2026 Military Aviation News
04/03/2026
On Friday, a second US Air Force fighter jet crashed in the Persian Gulf region, and the sole pilot was rescued. This was reported by two American officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, according to UNN with reference to The New York Times.
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04/03/2026
A United States F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been shot down by enemy fire over Iran, U.S. officials confirmed. One of the aircraft’s two crew members has been rescued, Israeli media first reported. U.S. officials confirmed the reports in statements to CBS News and Axios.
A search for the second crew member is ongoing. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Military Times “the president has been briefed” on the downed fighter jet.
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04/03/2026
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve leaders warn that the Air Force must modernize their fighter fleets along with the Active force, or they risk losing combat-tested talent and making the reserve forces irrelevant in future operations. Speaking at a media roundtable during AFA’s Warfare Symposium in February, Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve, said more than 80 percent of his aircraft inventory are legacy jets with limited future lifespans.
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04/03/2026
U.S. military aircraft heading from the United States to the Middle East have been refused permission to stop off at an air base in Italy, an Italian government source has told Defense News. The request to land at Sigonella air base in Sicily was issued to Italian authorities after the aircraft had already taken off from the U.S., Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported on Tuesday.
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04/03/2026
When Air Combat Command began developing a simplified aircraft readiness metric two years ago, the aim was to turn voluminous data points into a single number that could enable commands at every echelon to know exactly how many planes they could get off the ground on any given day. Now, with Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the former ACC commander, as Air Force Chief of Staff, that system is spreading to other major commands.
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04/03/2026
India’s effort to rebuild its shrinking fighter fleet has entered another critical phase after General Electric failed to deliver five additional F404-IN20 engines before the end of March 2026. According to local India defence website, the missed deadline has transformed an already delayed Tejas Mk1A programme into a wider force-structure problem because the Indian Air Force urgently requires replacement aircraft for retiring Soviet-era combat fleets.
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04/03/2026
Canada is preparing to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the multinational effort led by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan to develop the sixth-generation Tempest fighter jet, in what could mark a long-term shift in Ottawa’s defense strategy.
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04/03/2026
The international joint venture Edgewing has been awarded its first Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) design and development contract, valued at £686 million. The GCAP Agency, which manages the multibillion dollar flagship project on behalf of the UK, Italy and Japan, issued the contract on Wednesday. It runs until June 2026. Mirroring GCAP’s national sponsors, Edgewing is comprised of England’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd.
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04/02/2026
The quiet approval of up to 450 AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles will make Australia the first foreign operator of America’s next-generation air-to-air weapon, dramatically expanding the RAAF’s long-range capability against China’s PL-15 and PL-17 missile threat.
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04/02/2026
Iranian authorities have warned Bulgaria not to allow the United States to use its airports for aircraft involved in military operations against Iran, the Bulgarian foreign ministry confirmed. The warning was conveyed in a diplomatic note dated March 18, in which Tehran protested against US military refuelling planes stationed at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport. The development was first highlighted by Stanislav Balabanov, a lawmaker from the “There is Such People” party, Reuters reports.
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04/02/2026
The Pentagon is doubling its Middle East fleet of Air Force A-10 attack planes, which can support advancing ground troops, even as President Trump says he wants to end the Iran war in two to three weeks. The Air Force is dispatching 18 A-10s to join roughly a dozen A-10s already in the region that U.S. commanders have used to attack Iranian boats and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, two Pentagon officials said on Wednesday.
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04/02/2026
At least 30 passengers and crew were killed when a Russian military transport plane went down during a routine flight over a remote, mountainous region of Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry and Russian investigators said Wednesday. Communication had been lost with the AN-26, a twin-engined prop plane made by Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov, before it crashed into a cliff at about 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday with seven crew and 23 passengers on board.
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04/01/2026
Paris has reportedly denied India access to the Rafale fighter’s core source codes, preventing New Delhi from independently modifying the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, MDPU mission computer and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.
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04/01/2026
With the iconic attack jet now in the twilight of its career, there are signs that the A-10C is set to deploy to the Middle East region for Operation Epic Fury. Such a deployment might well provide the combat swansong for the A-10, which the USAF plans to retire for good by the end of the decade, if not sooner. The development comes as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his threats against Iran, including threatening to eliminate its civilian infrastructure and oil-producing capability.
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04/01/2026
Russian military bloggers have reported the loss of another Su-34 fighter-bomber. The information about the loss of the Su-34 by the Russian Armed Forces was shared by the Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber. The post did not include specific details about the location or cause of the incident. However, the message included the phrase "Eternal flight, brother," which suggests that the pilot did not survive the event.
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04/01/2026
An F-35 crashed in the Nevada Test and Training Range in Southern Nevada. The pilot ejected and is reportedly safe after sustaining only minor injuries. According to KSNV News 3, “The U.S. military is searching for a pilot who had to eject from an aircraft over Southern Nevada on Tuesday, sources tell News 3… The aircraft reported trouble maneuvering around noon, according to sources.” The outlet subsequently reported that the pilot was found in good condition.
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04/01/2026
Italy has refused to grant the U.S. permission to land military planes at an air base in Sicily before departing to the Middle East, according to Italian media reports. Corriere della Sera reported on Tuesday that “several US bombers” planned to land at Sigonella air base on their way to the Middle East earlier this week but were denied because the U.S. had not requested authorization or consulted with Italian military leaders.
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04/01/2026
Production of the F-35 fighter jet is expanding globally, with Canadian companies playing a growing role in the supply chain supporting the program. Lockheed Martin highlighted the contribution of Toronto-based Firan Technology Group, which produces key electronic components for the aircraft.
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04/01/2026
The aircraft, which arrived at Misawa air base on 28 March, are the first tranche of F-35s intended to modernise the US Air Force (USAF) fighter squadron in Japan assigned to the specialised – and dangerous – “wild weasel” mission. Officially known as suppression of enemy air defences, or SEAD, the task involves flying into defended airspace to identify and destroy ground-based radars and missile batteries.
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04/01/2026
The Commander of NORAD (North American Air Defence) has said that the American F-35 Lightning II is “not needed” for the North American defence at a time when Canada is dealing with its own F-35 predicament and reviewing the purchase of the American stealth fighter.
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04/01/2026
President Donald Trump has again declared that Washington has agreed to sell F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, and because the F-35 is not simply an aircraft but a software-defined combat system, the statement immediately elevates the issue from transactional arms sales into regional force-posture politics.
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03/31/2026
While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has explored the American F-35 as a potential temporary solution for India’s fifth-generation fighter needs, the Indian Air Force (IAF) remains strongly opposed to the idea. Recent high-level proposals from Washington have attempted to sweeten the deal, but Indian military leaders remain concerned about losing operational independence.
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03/31/2026
Finnish Air Force is preparing to receive its first F-35A multirole fighters this autumn, marking a key milestone in the country’s transition to a new combat aircraft capability. The introduction of the platform is progressing across training, infrastructure and operational planning as Finland moves toward full integration of the system.
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03/31/2026
Saab’s chief executive said Canada’s existing aerospace infrastructure sets it apart from previous Gripen customers and could support a faster delivery timeline. Saab president and CEO Micael Johansson said on March 29, 2026, that delivering Gripen fighter jets to Canada within five years is “absolutely doable,” arguing that the country’s industrial base gives it a stronger starting point than previous customers such as Brazil.
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03/31/2026
The Ministry of National Defense tracked nine Chinese naval vessels, one military aircraft, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday. The People’s Liberation Army aircraft entered the country’s southwestern and southeastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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03/31/2026
Spain said Monday that it has closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in military actions targeting Iran. The decision expands an earlier move to deny the use of jointly operated military bases at Rota and Morón. Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Monday that Spain would not permit either the bases or the nation’s airspace to be used for operations tied to the U.S. military involvement in Iran.
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03/31/2026
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense denounced on Monday a rocket attack targeting an airbase in the capital Baghdad, vowing to firmly respond through legal measures. The ministry said in a statement that the attack represents a despicable criminal act against the Iraqi military and its defensive capabilities, the state-run news agency (INA) reported.
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03/30/2026
The UK has declared an overall requirement for 138 F-35B aircraft, although only 48 were included in the initial tranche. The first aircraft were delivered to RAF Marham in June 2018. One aircraft, ZM152, was lost on November 17, 2021, after falling into the Mediterranean Sea following an unsuccessful take-off from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The wreckage was recovered in early December 2021.
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03/30/2026
India recently approved $25 billion in fresh defence proposals to buy transport aircraft, S-400 AD systems, and remotely piloted aircraft amid tensions with Pakistan. Earlier, New Delhi authorized $40 billion to purchase more Rafale fighter jets and P-8I aircraft for the Navy.
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03/30/2026
Türkiye’s decision to advance KAAN deliveries to 2028, while delaying exports until the indigenous TF35000 engine is ready after 2032, signals a calculated bid to build a sanctions-resistant fifth-generation fighter ecosystem with major implications for global airpower competition.
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03/30/2026
All their flights were “firsts.” Mach 1.8, 50,000 feet altitude, air-to-air missile launches, mid-air refueling—extreme aviation tests simulating combat scenarios. Though they sometimes risked their lives, the moments of breakthrough were fierce and wondrous.
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03/30/2026
Development of the South KoreanKF-21 Boramae (Fighting Hawk) fifth-generation multirole fighter has been underway for more than a decade. Still, it was only this month that Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that thefirst production fighter rolled off the assembly line at Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. That aircraft was the first of 40 serial-production fighters, and is now on track to enter service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) later this year.
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03/30/2026
The U.S. Navy has issued a request for proposals for its Undergraduate Jet Training System, seeking new jet trainer aircraft and associated training systems. Proposals are due by June 29, 2026, as part of a program supporting both Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aviators.
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03/30/2026
The Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper, also known as the F-16 Block 70/72, is the latest variant of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. With upgraded cockpit systems, radars, and electronic warfare suites, the manufacturer offers both new production and retrofit options to its customers. The F-16 has a long history of receiving warfare upgrades, currently equipping it with fifth-generation combat capabilities.
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03/29/2026
South Korea’s unveiling of the KF-21EJ has transformed the KF-21 Boramae from a national fighter production story into a far more consequential signal about Seoul’s intent to breach, degrade, and outmaneuver advanced enemy air defense networks. By publicly attaching an escort jammer concept to its emerging fighter family, South Korea is indicating that future air operations will not rely solely on speed, sensors, or missiles, but on electromagnetic disruption as a decisive operational enabler.
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03/29/2026
Taiwan saw a surge of Chinese military planes near the island, its defense ministry said Sunday, after a sharp drop in flights over the past two weeks had sparked discussions among observers. The ministry detected 26 Chinese military aircraft around the island on Saturday, with 16 of them entering its northern, central and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone. Seven naval ships were spotted around the island, it reported.
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03/29/2026
An Iranian missile and drone attack on March 27 struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding multiple United States service members and damaging several aircraft, including an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft and aerial refueling planes.
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03/29/2026
F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron arrived at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2026, marking the beginning of the squadron’s transition to fifth-generation airpower and the permanent stationing of the Joint Force’s most advanced tactical aircraft in Northern Japan.\
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03/29/2026
The new engines are reportedly more powerful, more efficient, and cheaper to run than the Gripen’s existing powerplant. This month, GKN Aerospace announced that it had delivered the first upgraded RM12EP (Enhanced Performance) engine for the Swedish Air Force’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole aircraft.
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03/28/2026
Newly circulated commercial satellite imagery from Prince Sultan Air Base appears to reveal the destruction of three KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, raising urgent questions about the vulnerability of American airpower logistics in the Gulf.
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03/28/2026
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 10 Chinese naval vessels, six military aircraft, and two official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Four of the six People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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03/28/2026
China has stationed obsolete supersonic fighters converted to attack drones at six air bases close to the Taiwan Strait, a report published this month by the Arlington, Virginia-based Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies said.
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03/28/2026
Since its inception in December 2022, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has existed as a trilateral initiative between the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, and Japan, aiming to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft. Other countries, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, and India, have also expressed interest in becoming involved in the programme, with Poland becoming the most recent to do so at the tail end of last week.
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03/28/2026
GIORGIO DI MIZIO reports from Berlin on a joint RAeS/Eurofighter flagship lecture held on 26 February 2026. At the Italian Embassy in Germany, the Berlin-Brandenburg branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society held, in collaboration with Eurofighter Typhoon, the annual Günter Kappler Lecture, titled 'Defending European Skies: How the Eurofighter Typhoon Programme is Tackling Current and Future Defence and Security Challenges.'
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03/28/2026
Germany is considering Australia’s Ghost Bat robot fighter as it looks to select a combat drone to modernize its air force, German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius said yesterday. Germany has said it wants to field hundreds of uncrewed fighter jets by 2029, and would make a decision soon as it considers a range of German, European and US projects developing so-called “collaborative combat aircraft.”
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03/27/2026
With the recent publication of multimedia material on social media, new indications have emerged that would confirm Russia has already delivered the first Su-57E stealth fighters to the Algerian Air Force, which is shaping up as the platform’s first international customer. It is a brief video of around twenty-two seconds in length in which at least two of these combat aircraft can be seen flying in daylight, and although it is not possible to clearly identify what markings they bear.
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03/27/2026
Videos have emerged showing an apparent very close call for a U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet after it was targeted by an Iranian man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) while conducting a low-level strafing run during an Operation Epic Fury mission. The persistent threat posed by Iranian air defenses, whatever is left of them, is something that we have repeatedly drawn attention to.
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03/27/2026
Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. combined division, demonstrated long-range aviation combat capability during the Talon Reach culminating exercise this month, flying more than 1,300 miles across the Korean Peninsula before executing a culminating attack and air assault mission.
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03/27/2026
Marking what would be an advance for the modernization program of its fighter fleet, local reports have indicated that the Indian Navy could soon receive its first Rafale fighters, which would be used to begin training future pilots. According to reports from New Delhi, delivery of these first aircraft is expected to take place between August and September, which would in practice set in motion the process of incorporating a fleet of 26 new French-made aircraft sought by the service.
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03/27/2026
The United States sold Iran 80 of its F-14s in the 1970s. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the regime somehow kept the fighter flying for decades. It appears that the F-14 Tomcat, retired from the U.S. Navy in 2006 but still in service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, has finally come to the end of the runway.
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03/26/2026
The J-10C is no longer operating as a standalone combat aircraft, as the fighter now functions within a networked combat architecture integrating airborne early-warning platforms, radar, ground-based air-defense units, and electronic warfare elements, according to state broadcaster CCTV News and Chinese military experts.
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03/26/2026
The Air Force continues accelerating its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program by implementing the government-owned Autonomy Government Reference Architecture across multiple vendor platforms. This effort validates a cornerstone of the service’s acquisition transformation: using a modular, open-systems approach to supercharge the defense industrial base.
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03/26/2026
For the first time in decades, the F-22 Raptor has received a visible upgrade. New stealth pods and stealth tanks (the Low Drag Tank and Pylon or LDTP) were spotted on the aircraft recently, marking the biggest external change to the F-22’s distinctive silhouette since its debut in 2005. The change is substantive in nature, aimed at keeping the F-22 relevant as competing Chinese fifth-generation threats emerge.
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03/26/2026
On 25 March, Saab, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) officially presented the first supersonic fighter aircraft produced in Brazil during a ceremony held at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State.
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03/26/2026
State-run Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has unveiled the first mass production model of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s KF-21 Boramae combat aircraft. The launch follows more than two decades after Seoul outlined a strategy for a domestically developed fighter jet. Development began in 2015, with the first prototype unveiled in 2021 and its maiden flight in 2022.
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03/25/2026
More than a year after the Liberal government launched a review of plans to buy a fleet of F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, even the competition doesn't know when exactly Ottawa will reach a final decision. Prime Minister Mark Carney opened Canada to the prospect of acquiring a mixed fighter fleet last year, when he announced on March 14, 2025 that Ottawa would take a second look at its plans to purchase the U.S.-made F-35 jet amid the ongoing trade war with President Donald Trump.
