links, the CCA will be truly autonomous—making self-contained combat decisions in real-time, executing missions with minimal human input.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
Taiwan's Apex Aviation on Thursday confirmed reports that a Chinese military aircraft had flown close to one of its medevac planes near Kinmen in June. Confirming the first news report of the incident, which was published by the local RW News on Tuesday, Apex told CNA on Thursday that the issue occurred on the morning of June 26, when one of its medevac aircraft was flying from Taipei Songshan Airport to its base in the offshore Kinmen County, carrying no patients.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
Ukraine’s 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade announced on Thursday that the pilot of a Su-27 (NATO: Flanker) fighter aircraft, Major Oleksandr Borovyk, has been killed in action during combat operations near Zaporizhzhia. According to the 39th’s statement on Facebook, Borovyk was performing a combat mission in a Su-27 aircraft on the Zaporizhzhia front when his fighter jet went down at about 13:30 on Thursday afternoon – for reasons that are still being clarified.
(Read More...)
09/12/2025
The last of the venerable Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter swing-wing strike aircraft in Europe have been officially withdrawn from service. At one time, the Su-22 was a backbone of Warsaw Pact offensive airpower on the continent, with the final examples having been operated by the Polish Air Force, which had flown these impressive jets since the first example was delivered more than 40 years ago.
(Read More...)
09/11/2025
A spokesperson for NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) says it has no force posture changes to announce after an unprecedented flurry of Russian drones violated Polish airspace overnight. Authorities in Poland say they have assessed that the incursions were not accidental. Polish and Dutch fighters shot down several of the intruding uncrewed aircraft. The alliance has described this as a first-of-its-kind event.
(Read More...)
09/11/2025
A squadron of Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets began arriving at an air station southeast of Hiroshima this week to replace the service’s first squadron of F-35B Lightning II fighters deployed to Japan. The first Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 landed Monday at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni for a six-month stint, according to a news release from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing that day.
(Read More...)
09/11/2025
Singapore has confirmed its selection of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon as its next maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The new aircraft will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) fleet of aging Fokker 50 turboprops for a significant capability boost and will continue the modernization of one of the region’s best-equipped air arms.
(Read More...)
09/11/2025
It has become a common practice among fighter aircraft designers and producers outside the United States to present new designs and claim them to be stealthy. To some degree, according to US experts in this esoteric field of aerospace technology, they can describe what they have developed as “stealthy,” but most do not meet US standards in this regard.
(Read More...)
09/11/2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the use of NATO aircraft to intercept Russian drones over Poland after a Wednesday incursion amid an attack on Ukraine. “The precedent of using combat aircraft from several European countries simultaneously to shoot down Russian weapons and protect human lives is highly significant,” Zelensky wrote in a statement on the social platform X.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
Israeli air strikes have hit the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, a Houthi-affiliated media outlet reports.
“Israeli aggression on the capital Sanaa,” Al Masirah television posted on Telegram on Wednesday.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
More than a dozen Russian drones entered Poland overnight, prompting NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot them down in what Western officials described on Wednesday as a dangerous escalation of the war in neighboring Ukraine.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
Algeria’s procurement of Russian Su-34 fighter jets appears to be making progress. According to reports, production of the Sukhoi fighter jets intended for Algiers is already underway. Last month, Military Watch Magazine confirmed new footage that depicted a small batch of Su-34 strike fighters being prepared in export configuration. Analysts suspect that this batch of aircraft is intended for Algeria and is expected to replace the nation’s older Su-24M strike fighters.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
Last week was one for the books. US President Donald Trump rebranded the Department of Defense as the Department of War. And China held a remarkable parade and flyover in Beijing. It was clearly intended to drive home the fact that China’s armed forces had at least attained technical parity with the United States and possibly surpassed it.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
As the arrival of the first six F-16AM/BM fighters for the Argentine Air Force approaches, alongside progress in infrastructure works and the training of pilots and personnel, at the end of last August the United States government awarded a new contract aimed at sustaining the Argentine aircraft as well as those of other operators. This comes in addition to other contracts granted by the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as agreements reached between Argentina and Danish firms.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
On August 5, reports began coming out revealing the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems command (NAVAIR) had issued contracts to companies seeking conceptual designs for a carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) ‘drone fighter’.
(Read More...)
09/10/2025
British, Italian and Japanese firms set to build sensors and communications systems for the GCAP fighter have formed a UK-based consortium ready to sign a design and development contract with the platform’s lead integrators. Known as GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E), the consortium groups Leonardo and ELT Group from Italy, Leonardo UK and Mitsubishi Electric representing Japan, the firms said at the DSEI show in London.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, expanding its military actions that have ranged across the Middle East to include the Gulf Arab state where the Palestinian Islamist group has long had its political base. Qatar, which has acted as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks on a ceasefire in the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, condemned the attack as "cowardly" and called it a flagrant violation of international law.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
Israel has carried out air strikes in the central and western parts of Syria, the country's state news agency said on Monday night. Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the air strikes as "a blatant infringement" of its sovereignty and regional stability, Reuters reported.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
The recent flyby carried out by Venezuelan F-16s near a United States Navy destroyer in the Caribbean Sea has put the spotlight on the Fighting Falcons of the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB). Of U.S. origin and manufactured by what was then General Dynamics, they once were, at the time of their arrival in Venezuela, the most technologically advanced and capable multirole fighters in South America.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
Delivery of the F-35A fighter jets to Switzerland remains scheduled to begin in mid-2027, Switzerland’s defense procurement agency Armasuisse confirmed on September 6, 2025.
The first aircraft will come from Lockheed Martin’s factory in Fort Worth, Texas, before a second production line in Cameri, Italy, starts deliveries in mid-2028. Switzerland’s fleet is due to arrive in the latest “Block 4” configuration, an Armasuisse spokesperson told Swiss agency Keystone-ATS.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
The U.S. Air Force faces a potential “air superiority gap” due to the small size and maintenance issues of its F-22 Raptor fleet. While the F-22 remains a qualitatively superior fighter, only 143 (numbers vary by source) of the 186 aircraft are combat-coded, a number dwarfed by China’s rapidly growing fleet of J-20s.
(Read More...)
09/09/2025
In a scathing assessment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter effort and associated contractors, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a 54-page report on the program’s recent performance. The federal agency identified troubling trends related to modernization efforts for the F-35 Block 4 upgrade, related delivery underperformance, and failed contract requirements. Below are some of the leading highlights.
(Read More...)
09/08/2025
The United States government has authorized the potential sale of a new batch of advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to equip the fighter fleets of the Belgian, Italian, and Romanian Air Forces. This follows one of the most recent notifications submitted by the State Department to the U.S. Congress, seeking approval for the $103.9 million transaction through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
(Read More...)
09/07/2025
The first flight of the US Air Force’s sixth-generation F-47 fighter will happen sooner than many anticipate, according to Boeing’s Phantom Works division. Colin Miller, vice president and general manager, said people will “be surprised by how fast you see [the F-47] flying.”
(Read More...)
09/07/2025
Amid growing competition in the U.S. defense industry, Anduril Industries announced Friday that it has been chosen by the U.S. Navy to develop designs for the service’s future carrier-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). “The US Navy has selected Anduril to develop designs for carrier-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA),” the company said. “We are focused on delivering an aircraft built specifically to the Navy’s distinct needs, at rapid speed and formidable scale.”
(Read More...)
09/06/2025
The first of Türkiye's next KAAN indigenous combat aircraft prototypes has entered the system integration phase, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) planning first flights for spring 2026, company officials announced. TAI officials, speaking to Tony Osborne from Aviation Week on Tuesday, confirmed that two prototypes are in an advanced state of structural assembly, with system integration work underway at the company's final assembly line in Ankara.
(Read More...)
09/06/2025
The F-15 Eagle is a dominant aircraft, unrivaled in air-to-air combat—still in active service, and credited with over 100 aerial kills without a single loss. The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is one of the most respected fighter aircraft ever built. Boasting an undefeated air-to-air record, the F-15 is an air superiority virtuoso benefitting from exceptional maneuverability and handling characteristics combined with raw power.
(Read More...)
09/06/2025
Two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a United States Navy ship in international waters, the US Department of Defense has said, in a move described as “highly provocative” amid escalating tension between Washington and Caracas. The Defense Department warned Venezuela in a statement late on Thursday to cease further provocative moves, describing the Venezuelan aircraft buzzing over the US vessel – reported to be the guided-missile destroyer Jason Dunham.
(Read More...)
09/06/2025
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have completed a series of demonstrations validating the operational viability of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The Capability Demonstration 2025 missions concluded in early June, four months ahead of schedule, after 150 hours of flight and more than 20,000 hours of virtual testing.
(Read More...)
09/06/2025
The United States is not talking about regime change in Venezuela, President Donald Trump said on Friday, as the United States ordered an additional 10 stealth fighter jets to a military buildup in the Caribbean. "We're not talking about that, but we are talking about the fact that you had an election which was a very strange election, to put it mildly," Trump said, referring to the contested 2024 election the Venezuelan government says President Nicolas Maduro won.
(Read More...)
09/05/2025
Two armed Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets flew over the USS Jason Dunham on Thursday, according to multiple Defense Department officials who described the action as a "show of force." The Dunham, an Aegis guided-missile destroyer, is among a flotilla of U.S. warships dispatched to the region in recent weeks that the Pentagon says have been deployed to target criminal organizations and narco-terrorism.
(Read More...)
09/05/2025
The Hellenic Air Force is considering the acquisition of additional M-346 aircraft, including the armed variant, to support the advanced stage of training new second lieutenants. There are plans for the addition of at least four aircraft to the fleet, bringing the total number to 14, as the current existing fleet is barely sufficient to meet the needs of the Air Force.
(Read More...)
09/05/2025
Evidence has emerged that Ukraine has topped up its hard-worked fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters from a somewhat surprising source: Azerbaijan. While the number of aircraft involved is not considerable, any addition to the MiG-29 fleet will be welcome for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has also received Fulcrums donated by Poland and Slovakia and which has suffered steady attrition since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
(Read More...)
09/05/2025
An aircraft’s thrust-to-weight ratio is a statistic that is often thrown around, but one that is poorly understood, even among aviation buffs. The number is less easily understandable than an aircraft’s wingspan or its top speed. Yet the thrust-to-weight ratio is foundational to a fighter jet’s performance.
(Read More...)
09/05/2025
After years of attempts to entice India to adopt its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, Russia is reportedly carrying out feasibility studies to determine whether the aircraft could be built under license in the subcontinent. Russian state-owned military-industrial conglomerate Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) had sought to close a deal with New Delhi for years. It had more recently floated a co-production agreement.
(Read More...)
09/04/2025
Russia is eyeing the production of its Su-57 fighter jets in India and has launched a study on the required investments, inside sources shared with the Indian news agency ANI. Given India’s historical reliance on Russian defense materiel before diversifying, officials noted that Su-57 local production could be possible on the Hashik-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility, which is already licensed to manufacture Su-30MKI aircraft.
(Read More...)
09/04/2025
The F-15EX Eagle II is a two-seat, twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is a derivative of the Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15EX incorporates modern advancements, including “fly-by-wire” flight controls, dual Digital Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, a large touchscreen display, and additional enhancements, such as the AN/ALQ-250(V)1 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System for electronic warfare.
(Read More...)
09/04/2025
In a first, the Air National Guard recently tested how its new rescue helicopter would survive against attacks from enemy fighter aircraft to prepare for a potential war in the Pacific. Guard pilots engaged electronic countermeasures on a HH-60G Pave Hawk and on the newer HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter when an F-15D Eagle fighter launched simulated attacks over water.
(Read More...)
09/04/2025
The People's Liberation Army has displayed all types of its fifth-generation combat planes on active duty for the first time via the grand parade on Wednesday, a move that observers say is intended to show its world-class air prowess.
(Read More...)
09/04/2025
Following interest from Kyiv, Sweden is open to selling advanced Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine once the war with Russia ends, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told Breaking Defense.
“We have a dialogue also with Ukraine, and since they certainly expressed an interest for the Gripen system … predominantly Gripen Echo, the new version that Sweden, Brazil are operating as well,” then a future sale is a possibility, Jonson said.
(Read More...)
09/03/2025
Celebrating Ukrainian Aviation Day, President Zelensky officially unveiled the first full-length image of a Dassault Mirage 2000-5F fighter jet. The aircraft retains its original French Air and Space Force camouflage, now with Ukrainian markings on its tail.
(Read More...)
09/03/2025
The U.S. Air Force is signaling a renewed commitment to the F-15EX Eagle II, with the fiscal year 2026 budget requesting funds for an additional 21 aircraft. This move revives hopes that the service will acquire its original goal of 144 fighters. The program’s future had been in doubt, with planned procurement numbers slashed due to budget constraints and the need to fund next-generation programs like the F-47.
(Read More...)
09/03/2025
An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon that crashed off South Korea’s western coast last year went down after an engine stall caused by hardware failure, according to Pacific Air Forces’ investigation. The jet took off from Kunsan Air Base at 8 a.m. Jan. 31, 2024, for a routine training mission that included midair refueling from a KC-46 Pegasus over the Yellow Sea, said the Aug. 22 report.
(Read More...)
09/03/2025
“F-35 is a very crucial platform for the Polish air power projection concept. I don't see any issues with that” contract going forward, said Maj. Gen. Cezary Wisniewski, deputy general commander of the Polish Armed Forces.
(Read More...)
09/02/2025
The Czech Air Force will operate JAS-39 C/D Gripen aircraft until 2035 following the signing of a new lease agreement. The document was signed in Prague by Lubor Koudelka, Director General of the Armaments and Acquisitions Section of the Ministry of Defence, and in Sweden by Mikael Granholm, Director General of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).
(Read More...)
09/02/2025
On 28 August, the Romanian Ministry of National Defence announced that three multirole Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon aircraft delivered from Norway landed at the 86th Air Base Borcea, located near Fete?ti. The aircraft will be assigned to the 571st Fighter Squadron, which will operate from the 57th Air Base currently undergoing modernisation to support Western combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
09/02/2025
Germany has approved the purchase of 90 Rafael Litening 5 targeting pods for its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, aiming to boost its armed forces’ precision strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The Litening 5 is a fifth-generation air-to-ground and air-to-air platform incorporating a mid-wave and short-wave infrared sensor suite, high-resolution color imaging, and dual-wavelength laser designation.
(Read More...)
09/02/2025
Uncertainty is hanging over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint project between France, Germany and Spain, that aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft supported by interconnected drones within a combat cloud. The idea, launched in 2017 and costing at least €100 billion, aims to strengthen European defence.
(Read More...)
09/01/2025
Japan’s Ministry of Defence announced on 28 August that, under arrangements with the United Kingdom, an undisclosed number of Boeing F-15J Eagle fighter aircraft from the Japan Self-Defence Forces will be periodically deployed to Britain. The initiative is intended to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries and will mark the first time Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces have operated in Europe.
(Read More...)
09/01/2025
The strike at Boeing’s military aircraft facilities, now a month old, is at a stalemate with no new talks scheduled. The union, representing thousands of workers, has made a direct appeal for President Trump to intervene as the deadlock threatens work on the new F-47 fighter.
(Read More...)
08/31/2025
A Connecticut-based firm is set to build new units of world’s most powerful fighter jet engine. Pratt & Whitney has received a contract to build Lot 18 of F135 engines. These will power all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II 5th-generation fighter aircraft.
(Read More...)
08/31/2025
Dutch F-35 fighter jets landed in Poland today and will, from Sunday, safeguard NATO airspace over Eastern Europe for three months together with Norwegian aircraft. Earlier this week, support personnel including maintenance crews had already arrived, completing the detachment.
(Read More...)
08/30/2025
The US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps each have their own air wing, and all three services have a litany of high-performance fighter aircraft in their arsenals. However, the methods by which each branch trains its future fighter pilots vary significantly. The three services do not even use the same kind of training aircraft; while the US Air Force trains its future fighter pilots in the Northrop T-38 Talon, the Navy and Marine Corps rely upon the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk.
(Read More...)
08/30/2025
The F-35 Lightning II’s most remarkable attribute is not its stealth but its revolutionary suite of integrated sensors. The jet functions as a powerful “informational node,” fusing data from its advanced AESA radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), and 360-degree Distributed Aperture System (DAS). This technology collates a vast amount of battlespace information into a single, unified picture for the pilot, lightening their workload and transforming them into a “battlespace manager.”
(Read More...)
08/30/2025
Out of the three Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II variants, the F-35B, in use with the US Marine Corps, is likely the most innovative. Designed specifically for the unique demands of the Marines, the F-35B deviates significantly from the baseline F-35 A-variant, which the Air Force operates from conventional takeoff and landing configurations. Instead, the F-35B offers the Marine Corps flexibility, expeditionary power, and shipboard compatibility, with short takeoff and vertical landing capabil
(Read More...)
08/30/2025
Boeing has presented a new rendering of its F/A-XX concept, offering the first visual indication that the company’s proposal for the US Navy’s next-generation carrier-based fighter may share design similarities with the F-47, the next U.S. Air Force fighter jet. The image was displayed at the Tailhook Symposium, a key industry event, and showed the aircraft partially obscured by clouds, with the rear section out of view.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
08/30/2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Friday during a parliamentary address on the Gaza crisis that Ankara has closed its airspace to Israeli official and military aircraft. “We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We have closed our ports to Israeli ships and are not allowing Turkish ships to dock at Israeli ports. No other country has fully severed trade ties with Israel as we have,” Fidan said.
(Read More...)
08/29/2025
Germany, France and Spain's defence ministers will meet in October to work out options for getting the FCAS joint fighter jet programme back on track, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday. Acknowledging that the project had kept facing setbacks, Pistorius said the ministers would identify stumbling blocks and solutions before presenting leaders with options for a final decision later in the year.
(Read More...)
08/29/2025
Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, met with Lockheed Martin in Texas on Wednesday for discussions that included Canada’s planned purchase of fighter jets from the U.S. defence contractor. A government source said the jets were among several issues covered in the all-day meeting.
(Read More...)
08/29/2025
It was the first of its kind, a jet that rose like a helicopter, hovered in midair, and raced forward like a fighter. After decades of rewriting rules for aerial warfare, a U.S. Marine AV-8B Harrier embarked on its final flight. Not for combat, but for commemoration. The 140th Wing received the aircraft flown directly in for a demilitarization in partnership with Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, June 10, 2025, for the first time in the museum’s history.
(Read More...)
08/29/2025
A delegation of Peruvian cabinet ministers arrived in Stockholm on 27 August, where Sweden’s Minister of Defence, Pål Jonson, welcomed the fact that the latest JAS 39 Gripen E/F is in the running to become Peru’s next generation combat aircraft. If Peru selects Saab’s low-cost fighter, the country would become the third South American nation to procure the aircraft after Brazil and Colombia, and the latest member in a growing user community around the world.
(Read More...)
08/29/2025
An F-16 fighter jet belonging to Poland's Air Force crashed during an airshow rehearsal on Thursday in Radom. Local media said the jet crashed into the runway at around 1930 CET.
Spokesperson for the government, Adam Szlapka, confirmed the pilot was killed in the crash in a post on X but gave no further details.
(Read More...)
08/28/2025
Despite its small size and non-allied status, Singapore is one of the few countries in the world with a long-term military presence on U.S. soil. Since the 1990s, Singapore has deployed fighter jets and helicopters to the United States for training due to its vast airspace and opportunities to learn best practices from the U.S. Air Force.
(Read More...)
08/28/2025
Malaysia has canceled its plan to acquire F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force, according to a report by Malaysian news site Twentytwo13, citing sources familiar with the decision. The outlet said the cancellation stems from multiple factors that made the transfer complicated and ultimately unworkable. Among the primary concerns were aircraft availability, logistical and financial hurdles, and questions of long-term value for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
(Read More...)
08/28/2025
Footage has emerged taken from the cockpit of a Russian fighter jet, showing a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane fitted with a secretive radar pod during a mission over the Black Sea. The video underscores the growing importance of the P-8 for intelligence gathering in critical theaters such as the Black Sea, an active war zone, where a tense standoff continues between NATO and Russian assets, on the margins of the conflict in Ukraine.
(Read More...)
08/28/2025
According to Air and Space Forces Magazine, the Pentagon’s new $2.88 billion contract with Pratt & Whitney for 141 F135 engines has pushed the cost of an F-35A in Lot 18 to over $100 million per aircraft. When combined with Lockheed Martin’s $11.76 billion deal for 145 airframes, the fully equipped fighter now carries a price tag of $101.5 million.
(Read More...)
08/28/2025
In a major step toward a new era of airpower, the Department of the Air Force reached a key development milestone in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, with one of its prototype platforms taking flight in less than two years from program launch — signaling a paradigm shift in the way the Air Force acquires new weapon systems.
(Read More...)
08/27/2025
Saab has today signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and received an order for four Gripen E/F fighter aircraft from FMV for the Kingdom of Thailand. The order value is approximately SEK 5.3 billion and deliveries will take place 2025-2030. The contract between Saab and FMV includes three Gripen E and one Gripen F aircraft as well as associated equipment, support and training.
(Read More...)
08/27/2025
The US Air Force has contracted Red 6, an augmented reality (AR) solutions company headquartered in Florida, to supply its AR system for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. With the integration of the company’s ATARS (Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System) into the fighter aircraft, an F-16 pilot can “train against intelligent, maneuvering virtual adversaries in real-time during live flight.”
(Read More...)
08/26/2025
The Philippines is eyeing a major $5.58 billion purchase of advanced F-16 fighter jets from the United States to counter increasing aggression from China in the South China Sea. The U.S. government has already approved the sale, and defense contractor Lockheed Martin is sweetening the deal with new technology partnerships. However, the acquisition is shrouded in mystery, as the Filipino Defense Secretary recently downplayed the reports as “media hype,” claiming there was “nothing on the table.”
(Read More...)
08/26/2025
According to the report, the PLAAF in 2007 fielded about 400,000 personnel and nearly 2,700 fighters, bombers, and attack aircraft. By 2025, the force numbers 403,000 personnel with roughly 2,284 combat aircraft. The headline figures conceal a steep dip during the early 2010s, when second- and third-generation jets were retired faster than new aircraft could enter service. At one point, combat aircraft fell to about 1,500 and personnel to around 330,000.
(Read More...)
08/26/2025
China’s new sixth-generation J-36 fighter represents a game-changing strategic pivot designed to counter American airpower. While the U.S. focuses on producing small, technologically superior “boutique” fleets like the F-47, China is emphasizing both quality and quantity. The J-36 is a large, multi-role stealth aircraft designed for mass production on a scale the U.S. industrial base may be unable to match.
(Read More...)
08/26/2025
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has suggested that France is preparing to expand its promised supply of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, doubling the original commitment from 10 to 20 aircraft. The statement came during an interview with Le Monde analyzing the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Read More...)
08/26/2025
Fighters from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on August 24, marking the third such encounter in one week, ABC News reported on August 25.
NORAD deployed one E-3 Sentry command-and-control plane, two F-16 fighters, and two KC-135 Stratotankers to visually identify the Russian aircraft, which remained in international airspace.
(Read More...)
08/25/2025
Maris paid an official visit to Sweden on Sunday (August 24) at the invitation of Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Thai foreign minister attended the signing ceremony for the Royal Thai Air Force’s purchase of Gripen E/F fighter jets from Saab and held discussions on defence industry cooperation.
(Read More...)
08/24/2025
Even though Japan is making the transition to the F-35, the F-2s are still valuable; their anti-ship capabilities are truly impressive, and are likely among the best in the region.
(Read More...)
08/24/2025
Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter program is being crippled by a “double-whammy” of sanctions and corruption. Western sanctions have blocked the import of critical microchips, forcing the military to accept delivery of the jets without their essential 101KS-N electro-optical targeting systems, leaving them incapable of all-weather surveillance.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
08/24/2025
A Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during landing after completing a combat mission on the night of August 23, according to the Air Force Command. The pilot, Major Serhii Viktorovych Bondar, born in 1979, was killed in the incident. He was 46 years old. The Air Force stated that an investigation has been launched to determine the causes and circumstances of the crash.
(Read More...)
08/23/2025
New Zealand ‘s government announced new military spending Thursday of 2.7 billion New Zealand dollars ($1.6 billion) to replace aging aircraft, including helicopters it plans to purchase from the United States, senior officials said.
(Read More...)
08/23/2025
Denmark is pursuing an ambitious defense modernization program that spans from F-35 fighter jet acquisitions to coordinating European support for Ukraine’s air defenses, while simultaneously bolstering its Arctic presence in response to growing geopolitical pressures.
(Read More...)
08/23/2025
China’s interest in the Su-27 stemmed from its need to modernize its air force and acquire advanced technology – particularly relating to air superiority. The Su-27 was a top-tier, fourth-generation fighter jet with excellent range, maneuverability, and advanced avionics. It was a significant upgrade over China’s existing aircraft at the time.
(Read More...)
08/23/2025
At least one, and possibly both, of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes is expected to fly in the coming days, sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine, beginning a flight test and evaluation program leading to production contracts sometime in fiscal 2026.
Anduril Industries’ YQ-44A Fury and General Atomics’ YFQ-42A are both “basically ready to go,” a Pentagon official said.
(Read More...)
08/23/2025
U.S. Air Force F-16s intercepted a Russian spy plane operating off the coast of Alaska on consecutive days, North American Aerospace Defense Command officials said. A Russian Il-20 surveillance aircraft ventured near Alaska Aug. 20, NORAD said in a statement at the time. And roughly 24 hours later, NORAD disclosed that a similar incident occurred the next day on Aug. 21.
(Read More...)
08/22/2025
A pilot was rescued from a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet crash that went into the ocean off the coast of Virginia on Wednesday morning, according to officials. The pilot ejected from a Super Hornet during a routine training flight, said Navy spokesperson Lt. Jackie Parashar. Search teams were deployed around 11:21 a.m., the spokesperson added.
(Read More...)
08/22/2025
A shocking incident rocked the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan after one of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets reportedly crashed during takeoff. A purported viral video of the fighter jet crash has surfaced, wherein the aircraft was captured bursting into flames as soon as it took off from the airport. Reportedly, the pilot managed to escape without any reported fatalities.
(Read More...)
08/22/2025
The Chinese-designed Shenyang J-35A continues to generate considerable interest as more information about the aircraft becomes available. However, despite the fighter’s growing public profile, its advertised advanced capabilities, and its resemblance to the US F-35 jet, the J-35 has not attracted the flock of foreign buyers that the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) had hoped.
(Read More...)
08/22/2025
China’s airpower has entered a startling new era, moving beyond its history of copying Russian designs and stealing U.S. technology to producing a flurry of unique, indigenous combat aircraft. In the last year, several new variants and at least three truly new, tailless fighter concepts have appeared.
(Read More...)
08/22/2025
The French Dassault Rafale may have “scored a kill” against the American F-35 stealth fighter at a multinational military exercise in Finland. The feat comes years after it achieved an unexpected kill against an F-22 Raptor in 2009 wargames in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(Read More...)
08/21/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Seventeen of the 21 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the nation’s southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
(Read More...)
08/21/2025
On August 6, Pedro Sánchez's government leaked to the newspaper El País that Spain's purchase of F-35 fighters was "definitively on hold", meaning the Spanish Navy would lose its carrier-based combat aircraft once the Harrier II Plus become operational in 2030. The news was not denied by the government and became a matter of international interest, reaching as far away as the United States.
(Read More...)
08/20/2025
New images have appeared on Chinese social media platforms showing a Chinese version of the US military’s Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, in what seems to be its maiden flight. If the flight-testing is successful, then this could become China’s first tilt-rotor aircraft. Notably, China is already testing a large tiltrotor drone —the Zhang Ying R6000 (also known as UR6000). The drone appeared in prototype form late last year.
(Read More...)
08/20/2025
The U.S. Army's MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) is ushering in a new era of military aviation through its adoption of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). This architectural framework allows for rapid, cost-effective upgrades to essential aircraft systems, ensuring adaptability and relevance against evolving threats.
(Read More...)
08/20/2025
It was courtesy of the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, who perhaps spoke the quiet part out loud last week in an interview with Canadian independent podcaster Jasmin Laine. Hoekstra, a no-nonsense Republican from Michigan, was asked about the Liberal government's review of the $27.7-billion purchase of stealth fighters and the possibility that after delivery of the first tranche of jets, Canada could decide to fill the rest of its order with another type of aircraft.
(Read More...)
08/20/2025
Recently-circulated images of the J-20S, a two-seater version of China’s fifth-generation J-20, raised questions about what makes this variant different than the parent J-20 fighter—and what the jet’s intended role will be. Though there are several possibilities, as well as the possibility of something else entirely, speculation about the aircraft has run rampant.
(Read More...)
08/20/2025
Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), announced today an initial task order under the Combat Air Forces Contracted Air Services indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide the Defense Contract Management Agency with chase flight support services for F-16 aircraft. The task order has a potential period of performance of up to 27 months.
(Read More...)
08/19/2025
Aerial footage taken onboard a plane dropping aid over Gaza shows the scale of destruction in the area during Israel's 22-month offensive.
(Read More...)
08/19/2025
Russia’s Su-57 fighter jet has long been advertised by Moscow as the crown jewel of its military aviation, but newly obtained classified documents suggest the aircraft was delivered to the Russian military in stripped-down form—missing critical targeting subsystems—and at inflated costs.
(Read More...)
08/19/2025
Software company Red 6 has won a contract with the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate its ATARS (Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System) into the F-16 Fighting Falcon. On August 15, 2025, Red 6 said that the contract was awarded to the company through Air Combat Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
(Read More...)
08/19/2025
ürkiye is advancing plans to acquire 40 Eurofighter jets, 40 next-generation F-16 aircraft, and 40 F-35 fighter jets as part of a comprehensive air force modernization strategy while awaiting the deployment of its indigenous fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft. The procurement strategy aims to strengthen Türkiye's air defense capabilities during the transition period before the domestically developed KAAN aircraft becomes operational, according to information reported by Türkiye daily.
(Read More...)
08/18/2025
Morocco is close to finalizing a major military aircraft deal with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer to acquire KC-390 Millennium military transport planes. The deal comes closer to finalization even as American defense giant Lockheed Martin continues pushing its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to maintain its market position in the North African country.
(Read More...)
08/18/2025
As part of that, Poland has been seeking to modernize its defense capabilities, and the latest step entails an upgrade to its fleet of F-16s. As reported by The War Zone, Poland has signed a $3.8 billion contract to “upgrade the country’s 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ Viper fighters to the F-16V configuration.”
