December 09, 2025 Military Aviation News

Ukrainian Air Force confirms loss of Su-27 fighter jet

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.

Japan rejects China's 'interference' claim amid fighter jet engagement

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.

In Defense Bill, Congress Rejects Bid to Retire A-10s, F-15Es

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.

Should America Be Worried About Venezuela’s F-16 Fleet? Not Really.

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.

For US$118.8 million, the U.S. authorized the sale of hundreds of GBU-39/B glide bombs for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter jets

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.

Proposed defense bill would fund Golden Dome, next-gen fighters

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.

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