Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Swedish Air Force to deploy Gripen fighters to NATO’s Arctic Sentry operation in High North

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.

India approves $39 billion purchase of 114 Rafale jets ahead of Macron visit

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.

First Russian Su-57 Fighter Jet (Maybe) Spotted in Algeria

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.

China’s new maritime combat drone poised for global success: analysts

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.

Fighter jets or missiles? Rethinking Brunei’s air defence priorities

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?

Did a Chinese Fighter Jet Try to Start a War with Taiwan in December?

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.”

Think Tank Calls for Major Expansion of US Air Force Fleet to Counter China

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.

For US$328.5 million, Lockheed Martin will equip Taiwan’s Air Force F-16 fighter jets with new IRST21 systems

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.

U.S. Marine Corps selects GA-ASI YFQ-42A for MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

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.

The Royal Air Force is sending six F-35B fighters to RAF Akrotiri, a major British airbase in Cyprus—presumably for use against Iran

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.

Erdogan pitches KAAN fighter jet as an alternative to Western warplanes

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.

Chinese Carrier-based Fighter Seen Equipped with New Supersonic Anti-ship Missile

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.

Another Asian Nation Is on Track to Get the F-35 Fighter Jet This Year

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.

Saab Eyes Arming Gripen Fighter Jets With APKWS Rockets Against Drones

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.

Türkiye signals imminent deal with Saudi Arabia on Kaan fighter jet

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.

Azerbaijan linked to possible Gripen E/F agreement

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.

Ukraine secures 150 Swedish Gripens and 100 French Rafales in twin fighter jet deals

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.

The brain behind the mission: Airbus and the future of collaborative combat

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.

Sweden's defence firm SAAB seeks Indian Air Force induction for its Gripen fighter jet

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.

France Prepares to Transfer Mirage 2000 Jets to Ukraine

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.

Report: Morocco 4th in Africa in 2026 Military Aircraft Strength

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.

China’s 11,000-Ton Navy Destroyer Fires Jamming Missiles near Taiwan to Push Back Foreign Military Aircraft

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.

Paraguayan Air Force Super Tucanos Intercept Bolivian Drug Plane

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.

Why Experts Say Canada’s Plan To Ditch The F-35 Is A Strategic Disaster

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.

Royal Danish Air Force deploys F-35 fighter jets alongside United States and Canada in North Atlantic

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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