Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Kratos adding landing gear-equipped XQ-58 to inventory amid growth in uncrewed fighter scope

04/23/2025

Uncrewed aircraft manufacturer Kratos is modifying one the company’s marquee offerings to match the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) growing ambitions for autonomous fighter jets. The San Diego-based firm has revealed a rendering of its XQ-58 Valkyrie uncrewed jet aircraft featuring a new piece of kit: landing gear.

UAE Signs KF-21 Boramae Fighter Cooperation Deal With South Korea

04/23/2025

South Korea and the UAE have signed a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on the development and operation of Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighters. The agreement was signed by the Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su and UAE Air Force (UAEAF) Major General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi, allowing UAEAF personnel to take part in future exercises and air drills involving the aircraft.

F-35: After Trump, Vance Makes “Verbal Offer” For F-35 Stealth Jets To India; Will Delhi Bite The Bullet?

04/23/2025

The United States has made yet another verbal offer for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft to India. This announcement comes just two months after President Donald Trump first offered the aircraft to India during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This time, however, the offer is more subtle, as it comes from Vice President JD Vance in a speech made during his ongoing visit to India.

Lockheed Will Not Protest NGAD Award to Boeing, Looks to ‘Supercharge’ F-35 Instead

04/23/2025

Lockheed Martin will not protest the Air Force’s selection of Boeing for the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter contract, company president and CEO Jim Taiclet said April 22, explaining that the company now hopes to insert the technology it developed for NGAD into its fifth-generation F-35 and F-22 fighters. “We are not going to protest the NGAD decision of the U.S. government,” Taiclet said on a company earnings call.

KAI aims to position its KF-21 fighter jet as an option to equip the United Arab Emirates Air Force, competing against the U.S.-made F-35

04/22/2025

As part of its efforts to open new markets in the Middle East, South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is advancing the international promotion of its new KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF). The UAE is seeking alternatives to the U.S.-made fifth-generation F-35A, following Washington’s reluctance to authorize a potential sale.

Chinese J-10 fighter fly over US Navy port in Saudi Arabia

04/22/2025

A photograph circulating on social media has raised eyebrows among defense analysts and observers of global military dynamics. The image, posted by the open-source intelligence account MenchOsint on April 20, 2025, shows Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force [PLAAF] J-10 fighter jets flying over King Fahd Port in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. In this key logistical hub, U.S. Navy ships dock to resupply the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

South Korea Planning To Export 100 FA-50 Fighting Eagle Light Attack Aircraft to Egypt – OpEd

04/22/2025

South Korea is well-known for electronics and automobiles. It is now slowly emerging as a top defence producer in the world. Recently, South Korea has signed a deal with Indonesia to produce jointly advanced fighter jets starting in 2026. South Korea is aimed to produce 20 KF-21 fighter jets, The Korean Times newspaper reported.

China's Neighbor Could Buy F-16s in Blow to Xi

04/22/2025

Vietnam may be set to purchase F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, according to a report. The deal would make Vietnam the fifth government in the Asia-Pacific region to acquire F-16 fighter aircraft, as militaries look to strengthen their capabilities amid rising territorial tensions with China, ruled by President Xi Jinping.

RAF fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace

04/21/2025

RAF fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” intelligence aircraft. On Thursday, another two Typhoons were scrambled from the base to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space close to Nato airspace.

Swiss revolt against F-35 deal sparks U.S. defense concerns

04/21/2025

In Switzerland, a nation renowned for its steadfast neutrality and fiscal prudence, a growing wave of public and political opposition is challenging the country’s decision to purchase 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.

Chinese J-10 fighter jets arrive in Egypt

04/21/2025

China has officially confirmed the purpose behind last week’s unexpected arrival of a fleet of Xi’an Y-20 strategic transport aircraft in Egypt. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) dispatched a full detachment, including J-10 fighter jets, to Egypt to participate in the joint air force exercise titled “Eagles of Civilization 2025.” The exercise is scheduled to run from mid-April t

Awaiting Rafales, Boeing Sweetens F-15EX Deal For Indonesia; Offers To Produce 85% Of Fighters Locally

04/21/2025

US defense giant Boeing is courting Indonesia to acquire its F-15EX fighter jets by making the deal much more attractive. According to new reports, Boeing promised that if Indonesia decides to buy the F-15EX fighters, the company will produce 85% of the aircraft locally. This commitment was made by Boeing South East Asia President Penny Burtt during a media briefing on April 15.