(Read More...)
08/18/2025
In a demonstration of the next-generation joint air warfare concept, Performance Drone Works (PDW), a US company specializing in artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and the US Department of Defense, exhibited joint fire support using the PDW C100 and F-35A Lightning II multirole stealth fighter jet.
(Read More...)
08/17/2025
Morocco is on the cusp of securing a deal for 32 U.S. advanced fighter jets, becoming the first Arab and African nation to operate the fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft, says Military Africa news platform. The $17 billion deal, spanning over 45 years, covers maintenance and technical support and spare parts, says the report, noting that the F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is at the top of modern aviation engineering, blending stealth, versatility, and cutting-edge avionics.
(Read More...)
08/17/2025
Switzerland’s government has instructed its defence ministry to examine options for the planned acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets after the United States refused to drop demands for additional funding. One option now under consideration is to reduce the number of aircraft purchased.
(Read More...)
08/17/2025
Once derided by its competitors as “too old, too expensive, too big for the stealth era, etc,” the F-15EX Eagle II is turning into the Energizer Bunny of fighter aircraft. The Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal features a number of changes in procurement priorities that this long-serving twin-engine fighter is benefiting from.
(Read More...)
08/17/2025
Belarus plans to expand its Air Force fleet with the addition of four Su-30SM2 fighter jets by the end of this year, Azernews reports, according to local media reports. Speaking at an official ceremony marking Air Force and Air Defense Forces Day, Major General Andrei Lukyanovich, commander of Belarus’ Air Force and Air Defense Forces, said the country is continuing to modernize its aerial capabilities.
(Read More...)
08/15/2025
Italian Air Force F-35A fighter jets were dispatched to intercept Russian aircraft in its first Baltic Air Policing mission since taking over safeguarding NATO airspace from the Romanian Air Force. NATO Air Command confirmed that F-35s from the Italian Air Force’s 32nd Wing detachment at Ämari Air Base in Estonia were scrambled on August 13, 2025, to respond in defense of the Baltic countries’ airspace.
(Read More...)
08/15/2025
Switzerland vowed Wednesday to continue its attempts to buy F-35A fighter jets from the United States despite spiralling expenses. The US is pushing for Switzerland to bear extra costs for producing the jets of between 650 million and 1.3 billion Swiss francs ($807 million-$1.6 billion), but the Swiss want to agree on a fixed price.
(Read More...)
08/15/2025
Spain has indefinitely suspended plans to acquire U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, according to Spanish media outlet El País, prompting Spanish defense analysts to examine Türkiye's fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft as a potential strategic alternative for both the Spanish Air Force and Navy, according to reports from Spanish media outlet Defensa y Seguridad.
(Read More...)
08/15/2025
At least eight Russian Su-35 fighter jets have reportedly been lost in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Some sources suggest the number could be higher, with unconfirmed reports estimating over 25 losses. Russia has lost about 100 combat aircraft since the “Special Military Operation” began three and a half years ago.
(Read More...)
08/15/2025
Russia has likely lost a Su-30SM fighter jet while conducting a mission southeast of Snake Island, the Ukrainian Navy said on Aug. 14. The twin-engine, two-seat aircraft – designed for both air superiority and ground attack –reportedly crashed for unknown reasons.
(Read More...)
08/14/2025
The Dassault Super Rafale, also known as the Rafale F5, is the next evolution of the Rafale fighter jet, currently under development and slated for French military service around 2030. It will feature more powerful engines, advanced sensors, improved data links, and a reduced radar cross-section. The F5 will also be equipped with the ASN4G hypersonic missile and is designed to work with a newly developed Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS).
(Read More...)
08/14/2025
India is poised to move forward with a government-to-government (G2G) proposal for 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, The Times of India reports. The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to submit the case for “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN), an early but essential step in India’s defense procurement process, to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) by October 2025. A final government decision is expected thereafter.
(Read More...)
08/14/2025
India’s announcement of its aerial victories came nearly three months after the brief border dispute with Pakistan. It is common to see both India and Pakistan each claim victory after one of their periodic border clashes, such as the recent four-day war in May. Information warfare is another reminder that in wartime, the first casualty is the truth. Both sides have downplayed their respective losses while inflating the casualties that the other endured.
(Read More...)
08/14/2025
Poland has signed a $3.8 billion contract to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16C/D Block 52 multi-role combat aircraft to the advanced F-16V Block 72 configuration, enhancing the country’s airpower and interoperability with other Polish platforms such as the F-35 Lightning II, AH-64E Apache helicopters, and M1A2 Abrams tanks.
(Read More...)
08/14/2025
Chinese jet fighter "intercepted" a Philippine aircraft carrying journalists during a patrol flight over the Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, the Manila government said, days after two Chinese vessels collided in the area while allegedly trying to block a Philippine supply mission.
A Reuters journalist aboard the Philippine Coast Guard flight watched as the Chinese fighter closed in on the small Cessna Caravan turboprop.
(Read More...)
08/13/2025
The Panavia Tornado is a multi-role jet developed by a tripartite European consortium—originally comprising Italy, the United Kingdom, and West Germany—and designed to combine the qualities of several types of aircraft, offering a modular approach to combat aviation. The design, a twin-engine, swing-wing aircraft, combined several roles, including air defense, reconnaissance, strike, and maritime operations, into a single aircraft.
(Read More...)
08/13/2025
On the night of June 27, a drone strike by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) hit several of the aircraft at the Marinovka Airbase in the Volgograd region of Russia. Satellite imagery of the aerodrome confirmed that two Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighters were destroyed in this raid and that two others were damaged.
(Read More...)
08/13/2025
Lockheed Martin is expanding its industrial collaboration package for the Philippines as part of its F-16 Block 70 solution for the country's Multi Role Fighter program. The enhanced offer includes a strategic partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) to drive digital innovation, intellectual property creation, and workforce development with Philippine universities and industry.
(Read More...)
08/13/2025
The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. Rafale is one of the most experienced fighter aircraft in the world. It has been combat-proven since 2007. Daussault’s export success with the fighter is well-documented, as the company now has more export orders than French orders.
(Read More...)
08/12/2025
A British F-35B Lightning stealth fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan on Sunday after developing a technical fault. The £88m aircraft, one of the world’s most advanced combat jets, landed at the Kagoshima international airport at around 11.30am local time. It was operating from the HMS Prince of Wales as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
08/12/2025
Pakistan’s refusal to procure China’s J-35 raises new questions over the aircraft’s performance and the state of Beijing-Islamabad military ties. Eurasian Times reports that Pakistan, once expected to become the first international customer of China’s fifth-generation J-35 (formerly J-31) stealth fighter with a planned order of 40 aircraft, has dismissed the procurement claims.
(Read More...)
08/12/2025
The U.S. Air Force is moving ahead with a major modernization program for its F-22 Raptor fleet, aiming to keep America’s premier fifth-generation air-superiority fighter competitive well into the next decade. In its budget request for Fiscal Year 2026, more than $90 million has been earmarked to launch a “viability” upgrade program that will bolster the jet’s stealth profile, radar performance, electronic warfare defenses, and overall survivability against rapidly advancing threats from China a
(Read More...)
08/12/2025
Ukraine and Sweden are preparing a large-scale combat aviation project expected to last for decades, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The president announced a "strong project" on combat aviation currently being developed jointly by Ukraine and Sweden.
(Read More...)
08/11/2025
Few aircraft can boast of having endured the test of time with the effectiveness, reliability, and versatility of the Northrop F-5. In a world where fighter jets are renewed every two or three decades, Chile’s F-5 continues to defy that logic, combining modernization, doctrine, and a history rich with milestones.
(Read More...)
08/11/2025
Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet successfully carried out a precise airstrike on a concentration of enemy assault forces in the Pokrovsk area, using the GBU-62 guided bombs. This operation represents a significant effort in disrupting the enemy’s offensive capabilities and protecting Ukrainian positions.
(Read More...)
08/11/2025
The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group shared an image on X of the three carriers, plus the U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS America, sailing side by side in the North Philippine Sea on Aug. 10, with a large aerial force flying overhead. It’s a strong naval presence, with the HMS Prince of Wales, the American Nimitz-class USS George Washington and Japan’s JS Kaga among them.
(Read More...)
08/10/2025
Fresh footage from Russia confirms a small batch of Su-34Ms in an export configuration, supporting earlier reports of a signed contract between Moscow and a foreign client. According to Military Watch Magazine, the appearance of these desert-toned aircraft “strongly indicates that the first batch of Su-34Ms for a foreign client is already in production.”
(Read More...)
08/10/2025
“The (Department of the Air Force) will not implement or carry forward the beddown of up to 12 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 aircraft nor associated aircraft airfield operations, to include temporary support aircraft, and RSAF personnel or their families and no periodic temporary increases in associated support personnel will be required at Andersen AFB,” the July 16 decision states.
(Read More...)
08/09/2025
The U.S. company Northrop Grumman recently published a concept image of the F/A-XX, the sixth-generation fighter projected to be the future backbone of the U.S. Navy’s carrier air wings. The image, available on the company’s Naval Aviation section, depicts a sleek, stealth-focused design.
(Read More...)
08/09/2025
Spanish media reports circulated earlier in the week indicating that the Spanish military—which had planned to purchase the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet—would no longer go through with the deal. If those reports prove accurate, Spain would be the second country from the Iberian Peninsula to turn away from the stealth fighter jet, after Portugal’s hesitations to procure the aircraft earlier in the year.
(Read More...)
08/09/2025
Spanish defence company Indra is pioneering the development of a new generation of fully digital self-protection systems for military aircraft and helicopters, designed to improve response times to missile threats and increase survivability in combat environments. The company has finalised the design phase and produced the first units, which will be delivered this year for integration and testing.
(Read More...)
08/09/2025
Recent second-quarter reports from the U.S.’s two prime fighter producers—Boeing and Lockheed Martin—reveal some strengths, but also underlying challenges at the midpoint of 2025. Together, they delivered 117 fourth- and fifth-generation fighters during the period, including Boeing’s F-15 and F/A-18, and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and F-35.
(Read More...)
08/09/2025
Social media is often where the first images of new Chinese military aircraft appear. Images can go on being shared and discussed on Chinese social media for months before there is any official recognition of a program, and before the aircraft makes what is then called its “first” flight. It might be happening again. Recent images of a previously unknown stealth aircraft have started to circulate on the usual Chinese social media outlets.
(Read More...)
08/08/2025
Reports indicate that the United States Navy could still award a contract for the F/A-XX later this year, but it still has yet to receive the last of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The current timeline calls for the sea service to receive the carrier-based aircraft in 2027, while the scheduled deliveries for Block III variants are expected to be completed in 2030.
(Read More...)
08/08/2025
An F-2 fighter jet of the JASDF crashed off Ibaraki. The pilot ejected safely and is in stable condition, but the cause of the crash remains unknown. At around 12:35 PM on August 7, an F-2 fighter jet from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base crashed during a training exercise over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture. The base is located in Omigawa City, Ibaraki.
(Read More...)
08/08/2025
The Japanese Air Self Defense Force on Thursday deployed its first three F-35B stealth fighters in southwestern Japan. The three stealth fighters were piloted by U.S. personnel as they flew from Guam to the Nytuabaru Air Base in the Miyazaki Prefecture, one of them making a vertical landing.
(Read More...)
08/08/2025
The pressing need for Canada to replace its moribund CF-18 fleet is long overdue, and can’t wait, many aviation analysts say. Canada’s Hornet aircraft have “been desperately in need of replacement for more than a decade,” said Justin Bronk, a research fellow for airpower and military technology at the U.K.-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank.
(Read More...)
08/08/2025
Back in June, Canada’s Auditor General, Karen Hogan, released a report finding that the government’s plan to purchase 88 Lockheed Martin jets was facing numerous problems, including “skyrocketing costs, a shortage of trained pilots, and a lack of critical infrastructure.”
(Read More...)
08/07/2025
Sudan's air force has destroyed an Emirati aircraft carrying Colombian mercenaries as it landed at a paramilitary-controlled airport in Darfur, killing at least 40 people, the army-aligned state TV said Wednesday. A military source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the UAE plane "was bombed and completely destroyed" at Darfur's Nyala airport.
(Read More...)
08/07/2025
Korea Aerospace Industries has provided us with a look at the future, stealthier version of its KF-21 fighter, which is now known as the KF-21EX. Concept artwork of the refined version of the jet has been released, with internal weapons carriage being its distinguishing feature. This is part of an effort to make the KF-21 more survivable in the face of ever more capable air defense systems, although the resulting aircraft will not offer the same level of low observability as the F-35.
(Read More...)
08/07/2025
Spain’s decision not to adopt the F-35 Lightning II fighter could widen its rift with the United States. NATO member Spain announced on Wednesday that it would buy European instead of American fighter jets, opting for either the Eurofighter or the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The Spanish language El País reported that talks over the purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II had been suspended “indefinitely.”
(Read More...)
08/06/2025
On August 5, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officially confirmed the future procurement of Saab JAS 39 Gripen E and F multirole fighter jets to enhance its air combat capabilities. The Thai government has approved an initial order of four aircraft, with deliveries beginning by 2029 as part of a broader programme targeting a total of twelve jets by 2035.
(Read More...)
08/06/2025
Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) could soon carry hypersonic weapons, according to a high-ranking official with the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Zircon (Tsirkon) has been named as one of the potential weapons employed on the multirole stealth fighter.
(Read More...)
08/06/2025
Spain’s commitment to NATO was called into question this spring after the western European nation sought to be excluded from the international military alliance’s defense spending goals. Madrid has confirmed it would commit to the 32-nation coalition by spending 2.1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, but sought an exclusion from the 5 percent target called for by NATO leaders.
(Read More...)
08/06/2025
Türkiye’s domestically produced fifth-generation fighter jet Kaan is emerging as a potential competitor to the U.S.-made F-35 in defense exports, according to Newsweek. The aircraft is drawing growing interest from developing nations, with Indonesia becoming the first buyer after inking a deal in July for 48 units.
(Read More...)
08/06/2025
An exchange of messages late Friday 1 August signalled more trouble for the multinational Future Combat Air System/Systeme de Combat Aerien du Futur programme. Launched in 2018 and with France, Germany and Spain as partners, the project is ostensibly splitting because the French sub-team insisted on responsibility being allocated according to corporate experience – which, given that France is 100% responsible for Rafale, would leave German and Spanish industry in the back seat.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II is a significant upgrade on the iconic F-15 platform. Thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technology, the F-15EX is arguably the most capable fourth-generation fighter aircraft ever built. While the original F-15 platform debuted in the 1970s, the new EX variant leverages decades of operational experience and 21st-century engineering to create a multirole fighter that can serve as a bridge between fourth-generation and fifth-generation platforms.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
A new image circulating on Chinese social media appears to show another next-generation combat aircraft undergoing flight testing—marking the third such design spotted in recent months, and underscoring China’s rapid expansion of its advanced airpower programs.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed Monday that its special operations unit “A” conducted a drone strike on the Russian-occupied Saky military airfield in Crimea overnight, damaging and destroying multiple combat aircraft and a stockpile of aviation munitions. According to an official statement released on August 4, unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the SBU successfully penetrated Russian defenses and struck targets on the airfield.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
Turkey has reportedly approved Egypt’s participation in its KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet program, marking a potential milestone in the two countries’ expanding military cooperation following years of strained ties, according to media reports. The development was recently reported by Tactical Report, a Middle East-focused intelligence weekly specializing in defense and geopolitical developments in addition to Turkish media outlets.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
After promoting the J-10C in the export markets as ‘Rafale Killers’ ever since the brief four-day war between India and Pakistan in May, in which Islamabad claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, Beijing is now going one step further. It intends to claim a tagline of ‘stealth fighter jet killer’ for the J-10C.
(Read More...)
08/05/2025
Several thousand workers at three Midwest manufacturing plants where Boeing develops military aircraft and weapons went on strike early Monday, potentially complicating the aerospace company’s progress in regaining its financial footing. The strike started at Boeing facilities in St. Louis; St. Charles, Missouri; and Mascoutah, Illinois.
(Read More...)
08/04/2025
India has rejected a US push to sell it F-35 stealth fighters, dealing a blow to defense ties just as President Donald Trump announced new tariffs and publicly criticized New Delhi’s close ties with Russia.
(Read More...)
08/04/2025
According to Indian defense media reports published on August 1, the KF-21 is being evaluated amid growing interest from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in acquiring both 4.5- and 5th-generation fighters. The South Korean jet is viewed as a cost-competitive platform with future growth potential and compatibility with India’s domestic industrial policy.
(Read More...)
08/03/2025
Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to sell F-35 stealth fighters to India. But India’s government has now said there are no ongoing discussions about a potential purchase of Lightning IIs, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. “No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue,” Indian Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said in response to a question from the press this week.
(Read More...)
08/03/2025
The U.S. Air Force is relocating nearly three dozen F-16 fighter jets in South Korea in order to beef up its air power closer to the north. At the end of July, F-16s based out of Kunsan Air Base began moving to Osan Air Base, several dozen miles north, closer to the demilitarized zone with North Korea. 31 F-16s based out of Kunsan Air Base will shift to Osan Air Base, creating a new “super squadron” at the base.
(Read More...)
08/03/2025
Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar announced Friday that the company's Kizilelma unmanned combat aircraft also known as "Fighter UAV" has entered serial production, with the sixth prototype currently on the production line and delivery to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory planned for next year.
(Read More...)
08/02/2025
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron and around 220 Airmen based out of the 31st Fighter Wing joined Bulgarian, Romanian and Hellenic air forces for Thracian Star 25, a multinational integration exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening NATO’s airpower across Europe.
(Read More...)
08/02/2025
The recent border skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia has raised interest in the respective armed forces of the belligerents. While Thailand holds a clear advantage in terms of air power, the Royal Cambodian Air Force (RCAF) is still worthy of study. The RCAF’s capabilities are fairly modest, with about 1,500 personnel and—notably—zero operational fighter jets. The service’s inventory consists of only 24 or 25 aircraft, all of which are fixed-wing transports and utility helicopters.
(Read More...)
08/02/2025
The US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor program was the most expensive and most advanced fighter in the world – some say the best raw fighter ever. Although some say it was eclipsed only by the USAF’s fifth-generation system, the F-35.
(Read More...)
08/02/2025
Personnel from each U.S. military branch concluded the two-week, joint force training exercise, Red Flag-Alaska 25-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, today. “The purpose of Red Flag-Alaska is for the joint force to practice combat skills we don't normally get to practice at a home station,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christian Bergtholdt, RF-A 25-3 deployed forces commander.
(Read More...)
08/01/2025
Naval Air Station Lemoore said in a statement on Wednesday that an F-35C "went down" not far from the central California base at 6:30 p.m. local time. "We can confirm the pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel," it said. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office shared video footage showing a fiery wreck, with a thick plume of black smoke rising from a cotton field just north of the base.
(Read More...)
08/01/2025
The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a draft defense spending bill that would reverse the Pentagon’s plan to freeze the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program. In addition, the legislation includes funding for the U.S. Air Force to continue with the acquisition of E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, something the Department of Defense also wants to axe.
(Read More...)
08/01/2025
In February, U.S President Donald Trump, in one of his trademark off-script surprises, offered to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the United States’ most capable and secretive combat aircraft: the F-35 Lightning II “joint strike fighter” (JSF). This is the first time that Washington has signaled interest in supplying India with the F-35.
(Read More...)
07/31/2025
A small military plane transporting members of an indigenous community to their Amazonian home territory crashed in the jungle Tuesday, killing seven people on board, Venezuela’s defence ministry said.
(Read More...)
07/31/2025
Ukraine's domestic security agency has detained an air force officer on charges of having spied for Russia by leaking the location of prized F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, officials said on Wednesday. The unidentified officer, a flight instructor holding the rank of major, stands accused of helping Russia carry out air strikes by providing coordinates and suggesting strike tactics, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement.
(Read More...)
07/31/2025
Selling combat aircraft against US competition has never been easy. Pentagon research budgets tend to push US fighters to the front of the technological pack, and Washington’s political clout slants the playing field even further.
(Read More...)
07/31/2025
Israel is closely observing growing interest from Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, in acquiring the advanced F-35 stealth fighter from the United States. Security officials warn that any potential sale could affect the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) qualitative military edge in the region.
(Read More...)
07/31/2025
Southeast Asia is in the midst of a sweeping wave of air force modernisation, signalling a profound transformation in the region’s defence posture. From Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippines and Thailand, governments are investing heavily in new combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
07/30/2025
Türkiye's indigenous TF35000 turbofan engine will undergo initial testing in 2026 and begin integration with the KAAN fighter jet in 2032, according to information published in TAI Magazine's 141st edition. The timeline represents a crucial milestone for Türkiye's most strategic defense project, as the country develops its fifth-generation fighter aircraft to replace aging F-16s beginning in the 2030s.
(Read More...)
07/30/2025
Despite the newer F-35 Lightning II’s introduction, the F-22 remains dominant in terms of stealth and speed. The US Air Force’s dwindling fleet of F-22 Raptor fighters may be aging, but these fifth-generation jets will not be scrapped for retirement just yet. According to recent reports, the Raptor platform may become the first operational airborne controllers for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.
(Read More...)
07/30/2025
Despite more than a decade of sanctions, Western tech is still powering Russia’s deadliest weapons linked to deliberate strikes on Ukrainian civilians. A new investigation uncovered more than 1,100 foreign-made microchips inside Russia’s most advanced fighter jets: the Su-34 and Su-35.
(Read More...)
07/30/2025
Boeing leaders say they are not concerned about the impact of 3,200 union workers going on strike next week at three St. Louis-area facilities that produce fighter jets and munitions. The number of workers planning to strike is an “order of magnitude less” than the 30,000 machinists who went on strike last fall in the Pacific Northwest, CEO Kelly Ortberg said Tuesday during the company’s second quarter earnings call.
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
Turkey has reportedly approved Egyptian participation in the programme for the development of the TAI Kaan fighter jet, opening the door for enhanced military industry cooperation with the Arab country. Egypt had been eyeing participation in the programme for some time, and Egyptian interest in this regard was purportedly expressed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his visit to Ankara, his first to the Turkish capital as president, in September last year.
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
Today's airpower is defined by a foundational defense system that seamlessly integrates multilayered technologies such as land and space-based detection platforms, missiles, UAVs as well as cyber operations in a centralized command system; one that requires a vision far beyond headline-grabbing aircraft acquisitions for short-term political visibility.
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
One of the biggest recent indicators that this change is consolidating came earlier this year, when India signed one of its biggest-ever defense import contracts – a $7.5 billion agreement to procure 26 Rafale M fighter jets. The Rafale M is a carrier-capable version of the land-based Rafale fighter – the Indian Air Force purchased 36 Rafale fighters more than a decade ago. India this year selected the Rafale M over other options including the Russian-made MiG-29K and the U.S. F/A-18E/F Super Ho
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
Boeing Co expects more than 3,200 union workers at three St Louis-area plants that produce US fighter jets to strike after they rejected a proposed contract on Sunday that included a 20% wage increase over four years.
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
After nearly 30 years in service, the Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter saw its first combat use by Thailand, in a border clash with Cambodia, signaling its growing regional strategic value.
(Read More...)
07/29/2025
Poland's armed forces have scrambled aircraft in response to the threat posed by a combined drone and missile attack by Russian forces on Ukraine. The NATO member said in a statement the aircraft were deployed overnight Sunday and air defense and radar reconnaissance systems had been placed on high alert.
(Read More...)
07/28/2025
When it comes to MIG-21s, there is no one more knowledgeable than Air Commodore Surendra Singh Tyagi (retd), who has a record-breaking 4,306 hours flying the aircraft–a feat acknowledged by the Russians themselves–and a staggering 6316 sorties in total. So when he speaks about the pros and cons of the Russian aircraft, everyone listens.
(Read More...)
07/28/2025
On 22 July, a combined formation of two Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and two Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) conducted flight operations off the coast of Alaska. At one point, this formation entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), triggering a response from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
(Read More...)
07/27/2025
A South Korean Air Force C-130 transport aircraft prompted a response from Japanese fighter jets earlier this month after it entered Japanese airspace without prior authorization, according to South Korean defense officials. The incident occurred on July 13 as the aircraft was en route to Guam for training.
(Read More...)
07/27/2025
Rather than targeting only one group of young people, Beijing has directed its recruitment efforts to a wider range of sources. Even as all branches of the United States military met their respective recruiting goals for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) and are either on track to reach or exceed them, there is still one area where the services continue to fall short for FY26. Across the Department of Defense (DoD), a shortage of pilots remains.
(Read More...)
07/27/2025
A Russian Su-27UB combat trainer aircraft was destroyed in a fire at the Armavir military airfield in Krasnodar Krai overnight on July 25–26, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). In a statement published via its official Telegram channel, HUR confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft belonged to the Russian Armed Forces and was stationed at a base primarily used for training cadets from the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School.
(Read More...)
07/27/2025
Ukraine's fleet of F-16 fighter jets have been given a badly-needed boost with the creation of new mobile maintenance and operations modules which will help them evade Russian ballistic missile strikes. Developed by the Come Back Alive charity foundation and Ukraine's Defense Ministry, the two types of mobile modules contain everything needed to both maintain and equip the aircraft and to conduct operations.
(Read More...)
07/27/2025
Türkiye and Indonesia on Saturday finalized the sale of 48 Kaan fighter jets with a ceremony at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul. Representatives from both sides signed the agreement that makes the Southeast Asian nation the first buyer of Türkiye’s homegrown aircraft.
(Read More...)
07/26/2025
Days after committing to seek full-partner status in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation aircraft program, Belgium has taken a sharp U-turn, notifying that it is “reconsidering” its position due to the arrogance displayed by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier.
(Read More...)
07/26/2025
The U.S. outlet Task & Purpose raised the question of why 14 out of 32 NATO member states are ordering the F-35 despite its known shortcomings, and what makes it better than the F-16 or Eurofighter, which also form the backbone of NATO’s combat aviation fleet. The article is insightful in light of how the U.S. military press assesses both the strengths and weaknesses of their domestically designed aircraft. Interestingly, for American observers, the answer is not obvious by default.
(Read More...)
07/26/2025
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has deployed six Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighter jets in response to cross-border rocket and artillery attacks by Cambodian forces. The developments mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
(Read More...)
07/25/2025
Türkiye’s indigenous 5th-Gen stealth fighter, Kaan, built by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI, also known as Tusas), is entering a new phase of development. New prototypes are under construction and the aircraft’s future is looking increasingly bright, underpinned by growing international interest and a national determination to ensure the programme flies high, despite geopolitical tensions.
(Read More...)
07/25/2025
The newest variant of Boeing’s F-15 is the F-15EX, an extensively upgraded version of the jet fighter that first entered service in the 1970s. Updated avionics, as well as what Boeing calls the world’s most powerful fighter jet radar, and other upgrades give that Cold War-era platform new life.
(Read More...)
07/25/2025
The Belgian government announced earlier this week that it would seek to expand its acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, increasing the number from 34 to 45 aircraft. Antwerp, following the lead of its neighbor, the Netherlands, sought to expand its fleet of fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters as part of its recently published “Strategic Vision,” which called for increased defense spending.
(Read More...)
07/25/2025
Thailand scrambled an F-16 fighter jet to bomb targets in Cambodia on Thursday after artillery volleys from both sides killed at least 11 civilians, as border tension boiled over into rare armed conflict between the Southeast Asian countries.
(Read More...)
07/24/2025
The aircraft in question, including American-made A-29 Super Tucanos, Mi-17 transport helicopters, and UH-60 Black Hawks, were flown across the border by Afghan military personnel escaping the Taliban’s rapid takeover in August 2021. On the day Kabul fell, Uzbek authorities confirmed that 22 planes and 24 helicopters entered their airspace.
(Read More...)
07/24/2025
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on 22 July 2025. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.
(Read More...)
07/24/2025
Speaking at the second quarter earnings call, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet said, “We did bid on NGAD, and we weren’t selected.” “But the pivot that we made is one we’re taking very seriously, which is how we create a bridge from today’s fifth generation to the sixth-generation NGAD, which might not be fielded for a lot of years.”
(Read More...)
07/24/2025
On Tuesday, 22 July, the Ukraine Air Force (PSU) lost a French-made Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft that had been donated in February 2025. This is the first crash of this aircraft type by the PSU, which has previously lost four of its donated F-16 models, with three of the pilots of those aircraft killed. According to the PSU, “In the evening of July 22, 2025, during the performance of a flight mission on a Mirage 2000 fighter, an aviation equipment failure occurred.
(Read More...)
07/24/2025
Turkey and the United Kingdom took what the UK called a “big step” closer to finalizing a contract for 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-generation fighter jets today by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.
(Read More...)
07/23/2025
French warplane maker Dassault Aviation (AM.PA), opens new tab raised questions over the future of a Franco-German-Spanish fighter jet project on Tuesday in a growing feud with Europe's Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab over control of the futuristic program that combines traditional warplanes with automated drones. CEO Eric Trappier said the Future Combat Air System, widely known under its French initials SCAF.
(Read More...)
07/23/2025
On March 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the Air Force would move forward with development of the F-47—to become the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet. Following the announcement, the Air Force awarded an engineering and manufacturing development contract to Boeing to develop the aircraft.
(Read More...)
07/23/2025
The Defense Logistics Agency is looking to expand its maritime refueling capacity from the Philippines by contracting companies on the southern island of Mindanao to supply up to 42 million gallons of fuel a year, according to new documents.
(Read More...)
07/23/2025
Ukraine's air force said on Tuesday that one of its Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters crashed due to a malfunction, marking its first loss of the French-donated jet. It's a blow to Ukraine's limited fleet of Western fourth-generation aircraft, which Kyiv spent years urging its allies to help build amid Russia's invasion.
(Read More...)
07/22/2025
Unclassified papers obtained by The Canadian Press have revealed a multi-billion-dollar plan to bolster Canada’s air power with a fleet of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to the outlet, the drones will be designed to work alongside an incoming shipment of F-35 stealth strike fighters.
(Read More...)
07/22/2025
“Bangladesh Air Force’s F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 13:06 [07:06 GMT],” the Bangladesh military’s public relations team said. Local media reported that the plane crashed at about 1:30pm. Videos emerged of the aftermath of the crash, showing a fire, as well as plumes of thick smoke rising into the sky as people watched from a distance.
(Read More...)
