June, 2025 Military Aviation News
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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