Ukraine converts MiG-29UB trainer jets for combat missions

04/19/2025

In a bold move reflecting the dire realities of the ongoing war, Ukraine has converted nine of its MiG-29UB Fulcrum-B aircraft, originally designed for training, into combat-ready jets to counter intensifying Russian air attacks.

Advanced Fighter Market Update

04/19/2025

While major powers like the USA, Europe, and China push forward with 6th-generation fighter concepts, significant global interest and procurement activity remain focused on advanced 4th-, 4.5-, and 5th-generation platforms. Nations balance sophisticated capability requirements against acquisition costs, operational sustainment, and industrial participation goals.

Egypt nears $1B deal for South Korea’s FA-50 jets

04/19/2025

Egypt is on the verge of signing a major defense contract with South Korea for the acquisition of up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft, in a deal estimated to be worth over $1 billion. According to DefenseWeb, Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman confirmed that negotiations with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are nearly complete, and the agreement will include technology transfer.

State of the Air Force 2025

04/19/2025

The Air Force is prepping for a potential showdown with China, seeking cutting-edge technology like stealthy jets and AI-powered drone wingmen. Just two months into the new presidential administration, it learned it will have a new weapon in its arsenal: the first sixth-generation fighter jet. President Donald Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a rendering of the F-47 peeking through a shadowy background, called the jet “virtually unseeable” with “unprecedented power.”

Berlin blocks fighter jet sale to Turkey over Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest

04/19/2025

Germany’s outgoing government is said to have blocked a British proposal to sell dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Turkey after the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, potentially creating significant tensions between London and Berlin. Britain is understood to have been finalising a deal for about 40 of the jets after John Healey, the defence secretary, visited his counterpart in Ankara.

With Over Fifty Aging MiG-29s and Su-27s, Uzbekistan Seeks Replacement From China, Not russia

04/18/2025

Uzbekistan is looking to replace its aging Soviet-era aircraft, and despite plans to order the French Rafale in late 2023, the acquisition hasn't seen much progress since then. Now, Uzbeks may be looking towards China instead, as russian media report with apparent frustration.

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

04/18/2025

On April 6, 2025, Saab Chief Executive Officer Micael Johansson confirmed during an interview with Dagens Industri that negotiations are ongoing with Portugal and Canada regarding the potential acquisition of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. This confirmation follows Portugal’s cancellation of its planned procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and reflects a shift in Lisbon’s defense planning priorities amid evolving geopolitical circumstances.

Turkey seeks return to F-35 programme, considers redirecting USD 1.4 billion from F-16 deal

04/18/2025

According to Turkish defence website TurkDef, which cites senior officials from Turkey’s Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, Ankara is seeking to rejoin the F-35 Lightning II programme and acquire the fifth-generation fighter jets. The report states that Turkey is considering diverting USD 1.4 billion—originally allocated to the F-16 programme—towards the F-35, contingent on approval from the Trump administration for the aircraft sale.

Chinese jets train with Egypt in bold Middle East military move

04/18/2025

In a move that signals a deepening of military ties in an already volatile region, China and Egypt have embarked on their first-ever joint air exercise, dubbed Civilization Eagle 2025. This unprecedented collaboration, which began in mid-April and is set to continue until early May, involves the Chinese People’s Liberation Army [PLA] Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force conducting coordinated flights and tactical training.

Poll shows majority of Swiss oppose purchase of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets

04/17/2025

Switzerland’s decision to acquire 36 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, under a contract signed in 2022, has led to ongoing political debate within the country. The aircraft are scheduled to replace the Swiss Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet and F-5 Tiger jets from 2027 onwards.

Is the UAE preparing to purchase the South Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter jet for its Air Force?

04/17/2025

As reported by Yonhap on April 15, 2025, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea held a joint air defense exercise on Emirati territory involving the South Korean Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The activity marks the first publicly confirmed instance of operational integration of this system in a Middle Eastern setting. Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential UAE acquisition of the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter.

Italian Air Force conduct missile firing campaigns in the UK

04/17/2025

The Italian Air Force practiced missile firings from Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides Range in Scotland. Their campaign assessed the viability of firing Meteor and AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missiles from the Typhoon’s weapon system.

Italy says Britain is not sharing technology on fighter project

04/16/2025

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said Britain is not fully sharing technologies with Italy and Japan in a major project to develop a new fighter jet and urged London to bring down the "barriers of selfishness". In an interview with Reuters, Crosetto emphasised the importance of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aims to develop by 2035 an aircraft that incorporates the most advanced technologies.