Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Everything We Know About Operation Rising Lion: Israel’s Attack on Iran

06/13/2025

Following days of heightened tension, Israel launched a large attack against Iran in the early hours of Jun. 13, 2025, targeting leadership, nuclear research, and military sites both in Tehran and beyond. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement at around 0100 UTC, in which he said: “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.

Morocco's F-35 fighter jet deal gains momentum with Israeli approval

06/13/2025

The possibility of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR) acquiring F-35A fighter jets is once again gaining momentum. A specialized English-language defense outlet reported on Wednesday, June 11, that Israel has given the green light for the acquisition of 32 aircraft, a key step given Israel’s influence in facilitating the sale of this advanced jet to Arab countries. The deal is estimated to cost around $17 billion over a 45-year period.

Chinese J-15 Fighters Make ‘Unusual Maneuver’ Toward Japanese Surveillance Aircraft

06/13/2025

Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighters came within 50 meters of a Japanese surveillance aircraft in what officials have called an “unusual maneuver,” announced this week. The fighter from aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17) carried out the unusual maneuvers against Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) over the Philippine Sea last weekend.

European Fighter Jet Orders Surge Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

06/13/2025

With much of Europe’s fighter fleets heavily dependent on the U.S., President Donald Trump’s apparent siding with NATO adversaries and calls to annex Canada and Greenland must be causing sleepless nights for some of the alliance’s European leaders. His disruptive words and actions, particularly in targeting tariffs, continue to prompt questions about the reliability of the U.S. as an ally and defense supplier.

Israel strikes dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear program: IDF

06/13/2025

Israel said it has launched a series of strikes against Iran that included dozens of military targets, including the country's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF said the operation, titled "Rising Lion," comes after intelligence identified that Iran has "significantly advanced towards obtaining a nuclear weapon," alleging this capability would allow them to act against Israel.

Taiwanese air force to retire F-5 jets after more than half a century

06/12/2025

Taiwan's Air Force will officially retire its F-5 series jets on July 4 at Hualien Air Base, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Wednesday. Koo made the statement the same day he attended a meeting of the Legislative Yuan Foreign and National Defense Committee to brief lawmakers on the implementation and effectiveness of the Air-Sea Combat Power Improvement Plan and other matters.

Chinese fighter jets in close encounters with MSDF patrol plane over Pacific

06/12/2025

Chinese fighter jets risked collisions with a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C surveillance plane over the high seas in the Pacific Ocean in two close calls over the weekend that the Defense Ministry in Tokyo has characterized as “abnormal approaches.”

Saab achieves AI milestone with Gripen E fighter jet

06/12/2025

Saab has completed the first three test flights integrating Helsing’s artificial intelligence agent Centaur into a Gripen E fighter jet. The flights, conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond program, mark an advance in bringing AI capabilities to military aircraft, said the Swedish aerospace and defense firm.

South Korean fighter jet crashes at Eielson Air Force Base

06/12/2025

A South Korean F-16 fighter jet crashed on takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks Tuesday afternoon. Both crew members ejected and were taken to a local hospital. U.S. Air Force officials say the F-16D Fighting Falcon from the Republic of Korea Air Force crashed on the runway at Eielson at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Indonesia signs $10bn deal to buy 48 Turkish Kaan fighter jets

06/12/2025

Indonesia will purchase 48 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets from Turkey in a deal valued at more than $10bn, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, which has been attended by Turkish defence firms. The deal will span 10 years and includes the co-production of some Kaan jet components in Indonesia.

USAF slashes F-35 buy, boosts next-gen fighter in unconventional 2026 budget proposal

06/12/2025

The Pentagon is proposing to halve its planned F-35 buy and boost funding for the sixth-gen F-47 fighter jet—but many of its 2026 budget-proposal details hinge on the reconciliation legislation still being debated on Capitol Hill. The budget proposal was quietly delivered to Congress yesterday—an unorthodox rollout without the typical public release and background briefings for press.

Cost of Canada's new US-made fighter jet fleet set to rise, watchdog says

06/11/2025

Canada's planned purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin, opens new tab F-35 fighters will cost at least 45% more than initially estimated and the project is also threatened by a pilot shortage, the country's top watchdog reported on Tuesday. Canada, seeking to replace its antiquated fleet of CF-18 jets, announced the C$19-billion ($13.89 billion) deal in January 2023.