07/22/2025
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter started its life as one of the more controversial programs in Pentagon history. Two decades of delays, blown budgets, software problems, and political fights made it look like the fifth-generation fighter might be remembered more for what it cost than what it could do.
(Read More...)
07/21/2025
The F-47 is expected to replace or complement existing fifth-generation fighters, such as the F-22 Raptor, with initial operational capability anticipated sometime in the late 2020s or early 2030s. Not much has been revealed about the F-47 NGAD program since President Donald Trump awarded Boeing the contract over Lockheed Martin last March. However, despite the secretive nature of the program, fragments of information have become available about the F--47.
(Read More...)
07/21/2025
A San Diego-based defense giant has launched an initiative to deliver new uncrewed combat aircraft for European forces. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will be based on the U.S. Air Force’s YFQ-42A prototype. General Atomics revealed that the advanced uncrewed system will be assembled in Europe.
(Read More...)
07/18/2025
BAE Systems has released the first image of the UK’s Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, marking a key milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the joint effort by the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a sixth-generation fighter by 2035.
(Read More...)
07/18/2025
A UK F-35 stealth fighter jet has been stuck for more than a month in India, a country that isn't part of the program and does not have access to the plane's advanced tech and capabilities. The stealth fighter landed on June 14 at Thiruvananthapuram airport in the state of Kerala, where it was diverted after it ran into bad weather in the Indian Ocean. An engine issue then prevented the jet from returning to the Royal Navy's flagship carrier.
(Read More...)
07/18/2025
After a quarter of a century, Canada is now moving into the most critical phase in the process of acquiring new fighter jets – a process in which some major decisions have already been made, but in which the most crucial choices have yet to be made.
(Read More...)
07/18/2025
Uncrewed aircraft manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) plans to offer a European-made variant of its prototype uncrewed fighter jet. The San Diego-based company on 17 July said it will partner with a General Atomics aerospace affiliate in Germany to build a derivative of the YFQ-42A autonomous fighter being developed for the US Air Force.
(Read More...)
07/18/2025
Before their first permanent overseas deployment, the latest variant of the cutting-edge fighter jet, the F-15EX Eagle II, reached Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan, for a visit. The first operational deployment of the Eagles in the Indo-Pacific has been made as the Taiwan Strait is turning into a potential flashpoint.
(Read More...)
07/17/2025
The U.S. Air Force has taken a step toward modernizing its forward-deployed airpower in the Pacific, sending two of its newest F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The aircraft arrived on July 12 for training exercises aimed at integrating the advanced jets with local units stationed at the base.
(Read More...)
07/17/2025
As part of its participation in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025, which will begin on July 18, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has deployed a significant detachment of aircraft, including two JF-17C Thunder Block III fighters, which have recently arrived in the United Kingdom.
(Read More...)
07/17/2025
In a factory on the banks of the River Ribble in Lancashire, robot arms stand on a floor striped with glowing lights. They will hold the tail fin for a test model for the UK’s next generation fighter jet, which is intended to fly for the first time in 2027. The jet, known as Tempest, will act as a symbol of Britain’s hopes to remain a top-tier military nation and keep alive more than a century of building military aircraft.
(Read More...)
07/17/2025
The Philippines will buy 12 South Korean-made FA-50 Block 70 light combat aircraft under a $700 million agreement that will double Manila’s FA-50 fleet and boost the nations’ defense ties. The acquisition marks “a significant enhancement to the country’s air defense capabilities and aligns with the DND’s [Department of National Defense] comprehensive archipelagic defense concept,” the DND said in mid-June 2025, referring to a strategy prioritizing territorial defense and national sovereignty.
(Read More...)
07/16/2025
According to The War Zone, auxiliary power units (APUs) on some of the tankers are not functioning properly. The APU is a small engine that helps start up the aircraft’s main engines and provides electricity for other systems, reducing the KC-46’s reliance on ground support equipment and crews. Without it, though, the tanker becomes more cumbersome and costly to operate.
(Read More...)
07/16/2025
British defence firm BAE Systems has expressed strong confidence in winning new export orders for its Typhoon fighter jets from countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The company's optimism was conveyed by Richard Hamilton, Managing Director for Europe and International in BAE Systems' Air sector, during a press briefing at its facility in Warton, northern England.
(Read More...)
07/16/2025
The Canadian Department of Defence is planning to acquire a fleet of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to complement the armed forces’ incoming F-35 combat aircraft. Ottawa is now laying the groundwork to adopt systems in line with the military’s requirements, according to unclassified papers obtained by The Canadian Press.
(Read More...)
07/16/2025
Two examples of the F-15EX touched down at Kadena Air Base, Japan, recently, for a period of advanced training in the Pacific. The jets will take part in Resolute Force Pacific 2025, which the Air Force describes as its biggest-ever contingency response exercise in the region. It marks the first foreign deployment of the F-15EX, which began equipping its first operational squadron last year.
(Read More...)
07/16/2025
The likelihood of a new country joining the British, Italian and Japanese project to develop a fighter jet is diminishing, said a BAE Systems executive, amid long-held speculation Saudi Arabia could become a fourth partner.
(Read More...)
07/15/2025
In the Zaporizhzhia region, a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet launched a precision strike using GBU-39 guided bombs on a Russian drone command center. Footage of the operation was shared by AIR FIGHTER, a Telegram channel associated with Ukrainian combat aviation. The jet flew at an ultra-low altitude during the attack to ensure mission success and evade Russian air defense systems.
(Read More...)
07/14/2025
In light of the need to modernize its training aircraft fleet, the United States Air Force has formally begun employing its Embraer A-29C Super Tucano aircraft in the training of new test pilots. This milestone marks the full integration of the Brazilian-designed light attack aircraft into the curriculum of the Test Pilot School, based at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
(Read More...)
07/14/2025
According to the report, the B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman, is considered the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft and is currently undergoing flight testing. It is intended to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and will be capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons while operating in high-threat environments.
(Read More...)
07/13/2025
Poland on Saturday scrambled fighter jets in response to Russian military aircraft near its border with Ukraine. "Attention. Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, conducting strikes on targets located, among others, in western Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation have begun operations in Polish airspace," the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on X.
(Read More...)
07/13/2025
Once a dominant force in global arms sales, Russian fighter jet exports are now in sharp decline. Decades after inheriting the Soviet Union’s military aerospace industry, Russia is seeing its traditional markets vanish. A mix of Western sanctions, the war in Ukraine, and rising competition from China and others has driven a collapse in exports and cast serious doubt over Russia’s long-term role in the global fighter aircraft market.
(Read More...)
07/13/2025
China’s state-run CCTV network has provided the world with its first glimpse inside the secretive Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) production facilities, where the J-35 was spotted. During a segment focused on the new catapult-capable J-15T carrier fighter, two J-35 stealth fighters were prominently visible in the background.
(Read More...)
07/13/2025
Canada's Department of National Defence is examining the potential addition of uncrewed combat aircraft to support its incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets. Newly obtained documents reveal that officials are researching various options for acquiring this emerging technology.
(Read More...)
07/12/2025
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is a technologically cutting-edge multirole stealth fighter aircraft. Originally conceived in the 1990s by the US Department of Defense, the UK is one of 8 nations that are partners in the global F-35 programme, although the US has by far the most influence on the programme, so far ordering approximately 80% of all aircraft. Other countries purchase F-35s as foreign military sales customers. F-35s from different countries are designed to be interoperabl
(Read More...)
07/12/2025
Multiple Russian defense industry facilities were reportedly hit in a wave of drone strikes, including two major aircraft plants and several weapons manufacturers, according to the head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, on July 11. Kovalenko said a strike targeted the Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant in the Moscow region, which manufactures and upgrades MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighter jets.
(Read More...)
07/12/2025
Sixteen retired four-star Air Force generals, including six retired Chiefs of Staff, signed a June 7 letter along with AFA leadership in a plea to Congress to increase investment in F-35 fighter jets and restore funds cut from the fiscal 2026 budget for E-7 Wedgetail. On July 10, eight of the signatories gathered for a virtual media roundtable and candid conversation on Department of the Air Force needs and requirements, and the 2026 budget.
(Read More...)
07/12/2025
The U.S. Air Force has transferred upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons from Japan to South Korea, reinforcing its fighter capabilities on the Korean Peninsula amid ongoing efforts to deter airborne threats. The 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base — home to the 7th Air Force, about 30 miles south of Seoul — received the aircraft from the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan, said Maj. Kippun Sumner, spokesman for the 51st.
(Read More...)
07/11/2025
Japan has demanded China stop flying its fighter jets abnormally close to Japanese intelligence-gathering aircraft, which it said was happening repeatedly and could cause a collision. Japan's Defense Ministry said a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flew as close to 30 meters (98 feet) to a YS-11EB electronic-intelligence aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on Wednesday and Thursday.
(Read More...)
07/10/2025
Aero Vodochody, the Czech aircraft manufacturer renowned for its L-39 Albatross, has set its sights on the African continent with the introduction of its latest aircraft, the Skyfox. This light attack and trainer jet, officially designated the Aero L-39NG (“Next Generation”), represents the company’s effort to build on its long-standing relationship with African air forces.
(Read More...)
07/10/2025
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced that a full batch of pilots graduated from the challenging Introductory Fighter Course (IFC) at the RAAF Base Williamtown’s 76 Squadron, on June 27, 2025. This is the first time that a single cohort has had a 100% pass rate – 10 out of 10 pilots – since the introduction of the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter aircraft in the year 2000.
(Read More...)
07/10/2025
Peru is set to acquire 24 Saab Gripen E multirole fighter jets for $3.5 billion, according to local outlet Perú21. The deal includes additional support packages and marks a significant step in modernising the country's ageing air force.
(Read More...)
07/10/2025
U.S. Navy’s fiscal year 2026 Unfunded Priorities List, or UPL, includes a $1.4 billion funding request for a sixth-generation fighter aircraft program called F/A-XX. “This additional funding will enable Navy to award the 6th Generation Strike Fighter contract to industry,” the service branch wrote in its letter to lawmakers. “Navy’s 6th Generation Strike Fighter aircraft is a critical component of both the future Carrier Strike Group (CSG)” and the “air wing of the future.”
(Read More...)
07/10/2025
In a wide ranging discussion this week, Denmark’s defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed interest in acquiring more F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, secured an agreement on behalf of European nations to buy and donate 10 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, as well as lease hours on Norway’s P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
A group of senior retired U.S. Air Force generals has written to Congress urging full funding for 75 F-35A fighter jets and the E-7 Wedgetail airborne command aircraft in the Fiscal Year 2026 defence budget. The letter, sent on behalf of the 125,773 members of the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), warned that proposed cuts "will severely and unnecessarily undermine our service members’ ability to deter, and if necessary, prevail in future conflicts."
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
The UK has formally submitted a proposal to sell 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, in a move that signals growing momentum in Ankara’s efforts to modernize its air force and deepen defense ties with European partners, the Ekonomim news website reported on Tuesday.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
Berlin on Tuesday said the Chinese military had targeted a laser at a German aircraft participating in an EU-led mission to protect marine traffic in the Red Sea. “Endangering German personnel and disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable,” the foreign ministry said on X, adding that Beijing’s ambassador to Berlin had been summoned for talks.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
Drop tanks come with one notable drawback: they can degrade the F-35’s stealthy profile to the point of compromising it entirely. Range has been a key factor in combat aircraft effectiveness since their inception during the First World War. Extending the range of fighter or strike aircraft has been particularly challenging thanks to their small size and limited internal fuel capacity.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
The US Navy plans to award Leonardo a contract to supply thousands of airborne countermeasures for the service’s F-35 Lightning II and F-18 Hornet/Super Hornet/Growler combat aircraft fleets. A notice published by Naval Air Systems Command said that it “intends to negotiate and award” a fixed-price agreement, including associated materials. labor, overhead, and equipment to the company’s segment in the UK.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
According to information published by French Newspaper La Tribune on July 4, 2025, Indonesia is set to finalize a major defense contract with France for the acquisition of 24 Rafale multirole fighter jets during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Paris, where he will be the guest of honor at France’s national Bastille Day celebrations on July 14. Initially, a purchase of 12 aircraft was announced during bilateral meetings in May 2025, but this has now been upgraded to 24 jets.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has reportedly operationalized its second fifth-generation combat aircraft, the J-35A, as evidenced by the latest images posted by Chinese military watchers. The induction, yet to be officially verified, would be a massive boost to the Chinese PLA Air Force (PLAAF) amid simmering tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
07/09/2025
On June 30, 2025, the Indian company Reliance Defence entered into a strategic partnership with Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI), a US Department of Defense-authorized contractor, to jointly address India’s military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) needs. The agreement includes the servicing, upgrading, and lifecycle extension of several key Indian military platforms, most notably the Russian-origin MiG-29 fighter aircraft currently operated by the Indian Air Force.
(Read More...)
07/08/2025
From 1 September to 1 December, Dutch F-35 fighter jets will monitor NATO airspace over Eastern Europe to safeguard military equipment destined for Ukraine. This mission aims to ensure the safe arrival of matériel donated by NATO member states.
(Read More...)
07/08/2025
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and its counterparts from the United States Pacific Air Forces (Pacaf) conducted a joint patrol Monday to mark the second iteration of “Cope Thunder” bilateral air drills this year. Pacaf’s F-35 fighter aircraft joined PAF’s light combat aircraft FA-50 in patrolling the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone including the West Philippine Sea.
(Read More...)
07/07/2025
The Jordanian Armed Forces participated in efforts to extinguish fires that broke out in several areas of Syria as a result of exploding remnants of war and rising temperatures. According to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), the Armed Forces sent two Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, equipped with specialised crews and advanced technical equipment, to help control the fire hotspots and limit their spread, in order to protect lives and property.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
07/07/2025
Through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the United States continues to provide services and support for the sustainment of the F-16C/D Block 52 fighter fleet operated by the Iraqi Air Force. This follows the most recent contract awarded to the company V2X, with an initial value of US$118 million.
(Read More...)
07/07/2025
The F-22 Raptors are set to serve the US Air Force (USAF) much longer than initially expected. While the USAF is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sixth-generation combat aircraft, the F-47, which will also feature integrated loyal wingman drones, it appears that the Raptors will be the first stealth aircraft to operate as airborne controllers for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
(Read More...)
07/06/2025
The chiefs of the South Korean and Polish air forces met in late June to explore deeper defence and arms cooperation, the South Korean Air Force confirmed. The discussions followed Poland’s acquisition of South Korean FA-50 fighter jets under a recent defence agreement.
(Read More...)
07/05/2025
A ceremony was held yesterday at Hualien Air Base to mark the official retirement of the air force’s F-5 jets after more than 50 years of patrolling Taiwan’s skies. The event began with the 5th Tactical Fighter Wing flying a sortie consisting of three RF-5E reconnaissance aircraft and two F-5F jets.
(Read More...)
07/05/2025
Amid heightened regional tensions and a steady increase in claimed aerial interceptions by the Chinese Air Force, the US Air Force has initiated a major modernization effort for its F-22 Raptor fleet. The effort is to preserve the aircraft’s tactical edge against emerging threats, including those posed by advanced peer platforms such as China’s J-20 stealth fighter.
(Read More...)
07/05/2025
In a significant milestone for next-generation air combat, the US Air Force has successfully demonstrated real-time manned-unmanned teaming in a combat-representative environment.
During a high-fidelity training event over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, pilots flying an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones, marking one of the most advanced operational evaluations of semi-autonomous collaborative platforms to date.
(Read More...)
07/04/2025
An American defense company has revealed that the world’s most advanced fighter jet’s manufacturing could be easily sped up. Northrop Grumman has employed advanced manufacturing technologies to develop the F-35’s center fuselages. The company manufactures center fuselages for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter at its Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) in Palmdale, California.
(Read More...)
07/04/2025
Terma has signed a support agreement with the Argentinian Ministry of Defense and the Argentinian Air Force, formalizing its role in the modernization and operational preparation of 24 former Royal Danish Air Force F-16 aircraft. The agreement marks a strategic milestone in Argentina’s acquisition program and confirms Terma’s continued role as a trusted supplier of advanced defense technology.
(Read More...)
07/04/2025
A Myanmar military fighter jet crashed in a combat zone in the country’s east, according to an anti-military resistance organization that claimed to have shot it down. State-run media reported about the disappearance of an aircraft.
(Read More...)
07/04/2025
Naval aviation is in high demand around the globe today, and I predict it will be for decades to come. With advances in technology across all domains, U.S. carrier strike groups will continue to operate where and when needed. In fact, the aircraft carriers being built today (future USS John F. Kennedy [CVN-79], Enterprise [CVN-80], and Doris Miller [CVN-81]) are designed to serve beyond 2075.
(Read More...)
07/04/2025
Aerial combat has evolved from dogfights between high-speed, maneuverable fighters to duels among missile-armed aircraft at long range. In 2015, John Stillion presciently analyzed this transformation. His research demonstrated that victory no longer results from the fastest, most maneuverable fighter destroying an enemy in a dogfight. Instead, air combat today favors larger, less detectable aircraft using networked information to defeat adversaries with long-range missiles.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
According to information published by the Hürriyet Daily News on June 30, 2025, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the United Kingdom’s full support for Türkiye’s effort to join the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet program. In an interview ahead of his visit to Ankara, Lammy underscored the strategic value of Türkiye acquiring the fourth-generation-plus Eurofighter Typhoon.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space confirmed the development of a new variant of the A400M military transport aircraft to support an expanded range of missions aligned with the operational goals of the Future Combat Air System and the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud. The aircraft is being adapted to serve as a broadband communications node capable of linking manned and unmanned platforms across all domains, air, land, sea, space, and cyber.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
As reported by Rupprecht Deino on June 18, 2025, the J-15DT, a carrier-based electronic warfare variant of the Shenyang J-15 multirole fighter, seems to participate in China’s upcoming 80th Victory Day Parade. This will be the first public appearance of the catapult-capable variant, and it indicates that the aircraft has reached a sufficiently advanced stage of testing or initial integration to be presented as part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s future carrier air wing.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
Poland’s Ministry of National Defense has signed a contract for the delivery of 24 AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles to enhance the operational capabilities of its FA-50 light combat aircraft.
The agreement was concluded on June 30, 2025, in Warsaw in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Secretary of State Pawel Bejda.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
According to information published by the U.S. Marine Corps on June 27, 2025, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 has officially been redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224. It has begun its transition from operating the legacy F/A-18D Hornet to the advanced F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This transition marks the end of an era for VMFA-224, which has flown the Hornet for over 32 years in support of U.S. Marine Corps aviation missions worldwide.
(Read More...)
07/01/2025
Hanwha Aerospace has received a contract to supply propulsion systems for South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fifth-generation combat aircraft. Costing 623.2 billion won ($460.7 million), the deal includes 80 General Electric F414s manufactured domestically under license by the Changwon-based company.
(Read More...)
06/30/2025
NATO countries scrambled fighter jets early on Sunday, according to the Polish military, after a Ukrainian official said Moscow had launched its largest-scale air attack on the country in more than three years. Poland's Operational Command said its fighter jets, along with other NATO aircraft, were scrambled with ground-based air defenses and reconnaissance systems put on the "highest state of readiness" after Russia launched overnight attacks on Ukrainian soil.
(Read More...)
06/30/2025
A Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed overnight while defending the country from one of the largest Russian air attacks to date, officials said Sunday. Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, 31, died after his fighter jet was damaged during an operation to intercept Russian missiles and drones, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.
(Read More...)
06/30/2025
According to information published by several Arabic media outlets on June 27, 2025, the Iranian Defense Minister recently visited China and initiated high-level discussions to procure Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets and advanced AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) equipment. These negotiations signal a strategic shift in Tehran’s defense procurement policy following prolonged delays in the delivery of Russian Su-35 fighters.
(Read More...)
06/29/2025
In an unprecedented move that could reshape global defense strategies, the United Kingdom has expressed openness to Canadian involvement in the groundbreaking Global Combat Air Programme, aiming to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
(Read More...)
06/29/2025
The U.S. Department of Defense has proposed $3.1 billion in its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget to continue procurement of the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft. Announced on 26 June 2025 at the Pentagon, the funding highlights a sustained push to modernise the U.S. Air Force’s tactical air fleet and support domestic aircraft production.
(Read More...)
06/28/2025
Two Danish F-16 fighter jets and a Challenger transport aircraft landed yesterday at the American Pituffik Space Base in Northwest Greenland. The deployment marks part of the Danish Armed Forces’ increased presence in the Arctic region.
(Read More...)
06/28/2025
The last A-10 in the Air Force will be retired in 2026, two years earlier than previously planned.
In priorities for its 2026 budget released this week, the Air Force asked Congress for permission and funding to move up the planned retirement of the beloved close support fighter to the 2026 fiscal year, which runs until October 1, 2026.
(Read More...)
06/28/2025
Iranian authorities recognize the Iranian Air Forces no longer can rely on antiquated aircraft, such as F-4D/E Phantoms, F-5E Tiger IIs, and F-14s that highlight its need for modernization, and appear ready to purchase cutting-edge Chinese combat aircraft, including the Chengdu J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon.”
(Read More...)
06/28/2025
After meeting with President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in The Hague, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism over discussions to enable Turkey to receive fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States. “We discussed the F-35 issue. We made payments of $1.3 to $1.4 billion for the jets, and we saw that Mr. Trump was well-intentioned about delivering them,” Erdogan said.
(Read More...)
06/28/2025
Ukrainian drones struck four Su-34 fighter jets at the Marinovka airfield in Russia's Volgograd Oblast overnight on June 27, Ukraine's General Staff said. The operation was carried out by the Special Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in cooperation with other military units, according to the General Staff. Volgograd Oblast is located some 900 kilometers (560 miles) southeast of Moscow.
(Read More...)
06/27/2025
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on June 24, 2025, that Japanese-made Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters are under consideration for future acquisition programs. This statement was made by Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura during a media briefing held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Cordura noted that the FA-50 light attack aircraft, specifically the Block 70 variant from Korea Aerospace Industries, are already part of an approved procurement plan.
(Read More...)
06/27/2025
Switzerland and the United States are quibbling over the final price of 36 new Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets bought to replace the ageing Swiss fleet, Bern said Wednesday. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) wants Switzerland to assume additional costs, but Bern says it is sticking to the agreed price of just over six billion Swiss francs ($7.5 billion at current exchange rates).
(Read More...)
06/27/2025
On 25 June, the United States Department of Defense announced the signing of a contract with Vectrus Systems LLC to provide operational support for Iraq’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft. The agreement, with a maximum value of $118 million, was concluded under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme at the direct request and funding of the Iraqi government.
(Read More...)
06/27/2025
In February, Ukraine received its first Mirage 2000 fighters from France, part of an undisclosed number of the multi-role aircraft that had been pledged the previous year. Before the recent NATO summit in The Hague, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the transfer of additional Mirage 2000-5F jets, as well as the co-production of interceptor drones and enhanced diplomatic coordination.
(Read More...)
06/27/2025
The Air Force is planning on buying only 24 F-35s in fiscal 2026—half the previously planned amount—and instead acquire 21 more F-15EXs, Pentagon officials revealed in their June 26 budget proposal to Congress—major shifts for the service’s tactical fleet.
(Read More...)
06/26/2025
Without a doubt, this could be the news of the day, and even the year, in the field of naval defense in Spain, if confirmed. The US Department of Defense sets a deadline for Spain to acquire the F-35B fighter. The Commander of the Aircraft Flotilla of the Spanish Navy speaks clearly about the F-35.
(Read More...)
06/26/2025
Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri traveled to Denmark to monitor the preparation work on the first six second-hand Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets acquired by the country in 2024. Petri was at the Aalborg logistics base and even posed in the cockpit of one of the F-16s, which will be delivered to the Argentine Air Force (FAA) in December of this year.
(Read More...)
06/26/2025
The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is facing continued depletion of its fleet of combat fighters, is looking at the induction of indigenously developed aircraft and helicopters to maintain its combat effectiveness. This effort will be paired with domestic upgrades of imported platforms. At present, the air force’s most modern combat aircraft is its fleet of 36 Rafale fighter jets. These are backed by three squadrons each of upgraded Mirage 2000T/TIs and MiG-29UPGs.
(Read More...)
06/26/2025
Members from the 104th Fighter Wing, 103rd Airlift Wing, and 158th Fighter Wing recently participated in a series of integrated combat turn (ICT) exercises, June 11-12, 2025, at Westover Air Reserve Base, Chicopee, Mass. The Distributable-ICT exercises consisted of F-15C Eagle’s from the 104th Fighter Wing and F-35A Lightning II’s from the 158th Fighter Wing getting refueled by a C-130H Hercules from the 103rd Airlift Wing that also delivered a full missile loadout for each jet.
(Read More...)
06/26/2025
Based on recent reports, the United States is expected to finalize the delivery of the first 10 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to the Taiwanese Air Force by the end of the year. These combat aircraft are part of a broader acquisition of 66 new units aimed at strengthening and modernizing the Taiwanese Armed Forces.
(Read More...)
06/25/2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate their next joint steps and discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, Zelenskyy said. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of expanding Ukraine's air fleet with additional Mirage fighter jets, as well as joint production and investment in interceptor drones.
(Read More...)
06/25/2025
On June 18, 2025, Boeing, based in St. Louis, Missouri, secured a $49.7 million ceiling contract to provide Foreign Military Sales sustainment for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s fleet of F-15 fighters. This new agreement underscores the strategic importance of maintaining Saudi airpower capabilities amid rising regional tensions. As threats multiply around the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf region, sustaining legacy and advanced F-15 variants becomes a geopolitical imperative.
(Read More...)
06/25/2025
The UK government is to purchase 12 new fighter jets which can be equipped with nuclear bombs, and join Nato's airborne nuclear mission. Downing Street says the move is "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation". The new F-35 A jets can still carry conventional weapons, but have the option of being equipped with US-made nuclear bombs.
(Read More...)
06/25/2025
A Royal Navy F-35B remains stranded at an Indian airport after a hydraulic failure, raising concerns over security, repairs, and sensitive technology exposure during a major UK carrier deployment.
(Read More...)
06/25/2025
Europe is going through a pivotal moment. On one side, Europe is increasing its military spending to boost its defense preparedness. Simultaneously, Europe is also attempting to reduce its reliance on the US for critical defense systems, including fighter jets.
(Read More...)
06/24/2025
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully flown two MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft controlled by a single operator onboard an E-7A Wedgetail, simulating a live engagement with an airborne target. The mission, conducted at Woomera, South Australia, marks the first time two MQ-28 aircraft, plus a third digital twin, were operated from an airborne platform, validating a key concept for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) systems.
(Read More...)
06/24/2025
Eurofighter is shifting to a mid-life upgrade strategy and plans to double Typhoon production to meet global demand amid delays in sixth-gen fighter programs. As Europe’s sixth-generation fighter programs struggle with the risk of delays and industrial friction, the Eurofighter Typhoon, long considered a mature platform, is poised for a dramatic resurgence.
(Read More...)
06/24/2025
A new chapter in global defence collaboration began today with the official launch of Edgewing, a joint venture bringing together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan). Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070.
(Read More...)
06/21/2025
Israeli military operations inside Iran continue to evolve as fighter jets, unmanned systems carry out strikes, reconnaissance, and limited special operations deep in Iranian territory. Despite earlier claims by Israeli officials of full control over Iran’s airspace, the situation remains more fluid, particularly in the country’s eastern regions.
(Read More...)
06/21/2025
As fighting between Israel and Iran carries on for a second week, the United States continues to build up its already large presence in the Middle East. For the last 20 months, U.S. forces have sent ground, air, and naval assets into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, both as deterrents against Iran and as part of more than a year of fighting against the Houthis in Yemen.
(Read More...)
06/20/2025
On June 5, 2025, Lockheed Martin has taken a strategic step to strengthen its presence in Portugal by signing a memorandum of understanding with AED Cluster Portugal, an association representing over 140 aerospace, space, and defense entities, to explore local industry participation in the F-35 program should Lisbon revisit its current procurement stance.
(Read More...)
06/20/2025
Lockheed Martin is developing an upgrade to the company’s Sniper targeting pod that will allow greater co-ordination between fifth-generation combat aircraft and other battlefield assets. Known as thee Hybrid Base Station (HBS), the upgrade will allow existing Sniper pods installed on fourth-generation aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter to receive targeting data straight from Lockheed’s fifth-generation F-35 family of jets.
(Read More...)
06/20/2025
The idea for the sale of the F-35 to India was floated by United States (US) President Donald Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025, with a formal sales offer likely on the way.
(Read More...)
06/20/2025
The U.S. is shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks as President Donald Trump warns Tehran to step back from the conflict. Trump’s social media posts saying his patience with Iran was “wearing thin” have raised the possibility of deepening U.S. involvement, perhaps by using the bunker-busting bomb to strike a key Iranian nuclear site built deep underground in the mountains.
(Read More...)
06/19/2025
As part of a major technological evolution of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s capabilities, BAE Systems is currently conducting simulator trials of a new decision-support system based on artificial intelligence (AI). Developed by Swedish company Avioniq, the system, known as Rattlesnaq, is designed to enhance the aircraft’s survivability in beyond-visual-range (BVR) threat environments by enabling pilots to make faster and more accurate decisions in complex combat scenarios.
(Read More...)
06/19/2025
Türkiye’s fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, has earned major validation for the country’s technological ambition and strategic credibility through a landmark export deal. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that 48 KAAN jets would be sold to Indonesia, marking not only a historic agreement but also a turning point in Türkiye’s defence trajectory.
(Read More...)
06/19/2025
The United States has given the green light for Malaysia to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait, a move that promises to bolster the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. The approval, confirmed by General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, chief of the Malaysian Air Force, during a press conference at Kuantan Air Base, marks a significant step in a deal that has been years in the making.
(Read More...)
06/19/2025
Lockheed Martin’s long-delayed TR-3 upgrade for the F-35 fighter jet is nearly complete. It promises massive improvements in sensors, AI, and combat capability, making Block 4 a leap in battlefield dominance. At this week’s Paris Air Show, the largest and most prestigious aerospace event in the world, Lockheed Martin indicated it will soon unveil F-35 Block 4 capabilities, claiming it will be “the most aggressive upgrade in any fighter in history.”
(Read More...)
06/18/2025
Iranian media outlets reported on Friday that one of Israel’s most advanced fighter aircraft was shot down during the early morning raid that struck multiple targets within the Islamic Republic. The news has gone viral on social media, claiming that an Israeli Air Force F-35I Adir, a variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter equipped with an Israeli-developed electronic warfare system, was downed by Iranian air-defense missiles.