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03/25/2026
GKN Aerospace has delivered the first upgraded RM12 engine to the Swedish Armed Forces as part of the RM12EP (Enhanced Performance) program for the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fleet. The delivery forms part of a SEK 400 million ($43 million) effort to improve the performance and long-term supportability of Sweden’s legacy Gripen engines.
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03/25/2026
The deployment includes five Dutch F-35 fighter aircraft and one A330 tanker aircraft. Japan is also operating F-35s, while the United States is participating with both F-35 and F-16 aircraft.
The exercise, named Kazaguruma Guardian, aims to strengthen cooperation between the three countries. It also demonstrates the Dutch Air Force’s ability to deploy and operate globally.
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03/25/2026
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticised the use of secondhand military aircraft by the nation's armed forces, following a transport plane crash that killed at least 66 soldiers. The incident, which occurred on Monday in southwestern Colombia, has prompted an official investigation into the disaster.
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03/25/2026
Anduril said on March 23 it has begun assembling additional prototypes of its autonomous YFQ-44 fighter at a newly opened Arsenal-1 production complex near Columbus, Ohio. The move marks an expansion of production efforts for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
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03/25/2026
Russia’s proposal for a twin-seat Su-57 with full technology transfer, drone-swarm control capability, and local production rights is seen as a strategic attempt to restore Moscow’s aerospace dominance in India while bridging the gap before the AMCA stealth fighter enters service.
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03/25/2026
Poland scrambles fighter jets over Russian missile strikes on Ukraine24.03.2026 08:38
On Tuesday morning, Poland scrambled combat aircraft and put ground reconnaissance and air defense systems on high alert due to Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced this on X, Ukrinform reports.
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03/25/2026
The German Air Force is withdrawing its Eurofighters from Poland, bringing its mission there to an end. Around 150 Bundeswehr personnel - including pilots, technicians, logistics specialists, security forces and military police - have left the Malbork base in the north of the country and are returning to Germany.
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03/24/2026
Every day, the Ukraine Battlefield update newsletter offers a clear look at how the war is unfolding on the ground, highlighting key developments along the frontline and the shifting dynamics of the conflict. This offers readers regular and detailed information to better understand the implications of the war for the country and the whole continent.
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03/24/2026
Spain’s government has indicated that the Spanish Air and Space Force’s F-18 fleet could remain in service until as late as 2040, a sign that Madrid is preparing to keep at least some of its legacy fighters flying longer than previously expected.
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03/24/2026
For much of March, a contingent of Dutch F-35A Lightning IIs, along with support personnel from across the RNLASF Air Combat Command, have been deployed to Hill Air Force Base for exercise Lightning Forge – flying and training alongside their U.S. Air Force F-35 counterparts from the 388th Fighter Wing. The primary goal is to sharpen combat skills in a realistic, contested environment, with a focus on integration between the NATO allies.
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03/24/2026
A U.S. Air Force F-35A pilot suffered shrapnel wounds after their aircraft was damaged during a combat mission over Iran on March 19, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
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03/23/2026
On March 12, the U.S. Army announced that the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, known as the “Iron Dragons,” received its first AH-64E Apache helicopters at Biggs Army Airfield. The delivery marks the beginning of the Combat Aviation Brigade’s transition to the latest Apache variant.
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03/23/2026
All seven people on board a Qatari military ?helicopter, including three Turkish nationals, have been killed in a crash in the Gulf state’s territorial waters, authorities ?said. The Qatari and Turkish defence ministries on Sunday said the helicopter crashed after suffering a ?technical malfunction, which the Qatari ministry said happened during a “routine duty”.
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03/23/2026
Dutch F-35A fighter jets and personnel have deployed to Hill Air Force Base in Utah to train alongside U.S. Air Force units during exercise Lightning Forge. The deployment, involving the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force Air Combat Command, marks the largest F-35 deployment by the Dutch service to date.
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03/23/2026
Taiwan’s defense ministry announced that long-awaited F-16V fighter aircraft from the United States will finally begin arriving this year, with manufacturing now operating at maximum capacity following a high-level visit to the production facility. The island nation, which confronts growing military pressure from China, has expressed frustration over recurring postponements of weapons deliveries from the U.S., its most crucial international ally and primary arms provider.
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03/23/2026
US Central Command on Sunday rejected Iran's claims that it shot down a fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet over central Iran. "US forces have flown more than 8,000 combat flights during Operation Epic Fury. No US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran," CENTCOM said on US social media company X. Before the post, a spokesman of CENTCOM told Anadolu that they had no comment at that time regarding Iran’s claim that it had “shot down an F-15.”
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03/22/2026
Taiwanese officials were shown the first of 66 F-16V fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday, adding the aircraft has completed an initial flight test and is expected to be delivered later this year. A delegation led by Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited Lockheed Martin’s F-16 C/D Block 70 (also known as F-16V) assembly line in South Carolina on March 16 to view the aircraft.
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03/22/2026
An Israeli fighter jet was targeted by a surface-to-air missile during operational activity over Iran but was not damaged and completed its mission, the Israeli army said on Saturday. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, also announced that strikes against Iran will "significantly escalate" this week, as Iranian media reports drone attacks on fuel infrastructure at Ben Gurion Airport.
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03/22/2026
The United States Air Force (USAF) operates a range of military aircraft for various special missions, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. The 2026 Flight Global Report states that the USAF currently operates 167 special mission aircraft, accounting for over 27% of the active fleet operated by various US military divisions. This article explores the USAF special mission fleet and the roles these aircraft serve.
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03/22/2026
The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese naval vessels and two military craft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday and the same time Saturday. One of the sorties reportedly crossed the median line and entered the eastern part of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, or ADIZ. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.
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03/21/2026
Ukraine is seeking used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar in exchange for help with interceptor drones, sources told Intelligence Online. According to the report, cooperation between Kyiv and Doha on counter-drone efforts has stalled due to disagreements over the Mirage fleet. Qatar has been trying for several years to sell its fleet of nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDA aircraft and three two-seat Mirage 2000-5DDA jets, which it purchased back in the 1990s.
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03/21/2026
The U.S. Army officially received a groundbreaking H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter, extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. This next-generation "Optimally Piloted Vehicle" (OPV) now enters a rigorous testing phase, marking a pivotal moment in the Army's push to build a safer, smarter, and more versatile helicopter fleet for the future.
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03/21/2026
The Ukrainian military has hit two aircraft factories in Russia with airstrikes, the General Staff in Kiev announced on Wednesday. The Aviastar aircraft factory near Ulyanovsk on the Volga River was attacked on Sunday night, the military said in Kiev. An air-conditioned hangar and a parking area, as well as several aircraft, were damaged, it said.
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03/21/2026
South Korea’s first export of the KF-21 Boramae fighter to Indonesia signals a major shift in Indo-Pacific airpower dynamics as Seoul enters the global combat aircraft market with its first domestically developed 4.5-generation jet.
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03/21/2026
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced plans to take the next step in joining a U.S.-led Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme focused on developing unmanned aerial systems. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk informed parliament that the Netherlands intends to sign a Letter of Acceptance to participate in the initiative.
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03/21/2026
The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with ballast, rather than an advanced radar in its nose, flew an acceptance flight the last week of February, Air & Space Forces Magazine has learned. The F-35B successfully completed the test flight at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility, a required step before the U.S. military could accept delivery of jets without their advanced radar.
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03/21/2026
Sri Lanka declined permission for two U.S. combat aircraft to land at a civilian airport earlier this month, President Anura ?Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday. The U.S. had requested permission ?for the two aircraft to land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the southern part of the country from March 4-8, Dissanayake told lawmakers. "They wanted to bring two ?warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti," ?he said during a statement.
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03/20/2026
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft are now engaged in maritime interdiction operations along the southern flank of Operation Epic Fury, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday.
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03/20/2026
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has confirmed a new step in its participation in the U.S.-led Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, announcing its intention to sign a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) ahead of the April 8 deadline. The decision, communicated by State Secretary Derk Boswijk to the Dutch Parliament, formalizes the continuation of an initiative first outlined in October 2025 with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI).
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03/20/2026
Russia has once again tested Estonia’s border, with a fighter jet briefly violating the country’s airspace near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland – a smaller incident than last September’s extraordinary incursion, but one that Tallinn is clearly unwilling to let pass without protest.
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03/20/2026
Negotiations to join the British-Italian-Japanese fighter jet project, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), are ongoing, a Polish deputy minister revealed. The GCAP project rivals the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS). And while the €100 billion FCAS project is on the brink of failure, a similar project by the UK, Italy and Japan is progressing. Now, Poland is turning its back on the struggling FCAS project and is aiming to join the alternative.
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03/20/2026
A fifth-generation US F-35 stealth fighter sustained damage and was forced to perform an emergency landing at a US military facility in the Middle East. The incident occurred during a mission. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, confirmed the aircraft was on a combat mission over Iranian territory when the emergency landing became necessary, according to CNN on March 19.
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03/20/2026
In partnership with France, Germany says it is working to a deadline next month aimed at resolving a long-running industrial dispute over the troubled New Generation Fighter (NGF) element of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The last ditch effort to save NGF from collapse centers on France’s Dassault and Germany’s Airbus aligning on a common approach for the NGF in the coming weeks — a timeframe communicated by a German official today and widely reported.
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03/19/2026
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft from 3 (Fighter) Squadron have deployed to Romania to begin the United Kingdom’s four-month commitment to NATO’s Air Policing mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The deployment forms part of Operation Biloxi 2026 and will see the RAF operate from Borcea Air Base as part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities.
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03/19/2026
The legacy of the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II ground-attack “jump jet” will be celebrated during a week’s worth of events late this spring in North Carolina. The “Harrier Sundown Celebration” will be hosted by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point from June 1-4, according to a memorandum posted Tuesday on the Marine Corps Administration website.
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03/19/2026
In recent months, Iranian drone and missile attacks have pushed U.S. and allied aircrews to operate at the edge of their range and survivability. The next crisis, whether in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, or over Taiwan, will demand fighters that can fly farther, stay on station longer, and power more advanced defenses than today’s engines allow.
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03/19/2026
In 2020, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in discussing his country’s fleet of American-made F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, revealed a constraint that most purchasing states accept but rarely articulate. Malaysia had been incapable of programming the aircraft for offensive operations without the involvement of the United States, and any military use required reverting to Washington.
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03/19/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron introduced “forward deterrence” in his speech at Île Longue on March 2, 2026, signaling France’s intent to involve European allies more explicitly in its sovereign nuclear deterrent.
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03/19/2026
The Air Force’s sixth-generation F-47 and the Navy’s F/A-XX fighter won’t be “available” until the mid-2030s, a leading congressman said March 17, which will require the services to keep older jets flying in the interim. “The question then becomes, what do we do in the meantime?”
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03/18/2026
Russia's defense ministry says some of its fighter jets carrying Kinzhal missiles flew over international waters in the Sea of Japan. Moscow says the Kinzhal is a hypersonic weapon. The ministry announced on Tuesday that MiG-31 aircraft armed with the missiles conducted a planned flight and also practiced air-to-air refueling. It is unusual for Russia to make such an announcement.
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03/18/2026
The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported the return of large-scale Chinese air force activities after their unexplained absence for more than two weeks, which had prompted speculation regarding Beijing’s motives. China usually sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the nation on a daily basis. Interruptions to such routine are generally caused by bad weather.
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03/18/2026
The Indian Air Force is beginning the gradual retirement of its ageing Jaguar strike aircraft. To maintain squadron strength during the transition, the dependable Mirage 2000 is now expected to remain in frontline service for several more years while the IAF searches worldwide for Jaguar spare parts, according to a Defence Ministry official.
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03/18/2026
U.S. military forces and infrastructure in Europe are playing a critical role in supporting operations against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, the head of U.S. European Command told lawmakers. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich said American bases across the continent provide key logistical and operational advantages for projecting power into multiple regions.
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03/18/2026
Ukrainian long-range one-way attack drones struck two major aviation facilities in Russia in recent days, targeting the Aviastar aircraft plant in Ulyanovsk and the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa. The attacks come as Ukraine continues efforts to disrupt Russia’s military aviation production and maintenance capacity, focusing on facilities linked to transport aircraft and support systems used by Russian Aerospace Forces.
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03/18/2026
F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin has failed to deliver regular upgrades for the aircraft—and its most recent upgrade package was implemented disastrously, according to an internal Pentagon report. The F-35 Lightning II has long been cited by some critics of the Pentagon as a horror story of government bloat and defense contractor ineptitude. Altogether, the program has cost $2 trillion over its lifetime, with a per-unit cost of new F-35s of up to $109 million.
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03/18/2026
Before the end of 2026, Airbus will look to demonstrate the ability of uncrewed combat aircraft to serve as “loyal wingmen” for crewed fighter jets. The manufacturer on Friday said it plans to conduct the first flight of its uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (UCCA) system—which combines Kratos’ experimental XQ-58A Valkyrie and its own mission software—alongside a Eurofighter Typhoon this year. It aims to deliver the UCCA system to the German Air Force by 2029.
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03/17/2026
“A pair of on-duty Polish MiG-29 fighter jets successfully intercepted and visually identified a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, escorting it away from Poland’s area of responsibility,” the Operational Command said in a post on the X platform. According to the statement, the Russian Il-20 aircraft was conducting its ninth reconnaissance mission of the year in international airspace.
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03/17/2026
The Indian Air Force has traced the February 7 Tejas jet incident to a software glitch in the aircraft’s onboard computer. A new upgraded software developed with HAL is now being tested before a fleet-wide rollout to ensure operational safety.
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03/17/2026
France has reportedly grown concerned about the rapid consumption of air-to-air missiles by its fighter aircraft during operations against Iranian drones in the Middle East. According to the French newspaper La Tribune, the high tempo of interceptions has significantly reduced available stocks of MICA missiles used by Rafale fighters.
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03/17/2026
Marking another significant step in its global expansion, Top Aces Corp. (“Top Aces”) today announced the award of a multi-year contract worth $33.2 million to provide F-16 pilot training for the Fuerza Aérea Argentina (“FAA”). Top Aces was selected based on its deep operational and technical expertise with the F-16 platform, as well as its proven track record supporting international air training programs.
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03/17/2026
The military is turning the aging drone into an effective system, extending its life with new weapons, boosting its range and electronic warfare capabilities. It’s not stealthy, it’s getting up there in years and it doesn’t have the payload of fifth-generation fighter jets. Despite that, the MQ-9 Reaper drone system isn’t going to the bone yard.
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03/16/2026
The fatal crash earlier this month also recalls a period a decade when multiple engine-related problems in India's Su-30MKI fleet had forced the MoD to acknowledge persistent technical shortcomings in the backbone of the IAF’s combat aviation inventory.
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03/16/2026
Switzerland has recently drawn global attention after refusing to allow certain United States military aircraft to pass through its airspace. The decision came during rising tensions in the Middle East and was based on the country’s long-standing policy of neutrality. While the move surprised some observers, it reflects Switzerland’s traditional approach to international conflicts: staying neutral and avoiding involvement in military operations between other nations.
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03/16/2026
At a regional air force base in Meiktila on 12 March, the Myanmar military junta commissioned four new combat aircraft into its fleet. This latest induction included two Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter jets and two K-8 Karakorum light attack aircraft, co-developed by China and Pakistan.Myanmar Politics Analysis. This was confirmed to Mizzima by Ko Naung Yoe, a military research officer at the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI).
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03/16/2026
The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported the return of large-scale Chinese air force activities after their unexplained absence for more than two weeks, which had prompted speculation regarding Beijing’s motives. China usually sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the nation on a daily basis. Interruptions to such routine are generally caused by bad weather.