Rebels shoot down Myanmar JF-17 fighter jet

06/11/2025

A JF-17 fighter jet operated by the Myanmar Air Force was shot down Tuesday by anti-junta forces in Pale Township, located in the conflict-ridden Sagaing Region. This is the latest blow to the military’s airpower as resistance groups continue to expand the use of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

U.S., UK, French and Finnish Air Forces participate in Atlantic Trident 25 in Finland

06/11/2025

USAF in Europe-Air Forces Africa will participate in Atlantic Trident 25, a joint, multinational exercise bringing together Finnish, French, U.K., and U.S. forces to strengthen fourth- and fifth-generation integration and improve combat readiness, June 16 to 27. Finland will host this iteration of the biannual tactical-level training exercise, marking not only an expansion of the training scenarios, but also the first time it has been hosted outside of the recurring trilateral partners.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft: the key to restoring American air cuperiority

06/11/2025

In the old days, the United States overmatched its enemies by fielding greater numbers of qualitatively superior combat aircraft, flown by the greatest pilots in the world, who counted victory in ratios of many hostile jets destroyed for every one American. Or, in ideal cases, no American losses at all.

Pentagon’s 2026 budget plan includes more than $4B for next-generation Air Force fighter jets

06/11/2025

The Defense Department plans to allocate more than $4 billion in fiscal 2026 to fund development of the Air Force’s F-47 fighter jet and Collaborative Combat Aircraft, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers Tuesday.

The 100-hour War: India Versus Pakistan

06/10/2025

The four-day armed confrontation between the IAF and PAF, which some aerospace analysts refer to as the 100-hour war, has been carefully studied by air power experts worldwide. For others, this has been an invaluable opportunity to compare, in a live air combat environment, the surveillance architecture, command and control structure, and flying skills of Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc pilots and aircraft.

Saab’s early warning technology enables Ukraine to shoot down Russian Su-35 fighter

06/10/2025

A Russian Su-35 fighter jet was recently shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk direction, marking a significant development in Ukraine’s air defence operations. Ukrainian military sources reported that the incident occurred in the morning over Russian territory, likely in the Korenevsky district of the Kursk region.

Trump's vision for a twin-engine F-55 fighter jet faces reality check

06/10/2025

U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of a new, twin-engine version of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet may need to be scaled back due to cost and engineering realities, according to two people familiar with the matter. Speaking in Doha last month, Trump said the new "F-55" would feature "two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35." However, there is a caveat, with Trump saying, "if we get the right price."

Lockheed Martin delivers second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet to Bulgarian Air Force

06/10/2025

The second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet for the Bulgarian Air Force arrived in Bulgaria on Sunday, 8 June, the Ministry of Defence announced. The aircraft landed at 15:26 local time at the Graf Ignatievo Third Air Base. It was welcomed by Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, and Colonel Metodi Orlov, Commander of the Third Air Base. The newly arrived jet is a single-seat combat aircraft with tail number 313.

Ukraine says it hit Russian MiG-31, Su-30/34 fighter jets following attack on airfield

06/10/2025

A Ukrainian strike allegedly damaged two Russian military aircraft — a MiG-31 and either a Su-30 or Su-34 fighter jet — at an airfield used to launch Kinzhal missile attacks, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 9. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, the military said.

Hungary modernises Air Force with L-39 Skyfox jets

06/09/2025

Hungary has officially received its first L-39 Skyfox aircraft as part of a modernisation effort for its air force, under a defence deal with the Czech company Aero Vodochody. The jets, announced on May 30, 2025, will serve as advanced trainers and reconnaissance platforms, forming the second tier of pilot training after propeller-driven Zlin aircraft.

Pakistan Secures Largest Ever Defense Export Deal to Deliver 40 JF-17 Fighter Jets to Azerbaijan

06/09/2025

The Pakistani Government announced on June 6, 2025, through its official X account, the signing of a $4.6 billion defense agreement with Azerbaijan for the sale of 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, accompanied by a $2 billion investment package. This record-breaking deal not only marks Pakistan’s largest defense export in its history but also signals a major strategic alignment between two nations that have steadily cultivated deeper ties over the past decade.

Pakistan confirms acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth fighters and integrated air defence systems

06/09/2025

Pakistan has officially confirmed the acquisition of up to 40 Chinese J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, making it the first international operator of China’s newest stealth aircraft. The deal marks one of Pakistan’s most significant military modernisation efforts in recent years.

US Air Force sets up new experimental unit to test drone and fighter jet teamwork

06/09/2025

The Experimental Operations Unit of the 53rd Wing is tasked with ensuring uncrewed systems like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft are both technically advanced and tactically integrated from the outset.

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