(Read More...)
06/18/2025
Israel Defense Forces has released footage of a recent strike on two F-14 Tomcat aircraft parked at Tehran airport. The attack, carried out on June 16, 2025, became one of the few episodes featuring iranian aviation since the outbreak of the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East on June 13, 2025.
(Read More...)
06/18/2025
Colonel Bastien Cardot, of the French Air & Space Force, wrote in Défense & Sécurité Internationale (DSI) that field experience has “revealed an underexploited potential of the A400M that could make it a valuable complement to fighters for certain missions, in the face of an increasingly dense and complex threat.” Cardot’s article was then picked up by Laurent Lagneau of French defense news website Zone Militaire.
(Read More...)
06/18/2025
The developer of Türkiye’s homegrown fighter jet Kaan has been in long talks with several countries regarding the fifth-generation warplane, its CEO said Tuesday, days after the company announced a major deal to export the aircraft to Indonesia. "We hope to reach the stage where we can announce them in the upcoming period," Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet Demiroglu said on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, the world's biggest aviation trade fair.
(Read More...)
06/18/2025
The U.S. Air Force deployed at least 30 aerial refueling aircraft to Europe this week after the exchange of airstrikes between Israel and Iran unleashed a fresh wave of turmoil in the Middle East. The planes, mostly KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, were spotted on the flight tracking website FlightRadar24 and others departing from airfields across the continental United States and heading east over the Atlantic towards Europe.
(Read More...)
06/17/2025
The U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions erupt into conflict between Iran and Israel, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The officials also said the U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets.
(Read More...)
06/17/2025
Korea Aerospace Industries feels that its FA-50 light combat aircraft and KF-21 fighter offer European countries a quick way to upgrade their air power capabilities. Both aircraft have active production lines, allowing for relatively rapid deliveries should orders come in, according to Dong Haik Shin, vice president of international development at KAI.
(Read More...)
06/17/2025
According to information published by CNBC TV18, an Indian News TV channel, on June 11, 2025, India is engaged in high-level deliberations over a Russian proposal to jointly manufacture the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the Indian Air Force (IAF) and enhancing the country’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
(Read More...)
06/17/2025
Britain is deploying extra fighter jets and other assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.
(Read More...)
06/17/2025
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems displayed a full-scale model of its collaborative combat aircraft at the Paris Air Show June 16 for its first international showing. The aircraft, dubbed YFQ-42A by the U.S. Air Force, is part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, the service’s quest to develop a semi-autonomous, unmanned aerial vehicle that can operate alongside manned fighter jets and perform various missions, including air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
(Read More...)
06/16/2025
A Russian fighter jet conducted low-altitude passes near a United States Navy ship in the Baltic Sea on Sunday, prompting a rapid response from Royal Air Force Typhoons deployed under NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission.
(Read More...)
06/16/2025
Even though the RAAF accepted the last of its planned 72 fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters only in December, planners are already looking to what comes next.
During its decades-long development, the F-35 was touted by pundits as the last of the manned fighter aircraft, with the future of air combat to be uncrewed and autonomous systems.
(Read More...)
06/16/2025
By September, Boeing Australia hopes to have demonstrated how its MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) can fit into a force mix. The uncrewed airplane will employ autonomous behavior to team with crewed assets such as F/A-18s, EA-18Gs, F-35As, and the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft. As of late last year, the CCA had proven its abilities to establish communications links with other aerial assets as well as fuse and share data from sensors and payloads.
(Read More...)
06/15/2025
Britain is moving additional military forces, including combat aircraft, to the Middle East in response to rising instability in the region, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday. “We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region,” Starmer told reporters during a flight to the G7 summit in Canada, according to Reuters.
(Read More...)
06/15/2025
According to information published by the British Royal Air Force on June 13, 2025, Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets of the British Royal air Force (RAF) based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, Poland, have executed six NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) missions within six days, intercepting a total of 15 Russian military aircraft operating close to NATO airspace. The missions, conducted from June 7 to June 12, 2025, mark the most intense operational period since the RAF deployed to Poland.
(Read More...)
06/15/2025
Around the world, a number of private companies own and operate combat aircraft, including F-16s, complete with pilots and technicians. A new initiative by Ukraine to involve private aircraft in its air defense system may be aimed at leveraging this very resource.
(Read More...)
06/15/2025
Iran's air defenses have shot down a third Israeli F-35 fighter, state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday, a claim dismissed by the Israeli army. The jet's pilot ejected, and army commandos arrested the pilot, the agency also said in a post on X. Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee denied the reports on X, describing the claims as lies.
(Read More...)
06/14/2025
Tokyo's defense minister said Friday it was "unacceptable" for China to blame Japan for close encounters between their military planes over the Pacific high seas last weekend. Japan says recent Chinese military activities in the Pacific — where Beijing's two operating aircraft carriers were sighted simultaneously for the first time — reveal its intent to improve operational capacity in remote areas. Chinese officials have hit back, calling the carrier outings routine training.
(Read More...)
06/14/2025
With the deployment of 200 combat aircraft and over 330 guided munitions, the Israeli Air Force carried out one of the most forceful air operations in its recent history, as part of Operation “Rising Lion”. The mission aimed to severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program and the military capabilities associated with its development. The attacks targeted around one hundred strategic sites on Iranian territory.
(Read More...)
06/14/2025
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, confirmed during a visit to defence company Leonardo in Edinburgh that the UK Government has released £204.6m of funding towards the production and integration of the innovative new radar for the Royal Air Force (RAF)’s Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
06/14/2025
Despite international cooperation, Europe’s sixth-gen fighter jets, face delays and rivalries. As global powers race ahead, Japan’s growing urgency and Europe’s fragmented efforts could hamper long-term competitiveness.
(Read More...)
06/13/2025
Following days of heightened tension, Israel launched a large attack against Iran in the early hours of Jun. 13, 2025, targeting leadership, nuclear research, and military sites both in Tehran and beyond. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement at around 0100 UTC, in which he said: “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.
(Read More...)
06/13/2025
The possibility of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR) acquiring F-35A fighter jets is once again gaining momentum. A specialized English-language defense outlet reported on Wednesday, June 11, that Israel has given the green light for the acquisition of 32 aircraft, a key step given Israel’s influence in facilitating the sale of this advanced jet to Arab countries. The deal is estimated to cost around $17 billion over a 45-year period.
(Read More...)
06/13/2025
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighters came within 50 meters of a Japanese surveillance aircraft in what officials have called an “unusual maneuver,” announced this week.
The fighter from aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17) carried out the unusual maneuvers against Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) over the Philippine Sea last weekend.
(Read More...)
06/13/2025
With much of Europe’s fighter fleets heavily dependent on the U.S., President Donald Trump’s apparent siding with NATO adversaries and calls to annex Canada and Greenland must be causing sleepless nights for some of the alliance’s European leaders. His disruptive words and actions, particularly in targeting tariffs, continue to prompt questions about the reliability of the U.S. as an ally and defense supplier.
(Read More...)
06/13/2025
Israel said it has launched a series of strikes against Iran that included dozens of military targets, including the country's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF said the operation, titled "Rising Lion," comes after intelligence identified that Iran has "significantly advanced towards obtaining a nuclear weapon," alleging this capability would allow them to act against Israel.
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
Taiwan's Air Force will officially retire its F-5 series jets on July 4 at Hualien Air Base, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Wednesday. Koo made the statement the same day he attended a meeting of the Legislative Yuan Foreign and National Defense Committee to brief lawmakers on the implementation and effectiveness of the Air-Sea Combat Power Improvement Plan and other matters.
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
Chinese fighter jets risked collisions with a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific Ocean in two close calls over the weekend that the Defense Ministry in Tokyo has characterized as “abnormal approaches.”
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
Saab has completed the first three test flights integrating Helsing’s artificial intelligence agent Centaur into a Gripen E fighter jet. The flights, conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond program, mark an advance in bringing AI capabilities to military aircraft, said the Swedish aerospace and defense firm.
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
A South Korean F-16 fighter jet crashed on takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks Tuesday afternoon. Both crew members ejected and were taken to a local hospital. U.S. Air Force officials say the F-16D Fighting Falcon from the Republic of Korea Air Force crashed on the runway at Eielson at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
Indonesia will purchase 48 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets from Turkey in a deal valued at more than $10bn, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, which has been attended by Turkish defence firms. The deal will span 10 years and includes the co-production of some Kaan jet components in Indonesia.
(Read More...)
06/12/2025
The Pentagon is proposing to halve its planned F-35 buy and boost funding for the sixth-gen F-47 fighter jet—but many of its 2026 budget-proposal details hinge on the reconciliation legislation still being debated on Capitol Hill. The budget proposal was quietly delivered to Congress yesterday—an unorthodox rollout without the typical public release and background briefings for press.
(Read More...)
06/11/2025
Canada's planned purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin, opens new tab F-35 fighters will cost at least 45% more than initially estimated and the project is also threatened by a pilot shortage, the country's top watchdog reported on Tuesday. Canada, seeking to replace its antiquated fleet of CF-18 jets, announced the C$19-billion ($13.89 billion) deal in January 2023.
(Read More...)
06/11/2025
A JF-17 fighter jet operated by the Myanmar Air Force was shot down Tuesday by anti-junta forces in Pale Township, located in the conflict-ridden Sagaing Region. This is the latest blow to the military’s airpower as resistance groups continue to expand the use of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).
(Read More...)
.jpg)
06/11/2025
USAF in Europe-Air Forces Africa will participate in Atlantic Trident 25, a joint, multinational exercise bringing together Finnish, French, U.K., and U.S. forces to strengthen fourth- and fifth-generation integration and improve combat readiness, June 16 to 27. Finland will host this iteration of the biannual tactical-level training exercise, marking not only an expansion of the training scenarios, but also the first time it has been hosted outside of the recurring trilateral partners.
(Read More...)
06/11/2025
In the old days, the United States overmatched its enemies by fielding greater numbers of qualitatively superior combat aircraft, flown by the greatest pilots in the world, who counted victory in ratios of many hostile jets destroyed for every one American. Or, in ideal cases, no American losses at all.
(Read More...)
06/11/2025
The Defense Department plans to allocate more than $4 billion in fiscal 2026 to fund development of the Air Force’s F-47 fighter jet and Collaborative Combat Aircraft, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers Tuesday.
(Read More...)
06/10/2025
The four-day armed confrontation between the IAF and PAF, which some aerospace analysts refer to as the 100-hour war, has been carefully studied by air power experts worldwide. For others, this has been an invaluable opportunity to compare, in a live air combat environment, the surveillance architecture, command and control structure, and flying skills of Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc pilots and aircraft.
(Read More...)
06/10/2025
A Russian Su-35 fighter jet was recently shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk direction, marking a significant development in Ukraine’s air defence operations. Ukrainian military sources reported that the incident occurred in the morning over Russian territory, likely in the Korenevsky district of the Kursk region.
(Read More...)
06/10/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of a new, twin-engine version of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet may need to be scaled back due to cost and engineering realities, according to two people familiar with the matter. Speaking in Doha last month, Trump said the new "F-55" would feature "two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35." However, there is a caveat, with Trump saying, "if we get the right price."
(Read More...)
06/10/2025
The second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet for the Bulgarian Air Force arrived in Bulgaria on Sunday, 8 June, the Ministry of Defence announced. The aircraft landed at 15:26 local time at the Graf Ignatievo Third Air Base. It was welcomed by Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, and Colonel Metodi Orlov, Commander of the Third Air Base. The newly arrived jet is a single-seat combat aircraft with tail number 313.
(Read More...)
06/10/2025
A Ukrainian strike allegedly damaged two Russian military aircraft — a MiG-31 and either a Su-30 or Su-34 fighter jet — at an airfield used to launch Kinzhal missile attacks, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 9. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, the military said.
(Read More...)
06/09/2025
Hungary has officially received its first L-39 Skyfox aircraft as part of a modernisation effort for its air force, under a defence deal with the Czech company Aero Vodochody. The jets, announced on May 30, 2025, will serve as advanced trainers and reconnaissance platforms, forming the second tier of pilot training after propeller-driven Zlin aircraft.
(Read More...)
06/09/2025
The Pakistani Government announced on June 6, 2025, through its official X account, the signing of a $4.6 billion defense agreement with Azerbaijan for the sale of 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, accompanied by a $2 billion investment package. This record-breaking deal not only marks Pakistan’s largest defense export in its history but also signals a major strategic alignment between two nations that have steadily cultivated deeper ties over the past decade.
(Read More...)
06/09/2025
Pakistan has officially confirmed the acquisition of up to 40 Chinese J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, making it the first international operator of China’s newest stealth aircraft. The deal marks one of Pakistan’s most significant military modernisation efforts in recent years.
(Read More...)
06/09/2025
The Experimental Operations Unit of the 53rd Wing is tasked with ensuring uncrewed systems like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft are both technically advanced and tactically integrated from the outset.
(Read More...)
06/09/2025
In an acquisition that will significantly alter the military balance in the South Caucasus, Pakistan is selling 40 fourth-generation JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The move will undoubtedly worry neighboring Armenia.
(Read More...)
06/08/2025
Taiwan said it detected 34 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship around its territory between 6 a.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Saturday, media reports said. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense posted on X: "34 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today."
(Read More...)
06/08/2025
Lockheed Martin has completed final assembly of the ninth F-35A Lightning II multi-role combat aircraft for Belgium at its facility in Fort Worth. According to both parties, this is the first Belgian-designated aircraft that will be delivered directly to Belgium after acceptance.
(Read More...)
06/08/2025
Amid reports that the Japan-UK-Italy Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is facing delays, the United States has swooped in to pitch the F-47 sixth-generation aircraft to Japan. The big question is: will Japan bite the bullet?
(Read More...)
06/08/2025
new image appearing to show China’s ‘J-36’ 6th generation tactical jet parked on the ground has emerged online. If legitimate, this would be the best front view of the aircraft to date, notably providing clear proof of the canopy design and further confirmation of a side-by-side seating arrangement. What looks to be three open ventral weapons bays, along with nearby personnel, underscore the design’s large size — something of a hybrid between a very heavy fighter and a tactical bomber.
(Read More...)
06/08/2025
A Ukrainian air force surface-to-air missile shot down a Russian air force Sukhoi Su-35 over Kursk Oblast in western Russia on Saturday. The twin-engine Su-35 is Russia’s best fighter that’s in widespread use. Initial reports that a Ukrainian Lockheed Martin F-16 shot down the Su-35 were apparently false. “According to updated information, the Su-35 fighter jet that took off from the Borisoglebsk air base was shot down by a surface-to-air missile system,” analysis AviVector corrected.
(Read More...)
06/07/2025
Satellite images have confirmed a large-scale fire at an oil depot in Engels, Saratov region. It supplies fuel to a military airfield that was previously attacked by drones. Satellite imagery confirmed a large-scale fire at an oil depot in Engels, Saratov region. This was reported by the "Crimean Wind" monitoring group, reports UNN.
(Read More...)
06/07/2025
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters deployed in Poland were scrambled four times in just seven days to intercept Russian aircraft operating near NATO airspace, according to a Ministry of Defence update. Based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, Poland, RAF Typhoon FGR4 jets from No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron responded to multiple incidents involving aircraft leaving Kaliningrad without flight plans or radio communication.
(Read More...)
06/07/2025
The U.S. Air Force continues moving forward steadily with the incorporation of the modern F-15EX Eagle II strike fighter, marking a new milestone with the recent arrival of the fourth unit at the Portland Air National Guard Base, just ahead of the first anniversary of its integration on June 5.
(Read More...)
06/07/2025
In an unusual public disapproval of India's weapons manufacturing ecosystem, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Amar Preet Singh lamented the delays plaguing the country's defense projects and urged accountability.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
06/07/2025
The 53rd Wing formally activated the Experimental Operations Unit during a ceremony held on June 5 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The unit, which has operated as a detachment since 2023, has now been elevated to a fully operational squadron equivalent, marking a significant step forward in the Department of the Air Force’s focus to deliver substantial operational capability for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 before the end of the decade.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
According to information published by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on June 5, 2025, the German government has officially selected the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile (JSM) to equip its fleet of F-35 stealth multirole combat aircraft. This government-to-government agreement, approved by the Bundestag on June 4, is valued at approximately NOK 6.5 billion (USD 600 million) and marks a major advancement in transatlantic precision strike capability, with Germany becoming the fifth nation.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
The Ministry of Defense is studying the potential procurement of China’s J-10 fighter jets, though no official decision has been made, said Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Donny responded to growing speculation about Indonesia’s interest in acquiring the multirole combat aircraft from China, following a recent visit by Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono to the country.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
As part of their Baltic Air Policing mission, Portuguese Air Force (FAP) F-16M fighter jets conducted a significant number of interceptions of aircraft belonging to the Russian Armed Forces. The incidents, which occurred between late May and early June, amounted to a total of 20 interceptions involving various types of Russian military aircraft.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
We’re still feeling our way with this. The concept of fighter-like drones, called collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), holds much promise to air forces, notably to the US Air Force as it contemplates war with China. But maintaining CCAs in operation isn’t looking cheap and simple. Air forces may instead drift towards getting some CCA effects with expendable drones that can be treated much like rounds of ammunition.
(Read More...)
06/06/2025
The U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter program looks to have hit another snag, with the Pentagon reportedly prioritizing the Air Force’s F-47 stealth fighter, amid concerns about how to run the two efforts simultaneously. Already, the F/A-XX was in limbo, with a U.S. official telling TWZ last month that the future of the program was still being reviewed. This came after reports that a contract award for the Navy’s new combat jet could be delayed by as much as three years.
(Read More...)
06/05/2025
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has confirmed its selection of the Saab Gripen E/F as its future multi-role fighter aircraft, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing effort to modernize its air combat capabilities. While a formal contract has not yet been signed, Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) are set to enter the next phase of the procurement process with the Kingdom of Thailand. The number of Gripen E/F aircraft to be ordered.
(Read More...)
06/05/2025
The Czech Republic Ministry of Defence (MoD) has given its consent to the Swedish proposal to extend the lease of its Saab JAS-39 Gripen multirole fighter aircraft fleet. The agreement, which extends the contract until 2035, received backing from the Minister of Defence’s Collegium. The proposed agreement is set to be submitted to the government for approval.
(Read More...)
06/05/2025
Just weeks after the most recent military conflict with India came to an end, the Pakistan Air Force is reportedly being bolstered through the purchase of China’s new stealth fighter jet, the Shenyang J-35A, marking a significant leap in capabilities compared to its current JF-17 Thunder Block III and J-10CE fighters. The news was revealed by Pakistani government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to specialized media outlets.
(Read More...)
06/05/2025
Amid rising security challenges in the South China Sea and Beijing’s increasing muscle flexing, the Philippines has decided to double its fleet of South Korean FA-50 fighter jets, signing a contract for 12 additional aircraft, following its initial purchase of 12 jets in 2014.
(Read More...)
06/05/2025
The U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX has transitioned from its long standing Developmental Test and Evaluation period to a combination of Developmental Testing (DT), Operational Testing (OT), and Live Fire (LF) evaluation last month within the the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation amid rumors of cancellations and contract awards. The transition occurred between December 2024 and April 2025—in the first quarter of FY2025.
(Read More...)
06/04/2025
The Marine Corps will soon rebrand a storied aviation squadron as its pilots switch to a new jet designed for next-level warfare. Amid ongoing changes to the Corps, the North Carolina-based Marine Attack Squadron 231 will be renamed "Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231." The squadron, identified as the service's oldest flying squadron, was formed just after World War I, and it adopted the Harrier jump jet in the mid-1980s.
(Read More...)
06/04/2025
Ukraine struck at the heart of Russia’s air power on 1 June in one of its most daring operations of the war—codenamed Operation Spiderweb. Over 100 low-cost, first-person-view (FPV) drones hit air bases in five Russian regions, damaging at least 41 military aircraft including Tu-95, Tu-22M, and A-50 strategic planes.
(Read More...)
06/04/2025
As reported by Forca Aera on June 2, 2025, a high-resolution image captured the first known prototype of China’s KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft at an undisclosed airbase, confirming its configuration and serial number 7821. The aircraft appears coated in primer paint and is equipped with a prominent radar dome mounted atop the rear fuselage, a dorsal array of antennas, and an aerial refueling probe above the cockpit.
(Read More...)
06/03/2025
According to information published by De Morgen on June 2, 2025, the Belgian government is preparing to finalize a strategic order for 21 additional F-35A fighter aircraft, bringing its total fleet to 55 units. This move is part of a broader €36 billion investment plan aimed at modernizing the country’s armed forces by 2035. Scheduled ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the decision is intended to demonstrate Belgium’s commitment to meeting Alliance standards.
(Read More...)
06/03/2025
The U.S. Air Force announced the designation of two Mission Design Series within its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program today: the YFQ-42A (General Atomics) and the YFQ-44A (Anduril). Representing the first in a new generation of uncrewed fighter aircraft, both will be crucial in securing air superiority for the Joint Force in future conflicts. These aircraft are designed to leverage autonomous capabilities and crewed-uncrewed teaming to defeat enemy threats in contested environments.
(Read More...)
06/03/2025
The European Union has given formal approval to a joint venture involving BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd, and Leonardo S.p.A. The newly formed company will act as the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
(Read More...)
06/02/2025
The U.S. Army has officially designated MV-75 as the mission design series for its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, a key modernization effort aimed at fielding the next generation of vertical lift tactical assault and utility aircraft for the Army and U.S. Special Operations Command.
(Read More...)
06/02/2025
Now that US president Donald Trump has appeared to set a two-week deadline for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to cease advances in its Ukraine invasion, all eyes are on the Kremlin to see if this ongoing war could finally see an end after three long years. Moscow escalated attacks targeting civilian centers in Kyiv this month, suggesting Putin may not be that serious about slowing down the violent barrages that continue to kill scores of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conf
(Read More...)
06/02/2025
As the integration program for the JAS-39 Gripen E fighters continues to progress, the Brazilian Air Force is preparing to receive a new unit manufactured by Saab in Sweden — the tenth of the total 36 aircraft ordered. The latest aircraft was recently transferred from Norrköping Airport to the city’s port, from where it will be shipped to Brazil.
(Read More...)
06/02/2025
A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia's territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul.
(Read More...)
06/01/2025
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has confirmed that the company has made its largest-ever internal investment in the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter programme. Speaking at the Bernstein 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on 29 May, Ortberg highlighted the strategic significance of the project for Boeing’s defence division and its St. Louis production facility.
(Read More...)
06/01/2025
According to a picture released by the U.S. Central Command on May 30, 2025, via its official X account, a new armament configuration of the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle has been revealed, showing the aircraft armed with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket pods. The photo clearly displays three APKWS II pods mounted under each wing, each carrying seven laser-guided Hydra 70mm rockets, installed beneath the standard AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM mounts.
(Read More...)
06/01/2025
US President Donald Trump has offered Boeing’s sixth-generation stealth fighter, the F-47, to Japan, according to reports. If true, this would be the first concrete offer to sell the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) combat jet to any country. Notably, this comes amid reports that the US is unhappy with Japan’s participation in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation combat jet being pursued jointly by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
(Read More...)
06/01/2025
Britain wants to purchase fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, in a major expansion of the deterrent intended to counter the growing threat posed by Russia. Sir Keir Starmer’s government is in highly sensitive talks over the move, which would represent the biggest development in the UK’s deterrent since the Cold War and a recognition that the world has entered a more dangerous nuclear era.
(Read More...)
06/01/2025
India’s military has acknowledged for the first time that an unspecified number of its fighter jets were shot down during strikes on Pakistani-controlled territory amid intense fighting between the neighbors in early May. Indian officials had previously refused to confirm even a single aircraft loss.
(Read More...)
05/31/2025
apan has growing doubts that its next-generation fighter project with Britain and Italy will meet a 2035 rollout target, potentially forcing Tokyo to plug air defense gaps with new U.S. F-35 stealth planes or upgrades to aging jets, two sources said. The joint Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) established in 2022 is falling behind schedule due to a lack of urgency from Britain and Italy, which could push deployment beyond 2040, according to one of the sources.
(Read More...)
05/31/2025
The ferocity of the shots fired in the recent India-Pakistan conflict have quietened but the skirmish is already having an impact on global air forces. Jamming devices are now considered essential, experts have told The National. A major investigation among Western powers is under way to understand how potentially three French-built Rafales were lost to Pakistan's Chinese made J-10Cs, alongside the worrying development of long-range aerial warfare.
(Read More...)
05/31/2025
Dutch F-35s joined Finland’s Baana 25 exercises, simulating highway landings to boost NATO’s Agile Combat Employment strategy, showcasing operational flexibility, readiness, and alliance interoperability amid modern warfare threats. It has been over two years since Finland officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, in that short time, it has worked closely with its allied nations in numerous drills, including its annual “Baana” exercises.
(Read More...)
05/31/2025
According to information published by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense on May 28, 2025, Norwegian Armed Forces achieved a groundbreaking milestone in NATO’s advancement of network-enabled warfare. While the operation was conducted on May 14, 2025, the newly revealed details emphasize a major leap in allied digital integration and precision strike capability.
(Read More...)
05/31/2025
Lockheed Martin is developing an advanced version of its F-35 stealth fighter jet that could potentially be uncrewed, the company's CEO said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Bernstein's 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Jim Taiclet floated the possibility of an F-35 whose pilot could be "optional" within a "relatively modest time frame."
(Read More...)
05/30/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 16 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Seven of the 16 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
(Read More...)
05/30/2025
According to information published by the British daily The Telegraph on May 20, 2025, the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm’s F-35B fighters will remain limited in their air-to-ground strike capabilities for several more years. Despite their advanced design, these aircraft currently rely solely on Paveway series guided bombs, due to the lack of integration of more sophisticated weaponry. The SPEAR 3 missile program, intended to fill this gap, has experienced significant delays.
(Read More...)
05/30/2025
China has emerged as a manufacturing superpower in several industries but has failed to gain traction as an exporter of combat aircraft. Could this be about to change? A fateful night in the skies above mountainous Kashmir hints that the world’s perception of Chinese combat aircraft may have reached a turning point.
(Read More...)
05/30/2025
Despite international sanctions and the fact that its industrial complex is focused on the war effort, Russia has completed the delivery of a new batch of Sukhoi Su-30SM2 fighter-bombers to equip the Belarusian Air Force. The news emerged through the viral circulation of images showing an undisclosed number of aircraft delivered by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense.
(Read More...)
05/29/2025
French President Emmanuel Macron appears to have convinced Indonesia to place follow-on orders for Rafale and Scorpene submarines as it seeks to deepen defense and trade ties with Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Macron arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Vietnam on May 27 for the second leg of his three-country Southeast Asia tour, which also includes Singapore, and aims to project France as a balancing power in the Indo-Pacific.
(Read More...)
05/29/2025
The crisis within the IAF cannot by itself explain the excellent performance of Pakistani PL-15 missiles against what were supposedly India’s superior air capabilities. The dismal showing of India’s expensive French-built Dassault Rafales in its recent war against Pakistan has triggered a wave of recriminations between the Indian and French governments. Not only has the unimpressive display of the Dassault Rafales in the opening phases of the recent conflict come as a shock to the world.
(Read More...)
05/29/2025
India’s new stealth fighter plan aims to reassert air dominance in a region where Pakistan’s Chinese-made jets recently drew first blood in an intensifying South Asian arms race. This month, India’s Ministry of Defense green-lighted a blueprint for developing its most sophisticated stealth fighter jet, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Reuters reported.
(Read More...)
05/28/2025
India, one of the world's largest arms importers, has made the modernisation of its forces a top priority in the face of tensions with nuclear-armed Pakistan and China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the prototype of a 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the ministry said in a statement, calling it a "significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities".
(Read More...)
05/28/2025
Over more than three years of conflict, various Russian/Soviet-origin fighter jets operated by the Ukrainian Air Force have been observed modified or adapted to deploy Western weaponry. To cite just a few examples, Su-27 fighters have been seen using French-made AASM HAMMER guided bombs and U.S.-made GBU-39 glide bombs. The Su-24 Fencer aircraft have also been employed as launch platforms for SCALP EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
(Read More...)
05/27/2025
The Finnish Foreign Ministry has summoned russian Ambassador Pavel Kuznetsov to demand an explanation in connection with the alleged violation of the country's airspace by russian military aircraft on May 23.
(Read More...)
05/27/2025
During the recent China-Egypt joint air drills, Eagles of Civilization 2025, held between April and May at Wadi Abu Rish Air Base, non-official sources reported that the Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Fuad Abdel Gawad, expressed a strong interest in China’s J-35 stealth fighter. While this information has not been officially confirmed by either Egyptian or Chinese authorities.
(Read More...)
05/27/2025
The Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed on Monday that the final batch of six F-16 fighter jets promised to Kyiv has left the Netherlands on its way to Ukraine. The Netherlands has been a key ally of Ukraine and an early advocate for Ukraine to receive fighter jets from the West. In May 2023, former US President Joe Biden agreed to allow the Netherlands and other European countries to begin training Ukrainian pilots and to transfer F-16s to Ukraine.
(Read More...)
05/27/2025
Recent reports from various international media outlets, including Defense Arabic, suggest that Azerbaijan is poised to significantly bolster its air force by expanding its order of JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, a joint production between Pakistan and China.
(Read More...)
05/27/2025
As reported by TASS on May 22, 2025, the first confirmed foreign customer of the Russian Su-57E fifth-generation multirole fighter jet will begin operating the aircraft in 2025. While the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation did not disclose the identity of the purchasing country during the MILEX 2025 defense exhibition in Minsk, multiple independent sources, including Algerian state television and statements from Russian officials, confirm that Algeria is the first export
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
A major shift is underway for one of the most prominent units of the United States Air National Guard. The 127th Wing, based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, will replace its A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighters. President Donald J. Trump announced this development during his visit to Selfridge on April 29, 2025. It marks a new phase for the unit, which has operated the A-10 for the past 15 years.
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
Japan’s Defense Ministry has announced for the first time that China sent its Liaoning aircraft carrier into the East China Sea, some 200 kilometers from the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, for practice deploying fighter jets. The Defense Ministry’s Joint Staff Office said in a statement late Sunday that the Chinese carrier was sailing alongside four destroyers in the waters north of Kuba Island in the Senkaku chain, which is also claimed by Beijing, where the islets are known as the Diao
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence for Aviation Development Oleksandr Kozenko met with a Swedish delegation led by Thomas Lindén, Director for Ukraine Affairs at Saab, on May 23, 2025. The discussions centered on modernizing Ukraine’s aging fleet of Soviet-era aircraft and exploring the potential transfer of advanced Swedish aviation platforms.