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03/16/2026
Pratt & Whitney is designing a next-generation adaptive cycle engine that offers on-demand performance and efficiency to future fighter jets. With the US Air Force’s (USAF) aim to stay dominant in the combat environment, Pratt & Whitney’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program will deliver efficiency, power, and versatility during multiple flight regimes.
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03/15/2026
The moment the radar blip appeared, someone in an underground bunker made a split-second call that would send £100 million worth of British engineering screaming through the night sky.
The night sky above the Gulf region has become a crowded and dangerous place, and not just for commercial airliners. Just past midnight local time, a fast-moving blip appeared on radar screens, tracked by operators watching for threats approaching Bahrain’s airspace.
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03/15/2026
Poland scrambled military aircraft overnight following Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine, while ground-based reconnaissance and air defense systems were placed on high alert. According to Ukrinform, this was reported on the social media platform X by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
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03/14/2026
Five U.S. Air Force (USAF) refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile strike, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Saturday, as a separate analysis estimated total U.S. military asset losses in the first two weeks of Operation Epic Fury at approximately $3.84 billion.
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03/14/2026
Athens is preparing a major defense modernization package worth roughly five billion euros, with the highlight being the development and deployment of a multi-layered national air defense system known as the “Achilles’ Shield,” reportedly patterned on Israel’s “Iron Dome”, according to government sources ahead of discussion at a relevant parliamentary committee on Monday.
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03/14/2026
Radar systems of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence detected aerial targets north of Tulcea County around 10:00 on Friday, in the area between Chilia Veche and Vylkove. The military scrambled two F-16 Fighting Falcon jets.
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03/14/2026
Airbus is preparing two uncrewed combat aircraft based on the Kratos Valkyrie platform for their first flight equipped with a European mission system. The company aims to provide the German Air Force with an operational Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft system by 2029.
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03/14/2026
Myanmar’s military has commissioned new combat aircraft to boost its air capacities, state media reported Friday, as the army steps up efforts to regain territory from resistance forces in the country’s civil war. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper did not specify the number or types of the newly commissioned aircraft, but photos released by the military suggest it received four jet fighters, including two Russian-made Su-30 aircraft widely used for bombing and combat missions.
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03/14/2026
All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
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03/13/2026
At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
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03/13/2026
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed in western Iraq after a refueling incident involving two aircraft March 12, U.S. Central Command announced.
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03/13/2026
An F-35 made history on March 4, 2026, by shooting down a Russian-made aircraft over Tehran—the first confirmed air-to-air kill by the stealth fighter. Leaked documents show how the downed Yak-130 reached Iran.
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03/13/2026
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could have held off flying military aircraft close to Taiwan over the past two weeks over fear of defections by pilots, Taiwanese researchers said yesterday. The decline in sorties could be due to factors other than US President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2, the experts said at a symposium held by Secure Taiwan Associate Corp.
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03/13/2026
China between Wednesday and yesterday sent more military aircraft into a sensitive area off Taiwan following a brief period that saw it mysteriously hold off on the flights. Five Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were detected in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) — a space closely monitored by the military — from 6am on Wednesday to 6am yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
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03/13/2026
Norwegian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled for two consecutive days after sensors detected Russian military aircraft in international airspace off Finnmark, the country's armed forces said Wednesday. In a statement, the Norwegian Armed Forces said Norwegian sensors detected Russian Il-20M aircraft off Finnmark’s coast Tuesday and Wednesday. "NOR F-35s from Evenes scrambled, identified and shadowed them," said the statement.
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03/13/2026
Radar operators monitoring the skies over the North Pacific detected an unusual flight path approaching the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on March 4, 2026. The aircraft were moving along a corridor frequently used during long-range military patrol missions across the Arctic region. Their approach immediately drew attention from defense monitoring systems operated by the United States and Canada.
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03/12/2026
Each aircraft contributes different strengths. Typhoon is a fast, highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter carrying a large weapons load. The F-35, meanwhile, is designed around stealth and advanced sensor fusion-technology that allows it to detect and track threats earlier than conventional aircraft.
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03/12/2026
Taiwan’s air force is expected to conduct a series of exercises this week as part of its joint combat tactics specialty course, implementing a combat-like simulated environment, airdefensenews.com wrote on Facebook on Sunday, with Ministry of National Defense sources yesterday appearing to confirm the report.
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03/12/2026
The U.S. Department of War announced on March 9 that it had signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to begin the production process for additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft ordered by Denmark. The agreement marks another step in expanding Denmark’s fleet of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
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03/12/2026
The United States was granted permission to use bases in NATO ally Romania for operations in Iran on Wednesday following a meeting of defense officials in Bucharest. Romanian President Nicusor Dan called a defense council meeting to discuss whether to allow U.S. aircraft to carry out such missions, multiple Romanian news agencies reported Wednesday.
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03/12/2026
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed overwhelming force against the two Russian aircraft: two US Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, two F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, four KC-135 Stratotanker air tankers, one E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), two Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, and one CC-150 Polaris air tanker.
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03/12/2026
Norwegian F-35s intercepted Russian intelligence-gathering aircraft two days in a row during an ongoing NATO military exercise here. On March 11 at 9:30 am, the deep and distinctive rumble of two Norwegian fighter jets echoed across the silent, mountainous terrain here in northern Norway, where NATO forces are currently conducting part of the biennial Cold Response 2026 exercise.
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03/11/2026
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is off to another Middle Eastern war, which is likely a surprise to many given how contentious the country’s involvement in the Iraq war was. The Albanese government has decided to send a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with 85 personnel and a supply of air-to-air missiles capable of shooting down drones.
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03/11/2026
Serbia has purchased Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-surface missiles for its MiG-29 fighter jets.
Analyst Danube Intel published a photo of the aircraft and suggested that the missiles could have been delivered as early as 2025. The MiG-29 fighters also received universal pylons from the Chinese company CATIC, which allow the integration of other missiles and guided bombs.
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03/11/2026
As the U.S.-led war against Iran’s clerical regime continues apace, Russia is testing American capabilities in another corner of the globe. Two Russian maritime patrol aircraft flew through the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) on March 4. The pair of Tu-142 planes were met by 12 Canadian and American aircraft sent to monitor and intercept the Russian patrol, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
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03/11/2026
RAF fighter jets carried out military action to defend Jordan and Bahrain overnight as fighting intensifies in the Middle East. The jets intercepted a drone heading towards Bahrain and took out an uncrewed aerial system to defend Jordan, the Ministry of Defence said. Defence secretary John Healey confirmed the military action and said fragments of a drone that struck the UK base at Akrotiri, Cyprus, were being examined for “foreign military equipment”.
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03/11/2026
Some African air forces are overhauling their fleets while weighing affordability, the types of fighter aircraft to buy, and getting rid of older aircraft too expensive to maintain. The air forces are investing in advanced aircraft to deal with terrorists, criminal groups and regional security threats. They also are working toward defense partnerships with such countries as Italy, Türkiye and the United States.
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03/10/2026
It’s harsh here, with blustery winds at the Icelandic air station that the US shut down two decades ago. The gray, hardened aircraft shelters in concrete give a true sense of Cold War 2.0. The six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen C fighters deployed here for Arctic air policing were grounded for two days when Breaking Defense visited the air station with a group of other media.
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03/10/2026
Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and 85 Defence personnel to the Gulf at the request of the United Arab Emirates to help protect Australians and others in the region, as 12 countries come under attack from Iran. Australian advanced and medium-range air-to-air missiles will also be provided to the UAE. The E-7A Wedgetail is one of Australia’s most sophisticated military planes, and will be deployed for an initial four weeks.
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03/10/2026
Using the regional turmoil sparked by the war against Iran’s clerical regime as a cover, Turkey has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus. Turkey’s March 9 action represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean. It also raises serious legal questions over the export and end use of U.S.-made military equipment.
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03/10/2026
Taiwan’s state-run defense research group is mulling developing autonomous “loyal wingman” drones to support fighter jets in a potential collaboration with a US-based manufacturer, a source said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a defense official said the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCIST) has reached out to Kratos Defense in a bid to collaborate in building combat aircraft utilizing technologies featured in the latter’s XQ-58A Valkyrie.
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03/10/2026
A Global Times report said China plans to expand military aircraft exports following what it described as the first overseas combat success of the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet in 2025. The report cites AVIC official Ji Ruidong saying China should shift from exporting individual aircraft to offering integrated combat systems that include fighters, missiles, sensors and communications networks.
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03/10/2026
Taiwan has not detected a single Chinese military aircraft around the island for nine of the past 10 days, leaving experts puzzling over the reasons for the dramatic reduction in sorties. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.
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03/09/2026
The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier before a possible deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence has said. Royal Navy workers in Portsmouth are readying HMS Prince of Wales, the navy’s flagship, meaning it could be deployed more quickly if a decision is made to mobilise it to the region.
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03/09/2026
U.S. military transport aircraft have been spotted arriving at and departing from a U.S. air base in Korea over the past week, raising speculation that the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) may be deploying some of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict involving Iran. According to the real-time flight tracking website Flightradar24, C-5 and C-17 U.S. transport aircraft have landed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.
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03/09/2026
Türkiye may deploy its F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus, according to Reuters. The development of a corresponding plan to strengthen security in the Eastern Mediterranean became known on March 7, 2026. According to a source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, Ankara is exploring the possibility of permanently or temporarily basing combat aircraft on the island.
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03/09/2026
The Israeli Air Force has released a new nighttime image showing an F-16I Sufa fighter equipped with four RAMPAGE stand-off missiles. The photograph was published on March 6, 2026, on the service’s official X account and highlights an expanded long-range strike configuration.
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03/08/2026
Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran with a large-scale overnight air operation targeting key military infrastructure in Tehran. The Israeli military announced that its air force carried out a series of coordinated strikes that destroyed multiple aircraft belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
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03/08/2026
The United States has begun using British military bases to support its airstrikes on Iran, the U.K.’s Defense Ministry said Saturday. The ministry said in a post on X that the “defensive operations” were aimed at preventing Iran from firing more missiles across the region.
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03/08/2026
The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, defense officials leading the campaign said March 5 at U.S. Central Command headquarters here. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed.
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03/08/2026
Four Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft have deployed from RAF Coningsby to Qatar to strengthen the United Kingdom’s air presence in the Middle East. The aircraft will integrate with the existing UK Typhoon force already operating in the region.
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03/07/2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ?the king of Bahrain that four jets the UK is deploying to Qatar could be ?used to help ?defend ?the ?kingdom ?from Iranian ?missile and ?drone strikes against Gulf states. “The Prime Minister also offered further defensive ?air cover from these ?jets ?for Bahrain ?to ?bolster their security,” ?Starmer told King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a call ?late on Thursday, according to a readout ?from ?Starmer’s office on Friday.
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03/07/2026
Turkish Air Force (TurAF) fighter jets are conducting patrol flights along Türkiye's border with Iran as the war between the United States and Iran continues, with aircraft observed flying over the border region near the Yuksekova district of Hakkari province. Aircraft were observed flying at regular intervals along the border line as part of ongoing operations.
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03/07/2026
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that Türkiye still considers using the Russian S-400 air defense system in a stand-alone configuration, without NATO integration, as "the most reasonable solution" to the impasse blocking its reinstatement in the F-35 fighter jet program.
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03/07/2026
Iran’s air force was the most powerful in the Middle East in 1979, and nothing about it has changed since then. That’s a big problem for Tehran. Operation Epic Fury has exposed the limitations of Iran’s aging air force. Within the first days of the campaign, US and Israeli forces achieved air superiority over Iranian air space—a contest during which Iranian fighters were largely absent from the skies.
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03/07/2026
Switzerland confirmed it will proceed with the F-35A fighter jet procurement but expects to acquire about 30 aircraft instead of the originally planned 36 due to rising program costs.
The Swiss Federal Council will request an additional 394 million Swiss francs from parliament to cover inflation and raw material cost increases while remaining within the voter-approved funding ceiling.
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03/07/2026
Ukraine is moving forward with plans to secure advanced fighter jets from Sweden and France.
“We must have a down payment from the Ukrainian side for future aviation, regarding the Gripen and Rafale,” the President stated. He noted that the matter was discussed on March 4 during a meeting with Ukraine’s Minister of Defense. The country is preparing a down payment for Swedish-made Gripen and French-made Rafale aircraft, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 5.
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03/06/2026
A Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) went missing from radar contact while flying over Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, officials said. “An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat air base in Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm,” Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said in a statement. He said search and rescue operations have been initiated to ascertain the status of the fighter jet.
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03/06/2026
Iranian fighter planes flying less than 100 feet above ground came within minutes of hitting the U.S. military’s largest base in the Middle East, CNN reported this week. The incident, which happened Monday morning, involved two Russian-made Su-24 bombers that were headed toward Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Several thousand U.S. troops operate out of Al Udeid, making it the main hub for U.S. operations in the region.
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03/06/2026
The British fighter jets are in the Middle East to defend the UK’s regional military installations, most notably on Cyprus. Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning stealth fighters have reportedly scored their first aerial victory, downing Iranian drones over Jordan this week.
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03/06/2026
The expanded production line comes even as the Air Force has expressed a desire to shrink its F-15EX fleet. This week, the United States Air Force lost three F-15E Strike Eagle fighters in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait as part of its ongoing Operation Epic Fury. Any loss of combat aircraft is significant—not only because of the immense cost of the aircraft, but because of the risk to the lives of the pilots and weapons systems officers. Fortunately, all six crewmembers ejected and were r
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03/06/2026
With the publication of a brief statement on its official website, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has confirmed that it expects to receive an additional batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to equip its Air Force, which will be delivered from France as part of a new military assistance package.
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03/06/2026
The announcement came after President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said that US-Israel military operations in Iran were conducted "outside international law". "US aircraft providing operational support (not combat aircraft) have been accepted at the Istres air base in France," the general staff said.
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03/06/2026
NORAD scrambled a half-dozen American and Canadian fighters, along with six support aircraft, to intercept two Russian military aircraft that entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska and Canada on March 4. The response, which included fifth-generation F-35s and F-22s and Canadian CF-18s, is among the largest NORAD has mounted in the past decade and comes as hundreds of U.S. combat aircraft are massed in the Middle East for operations against Iran.
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03/05/2026
More than three decades after its air force effectively disappeared with the collapse of the Somali state, Mogadishu is now exploring what could become the most ambitious defence procurement in its modern history.
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03/05/2026
New reporting indicates a Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 Hornet may have been responsible for the downing of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait on March 2. People familiar with the incident told Air & Space Forces Magazine that at least one Kuwaiti fighter aircraft is believed to have fired the missiles that struck the jets. The aircraft had previously been reported shot down in what officials described as “an apparent friendly fire incident,”.
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03/05/2026
Saab has said Canada could play a role in the development of future sixth-generation combat aircraft technologies, as Ottawa continues to review the scope of its planned acquisition of F-35A fighter jets. According to a CBC News report on March 4, 2026, the Swedish defense company believes Canada could become a partner in shaping next-generation air combat capabilities while positioning its Gripen fighter as a potential alternative in Canada’s fighter replacement program.
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03/05/2026
There is a way the U.S. could play hardball with Canada, if the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney decides it wants to limit its purchase of F-35s in favour of the Gripen.
Critics who favour the Lockheed-Martin stealth fighter have long argued that the Swedish-built Gripen would not be interoperable with American aircraft and the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
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03/04/2026
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that an Israeli F-35I fighter jet shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft, marking what officials described as the first fighter-to-fighter aerial engagement of the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.
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03/04/2026
For years, U.S. and allied nation military planners have been seeking to improve planning, technology development and deployment of advanced systems for command, control and communications across all domains of a potential conflict space. This has been an acutely imperative concern for disparate nations conducting operations within each other’s airspace. Recent events in the start of U.S./Israeli military strikes on Iran, have profoundly illustrated the importance of this effort.
