Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets

01/15/2026

This new capability will be a feature on the J-20S, the third publicly announced variant of China’s first domestically produced stealth fighter. Unveiled alongside the country’s latest fighters, electronic warfare jets and drones during the 2025 military parade, this twin-seater variant has the potential to bring new capabilities and mission sets into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Northrop Grumman to Develop USMC Collaborative Combat Aircraft

01/14/2026

Northrop Grumman and defense partner Kratos were selected on January 8, to develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) initiative. The Other Transaction Agreement award is worth about $231.5 million and funds a rapid two-year effort.

Navy demonstrates AI-enabled autonomy for future collaborative combat aircraft

01/14/2026

The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Croatian Air Force Dassault Rafales Can Now Patrol Eastern Europe

01/14/2026

On January 1, 2026, NATO member Croatia assumed complete air policing duties, concluding a transition period during which aircraft from the Italian and Hungarian air forces had filled the role. Following the modernization of its air force, Croatia now independently monitors the skies over its homeland—yet it continues to operate 24/7 under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS).

China confirms J-10CE achieves first combat victory

01/14/2026

China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense confirmed on Jan. 12 that the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory last May, stating that the aircraft downed several adversary aircraft in an aerial engagement without suffering losses.

India and France near major deal for 114 Rafale fighters ahead of Macron visit

01/13/2026

India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. According to new Indian media reports, New Delhi is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large IAF order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to plug growing gaps in its fighter inventory.

Dassault Aviation leads $200 million Harmattan AI Series B to support AI integration in combat air systems

01/13/2026

Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems. As part of the agreement, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.

Exclusive: Pakistan and Indonesia closing in on jets and drones defence deal, sources say

01/13/2026

Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player.

The NGAD Program Is More than Just a Fighter Jet

01/13/2026

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is centered around the F-47, a manned fighter contract that was awarded to Boeing last spring. But the NGAD program contains more than just the F-47—the program also includes unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), for manned-unmanned teaming, and a series of sensors, networks, and other weapons.

Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS

01/13/2026

Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI and is leading the startup’s $200 million Series B funding round to accelerate the integration of “controlled autonomy” and artificial intelligence into future combat aviation systems.

Expert: Issue of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine resolved, technical consultations ongoing

01/12/2026

The issue of transferring several Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine has been resolved, and technical consultations are ongoing regarding Kyiv's transfer of certain UAV and missile production technologies to Warsaw. These consultations will continue for several more weeks, and the transfer of aircraft may take place in February.

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.

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.

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.

Pakistan negotiates a $1.5 billion military agreement with Sudan that would include JF-17 Block III 4.5-gen fighter jets

01/10/2026

Pakistan is in the final stage of negotiating a defense agreement estimated at around USD 1.5 billion to supply weapons and military aircraft to Sudan, Reuters reported, citing a former senior Pakistani Air Force official and three sources with direct knowledge of the process. If finalized, the contract would not only substantially strengthen the Sudanese Armed Forces in their war against the Rapid Support Forces, but would also have direct implications for the strategic balance in the Red Sea.

Russia lost up to 21 tactical aircraft in 2025 – Defence24

01/10/2026

Russian tactical aviation suffered significant losses in 2025, although formally its numbers even increased at the end of the year. This is stated in an analysis by Polish military observer Maciej Szopa on Defence24. According to a Polish military observer, Russia lost between 18 and 21 combat aircraft of this class during the year.

US Marines test deadly autonomous drones that can assist crewed fighter jets

01/10/2026

Northrop Grumman and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions are collaborating to build autonomous military drones for the US Marine Corps, the two companies announced this week. The partnership will see Northrop lend its expertise to the development of Kratos’ pilotless Valkyrie drone. Their goal is to prepare the platform to fly alongside crewed Marine Corps fighter jets in high-threat environments.

While the US military grabbed Maduro, where was Venezuela’s air force?

01/10/2026

When the United States military launched an operation to fly directly into downtown Caracas and snatch Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, top US officials noted that the invading force was met with limited ground-to-air fire — but they made no mention of any aerial resistance.

Why is Pakistan selling its JF-17 fighter jets to Bangladesh and others?

01/10/2026

Less than a week into the new year, after a meeting between Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, the Pakistani military announced that a deal to sell its domestically produced JF-17 Thunder fighter jet could be imminent.

US military planes pictured at Scottish airport during tanker seizing operation

01/09/2026

At least three American aircraft took off from Wick John O’Groats Airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The planes were assisting with the US seizure of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, which is said to have escaped Donald Trump’s “total naval blockade” of Venezuela. After refusing to comment, the UK’s Ministry of Defence eventually confirmed it took part in the operation, saying it provided “operational support” to the US Air Force.

UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says

01/09/2026

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it had provided military help to the US forces that seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker north-west of Britain and Ireland, initially arguing the operation was legal because the vessel had breached US sanctions on Iran. John Healey, the defence secretary, said the UK had allowed US aircraft to use bases to prepare for and carry out the mission, while the RAF had provided extra surveillance and the navy refuelling while the final capture was under way.

Dassault Aviation edges past 2025 Rafale target as demand stays high

01/09/2026

Dassault Aviation slightly exceeded its Rafale delivery target in 2025, but the French manufacturer is still producing its flagship fighter at a pace that leaves customers facing long waits amid intense global demand. In a financial release published on January 7, 2026, Dassault said it delivered 26 Rafale fighters last year, including 15 for export customers and 11 for the French armed forces, compared with guidance for 25 aircraft.

Northrop Grumman to develop U.S. Marine Corps collaborative combat aircraft using Kratos Valkyrie UAS

01/09/2026

Northrop Grumman has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The award combines the company’s autonomous and uncrewed capabilities with the Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-threat environments.

F-35s And JF-17s: Saudi Arabia Acquiring Highly Diverse Fighter Fleet

01/09/2026

Saudi Arabia may become the second Arab country to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet. The reported deal could put Riyadh on track to acquire the most diverse fleet of advanced combat aircraft in the entire Middle East and possibly beyond.

Fire Breaks Out at Moscow Factory Producing Engines for Sukhoi Fighter Jets

01/08/2026

A fire broke out in Moscow on the premises of Russia’s United Engine Corporation’s Salyut enterprise, which is part of the state-owned Rostec corporation. According to preliminary information, the fire started in one of the production workshops, the Telegram channel 112 reported. According to the channel’s source, the fire engulfed technological equipment inside a building on Budyonny Avenue.