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
The recent aerial clash between Pakistan and India offers a glimpse of how China is narrowing the gap in military airpower with the US. It is a warning not just for Washington, but for Taipei, too. Claims from both sides remain contested, but a broader picture is emerging among experts who track China’s air force and fighter jet development: Beijing’s defense systems are growing increasingly credible.
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
In 2016, Ankara announced the launch of its Turkish Fighter (TF-X), a stealth, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter plane, rechristened as the KAAN project, which is part of a wider initiative intended to reduce Turkey’s dependence on foreign imports for its defense industry. At the start of the 2000s, Turkey relied on imports for 80% of its defense requirements, a figure that has now been reduced to around 20%.
(Read More...)
05/26/2025
Almost simultaneously with U.S. President Donald Trump concluding his tour of the Middle East, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that it carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, using its F-15 Baz fighter-bombers for the operation. According to the Air Force, the missions took place on Friday, May 16th, and specifically targeted the ports of Hodeidah and Salif—an action that, according to Jerusalem, was a response to the ongoing missile and drone attacks launched by the rebels.
(Read More...)
05/25/2025
The U.S. has two of the world’s four fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. Owing to their similar names and appearances, the two planes have a tendency to be conflated—and the fact that both are produced by Lockheed Martin invites further confusion. But the two cutting-edge fighters are quite different in most respects. From speed to maneuverability to stealth to avionics, they were built for different missions.
(Read More...)
05/25/2025
On May 22, 2025, The Merge published imagery of a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle undergoing flight testing with an underwing loadout of 42 APKWS II 70 mm guided rockets, marking a substantial increase in munition capacity. Compared to the typical six air-to-air missile loadout, the integration of APKWS II enables the F-15E to carry up to 42 guided rockets, potentially increasing the number of engagement opportunities by a factor of seven against UAS and cruise missiles.
(Read More...)
05/25/2025
Only time will tell whether or not Sweden’s domestically produced sixth-gen fighter will ever make it past the conception phase. The United States and China are not the only nations racing to build sixth-generation fighter programs. While Washington’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems and China’s J-36 fighter prototype continue to monopolize media headlines, other sixth-gen concepts have come to fruition in recent years.
(Read More...)
05/25/2025
On May 21, 2025, the Weibo user posted images reportedly showing a green-painted J-35A fighter jet, a color typically associated with unpainted airframes or early production models, which led to speculation that the aircraft could be the first serial production J-35A. Although some internet sources and commentators claimed the aircraft was intended for Pakistan or had already entered operational service, such interpretations are not supported by any official statements.
(Read More...)
05/25/2025
Two NATO members have accused Russia of provocation along the alliance's eastern flank. Poland said on Thursday that its fighter jets had intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber that performed "dangerous" maneuvers in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The next day, Finland said it was investigating whether Russian aircraft had breached the NATO member's
(Read More...)
05/24/2025
South Korea, with US support, restored a grounded F-35A by pioneering wing-removal transport. This saved millions of dollars and bolstered future repairs in the F-35 sustainment program. The US-led F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) aided the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) in refurbishing its damaged Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, previously considered irreparable and a write-off. After colliding with an eagle, the RoKAF F-35A was forced to make an emergency landing.
(Read More...)
05/24/2025
As part of the “Peace Condor” program, the Argentine Air Force (FAA) achieved two major milestones in May on its path toward full operational capability with F-16 fighter jets: its first participation in the global F100 engine users conference hosted by Pratt & Whitney, and the launch of a state-of-the-art tactical simulation center at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil.
(Read More...)
05/24/2025
On 21 May, the Italian Ministry of Defence announced the signing of an intergovernmental agreement for the supply of 12 Leonardo M-346 FA (Block 20) light combat aircraft to Austria. The contract also includes a full mission simulator, IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile integration, Link 16 data link, Nexter 20mm gun pods, LAU-32 rocket launchers, and Elbit SPEAR AECM pods for self-defence and electronic warfare.
(Read More...)
05/23/2025
The capability of military aircraft is a crucial element of international defense strategies, serving as a foundation for rapid-response operations, force projection, and national security. Beyond defending their own borders, nations with the largest and most advanced military aircraft fleets by 2025 will significantly influence regional and international security dynamics. Fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, observation systems, aerial refuelers, drones, and early-warning aircraft.
(Read More...)
05/23/2025
At the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition [LIMA] in Malaysia, which opened on May 20, 2025, China’s J-10CE fighter jet emerged as a focal point, drawing crowds of military officials, industry experts, and global defense enthusiasts.
(Read More...)
05/23/2025
Cubic Defense, the world's leading provider of advanced air combat training, announces the delivery of the first-ever encrypted ACMI upgrade to 4th gen aircraft, following the recent U.S. Air Force Production award. The modernization delivers a new era of operational readiness, bringing a much-needed proficiency to the Warfighter.
(Read More...)
05/23/2025
The United States Air Force will manage the F-47 fighter programme differently from previous efforts, with a focus on shared systems and greater government control, according to Gen. David Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff. Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Allvin stated that the F-47 will share the same mission systems architecture as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
(Read More...)
05/23/2025
The F-47 fighter will be run differently than previous fighter programs and share the same mission systems architecture as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. That means advances in one will fuel advances in the other.
(Read More...)
05/22/2025
Yesterday, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), together with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), announced that the first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet has entered its final assembly phase, bringing it one step closer to being incorporated into the South Korean Air Force in the near future. The news was confirmed during a ceremony held at the company’s facilities in the Sacheon region.
(Read More...)
05/22/2025
The U.S. Air Force is planning to return its F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath in England and consolidate its fleet stateside. Currently, the F-15Es in the United Kingdom are the only permanently forward-deployed examples of the aircraft, which remain the service’s first choice for a wide variety of critical missions around the globe.
(Read More...)
05/22/2025
In testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, senior officials from the USAF and Space Force delivered a clear and urgent message: the American airpower structure is being recalibrated to address advanced threats from strategic competitors, with a sharp focus on tactical innovation and modernization of combat systems. With the rise of peer adversaries such as China, the Air Force leadership emphasized that maintaining tactical superiority requires a new generation of aircraft.
(Read More...)
05/22/2025
In the early hours of May 21, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, through coordinated efforts involving its Unmanned Systems Forces and other defense components, struck the Bolkhov Semiconductor Device Plant in russia's Oryol region, a facility crucial to Moscow's military-industrial complex.
(Read More...)
05/22/2025
On May 19, the FighterBomber Telegram channel—typically a reliable source for insights into Russian military aviation—suggested in a post that Russia’s A-100 AEW&CS development program had been canceled. The last official statement on the A-100 program was issued in December 2023, when Rostec reported that its subsidiary, Vega Concern, was delivering modernized A-50 AEW&CS aircraft to the Russian armed forces while concurrently developing the more advanced A-100 AEW&CS.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
The secretary of the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday said future Pentagon spending will support President Donald Trump's decision last month to send F-15EX fighters to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, and that they would arrive on time in 2028 as Trump announced.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
On Monday, aerospace giant Lockheed Martin announced that its Advanced Development Programs division, more commonly known as the “Skunk Works,” has achieved another significant milestone with the F-35 Lightning II. The company, working with the Danish Ministry of Defense (MOD), “completed a successful live F-35 interoperability demonstration,” the latest “success in a series of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) demonstrations” involving the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Allvin today responded to questioning regarding the potential of a new version of the prolific F-16, a so-called Block 80, as a way of increasing the combat mass of the service in the future. While the Air Force doesn’t at this point have a plan to start buying Vipers again, it’s certainly interesting that the topic is up for discussion, especially with the service looking hard at how it will balance its next-generation fighter requirements.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has entered the ground testing phase of its YFQ-42A production-representative test vehicle as part of the U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. Ground testing commenced on 7 May in preparation for the aircraft’s planned first flight later this summer.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
Anduril just gave the world a closer look at “Fury,” its next-generation uncrewed fighter jet built to team up with human pilots in the skies. An episode of CBS’s 60 Minutes aired Sunday featured Anduril founder Palmer Luckey walking viewers through the aircraft’s development, offering a rare look inside the hangar where the drone is being pieced together.
(Read More...)
05/21/2025
First flown in 1997, the L-159 features many of the L-39/59’s aerodynamic configurations, but multiple changes were made to improve upon the L-159’s combat performance. The Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA is a light combat aircraft and advanced trainer, developed as a replacement to Aero’s L-39 and L-59 Albatros aircraft. Built in the Czech Republic, the L-159 began development in 1993 for the purpose of replacing aircraft from the recently-collapsed Soviet Union.
(Read More...)
05/20/2025
Jakarta’s $8.1 billion deal to acquire 42 French-made Rafale fighter jets has come under scrutiny, with Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense initiating a review of the aircraft’s operational reliability following unverified claims of poor performance in recent aerial clashes between India and Pakistan.
(Read More...)
05/20/2025
According to Inquirer.net, Lockheed Martin has recently intensified its communication surrounding its offer of F-16 Block 70 “Viper” fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force’s Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) program. In a regional context increasingly marked by tensions, particularly over sovereignty issues in the South China Sea, the U.S. defense company has highlighted a combination of strategic, technical, and industrial arguments to win over Manila.
(Read More...)
05/20/2025
On May 15, 2025, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation [UAC], through its Sukhoi Design Bureau, unveiled the advanced features of the upgraded Su-57M, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet poised to enhance Russia’s air combat capabilities.
(Read More...)
05/20/2025
Three students from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School recently conducted flight training with the JAS 39 Gripen at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration’s (FMV) test site in Linköping. The visit is part of an ongoing exchange programme between Sweden and the two major American test pilot schools, according to a press release from FMV.
(Read More...)
05/20/2025
Türkiye's recent efforts to modernize its air force have led it to seek new alternatives following unfavorable developments in the F-35 program. In this context, the country has intensified negotiations for procuring Eurofighter Typhoon jets, produced by a consortium involving the U.K., Spain and Germany, while continuing to develop its domestic air defense systems.
(Read More...)
05/19/2025
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has clarified an incident involving the dispatch of F-16 fighter jets after a Myanmar aircraft approached Kanchanaburi around midday on Friday. Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesperson for the RTAF, stated that a single K-8 military aircraft from Myanmar was detected flying close to Thai airspace in Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province, at 12.31 pm.
(Read More...)
05/19/2025
Taiwan said on Sunday that it tracked Chinese military aircraft and naval ships around its territory. "Overall 18 sorties #PLA aircraft in various types (including J-16, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 0850hr today. 13 out of 18 sorties crossed the median line of the #Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ," the Defense Ministry said on X.
(Read More...)
05/19/2025
Denmark has announced its 26th military aid package for Ukraine, with a focus on maintaining F-16 fighter aircraft and enhancing training infrastructure, the Danish government stated. The package, valued at approximately €562.8 million (DKK 4.2 billion), covers the 2025–2028 period. It will be funded through Denmark’s Ukraine Fund and reimbursement mechanisms under the European Peace Facility (EPF).
(Read More...)
05/19/2025
On May 17, 2025, North Korea showcased a significant advancement in its military capabilities, unveiling a new active radar-guided air-to-air missile integrated with its MiG-29 fighter jets. The demonstration, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un during a visit to the 1st Guards Air Division of the Korean People’s Army Air Force, marks a notable step in Pyongyang’s efforts to bolster its aging air force.
(Read More...)
05/18/2025
American Company Boeing's revitalized production strategy for the F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet signals a major boost to U.S. Air Force combat readiness, as 90 units are now actively progressing through the assembly line. This acceleration reflects improved manufacturing efficiency and strategic foresight, with the goal of consistently delivering two aircraft per month by the end of 2026.
(Read More...)
05/17/2025
Denmark received four more F-35 fighter jets on Thursday, with more than half of the country’s ordered fleet of stealth aircraft now stationed on Danish soil, after delivery had been delayed as manufacturer Lockheed Martin struggled to implement an upgrade for the plane.
(Read More...)
05/17/2025
The Air Force graph revealed that the plane would have a top speed of approximately Mach 2+, or around 1,550 miles per hour, similar to the F-22 Raptor. In March, President Donald Trump revealed with great fanfare the Air Force’s next stealth fighter jet. The Boeing F-47— is set to become the first 6th-generation stealth fighter jet to ever take to the skies. Now, in a recent post on X, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin revealed some interesting information about the upcoming
(Read More...)
05/17/2025
In a striking development that has caught the attention of defense observers worldwide, China has extended an offer to sell two squadrons of its advanced Chengdu J-10CE multirole fighter jets to Colombia. The proposal came during a high-profile visit by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The offer, reported by multiple sources including defense outlet Infodefensa, marks a bold move by China to penetrate the Latin American.
(Read More...)
05/17/2025
The Air Force "lost contact" with an F-16 jet during a mission to repel a Russian aerial attack overnight on May 16 following an emergency situation on board, the Air Force reported. The pilot diverted the plane away from populated areas and ejected, after which he was found by a search and rescue team, according to the statement.
(Read More...)
05/17/2025
President Donald Trump’s comments Thursday in Qatar about future fighter jets planned for the U.S. military have baffled observers and been met with silence from the Pentagon. During a roundtable discussion in Doha, Qatar, flanked by the heads of Boeing and GE Aerospace, Trump surprised many in the military aviation world by asserting a twin-engined F-35 successor, which he dubbed the F-55, was in the works.
(Read More...)
05/16/2025
Chief of Staff for the US Air Force General David Allvin has released some further details about the recently unveiled F-47 next-generation fighter aircraft and the supporting fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) set to reshape the US Air Force.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
05/16/2025
The Australian Department of Defence in partnership with Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] connected F-35 simulators at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases Williamtown and Tindal via F-35's distributed mission training (DMT) network. This establishes Australia as the first international F-35 customer to receive this capability, further enhancing global mission readiness and interoperability of the F-35 fleet.
(Read More...)
05/16/2025
President Donald Trump is interested in developing a twin-engined, upgraded version of the F-35 fighter, he said during a press event May 15 in Qatar marking the sale of Boeing airliners and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways. He said he would name the improved aircraft the “F-55” and also referred to a freshly improved F-22 as the “F-22 Super.”
(Read More...)
05/16/2025
President Trump on Thursday revealed his wishes for bleeding-edge warplanes he dubbed F-22 Super and F-55. Trump's comments during a stop in Qatar were the first time either potential aircraft has been publicly mentioned. Such major, multibillion-dollar endeavors are not pulled from thin air, suggesting some legwork may already be underway.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
05/15/2025
A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet violated Estonian airspace on the evening of 13 May, flying without a flight plan, with transponders off, and no radio contact. The breach—lasting under a minute—occurred over the Juminda Peninsula in the Gulf of Finland during Exercise Hedgehog, Estonia’s largest annual military drill involving over 16,000 NATO troops.
(Read More...)
05/15/2025
An urgent search is underway for two crew members reported missing after a Japanese air force training aircraft crashed following takeoff. The T-4 training jet, belonging to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), lost contact just two minutes after departing from Komaki Air Base in Aichi prefecture, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
(Read More...)
05/15/2025
At the FEINDEF 2025 exhibition in Madrid, the Army Recognition team met with Ingemar Karlsson, a representative from Saab, for an exclusive interview focused on the T-7, the advanced training aircraft introduced by the Swedish company. Designed as a complete pilot training system for fighter aircraft, the T-7 represents a new approach to preparing modern aircrews, combining digital flexibility, simplified maintenance, and reduced lifecycle costs.
(Read More...)
05/15/2025
Last September, at the Egypt International Air Show, reports emerged that the EAF was set to acquire the Chinese J-10CE although neither CATIC or the EAF would confirm this. It has been suggested that the J-10CE in the static display at Zhuhai Airshow in November last year was actually Egyptian. The fourth-generation fighter could bring a lot of new capabilities, with more advanced weapons.
(Read More...)
05/15/2025
The recent sparks of war between India and Pakistan, apart from the long-standing Kashmir issue, have brought renewed attention to Chinese weapons, French Rafale jets and the rivalry between the duo. While Pakistan has said to have downed three French Rafale jets belonging to India, claims about the initial attack and the aftermath have differed widely, with neither New Delhi nor Islamabad releasing many specific details.
(Read More...)
05/15/2025
The Air Force plans for its sixth-generation F-47 fighter to be able to fly significantly farther than previous jets. In a graphic posted Tuesday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Allvin said the F-47 would have a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles, advanced stealth capabilities, and be able to fly at speeds greater than Mach 2, or more than 1,500 miles per hour.
(Read More...)
05/14/2025
The recent dogfight between Indian and Pakistani air forces is the largest dogfight to have taken place in a generation—and is currently the biggest story in global news. The dogfight was full of takeaways—for example, the success of Chinese-made Pakistani J-10 fighters, and the downing of one or more French-made Indian Rafale fighters.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
05/14/2025
In capable hands, an F-16 Fighting Falcon can take on fifth-generation stealth fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II and even the F-22 Raptor. For decades, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the backbone of dozens of fighter jet fleets around the world. As its era is gradually coming to a close in the coming decades, and with the development of increasingly advanced and stealth fighter jets, it is worth remembering what makes the Fighting Falcon such a superb combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
05/14/2025
Houthi rebels in Yemen fired on a U.S. military F-35 during recent operations, and the missile came close enough to the aircraft for the pilot to take evasive action, a U.S. official confirmed to Task & Purpose. The incident was first reported in the New York Times as part of a story about why President Donald Trump decided to end air and missile strikes against the Houthis earlier this month.
(Read More...)
05/14/2025
The Air Force’s F-47 fighter jet will fly some 70 percent farther without refueling than today’s F-22s, allowing tankers to stay farther from the fray—a key advantage in a potential Pacific conflict. The planned sixth-generation fighter will have a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles, according to an infographic posted Tuesday on X by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. Combat radius refers to the distance an aircraft can travel and still have enough fuel to RTB.
(Read More...)
05/13/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 31 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Thirty of the 31 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
(Read More...)
05/13/2025
The Air Force will rotate fighters through Misawa Air Base, Japan, as the U.S. begins to retire the F-16s now based there and the relocation of a permanent squadron of F-35s. “The Aircraft will transition on a rotational basis,” a Pacific Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine in response to questions. “These rotations ensure the continuation of our long-standing mission to defend Japan and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific.”
(Read More...)
05/13/2025
The Hürjet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is undergoing a notable evolution from an advanced jet trainer into a versatile light combat aircraft. Originally intended to replace the aging T-38M and NF-5A/B fleets of the Turkish Air Force, the Hürjet is now being positioned for a broader operational role that includes naval aviation and air-to-air combat support, underscoring its growing strategic relevance.
(Read More...)
05/12/2025
Soaring thousands of feet above Nato’s Baltic border with Russia, British fighter pilots are acutely aware that one false move could trigger a global conflict. “It would be very easy, if I waved, to fold up my hand into this [a middle finger], and then that goes out on the news and suddenly it’s an international incident,” a plucky Royal Air Force pilot said as he described intercepting a Kremlin spyplane in his Typhoon jet.
(Read More...)
05/12/2025
During ongoing clashes on the India-Pakistan border in Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly lost a Dassault Rafale fighter jet in combat. The aircraft was deployed as part of Operation Sindoor on the morning of 7 May 2025, marking the first combat use of Rafale jets by India since their acquisition. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft during the engagement, including three Rafales, one Su-30MKI, and one MiG-29.
(Read More...)
05/12/2025
Japan is considering exporting its next-gen aircraft, which it is developing in collaboration with the UK and Italy under the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP), to Australia. Tokyo reportedly invited India to the GCAP program last month.
(Read More...)
05/11/2025
As part of the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” exercises, which took place from April 19 to May 4, one of the Chinese Air Force’s new YY-20A aircraft refueled Egyptian MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets in flight for the first time. This was only a small portion of the extensive and varied operations carried out by the armed forces of both countries, aimed at strengthening their defense cooperation, which also included air combat simulations and search and rescue training in hostile environments.
(Read More...)
05/11/2025
The recent aerial clash between India and Pakistan has drawn global attention to Chinese military technology, particularly after Pakistan claimed victory in a massive dogfight involving 125 fighter jets from both sides.Tactical gear This engagement, which lasted over an hour, ranks as one of the largest and longest air battles in recent aviation history, potentially the biggest since World War II if the aircraft numbers are verified.
(Read More...)
05/11/2025
The United States Marine Corps has deployed Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), known as the “Wake Island Avengers,” to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen deterrence and military readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Announced on May 10, 2025, the deployment, conducted under the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program, comes amid rising tensions in the region, particularly due to China’s increasing military assertiveness.
(Read More...)
05/10/2025
Donald Trump says "India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire".
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, the US President says: "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. "Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
(Read More...)
05/10/2025
When Pakistan said it had downed five Indian jets, the matter sparked a lot of discussion. It was easily a win for the country for many. But it is feared the conflict can get even bigger. Taking to X, South Asia analyst Micheal Kugelman wrote, "India's strike on Pakistan is of much greater scale than the one in 2019. Pakistan's response, which according to many reports included downing several Indian jets, has also exceeded the scale of 2019.
(Read More...)
05/10/2025
As reported by kf21_military on May 5, 2025, the development of a single-seat variant of the South Korean FA-50 light attack aircraft advanced with the issuance of a formal tender by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which involves the construction of a cockpit for a controllability evaluation simulator specifically for the single-seat version of the FA-50. This step marks the beginning of technical work under the F-50 program, which was reactivated in 2024 after being previously suspended.
(Read More...)
05/10/2025
The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan could be offering the world a first real glimpse into how advanced Chinese military technology performs against proven Western hardware – and Chinese defense stocks are already surging. Shares of China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft rose 40% this week, as Pakistan claimed it used AVIC-produced J-10C fighter jets to shoot down Indian combat aircraft – including the advanced French-made Rafale – during an aerial battle on Wednesday.
(Read More...)
05/09/2025
Dramatic footage is emerging from Indian Punjab's Bathinda region showing what appears to be the smouldering wreckage of an Indian Air Force jet, as Islamabad claims its pilots downed five Indian sophisticated fighter aircraft in an alarming escalation along the India-Pakistan frontier on Wednesday morning. India has so far remained tight-lipped, offering no confirmation or denial.
(Read More...)
05/09/2025
A first-of-its-kind F-35 Lightning II Combined Test Force stood up May 1, 2025 to become part of Eglin’s developmental and operational fighter test complex. This major milestone by the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center establishes the Air Reserve Component as a key player in fifth-generation fighter aircraft testing.
(Read More...)
05/09/2025
Nuclear powers India and Pakistan are clashing again, and there are claims of aircraft kills from air battles that sound like a hodgepodge of foreign-made fighters. Pakistani officials said Thursday that the country had shot down five Indian fighter jets and a number of drones since India launched cross-border strikes earlier this week, kicking off a new round of fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
(Read More...)
05/09/2025
A dogfight between Chinese-made Pakistani jets and French-made Indian Rafale fighters will be closely scrutinized by militaries seeking insights that could offer an edge in future conflicts.
A Chinese-made Pakistani fighter plane shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two U.S. officials said, marking a potential milestone for Beijing's advanced fighter jet.
(Read More...)
05/09/2025
Chinese-made fighter jets operated by Pakistan were responsible for shooting down at least two Indian warplanes, a battlefield achievement that marks a breakthrough for Beijing’s technology. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told parliament on Wednesday evening that Chinese J-10Cs were used to shoot down Indian jets, in what has been described as one of the longest dogfights in history.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN. If the numbers of aircraft were confirmed, it would make it one of the largest air battles since World War Two.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
An ejection seat believed to be from a Pakistani Air Force Mirage V fighter jet was discovered in Lahore, sparking speculation that Pakistan may have lost one of its aircraft amid a night strike from India. Footage showing the seat was first shared on TikTok earlier today. While the video’s authenticity and the exact time of recording remain unverified, the imagery clearly shows a military ejection system consistent with that used in Pakistan’s Mirage V fighter jet.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
The downing of three Indian Rafale fighter jets by Pakistan has dealt a severe blow to New Delhi’s security apparatus, with strategic, psychological and diplomatic repercussions. According to government sources, the successful engagement marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s air force and exposes serious vulnerabilities in India’s air defence readiness and rules of engagement.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
The Pakistan military has brought down five Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes by its neighbouring country, launched after midnight at the sites of Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, reports DAWN, citing state media. The same was confirmed by Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said that the response is ongoing, but did not share operational details, the report states, citing Sky News.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
On May 7, 2025, during Teknofest 2025, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced a new phase for its indigenous stealth fighter program, KAAN. CEO of TAI, Mehmet Demiroglu, revealed that the second prototype is currently under construction and will feature notable changes to its airframe, including reshaped air intakes and structural enhancements. The prototype is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
A Finnish Air Force F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) in northern Finland on the morning of May 7, 2025, at 10:50 local time, the military confirmed. The aircraft fell within a designated military area, prompting an emergency response.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
The Air Force plans on flying the F-22 Raptor well into the 2040s. But to remain competitive against near-peer fighter jets, it needs upgrades now and in the future. The U.S. Air Force operates a plethora of superb fighter jets. With a fleet of several different types of fighter jets, the Air Force knows that it can take on any threat out there. But if there is any particular fighter jet that stands out from the rest, it is certainly the F-22 Raptor.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
The air war currently unfolding between India and Pakistan is exceedingly murky, but one aspect that seems almost certain is the use of the Chinese-made PL-15 active-radar-guided air-to-air missile (AAM) by Pakistan. So far, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft, and there are multiple accounts, including from Indian officials, pointing to the crash of at least two aircraft, without specifying the reasons.
(Read More...)
05/08/2025
Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, five people familiar with the matter told CNN. It is not entirely clear what happened yet, as the investigation is ongoing, but two of the people said there was some kind of arrestment failure as the jet was trying to land on the carrier and the pilot and weapons systems officer had to eject. They were recovered by a rescue
(Read More...)
05/07/2025
The Indian government says it has launched an attack on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Three locations have been attacked, Pakistan's military says. It says seven people including two children have been killed. Residents in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir told the BBC how they were jolted awake by huge explosions.
(Read More...)
05/07/2025
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed continued progress on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), with over £2 billion invested to date and formal programme structures now in place to deliver the next-generation fighter aircraft under the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Japan and Italy.
(Read More...)
05/07/2025
On May 7, 2025, the Indian Air Force launched a significant military exercise over the desert skies of Rajasthan, just miles from the Pakistan border, deploying its frontline Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets in a bold display of aerial prowess.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
05/07/2025
Komatsu Air Base on Japan’s western coast has become the latest hub for the country’s advanced air power with the arrival of its first F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This delivery, which took place on 26 April 2025, represents a historic moment for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
(Read More...)
05/06/2025
The U.S. is sending non-flyable, stripped-down F-16s from Arizona storage to Ukraine for spare parts, supporting NATO-donated jets and aiding Kyiv’s air capabilities amid ongoing Russian missile attacks.
(Read More...)
05/06/2025
On May 5, 2025, TürkiyeToday published a pivotal interview with Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Turkish Defense Industries (SSB), revealing crucial developments about Türkiye’s most ambitious unmanned aerial combat system—the Bayraktar KIZILELMA. Developed by leading Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, the KIZILELMA is expected to be officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) by 2026, marking a transformative moment in Türkiye’s defense capabilities.
(Read More...)
05/06/2025
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) is working to expand flight testing and accelerate prototype production of the Kaan aircraft. The company says it now aims to deliver the first aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028. Speaking on the sidelines of the Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in an interview with Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT, TUSAS CEO Mustafa Demiroglu provided an update on the project’s progress.
(Read More...)
05/05/2025
Friday, May 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down two russian Su-30 fighter jets in one mission. First, footage showing one of the fighters falling into the sea after a missile hit was published by the Defense Intelligence, later Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi reported that another russian aircraft was destroyed, too, although without specifying what type it was.
(Read More...)
05/05/2025
On May 2, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted touch-and-go operations on a 3.5-kilometer stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. The exercise featured various frontline aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000 jets, demonstrating the IAF’s operational readiness. ?
(Read More...)
05/05/2025
The British Royal Air Force (RAF) has unveiled its first-ever Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), StormShroud. It will operate in a manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) format with crewed fighter jets, including the RAF F-35B Lightning II and Eurofighter Typhoons.
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
Celebrating his 100th day in office, President Donald Trump, during a visit to Michigan on April 29, announced that Selfridge Air National Guard Base would receive 21 F-15EX fighter jets, which will assure the base's future. "This is where they're going to be for a long time," Trump said, touting the fighters as "brand new."
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
Japan, Britain and Italy are almost ready to bring Saud Arabia on board in the development of a next-generation fighter aircraft, Japanese government officials told The Asahi Shimbun on May 2. The move is part of a multinational initiative dubbed the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter. Saudi Arabia would be a “partner country” in the project.
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
Norway is set to significantly enhance its air power combat capabilities following the approval of a major Foreign Military Sale (FMS) by the U.S. State Department. Valued at an estimated $370.9 million, the deal includes a substantial number of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and a range of related support equipment. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified U.S. Congress of the proposed sale on May 2, 2025.
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
NATO conducted a joint air and missile defence mission over Romania in April 2025 as part of a coordinated Flexible Deterrence Option (FDO), underscoring Allied cohesion and readiness across eastern Europe. The multinational operation involved Greek and Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcons, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, and a French air-to-air refuelling tanker.
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine for F-16 Training and Sustainment and related support, with a total estimated value of $310.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified the U.S. Congress of the decision on May 2, 2025, marking a critical move in the ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air combat readiness.
(Read More...)
05/04/2025
A Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by a sea drone strike carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence, marking the first time a sea drone takes down a jet, Ukraine's military intelligence said on May 3. The intelligence agency, HUR, said the unprecedented operation took place on May 2 near the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea and published the video of the strike.
(Read More...)
05/02/2025
A quick-thinking US Navy sailor was able to narrowly escape a fighter jet just moments before it fell into the Red Sea on Monday. The unidentified sailor was inside the cockpit of an F/A-18 fighter jet, estimated to cost about $60 million, when it slipped off the hanger deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, Business Insider reports.
(Read More...)
05/02/2025
Twenty-one US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons based in Italy have flown to the UK to examine their combat readiness in Exercise Combat Archer. The training was the US Air Force's largest Weapons System Evaluation Programme (WSEP) exercise ever held in Europe.
(Read More...)
