June, 2025 Military Aviation News
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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