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03/04/2026
British F-35s shot down drones over Jordan within the past 24 hours, the UK government said. It marks the first time a Royal Air Force F-35 has destroyed a hostile target during operations. The Middle East has been locked in an air defense frenzy as Iran fires waves of missiles and drones.
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03/04/2026
If Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, currently targeted by Iranian strikes, were to take direct military action, it could significantly accelerate the process, effectively doubling the forces already deployed by the U.S. and Israel
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03/04/2026
The government of Malaysia has officially abandoned its plans to acquire F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait, due to continued uncertainty on when the aircraft would be available and their long-term logistical support. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari told lawmakers on February 26, that the cabinet had decided to cancel the planned purchase during a February 6 meeting, following a technical assessment by a Royal Malaysian Air Force delegation that inspected the Kuwaiti aircraft in November 2025.
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03/04/2026
In recent talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby recently praised South Korea as a "model ally" for committing to increase defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic produce. And Seoul is truly stepping up. Defense spending increased 7.5% to $44.8 billion in fiscal 2026, the KF-21 Boramae fighter begins deliveries this year and the F-15K fleet is receiving major upgrades to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.
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03/04/2026
France has deployed Rafale jets over the United Arab Emirates to protect its bases after a drone hit a French facility, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. The announcement comes as regional tensions continue to escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
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03/04/2026
The loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles to apparent friendly fire over Kuwait earlier today underscores an enduring reality of conflict: despite advances in technology, high levels of training, and the most carefully prepared plans, casualties inflicted by the same side are always a hazard. Indeed, these are not the first blue-on-blue incidents involving U.S. and allied combat aircraft in the various campaigns since the end of the Cold War.
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03/04/2026
Three US F-15E fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in the early hours of Monday (March 2) in an apparent friendly fire incident during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran. All six crew members ejected safely and are in a stable condition – but “safely” is a relative term when you’re being blasted out of a stricken aircraft travelling at combat speed.
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03/04/2026
As part of “Project Overwatch,” Lockheed Martin has tested AI model integration into the F-35 mission system. This is the first instance of AI suggesting combat targeting in-flight, marking a significant milestone for human-AI collaboration in the cockpit. Of course, the AI involvement remains limited; there are no autonomous weapons, and the AI has no authority to pull the trigger.
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03/03/2026
The boss of Rolls-Royce has said he would welcome Germany helping to build Britain’s next-generation fighter jet, arguing it would bring in more business for the project. The aircraft, designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is a joint effort between the UK, Italy and Japan. Rolls-Royce is building the engine for the jet, which has attracted fresh attention as plans for a rival Franco-German warplane edge towards collapse.
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03/03/2026
Portugal quit the F-35 program last year amid political disagreements with the Trump administration, and has shown few signs of wanting to return. The United States ambassador to Portugal is reportedly attempting to woo Lisbon back to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, months after the NATO member withdrew from a deal to obtain the multirole fighter.
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03/03/2026
U.S. Central Command said American forces have used more than 20 types of aircraft, ships, missiles and other systems in strikes on Iranian targets as part of Operation Epic Fury. According to Stars and Stripes, CENTCOM said the operation involved “the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.” The campaign began Feb. 28 in coordination with Israeli forces. U.S. officials said more than 1,000 targets were struck in the opening phase.
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03/02/2026
Iran has deployed Yak-130 advanced jet trainer aircraft in air patrol missions over Tehran, where the aircraft have been observed armed with air-to-air missiles and tasked with countering unmanned aerial threats. Reports citing aviation observers indicate that Yak-130 aircraft of the Iranian Air Force were seen conducting patrol flights alongside MiG-29 fighter interceptors over Tehran.
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03/02/2026
United States Central Command released new video footage showing precision airstrikes against Iranian military targets, including the destruction of at least two Su-22 fighter jets positioned at a military airfield in Iran. In a statement accompanying the video, U.S. Central Command said: “U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue.”
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03/02/2026
The Gulf state of Qatar says its air forces shot down two Iranian warplanes. The Qatari Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that its forces downed two Sukhoi Su-24s, Soviet-era bombers.
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03/02/2026
Several U.S. military aircraft crashed in Kuwait on Monday, as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East. The number of aircraft downed was not mentioned in the Kuwaiti Defense Ministry statement, reported by the official state Kuwait News Agency, nor was the cause of the crashes.
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03/02/2026
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula criticized U.S. policy on military assistance to Ukraine during a Substack Live podcast hosted by military historian Phillips P. O’Brien, arguing that Washington delayed providing key combat capabilities early in the war because American leaders were deterred by Russian rhetoric.
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03/02/2026
The Israeli Air Force is using its most advanced combat aircraft, the F-35I Adir, in strikes on targets in Iran. These aircraft are adapted to Israeli requirements and represent a customized version of the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.
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03/02/2026
To maintain combat dominance across air, land, and sea, the multirole F-35 strike fighter is available in three major variants: a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, a short/vertical takeoff and landing (SVTOL) variant, and a carrier-based variant.
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03/02/2026
A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatar, the UK’s Defence Ministry has said. It is believed to be the first drone shot down by a UK fighter jet since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliation. A squadron of Typhoons was deployed to Qatar earlier this year.
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03/01/2026
Japan, the Philippines and the United States held joint military drills near the Bashi Channel, the waterway between the Philippines and Taiwan, for the first time earlier this week. The naval and aerial exercises were conducted under the framework of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), and ran from Feb. 20 through Thursday.
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03/01/2026
Sweden’s military has confirmed that a drone disabled near a visiting French aircraft carrier this week was Russian, prompting France to condemn what it described as a “ridiculous provocation” by Moscow. The incident took place in the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark, as France’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was on a visit to the region.
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03/01/2026
Against the backdrop of the European FCAS sixth-generation fighter program's collapse, talk has begun about participants seeking other partners. Among these is France's proposal to replace Germany with India. Various media, particularly Indian and Asian outlets, began spreading such information. Though this may seem strange from the outside, these countries may genuinely have more in common than it appears.
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03/01/2026
As tensions grow between the US and Iran, Anadolu has tracked dozens of jets and military aircraft heading to US bases in the Middle East. According to open source intelligence reports, there are more than 300 US military aircraft in the region, primarily distributed between Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, including carrier air wings 8 and 9 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers.
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03/01/2026
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) reached a new milestone in its operational history with the first Air Defense Alert mission carried out by its modern F-39E Gripen fighters. The deployment, conducted from Anápolis Air Base (Brazil), marks a new chapter in the consolidation of the weapons system after achieving Full Operational Capability.
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03/01/2026
With some 200 fighter jets, the Israeli Air Force says it carried out its largest-ever strike sortie in Iran today. The extensive strikes targeted Iranian ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems, according to the military.
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03/01/2026
A Pakistani fighter jet crashed in Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east, the Afghan military and police said on Saturday, after Islamabad launched air strikes on at least three cities in a flare-up of cross-border fighting. The United States voiced its diplomatic support for Pakistan’s actions after Islamabad said it would not stop strikes that were meant to pressure an Afghan government that it accuses of backing militancy.
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03/01/2026
After completing their ferry flight from Brazil and arriving at Teniente 2.º Mario Walter Parallada Air Base, located in Durazno, the Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya (FAU) officially presented its first two new Embraer A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft. The ceremony was led by the President of Uruguay, Yamandu Orsi, along with civilian and military authorities, officially marking the beginning of a new stage for Uruguayan combat aviation.
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02/28/2026
US and Israel launch an attack on Iran, as President Donald Trump confirms "major combat operations" are under way and calls for a regime change. The Israel Defense Forces says retaliatory strikes have been launched by Iran towards the country - and explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump has urged Iranians to "take over" the Iranian government, saying "it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations".
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02/28/2026
Türkiye's defense industry reached a historic milestone with the export of TAI's Hürjet jet trainer to Spain, marking the first sale of a Turkish combat aircraft to a NATO and EU member country. Havelsan will supply full mission simulators as part of the comprehensive package, reversing decades of Turkish import dependency, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.
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02/28/2026
December 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the modernization of the Argentine Armed Forces. In the span of just 48 hours, the country simultaneously restored its supersonic air capabilities and introduced a new generation of armored vehicles to its ground forces, signaling a decisive shift toward NATO-standard interoperability and modern operational doctrines.
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02/28/2026
Following the “12-Day War” with Israel in June 2025, the Iranian government accelerated negotiations with Russia and China to procure advanced missile systems. According to recent reports from the Financial Times and Reuters, these talks persisted even after the international arms embargo was reinstated in September.
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02/28/2026
The US has continued to increase its deployment of jets and military aircraft in the Middle East despite ongoing talks with Iran, according to open-source intelligence reports. More than 330 US military aircraft are now positioned in the region, a rise of about 10% in two days, mainly spread across Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The buildup includes carrier air wings 8 and 9.
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02/28/2026
In an extraordinary development, the United States deployed up to 12 F-22 fighter aircraft to Israel’s southern Ovda airbase this week after several of America’s Arab partners suggested they would restrict the U.S. military’s use of their territory for potential strikes on Iran. The deployment reportedly represents the first time U.S. F-22s have been positioned in Israel in anticipation of real-world combat operations.
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02/27/2026
Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s two largest cities on Friday, including the capital, Kabul, according to officials from both nations, escalating months of tension and border skirmishes into an open conflict. Beyond Kabul, home to six million people, the strikes hit the southern city of Kandahar — where the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, lives — and the border province of Paktia, according to Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government.
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02/27/2026
The Air Force plans to put Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the hands of Airmen to experiment with the semi-autonomous drones this summer, Gen. Dale R. White said Feb. 25 at AFA’s Warfare Symposium. Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft, added that the Air Force will build on a demonstration earlier this month in which an F-22 flew with a surrogate drone, and fly a Raptor with one or both CCAs now under development.
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02/27/2026
The United States must destroy Iran’s air defense network before it can begin major air operations in the country. Fortunately, it has the tools to do it. The largest US military air and naval armada since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 is currently gathering off the coast of Iran.
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02/27/2026
A former F-35 Lightning II instructor described as an elite fighter pilot with decades of experience flying US military aircraft has been accused of conspiring to help the Chinese military. Major (Ret'd) Gerald Brown Jr, 65, was arrested in Indiana and charged with providing defence services to Chinese pilots without authorisation, according to the US Department of Justice.
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02/27/2026
Türkiye plans to acquire at least 12 additional Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft on top of the 44 units it announced it would purchase last year, adding vitality to the Turkish Air Force’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and a few F-4E Phantoms.
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02/27/2026
Thousands of critical avionics components have disappeared from an Italian Air Force warehouse in Brindisi. Euronews reported that investigators are probing the disappearance of nearly 2,500 aircraft components for military planes worth about €17 million. The missing items include electronic modules and systems for Panavia Tornado fighter-bombers, AMX International attack aircraft and Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport planes.
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02/26/2026
A Su-30SM fighter jet of Kazakhstan’s Air Force crashed during a training flight, the country’s Defense Ministry said. The crew ejected in time and survived. A special commission set up by the Defense Ministry has launched an investigation to determine the exact causes and circumstances of the crash.
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02/26/2026
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the air war over Ukraine remains finely balanced.
Russia entered the conflict with a vastly larger fleet, yet hundreds of confirmed and unconfirmed aircraft losses, ageing legacy jets and limited replacement capacity have steadily narrowed its effective strength. Ukraine, despite heavy attrition, has survived through dispersal, adaptation and Western fighter donations.
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02/26/2026
Open-source data shows that more than 300 U.S. military aircraft are deployed to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as tensions rise between Washington and Tehran. Hundreds of aircraft remain on standby ahead of a third round of indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.
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02/26/2026
The commander of Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) has said that he would like to field F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat aircraft to help the command meet its commitment to supporting the overall Air Force mission. AFRC commander Lt. Gen. John P. Healy was speaking at the Air & Space Forces Association’s annual Warfare Symposium, where TWZ is in attendance.
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02/26/2026
Sweden's Saab is preparing to make the first flight of an uncrewed fighter-sized demonstration aircraft in 2027. The project is gathering pace as the NATO member state solidifies a strategy for its future combat aircraft program by 2030 in a process that could see it partner with other nations or decide to go it alone.
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02/25/2026
A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a mission flight in the early hours of February 25, 2026, resulting in the death of the pilot. The aircraft, assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir, went down around 00:50 local time (approximately 22:50 GMT on February 24). Communication via radio and radar tracking was lost shortly after takeoff at 00:56, and search-and-rescue operations confirmed the crash, with wreckage located at the site.
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02/25/2026
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are accelerating production capacity of the B-21 Raider, delivering unmatched combat capability faster. The B-21 program showcases Northrop Grumman’s proven performance and relentless commitment to fielding advanced technologies and capabilities at the speed of need.
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02/25/2026
The US Air Force has conducted a live demonstration of manned-unmanned teaming, linking a crewed F-22 Raptor with an uncrewed MQ-20 Avenger in a flight test designed to explore how autonomous aircraft can support frontline fighters in future operations.
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02/25/2026
Northrop Grumman has officially named its YFQ-48A prototype Talon Blue, formally identifying the autonomous fighter drone developed under its company-funded Project Talon portfolio as part of ongoing work with the United States Air Force on future collaborative combat aircraft.
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02/25/2026
Two military pilots and two merchants have been killed after an army helicopter crashed into a fruit market in central Iran. The crash on Tuesday morning occurred in Dorcheh, a town in Isfahan province, where the army has a major airbase, according to state media, which said the cause was likely a technical fault in the aircraft.
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02/25/2026
The Air Force has entered the next phase of developmental testing for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, initiating disciplined weapons integration and captive carry evaluations using inert test munitions to validate airworthiness, safety and systems performance.
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02/24/2026
When the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle first entered U.S. Air Force service in 1974, it was designed with a single mission: to ensure air superiority against any adversary. Nearly five decades later, the F-15’s legacy is measured not only in speed and payload but also in adaptability, mission success and its role in shaping the capabilities of defense forces around the world.
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02/24/2026
The United States’ ambassador in Lisbon, John Arrigo, has urged Portugal to buy Lockheed Martin’s F-35, pushing the fifth-generation fighter as the preferred successor to the Portuguese Air Force’s aging F-16 fleet. made the remarks in an interview with CNN Portugal, framing the aircraft choice around NATO interoperability and arguing that joining the large and growing European F-35 user community would place Portugal among the continent’s “top tier” air forces.
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02/24/2026
The Chengdu J-10 represents a turning point in Chinese military aviation: the first truly modern, domestically designed multirole fighter fielded at scale. Often compared to the American F-16 or the Swedish Gripen, the J-10 symbolizes China’s transition from Soviet-derived platforms to indigenous design capability. And while the J-10 lacks stealth capabilities, it still serves as a central platform to the PLAAF’s force structure.
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02/24/2026
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has lodged a complaint with U.S. Forces Korea over a brief standoff between American and Chinese fighter jets, according to local media. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back contacted the USFK commander, Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, after learning of Wednesday’s incident, the Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.
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02/24/2026
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is giving its U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft a new name: YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. Dark merlins, deadly falcons known for their black feathers and devouring of other falcons as prey, often collaborate in groups for maximum effect against their targets.
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02/24/2026
A crewed US Air Force fighter and an uncrewed jet-powered aircraft flew together recently, communicating and showing how autonomous drones might fight in a future air war alongside human pilots. US defense firm General Atomics, a competitor in the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Program aimed at developing and fielding loyal wingman-type drones, said on Monday that its MQ-20 Avenger, long a CCA stand-in, flew with an F-22 Raptor.
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02/23/2026
Nearly two years after their last flight, the future of the Argentine Air Force’s A-4AR Fightinghawk fighter-bombers continues to raise questions amid postponed decisions, budgetary constraints, and growing expectations over time. With the objective of restoring 18 aircraft, current planning aims to preserve the aerospace operational capability of the V Air Brigade, based in Villa Reynolds, San Luis.