05/02/2025
The air force yesterday said it was investigating the accidental firing of a flare from one of its Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets, also known as the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo, on Wednesday. There were no injuries or damages, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident, the air force said. The flares, usually used to protect jets against incoming guided missiles, were released in flight, sources said.
(Read More...)
05/01/2025
India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting its airspace to all aircraft registered, operated, or leased by Pakistan, including commercial airlines and military flights. This closure, effective from April 30 to May 23, 2025, is a significant escalation amid heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
(Read More...)
05/01/2025
The country wants to buy fighter jets with American engines and at the same time pay russians for repairing its Mi-17 helicopter, which requires an appropriate response Colombia has begun the process of gradually restoring and returning to service its fleet of russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, three of which are due to return to service already in June 2025, and the next three in December, according to Zona Militar.
(Read More...)
05/01/2025
State Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, issued the following statement after President Trump’s announcement of the new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: “I fully support the administration’s decision to establish a new F-15EX fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This investment not only secures the long-term future of Selfridge and enhances our national defense, but it also delivers a significant boost to Michigan’s economy.
(Read More...)
05/01/2025
U.S. Air Force aerial warfare experts are asking Northrop Grumman Corp. for additional modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar development for jet fighter aircraft under terms of an $8.4 million order announced on Monday.
(Read More...)
04/30/2025
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has confirmed that Peru is actively exploring the KF-21 as a potential candidate in its ongoing fighter acquisition process, marking a possible expansion of South Korea’s defense ties in Latin America.
(Read More...)
04/30/2025
Selfridge ANGB is already slated to receive twelve new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling and multirole transport aircraft to replace its existing squadron of aging KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-46s are expected to begin arriving at Selfridge as early as 2029 according to the Secretary of Air Force Public Affairs. The base has also recently begun construction on a new hangar facility with additional new buildings planned to support future missions.
(Read More...)
04/30/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, will be home to a new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II unit. The announcement was made during a visit by the U.S. President to Selfridge ANGB today, April 29, 2025.
(Read More...)
04/29/2025
It is estimated that the Russian Air Force has likely lost at least 100 fixed-wing combat planes.
The sheer number of military equipment lost over the last three-plus years of Russia’s Ukraine invasion is staggering. While precise figures are difficult to verify due to the nature of the ongoing war, open-source intelligence trackers continue to provide insightful analyses of weapon loss in the conflict. From main battle tanks (MBTs) and airframes to munitions and infantry fighting vehicles.
(Read More...)
04/29/2025
Could we be on the verge of an era where fighter jets take flight without pilots – and are controlled by artificial intelligence (AI)? U.S. Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly recently said that an upcoming combat jet could be the navy’s last one with a pilot in the cockpit. That marks a striking, if not entirely surprising, shift in thinking about the future of aerial warfare.
(Read More...)
04/29/2025
A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been “lost” at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement on Monday. A US official said that initial reports from the scene indicated that the Truman made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard.
(Read More...)
04/29/2025
Ukraine has lost a Su-27 fighter jet while it was repelling a Russian drone attack and providing air support to ground troops on the morning of April 28, Ukraine's Air Force reported. The pilot ejected and is receiving medical attention, according to the statement. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The Su-27, also known under the NATO code name "Flanker," is a highly maneuverable Soviet-era air superiority fighter used by both Ukraine and Russia.
(Read More...)
04/29/2025
India signed a deal with France on Monday to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth 630 billion rupees ($7.4 billion) for its navy, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. India will buy 22 single-seater and four twin-seater fighters, made by France's Dassault Aviation, opens new tab, the ministry said, in a deal that would boost the Asian country's defence ties with its second-largest arms supplier.
(Read More...)
04/28/2025
Pakistan has released the first official images of its JF-17C fighter jet armed with Chinese-made PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles, as tensions with India continue to mount over a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. The release comes amid rising fears of another military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Following the attack, India has promised retaliation and threatened to disrupt the flow of a major river system into Pakistan.
(Read More...)
04/28/2025
Since the Chinese J-10C fighter jets arrived in Egypt for the first-ever Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air drills, all eyes have remained on the Chinese aircraft that have been offered to Cairo. However, as per reports, Cairo has set its sights on the South Korean FA-50 instead.
(Read More...)
04/27/2025
Norway will reach an important milestone on 28 April as it receives the first Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its F-35 fighter aircraft. A ceremony at Ørland Air Base will mark both the completion of Norway’s F-35 deliveries and the start of a new era in national defence capabilities.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
04/27/2025
The Croatian Air Force has received the last of the ordered French Rafale fighters. This was reported on the official page of the Croatian Ministry of Defense on the X network. The last, twelfth, Rafale fighter jet landed at Franjo Tudman Airport, thus forming a complete squadron of this type of aircraft.
(Read More...)
04/26/2025
In a striking reaffirmation of British global defense posture, the United Kingdom has launched Operation HIGHMAST on April 23, 2025, a wide-ranging multinational deployment spearheaded by the British Royal Navy’s flagship, HMS Prince of Wales. Central to the potency of this Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is the deployment of the UK’s most advanced stealth fighters—the F-35B Lightning IIs—from the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron and the Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron.
(Read More...)
04/26/2025
“Initiated in the late 1980s, Iniochos has evolved into a comprehensive training platform designed to simulate modern air warfare challenges. The exercise provides participating air forces with opportunities to plan and execute combined air operations (COMAO) in a high-tempo environment, reflecting the complexities of contemporary combat situations”.
(Read More...)
04/25/2025
Wishing a fighter pilot a good flight isn’t the done thing, apparently. Stefano Centioni, a former Italian Air Force (IAF) pilot who now works for the country’s largest defence contractor, Leonardo, winces at the suggestion. “That’s the sort of thing that you say to a Ryanair pilot,” he says. We’re at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Sardinia, a collaboration between the public and private sectors that is aiming to become top gun in the niche of fighter-pilot training.
(Read More...)
04/25/2025
The U.S. Air Force will ramp up its presence near North Korea by sending more than two dozen additional F-16 fighters to Osan Air Base, South Korea, creating a second “super squadron” there.
(Read More...)
04/25/2025
F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, touched down at Kadena Air Base, April 24, 2025, completing the latest round of U.S. Air Force fighter deployments to the Pacific. As the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena is a pivotal hub for Agile Combat Employment, which allows squadrons like the 421st EFS to project combat power in concert with U.S. allies and partners.
(Read More...)
04/25/2025
Can the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II—commonly regarded as two of the greatest planes in the world—become even more powerful? The CEO of Lockheed Martin, the famed aerospace giant that built both planes, thinks so. The defense and aerospace giant and manufacturer of the U.S. military’s two stealth fighter jets intends to buff the aircraft with cutting-edge technology initially intended for the F-47 sixth-generation stealth fighter jet.
(Read More...)
04/25/2025
The French Air and Space Force simultaneously conducted two high-profile exercises demonstrating its operational versatility and strategic reach. While one operation tested the force’s ability to disperse combat aircraft rapidly across the French mainland without prior notice, the other projected French air power into northern Europe in cooperation with NATO allies.
(Read More...)
04/24/2025
For the first time, China has deployed its cutting-edge aircraft, including the J-10C, for the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint air drills that kicked off on April 19 in Egypt. The deployment comes amid speculations that the Egyptian government is considering purchasing the aircraft.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced the China-Egypt joint air force training, code-named “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” from mid-April to early May, on April 16.
(Read More...)
04/24/2025
Portugal has taken a decisive step toward modernizing its air force by affirming its intent to acquire the U.S.-built F-35 Lightning II fighter jet as the successor to its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. The announcement, delivered by General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of the Air Force General Staff (CEMFA), during the Portuguese National Defense Conference on April 22, 2025, marks a significant evolution in the country’s defense strategy.
(Read More...)
04/24/2025
During the most recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, held in Brussels and attended by more than 50 countries, the Netherlands confirmed the transfer of another batch of F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. The announcement was made by the country’s Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, who also reported the delivery of a Patriot system and new commitments to supply I-Hawk air defense systems, aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s ability to withstand Russian attacks.
(Read More...)
04/24/2025
Following the release of its Q1 2025 financial results on April 23, 2025, Lockheed Martin announced a pivotal enhancement to the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet program: the integration of a system of next-generation infrared sensors aimed at increasing the aircraft’s survivability and lethality. This strategic move reinforces Lockheed Martin’s commitment to maintaining U.S. air superiority and highlights the continued evolution of the F-22 as a dominant force in modern aerial warfare.
(Read More...)
04/24/2025
After building the world’s largest maritime fighting force, China has gained a 1.2 to 1 production rate advantage over the US in fighter jets. Together with modern fifth-generation combat aircraft and advanced ‘long-range’ air-to-air missiles, Beijing can prevent the US from achieving air superiority within the key first island chain, a top US Commander has warned.
(Read More...)
04/23/2025
Uncrewed aircraft manufacturer Kratos is modifying one the company’s marquee offerings to match the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) growing ambitions for autonomous fighter jets. The San Diego-based firm has revealed a rendering of its XQ-58 Valkyrie uncrewed jet aircraft featuring a new piece of kit: landing gear.
(Read More...)
04/23/2025
South Korea and the UAE have signed a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on the development and operation of Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighters. The agreement was signed by the Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su and UAE Air Force (UAEAF) Major General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi, allowing UAEAF personnel to take part in future exercises and air drills involving the aircraft.
(Read More...)
04/23/2025
The United States has made yet another verbal offer for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft to India. This announcement comes just two months after President Donald Trump first offered the aircraft to India during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This time, however, the offer is more subtle, as it comes from Vice President JD Vance in a speech made during his ongoing visit to India.
(Read More...)
04/23/2025
Lockheed Martin will not protest the Air Force’s selection of Boeing for the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter contract, company president and CEO Jim Taiclet said April 22, explaining that the company now hopes to insert the technology it developed for NGAD into its fifth-generation F-35 and F-22 fighters. “We are not going to protest the NGAD decision of the U.S. government,” Taiclet said on a company earnings call.
(Read More...)
04/22/2025
As part of its efforts to open new markets in the Middle East, South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is advancing the international promotion of its new KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF). The UAE is seeking alternatives to the U.S.-made fifth-generation F-35A, following Washington’s reluctance to authorize a potential sale.
(Read More...)
04/22/2025
A photograph circulating on social media has raised eyebrows among defense analysts and observers of global military dynamics. The image, posted by the open-source intelligence account MenchOsint on April 20, 2025, shows Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force [PLAAF] J-10 fighter jets flying over King Fahd Port in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. In this key logistical hub, U.S. Navy ships dock to resupply the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
(Read More...)
04/22/2025
South Korea is well-known for electronics and automobiles. It is now slowly emerging as a top defence producer in the world. Recently, South Korea has signed a deal with Indonesia to produce jointly advanced fighter jets starting in 2026. South Korea is aimed to produce 20 KF-21 fighter jets, The Korean Times newspaper reported.
(Read More...)
04/22/2025
Vietnam may be set to purchase F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, according to a report. The deal would make Vietnam the fifth government in the Asia-Pacific region to acquire F-16 fighter aircraft, as militaries look to strengthen their capabilities amid rising territorial tensions with China, ruled by President Xi Jinping.
(Read More...)
04/21/2025
RAF fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” intelligence aircraft. On Thursday, another two Typhoons were scrambled from the base to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space close to Nato airspace.
(Read More...)
04/21/2025
In Switzerland, a nation renowned for its steadfast neutrality and fiscal prudence, a growing wave of public and political opposition is challenging the country’s decision to purchase 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.
(Read More...)
04/21/2025
China has officially confirmed the purpose behind last week’s unexpected arrival of a fleet of Xi’an Y-20 strategic transport aircraft in Egypt. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) dispatched a full detachment, including J-10 fighter jets, to Egypt to participate in the joint air force exercise titled “Eagles of Civilization 2025.” The exercise is scheduled to run from mid-April t
(Read More...)
04/21/2025
US defense giant Boeing is courting Indonesia to acquire its F-15EX fighter jets by making the deal much more attractive. According to new reports, Boeing promised that if Indonesia decides to buy the F-15EX fighters, the company will produce 85% of the aircraft locally. This commitment was made by Boeing South East Asia President Penny Burtt during a media briefing on April 15.
(Read More...)
04/19/2025
In a bold move reflecting the dire realities of the ongoing war, Ukraine has converted nine of its MiG-29UB Fulcrum-B aircraft, originally designed for training, into combat-ready jets to counter intensifying Russian air attacks.
(Read More...)
04/19/2025
While major powers like the USA, Europe, and China push forward with 6th-generation fighter concepts, significant global interest and procurement activity remain focused on advanced 4th-, 4.5-, and 5th-generation platforms. Nations balance sophisticated capability requirements against acquisition costs, operational sustainment, and industrial participation goals.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
04/19/2025
Egypt is on the verge of signing a major defense contract with South Korea for the acquisition of up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft, in a deal estimated to be worth over $1 billion. According to DefenseWeb, Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman confirmed that negotiations with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are nearly complete, and the agreement will include technology transfer.
(Read More...)
04/19/2025
The Air Force is prepping for a potential showdown with China, seeking cutting-edge technology like stealthy jets and AI-powered drone wingmen. Just two months into the new presidential administration, it learned it will have a new weapon in its arsenal: the first sixth-generation fighter jet. President Donald Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a rendering of the F-47 peeking through a shadowy background, called the jet “virtually unseeable” with “unprecedented power.”
(Read More...)
04/19/2025
Germany’s outgoing government is said to have blocked a British proposal to sell dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Turkey after the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, potentially creating significant tensions between London and Berlin. Britain is understood to have been finalising a deal for about 40 of the jets after John Healey, the defence secretary, visited his counterpart in Ankara.
(Read More...)
04/18/2025
Uzbekistan is looking to replace its aging Soviet-era aircraft, and despite plans to order the French Rafale in late 2023, the acquisition hasn't seen much progress since then. Now, Uzbeks may be looking towards China instead, as russian media report with apparent frustration.
(Read More...)
04/18/2025
On April 6, 2025, Saab Chief Executive Officer Micael Johansson confirmed during an interview with Dagens Industri that negotiations are ongoing with Portugal and Canada regarding the potential acquisition of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. This confirmation follows Portugal’s cancellation of its planned procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and reflects a shift in Lisbon’s defense planning priorities amid evolving geopolitical circumstances.
(Read More...)
04/18/2025
According to Turkish defence website TurkDef, which cites senior officials from Turkey’s Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, Ankara is seeking to rejoin the F-35 Lightning II programme and acquire the fifth-generation fighter jets. The report states that Turkey is considering diverting USD 1.4 billion—originally allocated to the F-16 programme—towards the F-35, contingent on approval from the Trump administration for the aircraft sale.
(Read More...)
04/18/2025
In a move that signals a deepening of military ties in an already volatile region, China and Egypt have embarked on their first-ever joint air exercise, dubbed Civilization Eagle 2025. This unprecedented collaboration, which began in mid-April and is set to continue until early May, involves the Chinese People’s Liberation Army [PLA] Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force conducting coordinated flights and tactical training.
(Read More...)
04/17/2025
Switzerland’s decision to acquire 36 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, under a contract signed in 2022, has led to ongoing political debate within the country. The aircraft are scheduled to replace the Swiss Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet and F-5 Tiger jets from 2027 onwards.
(Read More...)
04/17/2025
As reported by Yonhap on April 15, 2025, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea held a joint air defense exercise on Emirati territory involving the South Korean Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The activity marks the first publicly confirmed instance of operational integration of this system in a Middle Eastern setting. Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential UAE acquisition of the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter.
(Read More...)
04/17/2025
The Italian Air Force practiced missile firings from Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides Range in Scotland. Their campaign assessed the viability of firing Meteor and AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missiles from the Typhoon’s weapon system.
(Read More...)
04/16/2025
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said Britain is not fully sharing technologies with Italy and Japan in a major project to develop a new fighter jet and urged London to bring down the "barriers of selfishness". In an interview with Reuters, Crosetto emphasised the importance of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aims to develop by 2035 an aircraft that incorporates the most advanced technologies.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
04/16/2025
Building on the recent selection of the JAS-39 Gripen E/F by the Colombian Aerospace Force, Sweden is stepping up its efforts to position Saab’s fighter jet as a strong contender for other air forces in the region. This is reflected in the latest budget proposal submitted to the Swedish Parliament, aimed at securing authorization for the government to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 Gripen fighter jets, along with other military equipment.
(Read More...)
04/16/2025
As Defense Department leaders build their fiscal 2026 budget request, they must prioritize Air Force modernization. Three decades’ worth of chronic underfunding, paired with high combat demand, have worn the service’s aircraft so hard that the capacity and capability of the Air Force have declined to dangerous levels. It is well past time for a reset. Top leaders will only be able to successfully deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries if they have sufficient and capable forces to do both.
(Read More...)
04/16/2025
The reception hall at Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd. is, in many respects, every plane and helicopter lover's dream. Filled with model aircraft, there's one in particular that stands out. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for confusing it for the now politically infamous — at least in Canadian terms — F-35 fighter. The KF-21 Boramae (Hawk) has the same angled twin tails and similar sleek lines. When pointed out, a senior KAI manager sheepishly acknowledged the "stealthy design" resemblance.
(Read More...)
04/16/2025
On April 12, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the loss of an F-16 fighter jet during a combat mission in eastern Ukraine—marking the second confirmed F-16 loss since the aircraft’s operational induction in August 2024. Unusually, the incident was acknowledged within hours, following initial reports on social media around 1:00 PM Kyiv time. At 2:42 PM, Acting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly confirmed the loss on X.com, posting:
(Read More...)
.jpg)
04/15/2025
In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws on April 14, 2025, Belgium’s Defense Minister, Theo Francken, formally proposed that future F-35 fighter jets ordered by Belgium be assembled in Italy rather than in the United States. The minister also revealed that he had already made the request to his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto. Francken emphasized that this initiative could create jobs within Europe and help align Belgium’s defense investments with broader European industrial and strategic ob
(Read More...)
04/15/2025
Belgian Defence minister Theo Francken has asked his Italian counterpart whether the extra F-35 fighter jets Belgium wants to order could be built in Italy, and not in the US. The move would create jobs in Europe, Francken said on Monday in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
(Read More...)
04/15/2025
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that a proposed purchase of twenty F-16 Falcon fighter jets was approved by the US State Department. The total estimated cost of the sale comes in at $5.58 Billion and will include 20 airframes, twenty four F110-GE-129D or F100-PW-226 engines, twenty two AN/APG-83 AESA radars and other assorted equipment and systems in or related to the F-16, including weapon systems, avionics, computers and targeting equipment.
(Read More...)
04/15/2025
The Bulgarian Air Force has officially received its first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft into service following a ceremony at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo.
The aircraft is the first of 16 fighter jets that will be delivered to the nation. Bulgaria signed its first Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for eight F-16s in 2019, followed by a second LOA for an additional eight jets in 2022.
(Read More...)
04/15/2025
The United States government has authorized the potential sale of 400 new long-range air-to-air AMRAAM missiles to equip the Royal Australian Air Force’s fighter aircraft. This information comes from the latest notification submitted by the U.S. State Department to Congress for approval of the transaction through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
(Read More...)
04/14/2025
The multinational company Lockheed Martin has announced that it will supply F-16 fighter planes and air defence systems to Morocco, following a statement made during the visit of a delegation from the US defence giant to Moroccan territory. he visit was arranged with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the organisation responsible for promoting investment throughout the North African country.
(Read More...)
04/14/2025
According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on April 8, 2025, U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 took off from Panama Pacifico Airfield, Panama, marking the continuation of the squadron's day-to-day operations in support of an expanded strategic security partnership with the Republic of Panama.
(Read More...)
04/13/2025
Reports surfaced recently that China has greenlit the sale of advanced fighter jets to Uzbekistan, a move that signals a deepening military partnership between Beijing and the Central Asian nation. According to sources close to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defense, cited by regional defense outlets, the deal could involve modern aircraft such as the JF-17 Block III, J-10C, or even the fifth-generation J-35, though no official confirmation has pinned down the exact model.
(Read More...)
04/13/2025
Turkiye has successfully completed testing of its indigenous radar signal detection and tactical electronic support pod, known as EDPOD, which was integrated into F-16 fighter jets, the country’s industry and technology minister announced Friday.
(Read More...)
04/13/2025
Ukraine lost a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter and its pilot, Capt. Pavlo Ivanov, on or just before Saturday. It’s the second loss of an F-16 and pilot since the single-engine, supersonic fighter—85 of which a Belgian-Danish-Dutch-Norwegian consortium has pledged to Ukraine—entered front-line service in Ukraine back in August.
(Read More...)
04/12/2025
Japan scrambled jets in response to Chinese drones 30 times during the past year, the military said, up over threefold year-on-year as Beijing bolsters its air force. “Overall, we are seeing the trend staying at a high level,” Japan’s military chief of staff Yoshihide Yoshida said at a press conference on Thursday. In the financial year to March 31, Japan scrambled fighter jets 704 times to intercept foreign aircraft.
(Read More...)
04/12/2025
As Belgium prepares to transition to the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet with the arrival of its first aircraft later this year, its pilots are getting a head start on mastering fifth-generation air power. Belgian fighter pilots recently participated in an F-35 Manned Tactical Simulation (MTS) education and training event at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, March 31-April 4, marking an important milestone for the country’s future arrival of F-35 aircraft.
(Read More...)
04/12/2025
Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier slammed the cooperation with Airbus on developing a European sixth-generation fighter jet, telling French lawmakers that working together is “very, very difficult” amid continued bickering over work share. “Something is not working,” Trappier said in a hearing of the National Assembly defense committee here on Wednesday. “So it needs to be reviewed.
(Read More...)
04/12/2025
The US’s quest to counter China’s growing military prowess in the Indo-Pacific has brought traction to the development of sixth-generation fighter jets. After Boeing won the contract for the US Air Force’s F-47, competition is heating up between Northrop Grumman and Boeing for the US Navy’s sixth-generation carrier-based fighter, F/A-XX.
(Read More...)
04/11/2025
On 9 April, the French Air and Space Force officially marked the entry into operational service of the upgraded Mirage 2000D combat aircraft during a ceremony held at Nancy-Ochey Air Base. The upgrade project, commissioned by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), involved the modernisation of 50 aircraft previously dedicated to precision strikes against ground targets using conventional weaponry.
(Read More...)
04/11/2025
On March 26, 2025, the Kadena Air Base announced that the U.S. Air Force has officially retired the F-15C from its active-duty inventory, marking the end of more than four decades of service for the air superiority fighter. The decision, part of a broader effort to modernize U.S. airpower, culminated in the permanent retirement of the F-15C/D Eagle fleet from Kadena.
(Read More...)
04/11/2025
As it hunts for new customers for its latest Gripen variant, SAAB is also looking to keep the older customers hooked. The Swedish manufacturer has made a new offer to extend the lease of Gripen fighter jets for the Czech Republic. In 2004, the Czech Republic leased 12 single-seat and two double-seat Gripen versions. The delivery of all aircraft was concluded by 31 August 2005, when the last two landed at the Caslav Air Base. This lease was to expire in 2027.
(Read More...)
04/11/2025
On April 10, 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced his country’s interest in joining Turkey’s ambitious KAAN fighter jet program, a next-generation combat aircraft still in development, while also expressing a desire to leverage Turkey’s growing defense industry for Indonesia’s submarine efforts.
(Read More...)
04/10/2025
The agreement between Embraer and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), signed in early April, officially involves a potential collaboration in the production of E2 commercial jets, but the Turkish media sees the partnership as having a broader scope. The two companies could theoretically support each other in defense projects, where they work in a complementary manner.
(Read More...)
04/10/2025
Latest satellite imagery brings two important news at once. First, at least one Su-35 fighter jet has been delivered to Algeria from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, sourced from the batch originally ordered by Egypt but never accepted. There are signs of several more fighters being in preparation for shipment. Second, satellite monitoring has confirmed that the russian Aerospace Forces currently possess 19 Su-57 multirole fighters, but slow production rates continue to hinder export potential.
(Read More...)
04/10/2025
In April, three F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to take part in the “Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model—Autonomy Flying Testbed”?program (VENOM-AFT). n total, the Air Force is planning on converting six F-16s to autonomous aircraft to test the viability of the project.
(Read More...)
04/10/2025
The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-35A Lightning IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa as part of its continued rotational presence in the Indo-Pacific. The deployment includes F-35As from the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, based at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, and F-15Es from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
(Read More...)
04/10/2025
India has approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets from France for its navy, two people aware of the decision said on Wednesday, a move aimed at deterring threats as rival China grows its naval presence in the Indian Ocean. A deal is expected to be signed over the next few weeks, the people said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, after the purchase was approved by India's cabinet committee on security affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(Read More...)
04/09/2025
Brazilian aerospace company Embraer and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could significantly broaden their industrial collaboration. It could potentially include the co-production of the Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft and even joint development of a fifth-generation fighter jet, according to the report.
(Read More...)
04/09/2025
For months now, a big number has been attached to the F-35: $2.1 trillion. That’s the new estimated lifetime costs for the program, a massive sum that has become an oft-cited figure in coverage about the fighter. Now, the F-35 Joint Program Office is trying to put context around that number, releasing a “clarification” April 8 explaining those costs.
(Read More...)
04/09/2025
Continuing with the established schedule, Lockheed Martin has completed the delivery of two new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to the Slovak Air Force. With the arrival of these two new units from the United States, the European country continues its program to replace its aging Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, which were transferred to Ukraine.
(Read More...)
04/08/2025
The Philippines plans to purchase a squadron’s worth of advanced U.S. fighter jets to shore up its air force, according to a recent Department of Defense notification of a proposed sale. The $5.58 billion package includes 20 Block 70/72 F-16 Fighting Falcons — 16 C models and four D models — along with spare parts, weapons and support systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release April 1.
(Read More...)
04/08/2025
Uzbekistan is nearing a deal to purchase modern fighter aircraft from China, according to reports circulating across regional defense media. While no official confirmation has been issued by either government, a video shared on social media purportedly shows an Uzbek pilot in training on one of the Chinese platforms.
(Read More...)
04/08/2025
Saudi Arabia has become the latest country to show interest in a joint U.K., Italy and Japan effort to build a sixth generation fighter within the next 10 years. The Global Combat Air Programme is a three-way split between BAE Systems in the U.K., Leonardo of Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop the plane. All would have an equal share and no single country would control the program
(Read More...)
04/08/2025
The much-anticipated final decision on who will build the Navy’s next-generation fighter aircraft is currently under discussion by senior-most officials, the Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby said today. “It’s a decision at the secretary-level and above, and they’re working that now,” Kilby told reporters on the first day of the Navy-centric Sea Air Space exhibition outside of Washington, DC.
(Read More...)
04/07/2025
Romania takes a significant step toward bolstering its air force capabilities as reports emerged from the Romanian outlet Defense Romania that the Netherlands is engaged in discreet negotiations to permanently transfer a fleet of F-16 fighter jets to the Eastern European nation by the end of the year.
(Read More...)
04/07/2025
Although a contract does not yet exist, Saab is optimistic about the conclusion of the sale of Gripen E fighters to Colombia. Recently, the company’s CEO, Micael Johansson, was in the country alongside President Gustavo Petro during the announcement of the choice of the aircraft to replace the old IAI Kfir. After several years of evaluations, the Colombian government is expected to order up to 24 Gripen E jets, putting an end to uncertainties regarding the country’s air defense.
(Read More...)
04/07/2025
The Bulgarian Air Force’s second F-16 multi-role fighter jet will arrive in the country at the end of April or in early May, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television’s weekly Panorama programme.
(Read More...)
03/19/2025
The U.S. Department of Defense has denied the existence of any kill switches for the latest F-35 fighter jets. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II announced this on its official account. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that while the systems on 5th-generation fighter jets are subject to some level of control by the United States and Lockheed Martin, disabling them does not deprive the aircraft of the ability to carry out flights and combat missions.
(Read More...)
03/19/2025
Leadership of the U.S. Air Force and Navy have recently pitched to President Donald Trump their future fighter plans, as the Pentagon and the administration prepare to decide how to fund procurement of the aircraft. Rep Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said March 18 both the service leadership briefed Trump on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) penetrating counter air fighter and the F/A-XX programs ahead of the upcoming fiscal 2026 budget request.
(Read More...)
03/19/2025
The Air Force needs a high-end aircraft that can operate in contested environments and work with new Collaborative Combat Aircraft semi-autonomous drones, the service’s top officer said March 18—requirements that still yet may be met by the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter.
(Read More...)
03/18/2025
The crash of a Chinese Navy J-15 “Flying Shark” fighter jet on March 15 during a routine training exercise near Jialai Town in Lingao County, Hainan Province, has reignited scrutiny of China’s military aviation program. While the pilot ejected safely and there were no reported casualties on the ground, the incident raises questions about the reliability of the aircraft and its components.
(Read More...)
03/18/2025
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday it had detected 59 Chinese military aircraft and nine navy vessels operating around the island over the past 24 hours as part of “joint combat patrols,” days after the democratic island’s president called Beijing “a foreign hostile force.”
The aircraft tally was the highest reported for a single day near Taiwan since October, when China’s military held massive drills around the island. The Defense Ministry in Taipei said it was closely monitoring the exerc
(Read More...)
03/18/2025
NATO fighter jets conducting air patrol missions in the Baltic States carried out three sorties over last week to detect and escort Russian aircraft violating flight rules. The Ministry of Defence reported that NATO fighter jets conducted a sortie on 10 March to intercept a Russian An-72 military transport aircraft flying in international airspace. On 12 March, they escorted two Russian Su-27 fighters, two supersonic Tu-22 bombers and one Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft.
(Read More...)
03/18/2025
As European leaders plan to put thousands of ground troops into Ukraine as a deterrent force following a possible ceasefire, the question arises: where will these military boots come from?
British officials said on March 15 that a force of 30,000 would be assembled and that operational planning was now underway. Reports said the UK, France, Turkey, Australia and Canada would form the backbone of the deployment, and that others would help with logistics and other aid.
(Read More...)
03/17/2025
Colombia will decide within months from which NATO country it will purchase fighter jets, new Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said, acknowledging that illegal armed groups have taken advantage of peace efforts to strengthen themselves militarily. Colombia has been looking to replace its fleet of more than 30-year-old Israeli Kfir planes for more than a decade and is considering U.S.-made F-16s, Sweden's Gripen and France's Rafale, Sanchez said in a Sunday interview.
(Read More...)
