April 15, 2026 Military Aviation News

Russian fighter jets pose challenges

04/15/2026

Norwegian fighter jets were reportedly sent out more than 40 times last year to identify and document a total of 53 Russian fighter jets flying close to Norwegian airspace. During Easter came reports of an unusually close encounter in the Arctic, which Norway regularly patrols on behalf of NATO.

The war in the Middle East delays the delivery of 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets to Morocco by the United Arab Emirates

04/15/2026

Despite the agreement reached in 2024, Morocco will not yet receive the French-made fighter jets, which have been deployed by the UAE’s air defence forces in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

04/15/2026

The MQ-9 Reaper, a staple for the U.S. since the turn of the 21st century, has remained a go-to asset for the military, even as recently as the war with Iran. But over the last few years, the U.S. has lost at least 35 Reaper drones — at least 16 were downed over Iran, 7 were shot by the Houthis in Yemen in Spring 2025, and 12 from other aircraft accidents recorded by the Air Force.

Why Can’t India Talk to Lockheed Martin About the F-35 Anymore?

04/15/2026

Lockheed Martin can no longer directly offer the F-35 to foreign countries; all negotiations for its purchase must go through the US government. It is highly unlikely that India will ever adopt the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation multirole jet fighter—but that will not be for want of trying on America’s part. Last year, in a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, DC, President Donald Trump pitched US military hardware to the South Asian nation.

United States: Air National Guard leaders urge Congress to fund up to 100 new fighter jets annually to modernize aging fleet

04/15/2026

Adjutants general from nearly two dozen U.S. states have urged Congress to support multiyear funding for the Air Force to procure between 72 and 100 new fighter aircraft annually. The request is aimed at modernizing the Active, Guard and Reserve components with platforms including the F-35A Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-15EX Eagle II and F-47.

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