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02/23/2026
The European aerospace giant, Airbus, stated its readiness for any potential bifurcation of the joint German-French-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project into two separate aircraft. The company claims it could independently realize a sixth-generation fighter if necessary, despite currently producing fourth-generation platforms only through international cooperation.
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02/23/2026
Lockheed Martin has spotlighted the contribution of Canadian industry to the F-35 program, highlighting the role of ASCO Aerospace Canada in producing complex machined parts. Approximately 30 Canadian companies are currently supplying specialized parts, technology or equipment for the F-35, described as the most advanced, connected and combat-proven fighter aircraft in production.
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02/22/2026
The Peruvian government has taken a new step toward modernizing the combat aviation branch of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) by authorizing the first funds allocated for the acquisition of new multirole fighters, in a process that has yet to determine whether it will select the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70, the Saab Gripen E, or the Dassault Rafale.
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02/22/2026
A group of Block 52 F-16CJ Vipers belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard was recently spotted heading east across the Atlantic as part of a huge build-up of U.S. forces ahead of potential strikes on Iran. Each of the Vipers was notably seen carrying an Angry Kitten pod, a new electronic warfare system that helps defend against anti-air threats, and that may now be headed for its first use in real combat.
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02/22/2026
The Indian Air Force's Tejas fighter jet fleet is under scrutiny following a recent crash during landing. This marks the third significant incident involving the aircraft, with the pilot escaping unharmed but the jet sustaining severe damage. Investigations are underway as the Air Force awaits delayed deliveries of an upgraded variant.
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02/22/2026
Iran is currently on the edge as a new phase of escalation takes shape through aircraft movements and deployment patterns. This shift is not a matter of speeches but the quiet geometry of power projection across the region. Satellite imagery has recently identified the presence of the Ilyushin IL-80, often called Russia’s “doomsday aircraft”. This plane serves as an airborne command post built for survivability during high-intensity conflict.
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02/22/2026
Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) marked a significant milestone this week when F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 542 landed on the ship’s flight deck on February 10, 2026. The event represents the first time F-35B Lightning IIs have conducted operations aboard Kearsarge.
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02/21/2026
US fighter jets stationed in South Korea and aircraft from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were involved in a brief aerial standoff over the Yellow Sea earlier this week, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on February 20. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, when several US Air Force F-16s operating from Osan Air Base in western South Korea were conducting routine training flights over international waters.
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02/21/2026
When Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft arrived in the Middle East this week, it marked the latest chapter in a nearly 50-year flying history for the venerable jets. Better known as AWACS, for Airborne Warning and Control System, the E-3s play a crucial role as eyes in the sky and command and control platforms for U.S. and allied aircrews in combat zones around the world.
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02/21/2026
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Tu-95s, two Su-35s, and one A-50 operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Feb.19, 2026. NORAD launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and four KC-135s to intercept, positively identify, and escort the aircraft until they departed the Alaskan ADIZ.
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02/21/2026
An Iranian fighter jet has crashed, killing one of two pilots onboard, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said. The air force plane crashed during a late-night training exercise in western Hamadan province, IRIB posted on Telegram. "The cause of the accident is under investigation," it added. The incident comes amid massive US military buildup near Iran.
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02/21/2026
Germany is evaluating unmanned aerial vehicles for its upcoming project of an unmanned fighter-bomber, capable of engaging in air combat alongside manned aircraft, conducting ground strikes, and returning home even after losing communication with control systems, Defense Express reported on February 20, citing German outlet Hartpunkt
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02/20/2026
Additional US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons could soon find a nest in central Europe, as NATO member Slovakia is reportedly in talks to expand its program of record for the single-engine multirole aircraft. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acknowledged this week that discussions were underway to expand Slovakia’s current order for 14 F-16s to 18.
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02/20/2026
The Trump administration is pressing Saudi Arabia for clarity on its potential participation in Türkiye's fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet program, with U.S. officials questioning why the Riyadh would pursue the Turkish jet when American alternatives are 'available'.
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02/20/2026
The US has deployed 13 warships and a large fleet of aircraft to the Middle East, with a second aircraft carrier also en route, setting the stage for a potential military confrontation with Iran less than a year after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on the country's nuclear facilities.
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02/20/2026
While there are many United States warships, those that are likely the best known are called "Enterprise." The U.S. Navy has been commissioning ships with that name since the first Enterprise defended American supply routes from the British in May 1775. The trend continues with the new USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth ship to be thus named.
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02/20/2026
Germany is considering ordering more U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, two sources told Reuters, a move that would deepen Berlin's reliance on American military technology as its joint next-generation fighter programme with France falters. One source said Berlin was in talks that could lead to the purchase of more than 35 additional jets. A second source did not specify the number. Both sources cautioned that the outcome was still uncertain.
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02/20/2026
Airbus is open to a “two-fighter solution” to break the deadlock on the future air-combat system that France, Germany and Spain are developing, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said, as work on the next-generation fighter (NGF) that’s part of the program has stalled amid infighting between Airbus and Dassault Aviation.
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02/19/2026
Australia is moving ahead with the next phase of its MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” collaborative combat aircraft program. The country is expanding production as the system transitions from prototype testing toward operational capability, according to reports.
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02/19/2026
Last week, as President Trump ordered USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to move to the Persian Gulf, where USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed along with nine other US warships, a Chinese foreign military attaché based in Tehran presented the commander of the Iranian Air Force with a mock-up of China’s J-20 fighter jet.
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02/18/2026
This past summer, UAE Defense Undersecretary Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi climbed into the rear seat of a South Korean KF-21 Boramae prototype for a symbolic “friendship flight” over Sacheon Air Base in South Korea. A few months later, during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Abu Dhabi, Seoul followed up with a far more consequential signal: a reported full value-chain partnership built around joint development, local assembly, and the co-export of future KF-21 variants.
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02/18/2026
The Army is one step closer to turning the AH-64 Apache helicopter into a drone-hunting tool. Soldiers recently carried out live-fire tests of a new explosive round specifically designed to take out enemy drones at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.
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02/18/2026
The Indian Air Force is one of the world’s largest air forces and operates in one of the most complex security environments on earth. The IAF faces a two-front challenge: China to its north and east, and Pakistan to its west. And unlike many Western air forces focused on expeditionary operations, the IAF is built primarily for continental deterrence and high-altitude combat. Though modernizing aggressively, the IAF remains caught between legacy platforms, procurement delays.
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02/18/2026
Media reports that the Philippine government had declined to buy the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet may have been premature—though its high price tag remains an obstacle. Last June, the Philippines began reconsidering whether to proceed with the purchase of American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons, even after the sale had received US State Department approval.
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02/18/2026
Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Turkey’s next-generation KAAN fighter jet program is attracting pushback from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which views the potential deal as cutting into Washington’s share of the kingdom’s arms market, Middle East Eye reported, citing current and former US officials.
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02/18/2026
The United States has moved more than 50 advanced fighter jets toward the Middle East over the past two days, a massive show of military force that coincides with a pivotal moment in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, according to open-source flight tracking data and a US official.
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02/18/2026
The Air Force has delayed delivery of the 18th Wing’s first F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, according to the wing. The wing expects an updated timeline for the aircraft’s arrival this spring, according to an unsigned email from Kadena on Tuesday. The delay is due to a strike at Boeing’s St. Louis plant that occurred from Aug. 4 to Nov. 17, Ann Stefanek, spokeswoman for the secretary of the Air Force, wrote in an email Tuesday.
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02/18/2026
Australia is one of the pioneers exploring collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs, as it throws its full weight behind Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat platform. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) already has eight Block 1 aircraft in testing. In addition, the first of three Block 2 aircraft ordered in February 2024 is currently performing ground testing and will fly soon, according to the manufacturer.
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02/16/2026
Russia’s Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex named after Beriev (TANTK Beriev) reported a net loss of more than 5 billion rubles, or approximately $65 million, in 2025, according to financial statements published on Interfax.
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02/16/2026
Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Keflavik, Iceland on Friday to train alongside Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, marking Denmark’s first contribution to NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity, which began on 13 February. German Eurofighter jets will also be based at Keflavik in the coming period, with all aircraft operating under NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk as part of efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence.
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02/16/2026
Nigeria’s Air Force said on Friday it is accelerating the acquisition of more than 46 advanced fighter jets, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, reaffirming procurement plans first announced in July 2025 as Africa’s major military powers modernise their fleets.
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02/16/2026
International media reports at the weekend indicated that United States military aircraft and an initial batch of American troops have arrived in north-east Nigeria, in what many describe as a possible expansion of counter-terrorism cooperation between Nigeria and Washington.
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02/16/2026
Lockheed Martin’s F-21 is a proposed India-tailored evolution of the F-16 Block 70/72, marketed as a “fourth-generation++” fighter with modern AESA radar, upgraded cockpit displays, sensor-fusion style avionics, and open-architecture systems. A central selling point is “Make in India” production through an industrial partnership tied to Tata, with spillover into the global F-16 supply chain.
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02/15/2026
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) claims that one of its fighter jets was able to radar-lock a “foreign” stealth aircraft at close range. Initially reported by the PLA Daily (China’s official military paper), the incident reportedly occurred at a distance of 2,624 feet (800 meters).
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02/15/2026
Reports online indicate that the Russian Aerospace Forces have massed most of its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) fifth-generation fighter fleet at Dzyomgi Air Base in the Khabarovsk region of Russia’s Far East, approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) from the border with Manchuria (Heilongjiang). Satellite imagery shared by OSINT air analyst AviVector on social media showed multiple Su-57s at the remote facility.
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02/15/2026
Few air forces list their military pilot strengths, so estimating the number is difficult and requires estimates, sometimes broad estimates. But when doing so, an unmistakable picture of the US dominance emerges.
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02/14/2026
As part of discussions between Belgium and US giant Lockheed Martin for a potential deal covering 11 additional F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets, Brussels is pushing hard for hefty domestic industrial returns, according to the country’s defense minister.
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02/14/2026
The U.S. Marine Corps has released its 2026 organizational plans, outlining future steps for its aviation branch as units transition to new combat platforms and retire legacy aircraft. As part of an intensive modernization effort across the armed forces, the Corps will phase out the AV-8 Harrier vertical takeoff aircraft, which will fully give way this year to the F-35B.
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02/14/2026
Even as one door has closed for aerospace giant Boeing in recent weeks, another has opened. Only days after Indonesia announced it would not proceed with a deal to acquire the F-15ID variant of Boeing’s upgraded F-15EX Eagle II twin-engine multi-role fighter, reports circulated that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in the aircraft instead. Riyadh has been a loyal customer of Boeing for many years.
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02/14/2026
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in the "final stages" of negotiations with Saudi Arabia over the kingdom's potential participation in Türkiye's next-generation KAAN fighter program, with a decision expected this year, the company's CEO told Breaking Defense on Feb. 12. "It is in the final stages of decision-making process," Turkish Aerospace Industries General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu said at World Defense Show (WDS) 2026.
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02/14/2026
The Air Force is working with Collins Aerospace and Shield AI to develop the software Collaborative Combat Aircraft will use to fly missions alongside manned fighters, the service revealed Feb. 12—and drone-maker General Atomics was quick to announce it has already flown its YFQ-42A aircraft with Collins’ system.
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02/14/2026
Canada has reportedly begun making payments for “long-lead items” tied to 14 additional F-35 fighter jets despite a contract review triggered by US trade tensions and sovereignty concerns.
The purchases involve key components that must be ordered before the delivery of a fully assembled aircraft and were made to ensure that Ottawa maintains its place in the long queue for the stealth aircraft, according to unnamed sources quoted by CBC News.
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02/13/2026
Sweden will contribute JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft to the newly established NATO operation Arctic Sentry, aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and the High North, the Swedish Ministry of Defence said. The operation brings together ongoing and future NATO activities in the region to reinforce deterrence and stability.
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02/13/2026
India has approved the $39 billion purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, in an effort to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness and modernize its military fleet. On February 12, 2026, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired under the guidance of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, backed the deal, along with the purchase of swathe of other military hardware including combat missiles.
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02/13/2026
Russia’s Rosoberonexport arms exporter indicated last year that two Su-57s had already been sold abroad. One of them may have been seen for the first time. A video circulating on social media appears to show a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 flying over a field in Algeria. According to media reports, the short clip, which first appeared on the popular Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok, was recorded by a potato farmer near the Oum El Bouaghi Air Base, located outside of Ain Beida.
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02/13/2026
Beyond China’s ostentatious display of its J-35A fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow was a lower-profile piece of equipment, the new Wing-Loong X combat drone, which experts say is far more likely to find international success. Beijing banked on Asia’s largest aerospace event, organized here from Feb. 3-7, to flex its aviation muscle, in a bid to attract more customers.
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02/13/2026
As the skies over Southeast Asia grow more crowded and contested with advanced military aircraft, small countries can no longer assume that geography and diplomacy alone will guarantee security. For Brunei Darussalam, this raises a difficult but increasingly important question: should it invest in fighter jets to defend its airspace, or focus instead on building a surface-to-air missile air defence system?
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02/12/2026
During a series of air exercises in December 2025, a People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-16 fighter jet reportedly fired flares at a RoC Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon during the PLA’s “Justice Mission” exercises. The J-16 fired decoy flares towards the Fighting Falcon, which had been scrambled after the Chinese aircraft moved to cross the Taiwan Strait median line. The PLAAF J-16 then flew between the F-16s, which were seen as in the “firing position.”
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02/12/2026
A new policy paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies argues that the US Air Force must expand its fleet of next-generation combat aircraft substantially to deter or prevail in a potential conflict with China. Titled Strategic Attack: Maintaining the Air Force’s Capacity to Deny Enemy Sanctuaries, the report calls for procuring far more sixth-generation fighters and long-range stealth bombers than currently planned.
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02/12/2026
After completing at the beginning of 2024 the modernization to Block 70 of 139 aircraft, the Taiwan Air Force continues to advance in strengthening the combat capabilities of its F-16 fighters. The most recent milestone was the confirmation that Lockheed Martin will equip the Fighting Falcons with new Legion-ES infrared search and track systems —also referred to as IRST21— through a contract valued at US$ 328.5 million and encompassed within the United States Foreign Military Sales Program.
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02/12/2026
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been competitively selected by the United States Marine Corps for evaluation in the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The agreement integrates GA-ASI’s expertise in autonomy and uncrewed aircraft systems with a government-provided mission package, using the YFQ-42A platform as a surrogate to assess integration with crewed fighters.
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02/12/2026
The Royal Air Force deployed six F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets to a key base in the Eastern Mediterranean in anticipation of a military clash between the United States and Iran. The stealth fighter jets will bolster British air power in the region—and are expected to play an important role in a potential conflict.
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02/11/2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt earlier this month, marking fresh steps in the normalization of relations with key regional powers and opening the door to new defense deals. The first stop of the two-day tour was Riyadh, where Erdogan met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to official statements, both sides emphasized the need to activate existing defense cooperation agreements.
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02/11/2026
A People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) J-15 was spotted fielding two YJ-15s, one of Beijing’s latest anti-ship missiles, in images circulated last week. Revealed during China’s 2025 military parade, the missile joins China’s existing stockpiles of subsonic YJ-83 and supersonic YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missiles, which have been deployed by Chinese fighters and bombers exercising for contingencies around Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan.
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02/11/2026
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is set to receive its first US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets by the end of this year, according to an announcement at the recently concluded Singapore Airshow 2026. The program of record for the Southeast Asian city-state is for eight conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A aircraft, and for 12 short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs.