03/16/2025
Rescuers found the wreckage of a Philippine fighter jet and the bodies of its two pilots on Wednesday in a mountainous region in the country’s south where they had been deployed on a nighttime mission to fight communist guerrillas, military officials said.
(Read More...)
03/16/2025
According to posts on X, the incident occurred in an open area near Jialai Town, Lingao County, in Hainan Province, China. Video footage shared alongside these claims purportedly shows a large explosion followed by a parachute, suggesting the pilot ejected safely and survived the crash.
(Read More...)
03/16/2025
“Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers” Defence Minister Bill Blair said on Mar. 14, 2024, just hours after being reappointed to the post as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet, according to an article published late on Friday by CBC News.
(Read More...)
03/14/2025
In May of this year, the Czech Republic will deploy its Gripen fighter aircraft to Iceland as part of the Icelandic Air Policing mission, the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Czech Republic announced. The fighter aircraft will safeguard Iceland’s airspace for two months under NATO’s command. Given Iceland’s geographic location, NATO members have agreed to a periodic presence of NATO fighter jets, based in Keflavik, to ensure the security of its airspace.
(Read More...)
03/14/2025
The Algerian Air Force has reportedly made the first official flight of new Russian Su-35 fighters, recently purchased from Russia. The Algerian web portal “Mena Defense” reported, explaining that the aircraft arrived a few days ago at the Oum el Bouaghi air base, in northeastern Algeria, a strategic position that allows for effective coverage of Algerian and central Mediterranean airspace.
(Read More...)
03/14/2025
In the context of the imminent retirement of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aging Eurofighter Tranche 1 combat aircraft, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has ruled out the possibility of transferring these jets, which are slated for scrapping, to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, it has also stated that it will continue to support and maintain current training programs, including basic flight training, language courses, and other initiatives for pilots and personnel undergoing instruction i
(Read More...)
03/14/2025
On March 12, 2025, Panama approved a $197 million procurement plan to acquire six aircraft for the National Aeronaval Service (Senan). This purchase includes four A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Embraer for over $78 million and two C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defense and Space for more than $109 million. The government states that the acquisition is intended to strengthen the country’s capabilities in aerial patrol, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.
(Read More...)
03/14/2025
Amid a rapidly deteriorating relationship between Europe and the United States, Portugal is reconsidering its plans to purchase the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet and could be looking for a European alternative.
(Read More...)
03/13/2025
On March 11, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force Command, through its communications department, confirmed that the French-made SAMP/T air defense missile system successfully shot down a Russian Sukhoi fighter aircraft for the first time. The announcement, relayed by Ukrainian media, marks a significant moment for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
(Read More...)
03/13/2025
The Canadian military has announced plans to acquire new helicopters to respond to potential crashes involving the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets in the Arctic. The decision comes amid concerns that the aircraft’s single-engine feature might be a drawback for operations in the country’s far north, where harsh weather conditions and vast, remote terrain heighten the risks associated with engine failure.
(Read More...)
03/13/2025
The United States Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program may not be too big of a project to fail, it may simply be too important – largely because there may be no other option. “The entire joint force counts on air superiority,” said Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command at last week’s 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.
(Read More...)
03/12/2025
The multi-role F-16 aircraft that were transferred to Ukraine by European countries are in any case American aircraft, the fate of which, like all other American weapons around the world, depends on what somebody in the White House thinks about this matter
(Read More...)
03/12/2025
The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft is in the headlines once again after it shadowed Russian combat aircraft that were allegedly watching a military exercise. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced that two of its F-35 fighter jets took off from Evenes Air Base on March 10 to identify and shadow two Russian Tu-142 ‘BEAR-F’ maritime patrol aircraft flying in international airspace near Troms.
(Read More...)
03/12/2025
With a high-level committee having accepted the need for getting new multirole fighter jets, the Indian Air Force is looking to start induction of these planes in the next four to five years through a fast tracked global tender.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
03/12/2025
Czech manufacturers Aero Vodochody and Omnipol have completed delivery of the final batch of trainer and light combat aircraft to Vietnam. Hanoi ordered a fleet of 12 L-39 Skyfox aircraft from the Czech firm in 2021 and received the first half in 2023, the year Prague also expressed interest in supplying the Southeast Asian country with dual-use radars, cargo aircraft, and more Skyfoxes.
(Read More...)
03/09/2025
According to information released by the U.S. Department of Defense on March 8, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps has deployed its first F-35B squadron from the continental United States to Japan to enhance airpower capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, known as the Black Sheep, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, under the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP).
(Read More...)
03/09/2025
The European Union announced plans to increase its defense spending by €800 billion ($867 billion), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this week, unveiling the ReArm Europe plan. The plan includes €150 billion in loans to help member states buy air defenses, artillery, missiles, “ammunition drones,” and anti-drone systems as well as address other needs like cybersecurity and mobility.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
03/09/2025
US Air Force has officially classified its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as fighters. The two prototype aircraft, the YFQ-42A developed by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A from Anduril Industries, are the first uncrewed aircraft to receive a fighter designation.
Under Air Force naming conventions, the “Y” indicates a prototype, “F” stands for fighter, and “Q” signifies an unmanned system. Once these aircraft transition into production, the “Y” will be dropped from their names.
(Read More...)
03/08/2025
The British Royal Navy has carried out flight tests of the F-35B Lightning fighter jet armed with the nation’s latest air-to-air missile, the Meteor, for the very first time. Pilot Lieutenant Commander Nick Baker and engineer Lieutenant Commander Lewis Roach, both stationed with the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the US, have been central to the recent trials involving the Meteor missile.
(Read More...)
03/08/2025
The Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing started its week by becoming the fourth Air National Guard unit to be equipped with fifth-generation fighter aircraft, according to a unit press release. With the March 4 arrival of F-35A Lightning II craft in Jacksonville, Fla., the wing will have more power to serve its mission of guarding the southeastern coast, the release said, noting that the coastline is not only crucial for homeland defense but for projecting force globally.
(Read More...)
03/08/2025
Members of the 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, hosted the 1st Fighter Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mar. 6, 2025, reviving an aerial competition made popular when World War I flying aces were front-page news. In a collaboration 89 years in the making, the 1st Fighter Wing, whose lineage dates back to the 1st Pursuit Group, brought part of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race back to Selfridge, a heritage home of both the unit and the race.
(Read More...)
03/07/2025
North Korea “appears close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft,” a significant upgrade for its air force, said U.S.-based research website 38 North, citing commercial satellite imagery. Airborne early warning, or AEW, aircraft use radars to detect incoming missiles, as well as other aircraft and warships at long ranges. They are also used for aerial reconnaissance over the ground and the sea.
(Read More...)
03/07/2025
The Swedish Government has submitted a bill to the Riksdag proposing Sweden’s involvement in NATO’s air defence operations in Poland. The objective is to safeguard military and civil support to Ukraine by strengthening airspace security.
(Read More...)
03/07/2025
Fifteen people in South Korea were injured, two of them seriously, after a pair of fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs in a civilian district on Thursday during a live-fire military exercise, local media reported. The incident involving the Air Force KF-16 aircraft, in the city of Pocheon near North Korea, was part of routine drills held by the South to maintain combat readiness against potential attacks from the North.
(Read More...)
03/05/2025
As the United States enters the era of next-generation aerial combat, a top US Air Force (USAF) official said at a symposium that China’s sixth-generation aircraft is likely intended as an air superiority aircraft. The participating officials also affirmed that the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program was irreplaceable.
(Read More...)
03/05/2025
A Russian Su-35 fighter jet engaged in a dangerous provocation against a French Reaper drone over the Mediterranean Sea on March 2, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu reported on March 4. "The Russian Su-35 fighter jet behaved dangerously toward the French Reaper drone... Three consecutive approaches could have led to the loss of control of the drone," Lecornu posted on X.
(Read More...)
03/05/2025
A Trump administration envoy’s push for US involvement in a Euro-Japanese fighter jet program has sparked new intrigue, skepticism and strategic questions about transatlantic defense ties. This month, Defense News reported that Paolo Zampolli, a close associate of US President Donald Trump and US special envoy to Italy, proposed US participation in the Euro-Japanese Global Combat Air Program.
(Read More...)
03/05/2025
The U.S. Navy will eliminate defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp, opens new tab from the competition to build its next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter - a key part of plans to confront China on its home turf, people familiar with the decision said.
(Read More...)
03/04/2025
On March 3, 2025, the Telegram account Sunflower shared a video reportedly showing a French Mirage 2000-5F in flight over Ukraine, possibly marking the first verified sighting of this aircraft in Ukrainian airspace. The transfer of these fighter jets follows France’s decision to provide Ukraine with additional air combat capabilities, modifying the aircraft to meet operational requirements and training Ukrainian personnel for their use. Initially designed as an air superiority fighter.
(Read More...)
03/04/2025
A Philippine fighter jet with two pilots on board has lost contact during a night combat assault in support of ground forces battling communist insurgents in a southern province, and an extensive search is underway, officials said Tuesday. The FA-50 jet lost communication during the mission with other air force aircraft around midnight Monday before reaching a target area. The other aircraft were able to return safely to an air base in central Cebu province after carrying out assaults.
(Read More...)
03/04/2025
“Maybe [it’s] just symbolic, but it’s telling the world that we are leaning into a new chapter of aerial warfare," Gen. David Allvin said. The Air Force has officially given aircraft designations for its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes ahead of the platforms’ first flights scheduled for this summer, according to the service’s top official.
(Read More...)
03/02/2025
Ireland’s planned purchase of combat jets and the development of a long-overdue national radar system mark a historic turning point in the country’s approach to air defence, ending decades of reliance on the United Kingdom to protect Irish skies.
(Read More...)
03/01/2025
The Turkish unmanned fighter aircraft Bayraktar Kizilelma has completed its first flight tests with a new afterburning engine, Baykar announced in a press release. The third production prototype, the Kizilelma PT3, made a test flight at medium altitude for 53 minutes. It is reported that the aerodynamic system was successfully tested during the flight.
(Read More...)
03/01/2025
The sighting of a Russian Su-57 Felon stealth fighter in Iran in late February 2025 was noteworthy for several reasons. One reason was that it served as an indirect reminder that Iran lags far behind many countries around it regarding the joint production of modern combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
03/01/2025
The Navy’s secretive sixth-generation fighter—which will likely share attributes with the Air Force’s own Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter—will have substantially greater range and payload than its predecessors, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of the Navy said—indicating enthusiasm for the program amid uncertainty about both services’ path forward for advanced fighters.
(Read More...)
02/28/2025
The United Kingdom is ready to send troops and combat aircraft to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission. This was stated by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
(Read More...)
02/28/2025
China today denied that the Egyptian Air Force received its first batch of J-10 fighter jets from China, state media reported. “It is inconsistent with the facts. Total fake news,” said Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian. Wu’s remarks came following various media reports that Egypt had received the jets from China. Daily News Egypt had reported on 13 February that Cairo received J-10 fighter jets from China.
(Read More...)
02/28/2025
The United States Air Force has begun to retire the oldest and least capable F-16 Fighting Falcons in its fleet, even as the newest models—the Block 40 and Block 50 versions of the Cold War aircraft—will remain in service until the early 2040s. Training options for the F-16 are already being scaled back, and the Air Education and Training Command announced that the final F-16 training unit at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, had recently completed its final training sortie on Wednesday, Febru
(Read More...)
02/28/2025
The Chinese military held a combat readiness exercise around a flashpoint with the Philippines in the South China Sea, its Southern Theater Command said, the latest exercise Beijing has undertaken in the region. The command on Thursday “organized naval and air forces to carry out combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of China’s Huangyan Island and surrounding areas,” it said in a statement, referring to the disputed Scarborough Shoal by its Chinese name.
(Read More...)
02/28/2025
The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group completed an operational taxi test with a U.S. Navy AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ anti-ship missile loaded on a U.S. Air Force F-16 in a demonstration of rapid weapons integration capabilities.
(Read More...)
02/27/2025
Taiwan said Thursday it had detected 45 Chinese aircraft near the self-ruled island, the highest number this year and a tally that comes a day after Taipei denounced China's "live-fire" drills off the south. In the 24 hours to 6:00 a.m., 45 Chinese aircraft and 14 warships were spotted near the island, the de-fense ministry said in a statement.
(Read More...)
02/27/2025
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II has been touted as being a cost-effective alternative to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II—despite a 2023 study that found the “flyaway” cost for the Eagle II was even higher than the Lightning II. Moreover, critics of the Boeing fighter have argued it is simply a new model of an old warbird—but one with a significant combat record that includes more than 100 aerial kills and no losses.
(Read More...)
02/27/2025
In many military publications, writers often discuss fighter aircraft in reference to the plane’s generation. For instance, the F-15 is a fourth generation aircraft; the F-22 is a fifth-generation aircraft; and the upcoming NGAD will be a sixth-generation aircraft. But for new readers, it may be difficult to understand what exactly constitutes a distinct fighter jet generation. So, let’s take a moment to work from the beginning, and explain each generation of fighter aircraft.
(Read More...)
02/27/2025
Turkey has seen “lots of interest” from foreign nations in potentially joining its next-generation fighter jet project, including from an unnamed Gulf country that is “seriously considering” joining development, a senior Turkish industry official told Breaking Defense. As of now, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu said that the jet, known as KAAN, is under development only by Turkish companies as “there is no official [outside] participation yet.
(Read More...)
02/27/2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. and Aero India 2025 took place simultaneously earlier this month. These events sparked a comparison between two modern combat aircraft—the stealthy F-35 and the aerobatic Su-57—both of which stole the limelight at the airshow.
(Read More...)
02/25/2025
The rendering of the next-generation air-to-air missile was published by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) of the US Navy. It was part of the portfolio overview of the Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO [U&W]), which contained a list of items from the Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259). The other items on the list were the AIM-174B, AIM-120D, AIM-9X, and their latest variants.
(Read More...)
02/25/2025
The cream of the U.S. and Russian air forces shared a runway at the recent Aero India 2025 exhibition in Bengaluru, as both the Lockheed Martin F-35A and Sukhoi Su-57E attempted to woo the Indian Air Force towards an unlikely deal. Emanating from opposing blocs, the surprising juxtaposition of these latest fifth-generation fighters at Aero India, held here Feb. 10-14, illustrates India’s non-aligned stance.
(Read More...)
02/25/2025
The Argentine Air Force has officially presented its first Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon at a ceremony held on 24 February 2025 at the Tandil military airbase, near Buenos Aires. The event was attended by Argentine government officials, including the Minister of Defence, as well as high-ranking military personnel.
(Read More...)
02/25/2025
Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) faces a critical challenge: replacing its aging fleet of fighter aircraft while simultaneously expanding its defense partnerships. The backbone of Vietnam’s air force, the Soviet-era Su-22 Fitter, is nearing obsolescence, with multiple recent crashes underscoring the urgency of modernization.
(Read More...)
02/24/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 10 Chinese naval vessels, five military aircraft, and two official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday. Three of the five People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s southwestern and southeastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. The MND also tracked two Chinese balloons to the north and over central Taiwan.
(Read More...)
02/24/2025
A three-week multinational exercise involving more than 2,300 participants and 62 aircraft concluded Friday at Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo, marking significant advances in fifth-generation fighter integration among United States, Japanese, and Australian forces, the U.S. Air Force said. Cope North 2025, which began Feb. 3, focused on enhancing trilateral fifth-generation interoperability, particularly with F-35 operations, representing a shift from previous years' emphasis on ACE.
(Read More...)
02/24/2025
The Indian Navy’s unveiling of its Naval Aviation Roadmap is more than a policy document—it is a declaration of intent. With the world’s naval forces moving decisively toward fifth-generation carrier-based airpower, India’s need for an indigenous naval stealth fighter is no longer a mere aspiration but a strategic imperative. The Naval Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (NAMCA), if realised, could define India’s maritime airpower trajectory for decades.
(Read More...)
02/24/2025
To reduce the "zoo" of aircraft in its air force, Greece plans to retire its Mirage 2000-5 Mk II while keeping three types of combat aircraft in service: Rafale, F-16, and eventually F-35, which are not expected to arrive before 2028.
(Read More...)
02/22/2025
The delivery of Belgium’s promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine has hit yet another snag, with the first of the 30 aircraft now not expected to arrive in Kyiv until at least the end of 2025. This delay, announced on February 21, 2025, stems from a ripple effect caused by the United States’ lagging delivery of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Belgium, according to Belgian Air Force Chief of Staff General Frederik Vansina.
(Read More...)
02/22/2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed significant interest in Turkiye’s national fighter jet project KAAN, signalling attempts by Abu Dhabi to deepen defence cooperation with Ankara. According to Turkish media, Turkish defence firms attracted considerable attention at the IDEX 2025 defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi this week, with a key interested party reportedly being the Emiratis and their defence companies.
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
Frontliner has released footage of an F-16 fighter jet in combat on one of the frontline directions, according to Frontliner founder and editor-in-chief Andrii Dubchak. "Silence. Frost. We are making a report on a heavy drone unit in the field. Suddenly, we hear a recognizable increasing roar of a jet engine, and a plane flies at ultra-low altitude towards the front, just beyond a nearby tree line," Dubchak described.
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
Engines from GE Aerospace and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney have cleared the Air Force’s “Detailed Design Reviews” for the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program, paving the way for the engine-makers to build prototype ground demonstrators, the two companies announced separately. The plan is for the winner of the NGAP program to power the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance NGAD fighter.
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
Turkey will consider creating a carrier-based version of the KAAN fighter jet based on a domestic aircraft carrier. Relevant discussions are ongoing between the Turkish Navy’s design office and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is preparing its F-35 Lightning II pilots for a conflict in the Indo-Pacific amid the potential threat of a war with China. This was displayed at the recently-concluded ‘Bamboo Eagle’—USAF’s new advanced combat-readiness exercise. The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center recently wrapped up Bamboo Eagle 25-1 exercises. Over 10,000 troops from various Air Force major commands, the Joint Force, and allied air forces participated in the exercise, the USAF said in a statement on F
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
The head of Swedish manufacturer Saab remains optimistic that the Scandinavian nation will decide to send JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter jets to Ukraine and strengthen strike capabilities on top of US-made F-16 and French Mirage 2000 aircraft. “Without jumping into conclusions [at a political level] I hope it will happen” Saab CEO Micael Johansson told Breaking Defense at the Munich Security Conference.
(Read More...)
02/21/2025
Gen. Lee Young-soo, Chief of Staff of the South Korean Air Force, conducted a test flight of the KF-21, South Korea’s supersonic fighter jet, on Wednesday to evaluate its readiness for operational deployment as it approaches the final stage of development.
(Read More...)
02/20/2025
Current calculations show that the French Air Force has such a small stockpile of missiles and other munitions that it would last only three days of intense combat under modern warfare conditions. For Meteor-type missiles, the available stockpile would barely sustain even one day of combat.
(Read More...)
02/20/2025
Russian warplanes were spotted flying off the coast of Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said Tuesday, marking the latest incident involving Russian military activity being tracked by the U.S. military near the state. The Russian planes did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said, adding that the planes were "not seen as a threat." NORAD did not identify the type of Russian aircraft that were detected nor the number of planes.
(Read More...)
02/15/2025
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) showcased the long-range operational capabilities of its indigenous JF-17 fighter jets during the Exercise Spears of Victory-2025 in Saudi Arabia, the military’s media wing said on Friday, as the PAF contingent returned home.
(Read More...)
02/15/2025
The Aero India 2025, which concludes today, witnessed a face-off between the US’ F-35 fighter jet and Russia’s SU-57. Both the US and Russia are offering their respective fifth-generation fighter jets – which were seen side by side for the first time on an airstrip – to India.
Though the SU-57 took to the skies during Asia’s biggest air show on Thursday, the F-35 remained on static display.
(Read More...)
02/14/2025
According to the Australian Department of Defence, the incident occurred on February 11, 2025, when an RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission. A People’s Liberation Army Air Force J-16 fighter intercepted the aircraft and released flares in dangerously close proximity.
(Read More...)
02/14/2025
On February 6-7, 2025, Service members from the Royal Netherlands, Royal Norwegian and United States Air Forces demonstrated readiness, interoperability and maintenance proficiency during Spartan Lightning at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. A total of seven F-35A Lightning II aircraft participated in the exercise, with pilots and maintainers from the Dutch, Norwegian and United States air forces working to achieve key training objectives. The exercise provided the maintainers cross-servicing opport
(Read More...)
02/13/2025
On February 10, 2025, French Air and Space Force Chief of Staff General Jérôme Bellanger shared a video on his LinkedIn account, showcasing a French Rafale fighter aircraft destroying a suicide drone in flight using the MICA IR (Infrared) missile. The general also highlighted that similar drones had been intercepted and neutralized by both Rafale and Mirage 2000-5F aircraft deployed in the Middle East,
(Read More...)
02/13/2025
Algerian pilots are currently undergoing training in Russia to operate the Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, Algerian TV reports. This marks a significant step in Algeria’s military modernization and confirms the country’s deepening defense ties with Moscow.With deliveries of the advanced fighter expected within the year, Algeria is set to become the first foreign customer of the Su-57, a development with wide-ranging geopolitical and military implications.
(Read More...)
02/13/2025
Russia is offering the production of Sukhoi Su-57, its fifth-generation stealth fighter and most advanced warplane, in India for boosting the Indian Air Force’s fleet, after unveiling the jet in the South Asian country’s air show this week.
(Read More...)
02/12/2025
On September 14, 2024, a senior Emirati official dismissed reports about the country’s interest in resuming long-deadlocked negotiations to purchase Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II aircraft should Donald J. Trump secure a second presidential term. However, Trump’s return to the White House in January has reignited questions regarding the potential for a resumption of talks.
(Read More...)
02/12/2025
Russia has offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, a Russian and an Indian official said on Tuesday, as Moscow looks to boost defence ties with New Delhi. Russia has for decades been the main weapons supplier to India, the world's biggest arms importer, and its fighter jets are part of India's military fleet. But Moscow's ability in recent years to export has been hobbled by the war in Ukraine, making New Delhi look westward.
(Read More...)
02/11/2025
Currently, numerous aviation projects are being implemented, including both manned and unmanned systems, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. The recent updates to the technical specifications of the KAAN and Hürjet combat aircraft serve as notable examples of this progress. The length of the national fifth-generation fighter, KAAN, has been reduced by 0.7 metres.
(Read More...)
02/11/2025
A Polish fighter pilot has flown an F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the first time at the US Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The milestone flight came after F-35 pilot training under the guidance of the US’ 33rd Fighter Wing began in October last year, which was followed by a couple of aircraft deliveries in December.
(Read More...)
02/11/2025
The constant evolution of aerial threats, such as operations in contested environments, is redefining the equipment that combat aircraft of the United States Armed Forces must possess. This is evident in the integration of new Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensors into current combat platforms. The latest milestone was reported by the U.S. Navy, which confirmed that the new IRST Block II pod, set to equip its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
(Read More...)
02/11/2025
India expects stable delivery of a domestically-made light combat aircraft powered by a GE, opens new tab engine in the upcoming fiscal year after a delay of nearly 12 months, a top government official said on Sunday. India's state-run planemaker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), opens new tab would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April following stable delivery of the engine made by the aerospace division of GE, the official said.
(Read More...)
02/10/2025
The plane was shot down by an “Igla” MANPADS on the outskirts of Toretsk (Donetsk region). The Russians later sent an Mi-8 helicopter to evacuate the pilot, but Ukrainian FPV operators prevented this from happening.
(Read More...)
02/10/2025
Taiwan said on Saturday that 11 Chinese fighter jets and eight ships, as well as a balloon, were detected around Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, nine out of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone. They were detected until 6 a.m. (2200GMT) and the balloon was flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet (6 kilometers), said the ministry.
(Read More...)
02/10/2025
It is considered one of the world's toughest air combat training environments where pilots hone their war-fighting skills. RAF personnel, including Rivet Joint aircrew, Air Operations Controllers from 19 and 20 Squadron, along with eight Typhoons and a Voyager aircraft are participating.
Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, provides opportunities to train for challenges – from mission generation to command and control.
(Read More...)
02/10/2025
The U.S. Air Force has announced that the United Operational Test Team conducted the first ever dual release of externally mounted GBU-54 LJDAMs (Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition) from an F-35. The test saw an F-35C, assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) release the guided bombs again a remote controlled High-Speed Moving Target, said the statement.
(Read More...)
02/07/2025
Ukraine received the first Mirage 2000 fighter jets promised by France on Thursday, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said, giving the country its second type of Western aircraft in addition to F-16 jets handed over by allies last year. The Mirage 2000 jets arrived with Ukrainian pilots on board, after several months of training in France, Lecornu said in a post on X. “They will now participate in defending the skies of Ukraine.”
(Read More...)
02/07/2025
Over the past week, the strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have been conducting various patrol flights focused on the Arctic region. One of the most recent incidents occurred today, February 5, when Tu-95MS bombers, escorted by fighter jets, were intercepted by Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A stealth fighters while flying over the Barents Sea airspace.
(Read More...)
02/07/2025
A Russian soldier is reported to have rammed a truck into one of President Vladimir Putin's prized Su-25 fighter jets, rendering it unusable. It adds to the many military jets Russia has lost throughout the war in Ukraine. Russia's air force has suffered extensive casualties—both in cases of friendly fire, and as a result of Ukrainian forces shooting down Putin's military jets.
(Read More...)
02/06/2025
Russia has launched a new show of military strength as two Tu-95MS nuclear bombers conducted a four-hour flight over the Norwegian Sea north of Britain. The strategic bombers were escorted by Russian MiG-31 and Su-33 fighter jets during their mission over neutral waters. Nato warplanes shadowed the pair of Tu-95MS 'Bears' throughout their flight, which took place just days after Sir Keir Starmer urged European leaders to increase efforts against Russian aggression.
(Read More...)
02/06/2025
Aerospace manufacturer Boeing and satellite antenna maker ThinKom Solutions successfully demonstrated high-bandwidth satellite communications technology aimed at military aircraft, the companies announced Feb. 5.
(Read More...)
02/06/2025
The IAF, looking to arrest the dwindling fighter squadrons, is looking to acquire 114 Medium-Role Fighter Aircraft. Saab insists that the Gripen-E will be the fastest-delivered fighter aircraft if chosen. Kent-Ake Molin, Head of the Gripen India campaign, said: “Gripen’s exceptional capabilities align seamlessly with India’s defense needs, offering advanced weapons, cutting-edge sensors, countermeasures systems, and pilot-friendly Human-Machine Collaboration (HMC).”
(Read More...)
02/06/2025
The electronic warfare suite which will protect the Air Force’s F-15E and F-15EX in contested airspace has been declared “operationally effective,” the Pentagon’s test director said in its recent annual report. But the system can’t be evaluated to the very limits of its capabilities because of test range limitations, and because the Air Force doesn’t want to expose what the system can really do in open-air testing.
(Read More...)
02/05/2025
Iran has reportedly purchased Russian-made Sukhoi 35 fighter jets amid Western concerns about Tehran and Moscow’s growing military cooperation. Ali Shadmani, the deputy Coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia, who was quoted by the media, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.
(Read More...)
02/05/2025
The Government of Colombia has signed a new contract for the maintenance of its fleet of obsolete Kfir fighters. According to ArmyRecognition, the agreement was signed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which will be responsible for servicing the aircraft. The deal is worth $7.2 million. The agreement came into force in December 2024 and will be valid until July 30, 2026.
(Read More...)
02/05/2025
U.S. and Philippine fighter aircraft staged a joint patrol and training Tuesday over a disputed South China Sea shoal where Chinese fighter jets fired flares last year to drive away a Philippine aircraft, Philippine officials said. The joint patrol and air-intercept drills over the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines were the first by the longtime treaty allies since U.S. President Donald Trump took office again.
(Read More...)
02/04/2025
On January 31, 2025, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that the Netherlands will deliver another batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year. The announcement followed a meeting in The Hague with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, during which both officials discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air capabilities and ongoing training programs for Ukrainian pilots and technicians.
(Read More...)
02/04/2025
The U.S. government’s objective of procuring 2,456 F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy marks a monumental effort to modernize and enhance the U.S. military’s air combat capabilities. As outlined in the latest report published by Lockheed Martin in January 2025, this ambitious procurement plan remains at the heart of the F-35 program, which continues to advance with strong production numbers, new international commitments.
(Read More...)
02/04/2025
Conscious of serious capability gaps, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) had announced formation of a high-level committee to address shortages in the Indian Air Force (IAF). For some time, the IAF has been grappling with the reduced fighter aircraft with the squadron strength coming to an all-time low of 31 vis-à-vis the authorised strength of 42.
(Read More...)
02/04/2025
As reported by Astro Awani on February 1, 2025, the Royal Malaysian Air Force is expected to finalize the acquisition of 30 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwaiti Air Force in 2025. The deal has been under negotiation for several years and is now in its final stages, requiring only documentation and approvals from Kuwait and the United States. This purchase is intended to maintain Malaysia’s air defense capabilities while awaiting the implementation of its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
(Read More...)
02/03/2025
Iran has purchased Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia as part of its military modernisation efforts amid rising tensions with Israel and the United States. The advanced jets, known for their speed and altitude capabilities, will significantly enhance Iran’s ageing air force, which mostly consists of older American and Soviet aircraft.
(Read More...)
02/02/2025
According to information from Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, shared via his official X account on January 31, 2025, a historic moment unfolded when a Polish pilot took control of the F-35 Lightning II for the first time at the U.S. Air Force base in Fort Smith, Arkansas. This marks a pivotal step forward for the Polish Air Force as the country modernizes its military capabilities.
(Read More...)
02/01/2025
The Netherlands will help train 26 Ukrainians for positions as F-16 aircraft crew chiefs. The training will run until the end of January, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defense. These technical specialists are responsible for the fighter jets before takeoff and after returning to base. Their training will take place at an airbase and will continue until the end of April. The exact location of the airbase has not been disclosed.
(Read More...)
02/01/2025
On January 31, 2025, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense announced that the country's Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov was on a three-day visit to the United States, leading a delegation to attend the official handover ceremony of Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet. The event, scheduled for the same day, was set to take place at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina. This marks the beginning of Bulgaria’s acquisition of 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft under contracts signed i
(Read More...)
02/01/2025
Türkiye’s efforts to modernize its air force are advancing, with plans to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon European multinational fighter jets equipped with the advanced Meteor air-to-air missile, designed and manufactured by MBDA, a multi-national European group. This move has raised tensions in the region. Turkish media reports that despite opposition from Greece, France has approved the delivery of the Meteor missiles, which are set to enhance Türkiye’s air defense capabilities significantly.
