January 11, 2026 Military Aviation News

India Allocates $1 Billion to Replace Russian Il-78MKI Refueling Aircraft

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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Italy Is Breaking Ground on Europe’s First F-35 Training Center

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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JF-17 gains traction as Iraq explores fighter jet purchase

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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