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02/11/2026
Saab is exploring arming the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet with the advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS) as a low-cost counter-drone option. Observations from the Ukraine war — where cost-efficient capabilities instead of expensive missiles are better fielded against typically cheap but lethal enemy drones — have driven this move, the Swedish company’s executives informed Business Insider during the Singapore Airshow.
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02/10/2026
Negotiations with Saudi Arabia on potential cooperation in Türkiye's homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter jet program have reached the "highest level," according to the aircraft's developer, signaling that a partnership agreement could be announced as early as this year.
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02/10/2026
Azerbaijan has been linked in recent defense reporting to a possible interest in acquiring Saab Gripen E/F multirole fighters, amid broader efforts to modernize its air force. The reports suggest that Baku could be evaluating the Swedish-built aircraft as part of a large-scale renewal of its combat aviation capability, but no confirmation has been issued by Azerbaijani or Swedish authorities.
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02/10/2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 8 February that Ukraine has secured commitments for 250 combat aircraft from partner nations, marking what would be a significant expansion of the country's air capabilities. Speaking with students at the Kyiv Aviation Institute on 8 February, Zelenskyy outlined the specifics of the agreements.
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02/10/2026
In October 2024, the skies over a European test range witnessed a landmark step in the evolution of air power. During an AI-supported joint surveillance mission, two uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) executed a complex, synchronised flight pattern that moved with the real-time precision of collective intelligence rather than pre-programmed routines.
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02/10/2026
Singapore: Sweden's SAAB has proposed to the Indian Government the creation of the world's most advanced aerospace industry, comprising multi-layered design, production and maintenance as well as induction of fighter jet Gripen E.
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02/10/2026
France is preparing to transfer Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of expanded military cooperation aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s air force and air defense capabilities.According to a statement released by Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on Monday, Feb. 9, the plans were discussed during talks between Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
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02/09/2026
Morocco ranked fourth in Africa and 37th worldwide in a new 2026 ranking of the continent’s largest military aircraft fleets, with a total of 271 military aircraft, reflecting a strategy focused on qualitative modernization, multi-role capability, and operational readiness.
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02/09/2026
In the final week of January 2026, China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV released footage showing a PLA Navy destroyer launching electronic jamming missiles during a maritime encounter near Taiwan. The event, captured on video and distributed nationally, features one of China’s most advanced surface combatants engaging in electronic warfare procedures not previously shown to the public.
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02/09/2026
The Paraguayan Air Force intercepted a Bolivian Cessna 206 aircraft suspected of transporting cocaine. Two light attack aircraft – a Tucano and a Super Tucano – were used in the interception. According to preliminary reports, the incident began around 11:00 a.m. local time, when Paraguayan military personnel detected an “irregular” aircraft in the northern part of the country. During the interception, the aircraft was identified as a Cessna 206 bearing Bolivian registration CP-2088.
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02/08/2026
Canada’s military readiness is at a crossroads as Prime Minister Mark Carney reviews the Lockheed Martin F-35 contract amid escalating trade tensions with Washington. Expert Richard Shimooka warns that pivoting to the 4.5-generation Saab Gripen E would “institutionalize weakness,” burdening the Royal Canadian Air Force with a platform designed for a previous era.
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02/08/2026
Danish F-35 fighter jets have operated alongside U.S. and Canadian forces during Operation Noble Defender in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, according to the Danish Armed Forces. The annual operation is conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command to demonstrate and sustain air power under extreme climatic conditions.
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02/08/2026
Boeing has disclosed development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Block 3, a new version of its combat unmanned aircraft designed for Australia and aimed at expanding the aircraft’s strike and endurance capabilities. The Block 3 variant is to feature a scalable internal weapons bay capable of carrying one AIM-120 AMRAAM missile or two GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, with the possible addition of GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bombs.
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02/08/2026
As a numbers game, the US, China, and Russia have the world’s largest combat fleets, although there are layers of naunce that give these numbers meaning. Some air forces have old 1960s-era aircraft counted even though they may never fly again.
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02/08/2026
In the eerie dark nights of the Nevada desert, people have often seen an aircraft that looks less like a fighter jet and more like a bat plane. First flown in 1981, over the years, people had grown used to its alien-looking shape. The F-117 Nighthawk was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft. However, its recent sightings in the Nevada night sky are a mystery. The aircraft had been officially retired from the US Air Force (USAF) way back in 2008.
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02/07/2026
In a landmark deployment, six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft and a contingent of more than 110 personnel from Skaraborg Air Wing F7 have arrived at Keflavík Air Base . This rotation, running from early February to mid-March 2026, represents the first time the Swedish Air Force have led NATO’s Icelandic air policing mission since their accession to NATO in March 2024.
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02/07/2026
Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets, recently deployed to Somalia, arrived in the city of Mogadishu with the aim of supporting operations against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, marking a new level of Ankara’s military involvement in the Horn of Africa country. The arrival of these aircraft represents the first time Türkiye has deployed manned fighter aircraft on Somali territory, expanding its role beyond training, advisory, and indirect support tasks.
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02/07/2026
A few weeks after the Air Force announced its prestigious William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet would return in March, the service has decided to postpone the event to later this year, according to Air Combat Command. “The decision to postpone the competition was made to maximize available resources, and [William Tell] is intended to continue in the future,” an ACC spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine, adding that a new date for the competition will be released as soon as its available.
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02/07/2026
The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of equipment and support services related to the ongoing sustainment of the nation’s extensive fleet of Boeing F-15 Eagle fighters for an estimated cost of $3bn. Approval of this prospective FMS was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency – which handles most of Washington’s impending military export sales – after it had notified US Congress of the proposed multi-billion deal.
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02/07/2026
A French publication, L’Express, claimed on February 4, 2026, that Vietnam could be one of the Rafale’s next customers. The report claimed that Vietnam had already had the opportunity to secretly evaluate the aircraft in 2018 when two Rafales had a stopover in the country during an Indo-Pacific deployment.
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02/06/2026
Specialized anti-armor aircraft date back to World War II—but not all planes are well-equipped to take on ground targets. The idea of aircraft destroying tanks is deeply embedded in modern warfare. From World War II to the Ukraine War, air power has repeatedly been used to counter armored forces on the ground. Indeed, aircraft can be devastating against tanks or other ground vehicles—but a plane’s effectiveness against tanks depends upon a specific set of circumstances.
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02/06/2026
Saudi Arabia and Turkey are considering a joint investment in Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet programme, Kaan, with a decision possibly imminent, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday. “We are signing significant defence industry cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, and we are determined to further strengthen them,” Erdogan told journalists while returning to Turkey following his visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia this week.
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02/06/2026
Two aviation companies under contract to develop armed, unmanned aircraft and control systems for the U.S. Navy teased what they are working on this week during the Singapore Air Show. Anduril will leverage elements for the Navy from the autonomous collaborative combat aircraft under development for the U.S. Air Force to develop unmanned aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s iteration of the program, according to company leadership.
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02/06/2026
Singapore's biggest aviation event offered a rare treat this year: the chance to see modern fighters used by the world's top three military powers, all tearing through the sky in the span of 90 minutes. The biennial Singapore Airshow typically features a flying display, where pilots from around the world showcase aerobatic skills and stunt maneuvers that push their aircraft to the limit.
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02/06/2026
Sweden’s Saab appears to be capitalizing on deteriorating political relations between the US and Canada by pushing for Ottawa to fly its Gripen E/F fighter jets along with US-made F-35s, and offering domestic production to sweeten the deal. In a call with investors today Saab CEO Micael Johansson claimed Canada was considering ways “not to be too dependent on the US by having a dual fleet, both F-35 and the Gripens.”
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02/05/2026
Ukraine and Sweden are discussing the prospect of arming Kyiv with Europe’s top air-to-air missile, the Meteor, which a Saab official said would be a “natural content” of a weapon package for Gripen users. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced last week that the country was discussing the potential transfer of JAS 39 Gripen jets and Meteor missiles to the war-torn country.
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02/05/2026
Aerospace giant Boeing has been awarded a $2.8 billion contract to modernize South Korea’s fleet of F-15K Slam Eagle jet fighters. The existing aircraft will be upgraded to the United States Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II standard—following a similar effort undertaken by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), which modernized its F-15Js to the F-15JSI (Japan Super Interceptor) standard.
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02/05/2026
Commenting on the speculation that Canada might revise its plans to acquire a fleet consisting entirely of F-35s, Mikael Franzén, Saab chief marketing officer for the Gripen multirole fighter, said his company is “responding to questions.” Advocating for the combined strength of a potential mixed fleet, Franzén said, “Gripen is strong on availability and adaptability and would give combat mass to Canada.”
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02/05/2026
In order to deny China “sanctuaries” from which it can launch air and missile salvos during a potential invasion of Taiwan, the U.S. Air Force needs to buy far more B-21 bombers and F-47 fighters than currently planned, according to a new report from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
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02/05/2026
The US administration is considering the imposition of sanctions on Algeria in response to the country’s acquisition of Russian fighter jets. The announcerment was made by Robert Palladino, the head of the US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs on February 3 during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, according to Russia state-run news agency TASS.
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02/05/2026
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s absence from India’s flagship fifth-generation fighter programme has sent ripples through the country’s defence industrial ecosystem, but officials and analysts alike say the development reflects a deliberate restructuring of execution rather than a retreat from ambition.
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02/05/2026
The Dassault Rafale program is entering a period of sustained high-rate production, with export customers increasingly interested in acquiring the aircraft despite strong competition provided by the Lockheed Martin F-35, Saab Gripen, and Eurofighter Typhoon. The French fighter is thriving at the moment. Dassault closed out 2025 with a firm order backlog for 220 aircraft, including 45 for France and 175 for export customers.
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02/05/2026
The cost for the US and other militaries to keep newer combat aircraft ready to fly is going to soar in the coming years, a new report on sustainment trends argues. A new report from the American consulting firm Oliver Wyman projects global military aircraft spending over the next decade, including an annual sustainment cost growth of 1.1% through 2036. That's a pace roughly 11 times faster than the previous decade.
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02/04/2026
Turkish Air Force F-16 Vipers can be seen flying over the skies of Somalia in new videos that have emerged online. The deployment of these jets comes as Turkey is seeking to increase its presence in the troubled nation where the al-Shabab extremist group is wreaking havoc. One video shows a Turkish F-16 taking off, afterburner ignited, from an airport in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
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02/04/2026
A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone as it approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. Later in the day, a Navy destroyer came to the assistance of a U.S.-flagged tanker that was harassed by multiple Iranian small boats as it transited the Strait of Hormuz.
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02/03/2026
The Canadian Armed Forces will participate in a ceremony in Texas on Monday to celebrate the imminent arrival of their first F-35 — as Ottawa has still yet to announce how many U.S.-made fighter jets it will ultimately buy. The event comes as the future of the CF-18 replacement program is under review because of the ongoing trade and political disputes between Canada and the United States.
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02/03/2026
Ukraine and Sweden have discussed the possibility of Stockholm sending Meteor missiles to Kyiv. The Meteor is considered a top European air-to-air missile, and it can be carried and fired by Gripen fighter jets. It would offer Ukraine a powerful new weapon to strike Russian aircraft from a distance.
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02/03/2026
China’s military aviation industry has shocked Western analysts repeatedly over the last few years, with designs such as the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation fighters and, more recently, the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-XX sixth-generation fighter prototypes. The speed of technological advance has led to a major leap in China’s military capabilities, and with the latest revelations, the country's aerospace industry is showing no signs of slowing down.
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02/02/2026
Peru is advancing toward selecting the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 Viper as its preferred next-generation fighter jet, officials and defence sources told local media, marking a significant pivot in Lima’s long-running effort to modernise the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) combat fleet.
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02/02/2026
Modern combat aircraft increasingly carry weapons bays internally rather than on external pylons. Internal weapons bays are closely associated with reducing radar cross-sections (RCS), improving a plane’s stealth capabilities. However, the bays’ purpose is broader than radar evasion. While complex and in certain respects constraining, internal weapons bays are becoming an increasingly popular design choice for modern fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
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02/02/2026
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Sabena Aerospace to maintain European F-16 fighter jet engines and manage materials supporting Ukraine’s growing fleet. The agreement funds intermediate and depot-level maintenance for donated aircraft, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capacity as more F-16s enter service.
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02/02/2026
Lockheed Martin has completed the inaugural flight demonstration of its Sniper Networked Targeting Pod, validating real-time data sharing between two F-16 fighter aircraft. The test reflects the growing operational demand for integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functions executed simultaneously rather than sequentially.
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02/02/2026
The Belarusian Air Force has received a new batch of modern Su-30SM2 fighter jets. The country’s Ministry of Defense reported this on its Telegram channel. However, based on the size of previous deliveries to Belarus, it is likely one or two fighters.The exact number of aircraft delivered is not confirmed.
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02/01/2026
TheSouth Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has launched the final phase of testing and evaluation for the domestically developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar intended for the KF-21 Boramae fighter, with the aim of verifying its multi-mode operational capabilities prior to full entry into service.
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02/01/2026
Every year, the Royal Air Force joins the United States and partner forces on Exercise Red Flag. It’s one of the world’s toughest air combat training environments, allowing participating nations to hone their war-fighting skills. The Exercise was established in 1975 after the Vietnam War showed that the first ten combat missions flown are the most dangerous for aircrew. Red Flag recreates the first ten missions of a modern air campaign to provide pilots and crew with realistic combat scenarios.
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01/30/2026
The United States is intensifying a military build-up off Iran that experts say could be an indicator that Washington is planning to strike the country. The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is one of several military assets the US has deployed to the Arabian Sea in recent days.
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01/30/2026
Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder (or FC-1 Xiaolong) is a lightweight, affordable, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft that was jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. This bird is meant for maneuverability, and it features an advanced avionics suite to ensure that capability. The plane also comes with highly effective beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile capabilities. There are currently three iterations of this plane.
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01/30/2026
Spanish Air Force EF-18M fighter jets intercepted Russian combat aircraft flying near NATO airspace over the Baltic region in late January, as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, according to Spain’s Defense Staff.
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01/30/2026
Türkiye is rapidly transforming its air power ambitions into reality as domestically developed platforms move from concept to deployment. Flagship projects such as Kizilelma, Hürjet and Anka-III illustrate how the country’s aviation industry is not only closing long-standing capability gaps but also redefining operational standards in unmanned and manned combat aviation. In a recent article, Daily Sabah highlighted these advances as evidence of Türkiye’s growing technological self-reliance.
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01/30/2026
Turkey deployed three F-16 fighter jets to Mogadishu on Wednesday amid increasing Turkish investments in Somalia’s energy and space sectors. Somali officials familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that Ankara has been constructing a facility to host the F-16s over the past few months.
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01/29/2026
UKRAINE has hammered Russia’s air force with attacks on 15 aircrafts deep behind the front lines. Dramatic drone footage showed strikes on 15 aircraft including 11 Sukhoi and MiG fighter jets, three helicopters and an Antonov An-26 cargo plane.
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01/29/2026
Unconfirmed reports emerged late on Wednesday that a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet was shot down over the Black Sea near southern Ukraine, according to multiple Ukrainian sources familiar with the situation. The reports state that the aircraft belonged to the Russian Armed Forces and was lost in the maritime area south of Ukraine’s coastline.
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01/29/2026
Initial reports claimed that Ukraine’s Air Force had shot down a Russian Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft during operations over southern Ukraine, with the incident initially linked to combat activity near the Black Sea region. The aircraft was first believed to have been engaged during a combat mission in the south, where Russian tactical aviation has routinely operated in support of missile and guided bomb strikes. Early reports stated that the Su-34 was destroyed during the mission.
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01/29/2026
Taiwan's air force showcased its ability to rapidly replenish and get back in the air its most advanced F-16 fighter jets in a readiness drill on Wednesday, designed to demonstrate combat-oriented training. Taiwan's air force scrambles on an almost daily basis to monitor and warn off Chinese aircraft which routinely fly around the island. Taipei views the incursions as part of an ongoing harassment campaign to test and tire out the much smaller Taiwanese forces and exert political pressure.