(Read More...)
01/31/2025
Last year, the United States Air Force pressed “pause” on its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, citing costs and future capabilities of the sixth-generation manned aircraft that was among the “system of systems” that the service sought to employ. NGAD was meant to be the eventual replacement for the Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, but its future has been far from clear in recent months.
(Read More...)
01/31/2025
The United Arab Emirates received a first batch of French Rafale fighter jets Thursday under a deal made with France in 2021, in a sign of deepening ties between the two countries. The first Rafale jet produced by French company Dassault Aviation for the UAE air force was unveiled during a ceremony held in Paris. Attendees included Emirati Defense Minister Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei and his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defens
(Read More...)
01/31/2025
U.S. Air Force F-35s and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s conducted combat air patrols in response to Russian military aircraft operating in the Arctic early this week, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a news release Jan. 30. NORAD also said it sent two U.S. Air Force F-16s from Alaska to Greenland, “exercising its standard agreement with Greenland to forward posture NORAD presence in the Arctic,” but stated that the move was “not in response to any current threat.”
(Read More...)
01/30/2025
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a contract with Rheinmetall Italia SPA for the procurement of a batch of Mk82 bombs to enhance the Swedish Air Force's air-to-ground strike capability. This acquisition, part of Sweden’s broader effort to modernize its arsenal, aims to increase its stock of precision munitions and improve interoperability with NATO forces.
(Read More...)
01/29/2025
The problem facing the United States, and by inference also some of its closest allies, is as broad as it is long: what kind of air (and space) power will the US require to prevail against a peer competitor in the middle of this century? It is a question that Frank Kendall, the now former secretary of the US Air Force (USAF), grappled with in the ‘The Department of the Air Force in 2050’ Congressional Committee report.
(Read More...)
01/29/2025
The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) marked a significant milestone this week, leading an integrated test team in testing rapid aircraft regeneration processes that will dramatically reduce the time the F-35 Lightning II spends on the ground during combat operations.
(Read More...)
01/29/2025
The Air Force on Monday greatly expanded funding for the prototype engine for the service’s planned sixth-generation fighter. General Electric of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney Engines of East Hartford, Connecticut, each received modifications to their initial Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, contracts that bring the maximum amount for the prototype phase up to $3.5 billion apiece. That is more than three times higher than the $975 million ceiling on the original contracts awarded.
(Read More...)
01/29/2025
An F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday on a flightline on Eielson Air Force Base, a military official told Alaska News Source. The pilot was uninjured, according to Airman 1st Class Spencer Hanson. The crash occurred at about 12:49 p.m., according to Col. Paul Townsend, 354th Fighter Wing Commander.
(Read More...)
01/28/2025
Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday, amid Western concerns about Tehran and Moscow's growing military cooperation. This is the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the purchase of Su-35 jets. However, Ali Shadmani, who was quoted by the Student News Network, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.
(Read More...)
01/28/2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has officially cleared her position regarding Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP)—the sixth-generation combat aircraft being jointly developed by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The GCAP, launched in 2022, is a collaborative initiative that seeks to design, manufacture, and deliver a next-generation crewed combat aircraft.
(Read More...)
01/28/2025
Bangladesh has shown a growing interest in modernizing its air force as part of its broader military modernization under the “Forces Goal 2030” initiative. The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) currently operates older platforms. These aging aircraft are increasingly inadequate against modern threats and require replacement with advanced platforms.
(Read More...)
01/27/2025
In November of last year, Reuters reported that the Colombian government was interested in purchasing a fleet of the Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. JAS stands for “Jakt, Attack, Spaning,” or, in English, “Fighter, Attack, Reconnaissance.”
(Read More...)
01/27/2025
A Chinese J-10C fighter jet was recently spotted carrying the PL-17, an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, a sight that has raised eyebrows among military analysts. The PL-17, known for its exceptional range and advanced radar guidance, is typically mounted on larger aircraft like the J-20, China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for long-range missions with a capacity for heavier munitions.
(Read More...)
01/26/2025
In a move that could reshape the regional power dynamics in South Asia, India has reportedly taken a firm stance against Pakistan’s potential arms sales to Bangladesh, particularly concerning the JF-17 Block-III fighter jet. This development comes amidst heightened tensions and strategic posturing between the two neighboring countries.
(Read More...)
01/25/2025
The Air Force Coalition, which facilitates the transition of Ukrainian aviation to Western aircraft, was established within the framework of Ramstein 2.0 – the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The need to replace the Soviet-era tactical aircraft fleet with Western multi-role fighter jets had been under discussion long before the full-scale invasion. Among the options considered were Swedish Gripens, American F-15/F-16s, and French Rafales. Finally, in May 2023, the Air Force Coalition was formed.
(Read More...)
01/25/2025
Another Rafale fighter jet has arrived in Croatia, as confirmed by the Croatian Ministry of Defense. “The ninth multi-role Rafale fighter jet landed today at the ‘Colonel Marko Zivkovic‘ barracks at Pleso. By the end of April, all 12 jets will be in Croatia, completing the Croatian Air Force’s Fighter Squadron,” they announced yesterday.
(Read More...)
01/25/2025
The Air Force has long struggled with a shortage of fighter pilots, with 1,150 empty billets in 2024, and aviators leaving the service in droves. How can they turn things around? Buy more planes and keep more pilots in its reserve component, says a new policy paper from a prominent aerospace think tank.
(Read More...)
01/25/2025
Lockheed Martin is revolutionizing the future of air combat warfare by pushing the boundaries of how fighter aircraft and autonomous systems operate together in high-stakes, contested environments. On January 22, 2025, the company released a major update detailing its innovations throughout 2024, showcasing its efforts to enable U.S.-made fighter jets, such as the F-35, to control drones. This effort is central to the U.S. Air Force’s ambitious development of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
(Read More...)
01/24/2025
Chinese military planes and ships surrounded Taiwan on Wednesday during a drill, with some of the aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the defense ministry said Thursday.
In total, 35 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six warships were detected around the island during China's "joint combat readiness patrols," Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.
(Read More...)
01/23/2025
Turkiye and Pakistan are reportedly set to establish and operate a joint factory to produce the new Turkish KAAN fighter jet, in what would be a significant move between the two countries.
According to a number of Turkish and Pakistani news outlets, representatives from 32 institutions gathered at the 8th meeting of the Pak-Turkish Industrial Expo in Pakistan earlier this month and finalised plans for a partnership between Ankara and Islamabad for the production of Turkiye’s KAAN fighter jet.
(Read More...)
01/23/2025
The Philippines has decided to double the size of its FA-50 light fighter fleet, reportedly buying another 12 from South Korea, in a move that analysts told Breaking Defense won’t get China off Manila’s back but could complicate Beijing’s plans.
(Read More...)
01/22/2025
A Qatari military aircraft touched down at Laayoune airport yesterday evening, having departed from Algeria. According to a Moroccan source speaking to Yabiladi, the plane was transporting equipment for one of the Emir of Qatar's brothers, including birds from his hunting grounds in the Algerian desert, to his reserve in Morocco near Boujdour.
(Read More...)
01/22/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 14 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Twelve of the 14 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
(Read More...)
01/22/2025
The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalenko, has reported an attack on the Smolensk Aircraft Plant, which is involved in the production and modernization of Russian military aircraft, including Su-25 attack aircraft.
(Read More...)
01/22/2025
Saab recently announced that it will supply, through its Saab Australia subdivision, its TactiCall secure communications system to the MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft developed by Boeing Australia. The company will also provide avionics equipment, including electro-mechanical actuators and controllers for the Primary Flight Control System from Saab in Sweden.
(Read More...)
01/21/2025
New reports have emerged suggesting that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing to transfer 30 Mirage 2000-9E fighter jets to Morocco. The transfer is expected to take place in 2027 when the UAE receives its new batch of Rafale F4 aircraft. According to Military Africa and several international media outlets, the potential transfer would involve half of the UAE’s operational fleet of Mirage 2000-9E fighters.
(Read More...)
01/21/2025
The Philippines is considering the purchase of 12 more FA-50 Fighting Eagle supersonic combat aircraft from South Korea. The potential 40-billion Philippine peso ($683.7 million) deal would double Manila’s FA-50 fleet, which has been in service since the early 2010s.
(Read More...)
01/21/2025
As reported by The Express Tribune on January 16, 2025, Bangladesh has officially expressed interest in the JF-17 Thunder, a fighter aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, following a high-level Bangladeshi defense delegation's visit to Pakistan on January 15, 2025. Led by Lieutenant General SM Qamarul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the delegation met with Pakistan Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, at the Air Headquarters.
(Read More...)
01/21/2025
Two of the UK’s main air domain defence programmes, the Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) and E-7 Wedgetail, have been given a ‘red’ rating in the government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023-24, published on 17 January 2025. Of the 49 defence programmes listed in the report the vast majority are listed as being ‘amber’, which means that significant issues remain but the programme can still meet its targetted timelines.
(Read More...)
01/21/2025
U.S. Air Force officials paused a planned contract award for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) to rethink the aircraft’s requirements. NGAD is an advanced fighter jet intended to replace the stealthy F-22 Raptor (see Figure 1). According to the Air Force, NGAD is also a “family of systems,” enabling air superiority, defined as the ability to operate without threat of attack, even in highly contested environments.
(Read More...)
01/20/2025
The defense ministry reported nine Chinese military aircraft and six vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Four of the aircraft entered the country’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.
(Read More...)
01/19/2025
The production prototype of Turkish defense giant Baykar’s Bayraktar Kizilelma, Türkiye’s first-ever unmanned fighter jet, successfully passes another flight test. The development of Bayraktar Kizilelma, Baykar’s indigenous and original aircraft, continues according to the established test timeline.
(Read More...)
01/19/2025
Just before the turn of the year, Saudi and Turkish officials engaged in a flurry of talks on defense cooperation. In one such conversation—which included Turkish defense industry representatives—Saudi Arabia reportedly indicated it intends to buy one hundred Turkish KAAN fighter jets. But with Saudi Arabia previously keen on acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the United States, what has steered Riyadh toward Turkish technology?
(Read More...)
01/18/2025
In a concerning escalation of tensions over the Baltic Sea, a French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was subjected to Russian military intimidation. The aircraft was engaged in an international NATO operation when it was targeted by the fire-control radar of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The incident occurred between Wednesday night and Thursday morning while the aircraft was flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
01/18/2025
The US State Department has greenlighted a potential $39-million sale of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER) to Japan. Tokyo requested to purchase up to sixteen AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ERs along with AGM-158 JASSM dummy air training missiles and containers, JASSM anti-jam GPS receivers, personnel training, and relevant accessories, logistics, and program support.
(Read More...)
01/18/2025
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group’s J-36 scooped up most of the publicity around China’s late-December revelations, but a second combat type, one from Shenyang Aircraft and referred to for now as J-XX, was revealed at the same time. It was smaller, and the pictures of it were less clear, so it got some attention. But it deserves plenty, as the other half of an unprecedented double revelation and a complementary part of China’s future air combat system.
(Read More...)
01/18/2025
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Air Force achieved a significant milestone in modernizing its F-15E Strike Eagle fleet by delivering the first aircraft equipped with the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS). The F-15E, now fitted with one of the most advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites in the world, took off from San Antonio, Texas, and made its way to RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, to join the 48th Fighter Wing (FW) on January 16.
(Read More...)
01/18/2025
Norwegian F-35 fighter jets have completed their first flight using synthetic aviation turbine fuels. The event occurred at Ørland Air Station on the country’s west coast, demonstrating that the F-35 aircraft can operate on synthetic fuel blends of up to 50 percent. The test marks significant “progress toward reducing emissions while maintaining mission readiness,” stated manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
After successfully completing the acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets, the Hellenic Air Force has now received its 30th upgraded F-16. On January 15, US-based Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16, announced the delivery of the 30th F-16 “Viper” to the Hellenic Air Force, adding that this upgrade “strengthens Greece’s defense and its ability to operate seamlessly with allied forces.”
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
Looking to modernize its aging Air Force, Bangladesh has shown interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets jointly developed by Pakistan and China. During a visit to Pakistan on January 15, a high-level defense delegation from Bangladesh showed a great deal of interest in Pakistan’s cutting-edge military hardware, especially the JF-17 Thunders, Pakistani publication Express Tribune reported.
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
The Air Force has recently approved a new F-15 electronic warfare (EW) system for full-rate production, meaning more of these legendary fourth-generation fighters will be fitted with this cutting-edge upgrade. The Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) consists of “integrated radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection solutions,” according to its manufacturer.
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
The Ukrainian Air Force has created a commission to investigate whether key personnel are being transferred to the front lines amid a shortage of troops defending the east. The move comes after a major controversy erupted after one unit claimed that its MiG-29 Fulcrum maintainers were sent to the infantry, drastically affecting its ability to launch sorties. It was the latest of several such allegations, which Ukrainian officials have denied.
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
A Ukrainian pilot's reported record-breaking shootdown of six missiles with an F-16 offers insight into how much its air force has developed as it fights back against Russia's invasion. Throughout much of the war, Ukraine's air force faced one of the world's biggest air forces with a fleet of older, Soviet-designed combat aircraft while begging the West for F-16s readily available in NATO arsenals.
(Read More...)
01/17/2025
On Dec. 26, 2024, Mao Zedong’s birthday, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) unveiled a new stealth aircraft. Reportedly designated J-36, the aircraft combines stealth capabilities with a large payload capacity, enabling both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions over extended ranges at supersonic speeds. These features make it a formidable challenge for modern air defense systems.
(Read More...)
01/16/2025
As reported by Max Montero on January 15, 2025, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has confirmed the acquisition of 12 additional FA-50 Block 20 Fighting Eagle light attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) as part of the Re-Horizon 3 program. Valued at approximately $680 million, this government-to-government (G2G) project is intended to establish a second squadron for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
(Read More...)
01/16/2025
In recent years, Africa, and particularly North Africa, has become the scene of a serious arms race between two large neighboring countries—Algeria and Morocco. Despite differences in their political strategies, both nations are making significant investments in modernizing their armed forces.
(Read More...)
01/16/2025
The Russian Ministry of Defense’s Armed Forces newspaper, “Red Star,” [Krasnaya Zvezda] reports on an incident that occurred in the sky above the front line in Ukraine. A Russian Su-35 fighter jet was struck by a surface-to-air missile, but the pilot managed to bring the aircraft to a Russian airfield and successfully land it.
(Read More...)
01/16/2025
Airbus opens new tab CEO Guillaume Faury said he could see the two separate European programmes working on new fighter jets and combat air systems being combined in future or at least designed to work together. Britain, Italy and Japan said in December they were setting up a joint company to develop, design and build an advanced stealth jet, named GCAP, while France, Germany and Spain are working on the rival FCAS project.
(Read More...)
01/15/2025
The Royal Norwegian Air Forces for the first time in history deployed in Poland with their newest F-35 multirole fighter jets. Their assignment marks a rotation in NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. Their temporary home, Krzesiny Airbase in Poznan, is home to the Polish 31st Tactical Aviation Base and its F-16 C/D Block-52 Advance+ as well as the Polish F-16 Tiger Demo Team.
(Read More...)
01/15/2025
Indonesia is gearing up to deploy Rafale fighter jets acquired from France, outlining a phased integration into the Indonesian Air Force ahead of delivery. While the delivery timeline remains undisclosed, Air Force Chief Marshal Tonny Harjono revealed that Indonesian pilots will begin training with French Air Force instructors this July. The Rafales will be stationed at Pekanbaru and Pontianak air bases — strategic hubs for bolstering Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty, according to the governmen
(Read More...)
01/15/2025
A US Air Force (USAF) official has cautioned that China could surpass the US in the race to deploy the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, amid reports that Beijing’s prototype has already completed its maiden flight. Andrew Hunter, the outgoing USAF acquisition executive, recently told Breaking Defense that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could achieve initial operational capability for its sixth-generation fighter before the US.
(Read More...)
01/15/2025
By the end of April, Bulgaria is expected to receive the first two F-16 fighter jets, while a third jet will remain in the United States for training. These aircraft are part of a deal for 16 combat planes, which will be delivered in stages over the coming years. Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov announced that the first jet will be officially received on January 31 in Greenville, Florida.
(Read More...)
01/14/2025
In late December, the first F-16 Block 10 aircraft for Argentina’s Air Force arrived in the country in what Minister of Defense Luis Petri hailed as the “most important” acquisition since the nation’s “return to democracy” in 1982. The South American nation has operated without a primary combat aircraft for almost a decade, but now, after many negotiations and false starts, Buenos Aires has received the first of 25 F-16s (including one training aircraft) previously operated by the Danish Air For
(Read More...)
01/14/2025
Denmark is promising significant upgrades to its defence posture on the island of Greenland, including the possibility of hosting Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters on the strategic Arctic territory.
Copenhagen is suggesting improvements to the airport at Kangerlussuaq that would allow the site to support operations by the advanced fifth-generation jets. The development was reported by Danish broadcasters TV2 and DR on 10 January.
The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) currently operates 17
(Read More...)
01/14/2025
F-35 Lightning II fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, on Jan. 13, in the latest rotation of fighters to the strategic U.S. outpost in the western Pacific, the Air Force announced. The F-35s are assigned to the Vermont ANG’s 158th Fighter Wing, which in 2019 became the first Guard unit to be equipped with the fifth-generation multirole fighter. The aircraft that deployed to Japan will operate as the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.
(Read More...)
01/14/2025
Possible alternatives to a manned 6th-generation combat jet include a more affordable, “F-35 follow- on” aircraft that could manage robot wingmen, the outgoing Air Force secretary said.
While the incoming administration will decide the fate of the Next Generation Air Dominance program, which was paused last year due to soaring cost projections, Frank Kendall said on Monday that recent analysis has highlighted the “value” in pursuing a crewed 6th-gen jet.
(Read More...)
01/14/2025
The US and China are locked in a “race” to field the next generation of airpower — and there’s no guarantee America will cross the finish line first, according to the Air Force’s outgoing acquisition executive. “They could beat us to the punch,” Andrew Hunter told Breaking Defense in an interview at the Pentagon.
(Read More...)
01/13/2025
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will test the capability of a Gripen fighter jet to take off and land on a highway before making a final decision on purchasing a fleet of the Swedish fighter jets by the middle of this year, a well-informed source said on Sunday. The source within the RTAF said it would be the first time the RTAF tests the take-off and landing of a Gripen fighter jet on a highway.
(Read More...)
01/13/2025
By 2027, in areas west of the international dateline where U.S. assets are deployed, China will outnumber U.S. forces about 12 to 1 in modern fighter jets (including 5 to 3 in fifth-generation aircraft) and 3 to 1 in maritime patrol planes. Speaking from the base theater to both an in-person and virtual audience, Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing, at Edwards AFB, during the Monday’s Back-in-the-Saddle Day, held on Jan. 6, 2025.
(Read More...)
01/13/2025
USAF Secretary Frank Kendall said in an interview that the current Air Force leadership’s decisions on the Next-Generation Air Dominance program and the service’s overall strategic outlook were unaffected by the appearance of new Chinese combat aircraft, including a new AWACS platform, a smaller, fighter-size aircraft, and possibly a new bomber and medium bomber.
(Read More...)
.jpg)
01/12/2025
The fall of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria has disrupted the Kremlin’s strategy not only for the Mediterranean but also for Africa, pushing it to focus on Libya as a potential foothold, experts say. Russia runs a military port and an air base on the Syrian coast, designed to facilitate its operations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
(Read More...)
01/12/2025
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) of Taiwan detected eight aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and six naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) near its territory as of 6. It was also noted that seven of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The details were shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
(Read More...)
01/12/2025
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended a National Children's Day event at Wing 601, Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Base, on Saturday. The event featured aerial displays and activities organised by the RTAF, with Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, the Air Force commander-in-chief, extending a warm welcome.
(Read More...)
01/11/2025
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) of Taiwan detected four aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and six naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as of 6. It was also noted that three of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. The details were shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
(Read More...)
01/11/2025
Algeria appears ready to finalize a deal with Russia for the purchase of Su-57 fighter jets, a move that would make the North African country one of the few operators of fifth-generation stealth aircraft. According to the Russian Telegram channel Russian Arms, a high-level Russian government delegation is currently en route to Algeria. The delegation is expected to secure agreements on military-technical cooperation, sign contracts for advanced weaponry, and finalize the Su-57 deal.
(Read More...)
01/11/2025
The incorporation of new long-range strike capabilities across various combat platforms has become a priority for the United States Armed Forces. A potential conflict in the Asia-Pacific region, with the People’s Republic of China as the main adversary, has prompted strategic shifts in U.S. planning over recent years.
(Read More...)
01/10/2025
The Air Force has received a new Rafale fighter jet, completing its acquisition of 24 of the French-made aircraft. The single-seat jet, which bears the serial number 457, landed at the 114th Combat Wing in Tanagra air base shortly after 1 p.m., after a non-stop flight from Mérignac in Bordeaux, and was handed over to the 332nd Squadron.
(Read More...)
01/10/2025
Pakistan’s appetite for a fifth-generation fighter jet appears to be expanding. Amid reports that the cash-strapped country has decided to purchase China’s newly unveiled J-35A aircraft, it is now reportedly holding discussions with Ankara for collaboration on Turkey’s fifth-generation combat jet, KAAN.
(Read More...)
01/09/2025
The developments of the last two months of 2024 have set alarm bells ringing in New Delhi as China debuted a second fifth-generation aircraft and flew two sixth-generation fighter jet prototypes. In contrast, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently staring at a massive lacuna in its capability with no fifth-generation stealth aircraft and a rapidly dwindling squadron strength.
(Read More...)
01/09/2025
The most spectacular debutant, making its maiden flight on December 26 was from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group: a stealth combat aircraft that various anonymous commenters on the Chinese internet identify as the J-36. It is the largest combat aircraft designed and developed in China, and the second-largest to fly anywhere in 35 years.
(Read More...)
01/09/2025
Analyses and wargames indicate the second increment of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program should not be an “exquisite” aircraft—meaning very stealthy and equipped with many sensors and weapons—but it should have more capability than Increment 1, and an additional cost of 20-30 percent would be acceptable, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told Air & Space Forces Magazine this week.
(Read More...)
01/08/2025
The Taiwanese military on Tuesday conducted a live combat drill at Hukou Camp, a county in the northwest in response to the detection of increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan.
According to the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, the drill was part of the annual media event to demonstrate the army’s readiness against any threat. "F-CK-1 fighters demonstrated scramble drills, highlighting their commitment to defending our airspace," said the ministry on X.
(Read More...)
01/08/2025
For the first time in history, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet shot down six Russian cruise missiles in one combat mission. Yuriy Ihnat, head of the Air Force Command Communications Department, reported on this. The combat aircraft pilot used the F-16’s missiles and cannon to destroy the air targets.
(Read More...)
01/08/2025
The US Navy has officially coined the term “Murder Hornet” to refer to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets equipped with a formidable combination of five AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and four AIM-9X Sidewinders. This powerful configuration, aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, was among the key developments highlighted in the Navy’s 2024 year-in-review factsheet, first reported by The War Zone.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
Recent media reports from Israel indicate that Morocco is advancing in its plans to acquire Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter jets. According to the Israeli newspaper Identité Juive, Morocco is set to become the first Arab and African country to procure U.S. F-35 fighter jets, marking a significant milestone in its military modernization efforts.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
As part of an official ceremony held in mid-December, the Myanmar Air Force celebrated the delivery and induction of the last two Su-30SME fighter-bombers acquired from Russia. With this final batch, the Southeast Asian country has completed the incorporation of a total of six Russian-made aircraft into its combat fleet.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
The Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) search for a second type of fighter jet has reportedly led China to propose the sale of J-10 aircraft from Chengdu. According to the Brazilian outlet Veja, the Chinese government has reportedly submitted a proposal to Brazil to supply J-10C fighter jets, generation 4.5. However, the talks have not progressed for reasons that have not been clarified. The J-10 is a medium-sized fighter jet that entered service in 2004 and is similar to the Eurofighter Typhoon.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
Imagery has appeared on Chinese social media of a new large combat aircraft, apparently making a test flight, which may be China’s new secret H-20 stealth bomber. The location and exact date of the imagery were not disclosed, and the People’s Republic of China has not made an official comment about the footage, the authenticity of which cannot yet be established. The U.S. Department of Defense just recently predicted the bomber would not debut for years.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
The U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi forces stepped up their campaign against Islamic State fighters over the past week, including a confrontation with militants holed up in an Iraqi cave, the U.S. Central Command said Jan. 6. F-16s and F-15s carried out airstrikes against ISIS fighters operating in Iraq’s Hamrin Mountains. U.S. Air Force A-10s, which were called in to support ground forces, were successful in killing Islamic State militants fighting in the cave, the command said.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
Imagery of two new, tailless Chinese military aircraft disseminated on social media last week likely reveals a prototype stealth medium bomber and a new lambda-winged technology demonstrator, aerospace experts and former Air Force officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The larger aircraft could be analogous to the FB-22 medium stealth bomber considered but not adopted by the U.S. Air Force in the early 2000s.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
Sri Lanka is adopting more American Bell 206 helicopters and a Pakistani Chengdu J-7 aircraft to enhance the country’s air force capabilities. The investment stipulates eight of the 206 systems in their TH-57 Sea Ranger military derivative ordered from Washington DC and a single Chinese-made J-7 in its FT-7 export trainer variant from Islamabad.
(Read More...)
01/07/2025
Iran Observer announced on social network X that Iran’s Su-35 fighter jets are set to be inducted into service this year. This is a significant milestone for the Iranian Air Force, which has been striving for years to modernize its fleet. The Su-35, developed by Russia, is a fourth-generation multirole fighter, and its adoption could dramatically shift the balance of power in the region.
(Read More...)
01/05/2025
The Nigerian Air Force, on Saturday, said it acquired 12 additional fighter aircraft to boost the operational capabilities of the force. The new additions to the NAF fleet include two King Air 360i light transport aircraft, four T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AgustaWestland 109 Trekkers, and four DA-62 surveillance aircraft. Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, stated this during a parley with NAF veterans resident in Kaduna.
(Read More...)
01/05/2025
The first batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets is set to arrive in Ukraine by January 20, 2025, according to reports from Avions Legendaires. The initial batch is expected to include three to six aircraft, which will likely replace Ukraine’s aging fleet of Su-24 bombers.
(Read More...)
01/05/2025
The F-22 Raptor, one of America’s most advanced air superiority fighters, is built to face high-end aerial threats like advanced fighter jets and fast-moving aircraft. However, during a recent deployment to the Middle East, pilots of these fifth-generation fighters adjusted their tactics to protect US and allied forces from an unexpected low-tech threat, Iranian-made drones and cruise missiles.
(Read More...)
01/04/2025
The Moroccan Air Force is exploring the option of replacing its aging Franco-German Assault Alpha jets with the Chinese L-15 light attack and trainer aircraft According to local news media, Le Desk, the Royal Air Force indicated its preference for the L-15 Falcon, made by the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC) to replace its aging fleet of Alpha jets of Franco-German design.
(Read More...)
01/04/2025
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has decommissioned its last two pairs of AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters and OV-10 Bronco light attack aircraft. The aircraft were primarily used in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the Southeast Asian archipelago. During the formal decommissioning ceremony conducted by the 15th Strike Wing at the Major Danilo Atienza Air Base in Sangley Point, Cavite, the service announced that it signed a deal to acquire six new A-29 Super Tucano.
(Read More...)
01/03/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 24 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Eighteen of the 24 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. The MND said on Thursday morning that 22 of the PLA aircraft carried out “joint combat readiness patrols” around Taiwan with PLA naval ships.
(Read More...)
01/03/2025
The Air Force sent at least 39 retired A-10 Thunderbolt IIs to the boneyard in 2024, a significant increase as the service moves toward removing the aircraft from its inventory even as it recently used the planes in training exercises and in combat overseas.
(Read More...)
01/03/2025
The Taiwanese Air Force is sending its fighter pilots to the United States to train on the F-16 Viper ahead of its delivery in 2026. Taiwan is sending a total of 103 military personnel for training in the United States ahead of the delivery of new military platforms within the next two years.
(Read More...)
01/03/2025
India has emerged as a pivotal player in the global defense arena, with invitations pouring in from leading military powers to collaborate on next-generation fighter jet programs. It is reported that Germany and Spain have extended an offer for India to join their Future Combat Air System [FCAS], a flagship European project aimed at developing cutting-edge 6th-generation combat aircraft. Simultaneously, the UK-Japan-Italy consortium has invited India to participate in the Global Combat Air Prog
(Read More...)
01/03/2025
Once banished from the F-35 program and left with a glaring capability gap, Turkey has turned around its destiny by dramatically expanding its aerospace industry. At the dawn of the 21st century, Turkey was the world’s third-biggest arms importer. However, its reliance on foreign military imports has plummeted drastically, from around 80% in 2004 to less than 20% today. On the contrary, Turkey has emerged as a defense exporter, with its cutting-edge arms being used on many battlefields.
(Read More...)
01/02/2025
The Ministry of National Defense tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday and 6 a.m. on Thursday. The three People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s southwest air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
(Read More...)
01/02/2025
Top Aces, the private ADAIR (Advanced Adversary Air) company which provides adversary, or Aggressor, training in support of multiple militaries, is continuing to expand its support to the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). In fact, the company is employing both its A-4s and Alpha Jets, with the former sporting an arctic splinter camo, to support the training of Canadian CF-18 pilots.
(Read More...)
01/01/2025
As the Rafale fighter jet cements its status as a benchmark in military aviation, France faces mounting challenges in promoting its advanced aircraft in Morocco. Despite being a long-time ally of Paris, the North African kingdom has, for now, opted against including Dassault Aviation’s Rafale in its military modernization plans, according to reports from the Moroccan newspaper The Parliamentarian.
(Read More...)
01/01/2025
audi Arabia is seeking to buy 100 Kaan fighter jets from Turkiye as part of its Vision 2030 plan, Turkish newspaper Milliyet has reported. The fifth-generation Kaan fighter jet was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), and can perform air-to-air combat missions, as well as conduct precision air to ground strikes at supersonic speeds.
(Read More...)
01/01/2025
In July 2019, during the twilight of the first Trump administration, the Defense Department kicked Turkey out of the F-35 joint strike fighter program. While analysts can debate the wisdom of including Turkey in the F-35 program to start with, its expulsion was warranted: By purchasing Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, Turkey put NATO at risk in two ways.
(Read More...)
All Articles