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01/29/2026
Ukraine and France are working on the transfer of additional Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, as well as missiles for French anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced this following a meeting with his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin.
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01/28/2026
“The purchase of new military transport aircraft is being postponed,” Deividas Matulionis, the president’s chief adviser on national security, told reporters at the Presidential Palace. Last June, Lithuania announced plans to buy three new Embraer C-390 transport planes to replace its existing Spartan aircraft.
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01/28/2026
The Ministry of National Defense tracked five Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The four People’s Liberation Army aircraft did not cross the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. The MND also tracked one Chinese balloon to the northeast of the country.
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01/28/2026
The US has announced plans to hold multi-day military exercises in the Middle East as it deploys what Donald Trump has called an “armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region as part of a tense standoff with Iran. The display of US air power was announced as the White House has suggested it could launch new strikes on Iran after the government’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that has left thousands dead and many more in detention with their fates uncertain.
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01/28/2026
The concept of fifth-generation air warfare was clearly articulated by former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne during the early development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Wynne emphasized a fundamental shift from platform-centric thinking to network-centric operations, where stealth, sensor fusion, and information dominance would define a new era of air combat.
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01/28/2026
Russia has delivered up to six Yak-130 advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, along with at least one Orion combat drone, to Ethiopia, according to Defense Express on January 27, citing images from the Aviation Expo 2026 held at Bishoftu Air Base. Photos from the air show show Yak-130 jets bearing tail numbers 2301 through 2306. The aircraft, produced by Russia’s defense industry, are designed primarily for pilot training but can also perform light combat missions.
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01/27/2026
An elite U.S. Navy test and evaluation squadron, the VX-9 “Vampires” based out of NAWS China Lake, are now flying the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A model. The Navy traditionally flies the carrier-capable F-35C and the Marines fly both the short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B and the F-35C.
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01/27/2026
Sweden’s Armed Forces detected two Russian Su-35S fighter jets and one Tu-22M3 bomber flying over the Baltic Sea on January 23, prompting a response by Swedish Air Force quick reaction alert aircraft.
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01/27/2026
A precision missile strike carried out by Ukraine targeted the Skif-M plant in Belgorod, a facility identified by defense analysts as critical to Russia’s military aircraft production. According to open-source intelligence groups CyberBoroshno and Exilenova+, four domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used in the September 23, 2025 operation. The site is known for supplying specialized tooling essential for manufacturing Su-34, Su-35, Su-57, and MiG aircraft.
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01/27/2026
Indonesia has received three Rafale fighter jets from France in the first deliveries from a multi-billion-dollar defence deal between the two countries, a defence ministry official told Reuters on Monday, marking a major upgrade to the country's ageing military hardware.
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01/27/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump's ambassador to Canada is warning of consequences to the continental defence pact if Canada does not move forward with the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. "NORAD would have to be altered," U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra told CBC News in an exclusive interview at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
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01/26/2026
As previously reported days ago by Zona Militar, the Argentine Air Force confirmed the receipt of a new logistics package intended to support the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters recently received by the institution, aimed at ensuring the start of operations with the weapons system.
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01/26/2026
The US Air Force said Sunday it was about to begin a multi-day readiness exercise across the Middle East “to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower” in the region, amid heightened tensions with Iran. “This exercise reinforces peace through strength by fielding a credible, combat-ready, and responsible presence designed to deter aggression, reduce the risk of miscalculation and assure partners,” a statement released by US Air Forces Central said.
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01/26/2026
Stavatti Aerospace has presented the SM-39 Razor as an independent proposal for the U.S. Navy’s Next Carrier Air Dominance effort, informally known as F/A-XX, intended to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the 2030s. Program assumptions published in January 2026 call for at least 600 aircraft at USD 85 million each—USD 51 billion total—with deliveries planned for 2031–2037 and a training system that includes 50 mission simulators.
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01/26/2026
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has categorically ruled out the transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine, despite support from Czech President Petr Pavel and the country's top military official, according to Idnes. The statement came amid contrasting positions from Czech officials on the potential sale of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine as Kyiv continues to seek international assistance amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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01/25/2026
Owing to shortcomings in the F-35 program—and its F-47 successor—the F-15 Eagle will remain in service with the US Air Force at least into the 2040s. The F-15 Eagle is slowly becoming America’s “Forever Fighter.” That’s because, despite decades of talk regarding the retirement of these fourth-generation warplanes, the United States Air Force just can’t seem to quit these magnificent birds.
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01/25/2026
According to Euronews, Italy is preparing for a parliamentary decision on whether to invest around €9 billion in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) over the coming decade. The project is described as a costly but strategic attempt to strengthen Italy’s technological autonomy after decades of participation in defence programmes dominated by stronger partners.
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01/25/2026
The Czech Armed Forces have no objection to transferring four L-159 combat aircraft to Ukraine. Such a transfer would not threaten the country’s security, but the decision to transfer them is political. This was reported by the publication iROZHLAS, citing a statement by the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Rehka.
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01/24/2026
Morocco is among several countries showing interest in acquiring the JF-17 fighter jet from Pakistan, with ongoing discussions with Islamabad regarding the potential purchase, according to reports from Pakistani media.
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01/24/2026
Yesterday, January 22, Sweden’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) forces intercepted two Russian fighter jets over the Baltic Sea, according to a statement by the Swedish Armed Forces on Twitter (X). It is noted that on Thursday, January 22, Swedish military personnel intercepted two Su-35S fighter jets that were escorting a Tu-22M bomber over the Baltic Sea. "4/7 Air Policing protecting NATO," the statement said.
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01/24/2026
After senior defense officials from Turkey, Qatar and the UK held trilateral talks in Doha, Qatar, Ankara is moving closer to receiving its first Eurofighter Typhoon jets, Daily Sabah reported.
According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) Commander Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadioglu participated in talks with his counterparts from Qatar and the UK focused on the Eurofighter procurement process.
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01/24/2026
RAF Eurofighter Typhoons have deployed to Qatar while US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles move into Jordan and a US carrier strike group heads toward the region. The parallel deployments form part of a broader allied military buildup as Washington sharpens its focus on Iran while publicly stressing deterrence over confrontation.
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01/24/2026
Air Combat Command will hold its distinguished William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet in March after it was postponed last year. Hundreds of Airmen from ACC, Pacific Air Forces, and the Air National Guard competed in the last iteration of the competition in 2023, which ended a 19-year hiatus for the famous contest named after the Swiss folk hero and legendary archer. With a rich history dating back to the 1950s.
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01/24/2026
The United States is preparing Misawa Air Base, one of its major military outposts in Japan for projecting air power, to support the future hosting of stealth fighter aircraft. As part of a plan announced in July 2024 to modernize its Japan-based tactical aircraft, the Pentagon has decided to deploy 48 F-35A jets, capable of evading radar detection, to Misawa to replace 36 older F-16 jets with greater capacity and capability.
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01/23/2026
India's first domestically manufactured C-295 military transport aircraft will roll out of the Vadodara facility before September this year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed during bilateral talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
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01/23/2026
Converting Swiss military airfields to support the future fleet of F-35 fighter jets is behind schedule and over budget, according to a report by federal auditors cited by swissinfo.ch. New infrastructure is required to house and operate the aircraft, which are due to begin arriving from the United States in mid-2027.
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01/22/2026
Evacuations began in the city of Belgorod after a Russian bomb fell on Gubkina Street. The incident was reported by the ASTRA Telegram channel and regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The published video shows the munition embedded deeply in the ground, without detonating.
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01/22/2026
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), a world leader in unmanned aircraft systems, and Calidus Aerospace, one of the leading defence and manufacturing companies, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the prospective co-production of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Gambit Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in the UAE, as well as command and control and battle management systems.
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01/22/2026
January 18 marked the end of the F-16 fighters’ service in Denmark, after completing 46 years of distinguished duty. Nevertheless, the future of the former Royal Danish Air Force combat aircraft is now being decided between Argentina and Ukraine, both countries currently in the process of incorporating them.
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01/22/2026
F-15 crews with the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron played a major role in shooting down Iranian drones launched against Israel nearly two years ago in what the Air Force has described as “the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years.” Now, F-15s from the squadron are back in the Middle East as President Donald Trump reportedly weighs military options for possible strikes against Iran for cracking down on anti-regime protests.
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01/22/2026
The US Navy was the first to pioneer a carrier-based stealth fighter jet, the F-35C Lightning II, and to achieve unrivalled naval capability. However, China is catching up fast, and if the Pentagon doesn’t expedite the next-generation F/A-XX, it risks losing that edge.
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01/21/2026
The Czech Republic’s ruling coalition has moved to block the transfer of its Aero L-159 light combat aircraft to Ukraine, overriding comments by President Petr Pavel and insisting the jets remain essential to national defence. The decision undercuts earlier signals that Prague was preparing to release a small number of the Soviet-era aircraft for Ukraine’s air defence effort, highlighting growing divisions within the Czech government over further military support for Kyiv.
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01/21/2026
For two days in late January, the sightlines at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will briefly blur the familiar boundary between civil aviation and military air power. Amid the steady rhythm of widebody airliners and short-haul traffic, four Dutch F-35 fighter jets and a military transport aircraft will arrive, depart and manoeuvre as part of a carefully planned training exercise by the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force.
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01/21/2026
U.S. and Canadian military aircraft will soon be headed to Greenland for routine defense drills, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement this week. They come amid high tension between the United States and European allies over President Donald Trump’s bid to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
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01/21/2026
Swedish defence giant SAAB has offered 72 Gripen E/F fighter jets and 6 GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to the Canadian Armed Forces, which would generate thousands of jobs in the country. Reiterating its offer, Saab informed the Canadian Armed Forces last week that it could deliver on its promise to create 12,600 jobs locally if Ottawa buys 72 Gripen jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.
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01/21/2026
Italy’s outlay on the design and development of the tri-nation GCAP fighter has tripled from €6 billion to €18.6 billion — or from $7 billion to $21.8 billion — in the last five years, the country’s defense minister has told parliament. The announcement of the price hike came in a request to parliament to authorize the pay-out which prompted criticism from Italy’s opposition Five Star party.
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01/20/2026
US F-15E Strike Eagles appear to be redeploying to the Middle East as the USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Straits of Malacca. The moves come as the US once again seeks to bolster its posture in the region amid dramatic developments in Iran.
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01/20/2026
The German Armed Forces have awarded Top Aces Inc. a 10-year contract worth up to €420 million to deliver advanced air combat training across the Air Force, Army and Navy. Officially titled “Contracted Fast Adversary Air”, the agreement renews a partnership that will run to 2035 and builds on more than a decade of service to the Bundeswehr.
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01/20/2026
Sweden will deploy a Gripen fighter unit to Iceland in February and March 2026 to support NATO’s incident preparedness mission, taking on joint air defense tasks in the Arctic region, the Swedish Armed Forces said on January 19, 2026. The deployment will see a fighter unit equivalent to a fighter division, along with ground personnel from Skaraborg Air Flotilla (F 7), operate from Keflavik Air Base. In Swedish Air Force terminology, a fighter division typically fields around eight to twelve airc
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01/20/2026
Pakistan Air Force has deployed F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia to take part in the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, marking a significant overseas deployment of its frontline combat jets, the military said on Monday. The exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base and includes participation from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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01/19/2026
Two Danish F-35 fighter jets and a French MRTT tanker aircraft carried out a planned training mission in southeastern Greenland on 16 December. The mission focused on practising joint operations, including aerial refuelling, long-range flying and safety procedures in demanding Arctic conditions.
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01/19/2026
Sudan, currently embroiled in a brutal civil war, is the frontline for a regional contest between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—and both nations are intent on their side winning. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are in talks about a major fighter jet deal. This comes on top of the news that the two countries are increasingly connecting their security policies, possibly even on nuclear weapons—with rumors abounding that the Pakistanis have extended a nuclear umbrella over the Saudi Arabia.
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01/19/2026
With the arrival, in early December, of the first six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Argentina, the Argentine Air Force reached the most significant milestone in the incorporation of a new weapons system for the institution. However, as has already been noted, a combat aircraft by itself does not represent a silver bullet for restoring the Nation’s military capabilities. Rather, it is its integration and employment alongside other air, land, and naval platforms, as well as within new operation
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01/19/2026
India is negotiating a major fighter aircraft deal with France to purchase 114 Dassault Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This is an extraordinary move, considering that less than a year ago, the government of India and the French aerospace firm were in a brutal war of words with each other following the poor performance of the French-made Dassault Rafale warplanes in the Indo-Pakistani War that lasted for four days last May.
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01/19/2026
Denmark has formally ended the operational use of its F-16 fighter aircraft during a ceremony at Skrydstrup Air Base, closing a 46-year chapter in the country’s air power history. The event marked the completion of the Danish Air Force’s transition to the F-35A Lightning II as its sole combat aircraft.
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01/18/2026
The Ministry of National Defense tracked 34 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Eighteen of the 34 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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01/18/2026
In an era where modern air combat is defined as much by affordability and adaptability as by raw power, Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder has emerged as one of the most competitive multirole fighter jets in the global market. According to a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Commodore, the aircraft’s growing appeal lies not in trying to outmatch fifth-generation stealth fighters, but in offering a smart, balanced solution for countries seeking reliable air power without unsustainable costs.
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01/18/2026
United States Air Force F-15 fighter jets were spotted flying at low altitude over the eastern Aleppo countryside in northern Syria as Syrian government forces moved into the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units from the area.
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01/18/2026
Yesterday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m. Kyiv time, Italian Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets took off from the Ämari Air Base in Estonia. This was reported by NATO Air Command. They intercepted a Russian Be-200PS search and rescue aircraft of the Russian Navy approaching the Baltic Sea.
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01/17/2026
Long before Finland’s first F-35A reaches Europe, the aircraft’s journey has involved secure U.S. facilities, according to a press release from the U.S. Air Force. As Finland, a NATO member since 2023, prepares to introduce the fighter into service, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations’ Office of Special Projects, known as AFOSI PJ, has been working to secure delivery of the aircraft and its capabilities.
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01/17/2026
Czech President Petr Pavel said that his country will soon deliver combat aircraft to Ukraine capable of intercepting approaching drones, reports Reuters. “The Czech Republic can in relatively short time provide several medium combat planes, which are highly effective in fighting drones, and I believe we will manage to quickly and successfully conclude this issue,” Pavel said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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01/17/2026
Bangladesh appears to be moving with caution as Dhaka and Islamabad forge closer ties and explore a potential defense deal, experts said on Friday. Following decades of acrimonious ties, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have been growing since a student-led uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
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01/16/2026
Poland has decided to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for drone technology. Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Zalewski announced this in an exclusive interview with the TVP World program On the Record. In December, Poland’s military leadership confirmed that talks were ongoing about a potential deal where Poland would receive Ukrainian drone technologies in return for supplying the aircraft.
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01/16/2026
For almost 25 years, Canada operated the NATO Flying Training Centre at 15 Wing Moose Jaw and 4 Wing Cold Lake, training Canadian and allied pilots to become fighter pilots under its Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) program. In March 2024, the FLIT program came to an end when the CT-155 Hawk trainer aircraft were retired from service to begin the required transition to training solutions needed for the RCAF’s future fighter aircraft.
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01/16/2026
NATO member Turkey could soon be the latest alliance nation to deploy combat aircraft to the Baltic countries, to help monitor Russia’s activity in the region, Bloomberg first reported. Since 2004, various member nations have provided continuous air defense for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—the year those three states joined NATO—as none have significant aerial assets to protect the airspace.
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01/15/2026
The Canadian Armed Forces would need to buy 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for Swedish manufacturer Saab to deliver on its pledge of creating 12,600 jobs in Canada, CBC News has learned. Government and industry sources said Saab's proposals for both aircraft are currently being studied by experts in defence matters and economic benefits in Ottawa.
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01/15/2026
Shield AI announced on Wednesday that it has begun wind tunnel testing of its X-Bat unmanned combat aircraft, marking the first major evaluation phase for the company’s next-generation autonomous strike platform. The company said the tests are intended to accelerate design refinement and reduce developmental risk as the aircraft moves toward flight demonstrations.
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01/15/2026
In late 2025, Washington made a potentially decisive move in the race for air dominance by commencing construction on the F-47, with a first flight planned for 2028. This is not a routine modernisation; it heralds a faster-than-expected shift in air warfare, one defined by range, technology, and the ability to operate in heavily contested environments.
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01/15/2026
This new capability will be a feature on the J-20S, the third publicly announced variant of China’s first domestically produced stealth fighter. Unveiled alongside the country’s latest fighters, electronic warfare jets and drones during the 2025 military parade, this twin-seater variant has the potential to bring new capabilities and mission sets into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
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01/14/2026
Northrop Grumman and defense partner Kratos were selected on January 8, to develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) initiative. The Other Transaction Agreement award is worth about $231.5 million and funds a rapid two-year effort.
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01/14/2026
The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
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01/14/2026
On January 1, 2026, NATO member Croatia assumed complete air policing duties, concluding a transition period during which aircraft from the Italian and Hungarian air forces had filled the role. Following the modernization of its air force, Croatia now independently monitors the skies over its homeland—yet it continues to operate 24/7 under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS).
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01/14/2026
China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense confirmed on Jan. 12 that the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory last May, stating that the aircraft downed several adversary aircraft in an aerial engagement without suffering losses.
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01/13/2026
India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. According to new Indian media reports, New Delhi is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large IAF order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to plug growing gaps in its fighter inventory.
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01/13/2026
Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems. As part of the agreement, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.
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01/13/2026
Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player.
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01/13/2026
The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is centered around the F-47, a manned fighter contract that was awarded to Boeing last spring. But the NGAD program contains more than just the F-47—the program also includes unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), for manned-unmanned teaming, and a series of sensors, networks, and other weapons.
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01/13/2026
Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI and is leading the startup’s $200 million Series B funding round to accelerate the integration of “controlled autonomy” and artificial intelligence into future combat aviation systems.
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01/12/2026
The issue of transferring several Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine has been resolved, and technical consultations are ongoing regarding Kyiv's transfer of certain UAV and missile production technologies to Warsaw. These consultations will continue for several more weeks, and the transfer of aircraft may take place in February.
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01/11/2026
The fleet of six Il-78MKI refueling aircraft, introduced more than twenty years ago, has exhausted its service life. It is no longer able to meet the current requirements for long-range operations of the Rafale, Su-30MKI and indigenous Tejas variants. The IAI plans to modify six used Boeing 767s into MMTT multirole refueling aircraft.
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01/11/2026
Last November, the Italian Air Force announced plans to create an international training facility for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Currently, all pilots from allied and partner nations receive their F-35 training at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, following its relocation from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The latter base remains the primary hub for US F-35A pilot training, with Eglin AFB, Florida.
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01/11/2026
Iraq has expressed a keen interest in acquiring Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft as senior air force commanders from both countries held talks in Baghdad, underscoring growing defence cooperation and Islamabad's expanding profile as a supplier of combat aviation platforms.
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01/10/2026
Pakistan is in the final stage of negotiating a defense agreement estimated at around USD 1.5 billion to supply weapons and military aircraft to Sudan, Reuters reported, citing a former senior Pakistani Air Force official and three sources with direct knowledge of the process. If finalized, the contract would not only substantially strengthen the Sudanese Armed Forces in their war against the Rapid Support Forces, but would also have direct implications for the strategic balance in the Red Sea.
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01/10/2026
Russian tactical aviation suffered significant losses in 2025, although formally its numbers even increased at the end of the year. This is stated in an analysis by Polish military observer Maciej Szopa on Defence24. According to a Polish military observer, Russia lost between 18 and 21 combat aircraft of this class during the year.
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01/10/2026
Northrop Grumman and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions are collaborating to build autonomous military drones for the US Marine Corps, the two companies announced this week. The partnership will see Northrop lend its expertise to the development of Kratos’ pilotless Valkyrie drone. Their goal is to prepare the platform to fly alongside crewed Marine Corps fighter jets in high-threat environments.
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01/10/2026
When the United States military launched an operation to fly directly into downtown Caracas and snatch Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, top US officials noted that the invading force was met with limited ground-to-air fire — but they made no mention of any aerial resistance.
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01/10/2026
Less than a week into the new year, after a meeting between Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, the Pakistani military announced that a deal to sell its domestically produced JF-17 Thunder fighter jet could be imminent.
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01/09/2026
At least three American aircraft took off from Wick John O’Groats Airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The planes were assisting with the US seizure of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, which is said to have escaped Donald Trump’s “total naval blockade” of Venezuela. After refusing to comment, the UK’s Ministry of Defence eventually confirmed it took part in the operation, saying it provided “operational support” to the US Air Force.
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01/09/2026
Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it had provided military help to the US forces that seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker north-west of Britain and Ireland, initially arguing the operation was legal because the vessel had breached US sanctions on Iran. John Healey, the defence secretary, said the UK had allowed US aircraft to use bases to prepare for and carry out the mission, while the RAF had provided extra surveillance and the navy refuelling while the final capture was under way.
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01/09/2026
Dassault Aviation slightly exceeded its Rafale delivery target in 2025, but the French manufacturer is still producing its flagship fighter at a pace that leaves customers facing long waits amid intense global demand. In a financial release published on January 7, 2026, Dassault said it delivered 26 Rafale fighters last year, including 15 for export customers and 11 for the French armed forces, compared with guidance for 25 aircraft.
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01/09/2026
Northrop Grumman has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The award combines the company’s autonomous and uncrewed capabilities with the Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-threat environments.
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01/09/2026
Saudi Arabia may become the second Arab country to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet. The reported deal could put Riyadh on track to acquire the most diverse fleet of advanced combat aircraft in the entire Middle East and possibly beyond.
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01/08/2026
A fire broke out in Moscow on the premises of Russia’s United Engine Corporation’s Salyut enterprise, which is part of the state-owned Rostec corporation. According to preliminary information, the fire started in one of the production workshops, the Telegram channel 112 reported. According to the channel’s source, the fire engulfed technological equipment inside a building on Budyonny Avenue.
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01/08/2026
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in discussions to convert approximately $2 billion of Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 fighter jets, according to two Pakistani sources. This move is set to deepen military cooperation between the two countries, following the signing of a mutual defense pact last year, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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01/08/2026
Lockheed Martin reported a record-breaking year for the F-35 Lightning II programme in 2025, delivering 191 aircraft and surpassing the previous annual high of 142 jets. The company said annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter aircraft currently in production, reflecting the scale and maturity of the programme.
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01/08/2026
Though Ukrainian pilots have praised the F-16 itself, they have criticized NATO tactics for relying too much on air superiority—a luxury that Ukraine does not have. The US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon has been one of the most widely adopted fixed-wing combat aircraft of the modern era. The F-16 first flew more than 50 years ago, and although the United States Air Force is no longer acquiring the aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to produce the Fighting Falcon for foreign military sales.
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01/08/2026
Chinese aircraft manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) has conducted the first flight of a J-35A fighter jet intended for the Chinese Air Force in 2026. Photos of the aircraft were published by Chinese military aviation observer Ruprecht_A on the X platform. Local aviation spotters recorded the aircraft in its Chinese Air Force configuration during a test flight over the territory of the manufacturer’s airfield.
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01/08/2026
Taiwan's air force has grounded its F-16 fleet and suspended training missions on the jet after one of the planes and the pilot went missing earlier this week. The search continues for the pilot and aircraft, which officials believe went down following an in-flight "anomaly," but rough seas off the island have made efforts difficult.
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01/07/2026
Taiwan mounted a large-scale emergency response late Tuesday night after a frontline F-16V fighter jet disappeared from radar during a routine training exercise over the waters off its eastern coast. The incident triggered immediate concern at the highest levels of government, with President Lai Ching-te directing all agencies to focus on one goal: bringing the missing pilot home safely.
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01/07/2026
Air chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held detailed discussions on the ‘potential procurement’ of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, reported DAWN on Tuesday, quoting the Inter Services Public Relations of Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan has proved its combat capabilities during two military conflicts with India in 2019 and 2025, according to the report published online by the English language daily of Pakistan.
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01/07/2026
Ukrainian Air Force pilots operating F-16 fighter jets were forced to revise NATO-taught air combat tactics after returning from training abroad, as the methods proved unsuitable for the realities of combat near the front line in Ukraine, according to a report published by Militarnyi citing official Air Force video footage.
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01/07/2026
On January 6, 2026, Reportera indicated that, according to a Korea Aerospace Industries official, the Philippines requested delivery of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet between 2027 and 2029, aligning the timeline with the Philippine Air Force’s Horizon 3 planning cycle. This request is directly connected to ongoing FA-50PH procurement, production capacity considerations, sustainment planning, and the limited availability of fighter aircraft slots on the global market.
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01/07/2026
A newly published video interview with a Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot sheds more light on the operations of the country’s F-16 fleet in its war with Russia. The interview with the pilot, whose name is not provided, is a rare first-hand opportunity to hear about how the Ukrainian Air Force has gone about introducing its first Western fighter jet. The Viper is now heavily engaged on various fronts, combating cruise missiles and drones, as well as striking ground targets.
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01/06/2026
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Chinese military aircraft, including H-6 bombers, J-16 fighters, and a Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft, flew between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island into the Pacific Ocean on December 29, prompting an emergency response by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
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01/06/2026
European air power was once again on display on 2 January 2026, as the United Kingdom and France conducted coordinated strike missions against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria.
Operating under Operation Inherent Resolve, both nations deployed advanced multirole combat aircraft, precision-guided weapons, and aerial refuelling tankers to engage targets near Palmyra, hundreds of miles from their home bases.
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01/06/2026
Iraq is anticipated to sign a deal with France in 2026 to buy 14 Rafale F4 fighter jets for the Iraqi Air Force. According to Avions Legendaires, a French publication specializing in military aviation news, discussions between the two sides are approaching completion. Sources predict that the deal might be finished in the first half of 2026, while others merely say that it will take place next year.
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01/06/2026
Earlier this week, the United States military’s Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, awarded aerospace giant Boeing an $8.6 billion “hybrid cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive” contract for 25 F-15IA aircraft, the modernized variant of the F-15 for the State of Israel. The contract also included an option for 25 additional fighters.
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01/06/2026
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has completed a tactical demonstration advancing the integration of the F-35 Lightning II with the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft in its Joint Simulation Environment. The event showed how advanced modelling and simulation can be used to develop tactics for fifth-generation aircraft operating alongside uncrewed combat systems.
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01/05/2026
“The word integration does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission, an extraction so precise it involved more than 150 aircraft launching across the western hemisphere in close coordination, all coming together in time and place to layer effects for a single purpose, to get an interdiction force into downtown Caracas while maintaining the element of tactical surprise,” he said. “Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission.”
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01/05/2026
The Air National Guard (ANG) is often perceived as a reserve or secondary force to the US Air Force. In reality, the ANG performs a vital national security function, close to home, without the headlines or fanfare associated with the Air Force. Sitting at the crossroads of territorial defense, global operations, and civil response, the ANG is a versatile component of US air power.
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01/04/2026
New footage has been released that seems to show a Chinese Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter flying close to a Taiwanese airbase during a recent military exercise. Purportedly taken during the recent “Justice Mission 2025,” this has sparked debate as to whether the aircraft was able to approach undetected or not.
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01/04/2026
Saab CEO Micael Johansson has said the company is ready to partner with Germany on a future fighter aircraft, presenting itself as an alternative as doubts continue over Europe’s next-generation air combat plans. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Johansson placed the offer in the context of Europe still struggling to move fast enough on defence modernisation nearly four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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01/04/2026
U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets destroyed Venezuelan Air Force aircraft during precision strikes on air bases across Venezuela, according to local reports describing the operation. The reports said Marine Corps F-35s carried out targeted attacks on Venezuelan fighter aviation bases shortly after missile strikes hit areas hosting long-range air defense systems, including S-300V and Buk-M2 units, along with their ammunition depots.
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01/04/2026
It has emerged that Turkey secured the procurement of 10 GE F110 engines from US-based GE Aerospace, the successor to General Electric. The engines are a critical component of Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN, which is being developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
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01/04/2026
While Ukraine’s deep-strike interdiction drones and partisan agents are executing the grand strategy that is taking the offensive to the airfields, factories, and oil refineries of the Russian heartland, nerve centers in Moscow, and the Kremlin arteries of pipelines and railways, back in Ukraine’s homeland theater, more traditional, conventional air power is also being upgraded.
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01/03/2026
The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of 3 P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to Denmark under an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) program, according to a US DSCA’s (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) announcement made on December 29, 2025. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $1.8 billion.
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01/03/2026
Ukraine has reported training nearly 100 cadet pilots during 2025, as part of a broader effort to expand and professionalize its aviation personnel pipeline while continuing combat operations against Russia, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
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01/03/2026
The post-stall maneuvers, like the Cobra, Tail Slide, and Kulbit are often dismissed as airshow tricks, for the sake of entertainment value, but that’s not quite right. Post-stall capabilities reflect deeper technological advances in flight control surfaces, thrust vectoring, and high-alpha aerodynamics. So, from a technological standpoint, post-stall maneuvers are absolutely impressive. The question, however, is how relevant are these capabilities to modern air combat?
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01/03/2026
South Korea is preparing to hand over the first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2026, according to a January 2, 2026, report by Korea JoongAng Daily. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the twin-engine multirole fighter represents the most technically demanding weapons program ever pursued domestically, reflecting years of investment aimed at reducing reliance on foreign combat aircraft while strengthening export competitiveness.
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01/02/2026
Supercruise is sustained supersonic flight without afterburner.Distinguishable from a brief supersonic fast, or afterburner-assisted flight, supercruise is becoming a premium feature of modern fighter design for its offering of efficiency, survivability, and operational flexibility. And although supercruise unlocks supersonic flight, the technology is not about raw speed—it’s about sustained advantage.
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01/02/2026
The Flanker platform is famous for airshow maneuvers, but those maneuvers are not merely for entertainment value; they allow the Flanker to win engagements within visual range. The Russian “Flanker” aircraft is not one aircraft, but a family of fighters derived from the original Su-27. Introduced as the Soviet Union’s answer to the American F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 prioritizes range, payload, and maneuverability—reflecting a distinctive Russian approach to air combat.
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01/02/2026
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday it has confirmed a total of 207 Chinese military aircraft flew around the self-ruled island during the 48 hours until early Wednesday, as China conducted drills seen as a warning against separatism. Of the total plane sightings until 6 a.m., 125 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, the ministry said. The median line was long respected by both sides but has been increasingly ignored by China
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01/02/2026
Baykar's Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet completed its first test flight with Aselsan's KARAT Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system in its final test of 2025, enabling enhanced detection and tracking of low radar cross-section (RCS) targets, including 5th-generation fighter aircraft.
Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar announced the test on his social media account, saying the KARAT IRST was tested during the last Kizilelma flight of 2025.
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01/02/2026
Efforts to break a deadlock in 2025 over plans for a new European fighter jet have been unsuccessful, a German government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. The Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) programme was launched in 2017 to replace France's Rafale jet and the Eurofighter planes used by Germany and Spain.
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01/01/2026
Within the framework of efforts to strengthen aerospace surveillance and control tasks, as well as to combat illicit incursions, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has intensified its interdiction operations in coordination with Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), through the deployment of F-5M Tiger II aircraft and A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.
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