Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Turkey To Declare S-400 ‘Inoperable’ To Gain F-35 Stealth Fighter Deal

10/01/2025

The Trump Administration is exploring a workaround to restore Turkey’s access to F-35s by deeming Ankara’s Russian S-400 “inoperable” after removing a component—an attempt to skirt CAATSA sanctions that Congress must review. Critics warn the reversible fix sets a dangerous precedent: Iran or North Korea could cite it to “disable” systems temporarily while preserving rapid reactivation.

Ministry of Defense Announces Delivery of Gripen Fighters to Ukraine

10/01/2025

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, hinted in a BBC interview that the country anticipates receiving additional combat aircraft, including F-16, as well as French Mirage jets and Swedish Gripen fighters.

Türkiye starts integrating homegrown engines into military platforms

10/01/2025

Türkiye has started fitting its own developed engines into land, air, sea and missile systems, a key move toward full self-reliance in defense.The push, driven by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), aims to cut reliance on foreign parts like engines for home-built platforms.

Taiwan Eyes Rafale Jets to Replace Aging Mirage 2000 Fleet: Dassault CEO

10/01/2025

Taiwan has expressed interest in acquiring Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation to replace its aging Mirage 2000 fleet, according to company Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. Although Taipei has extended the service life of its Mirage 2000s, Trappier noted that Taiwan and other operators may face growing sustainment challenges as production support for the aircraft declines with Dassault’s shift toward the newer Rafale.

Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s

10/01/2025

The Pentagon’s Joint Program Office and manufacturer Lockheed Martin have finalized a deal for roughly $24.3 billion that covers nearly 300 F-35 stealth fighters, the two parties announced Monday evening. The agreement provides for 148 airframes each in production lots 18 and 19, according to a Pentagon contract announcement, concluding negotiations that have stretched on for roughly two years. The deal includes jets for the US government as well as foreign buyers.

Air Force Contemplating B-21-Like Aircraft for Air-to-Air Combat

09/30/2025

The Air Force is studying whether a large flying wing-type stealth aircraft armed with dozens of air-to-air missiles could be an element of its future air superiority force, sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The aircraft could be based on the Northrop Grumman B-21, but the concept is at an early stage and other contractors could potentially have a shot at the work due to Northrop’s limited B-21 production capacity.

Türkiye insists its fighter jet won't depend on any single foreign engine

09/30/2025

Türkiye's indigenous fighter jet program is advancing as planned and will not be dependent on any single foreign engine supplier, according to the country's top defense procurement official late on Sunday. The remarks came shortly after Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye was waiting for approval by the U.S. Congress for deliveries of American-made engines intended for the first batch of the advanced Kaan warplanes.

Why the Expected Swedish Gripen Fighters Are More Than Just Another Jet for Ukraine

09/30/2025

Swedish Gripen has been repeatedly mentioned in discussions about supplying aircraft to Ukraine, but priority was given to the F-16 platform. It seems the situation is changing now. What are the advantages of the Gripen, and what tasks can it perform?

Boeing to relocate Super Hornet upgrade work out of St. Louis facilities

09/30/2025

The company is considering relocating the Super Hornet work to its other sites, starting with its facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and San Antonio, according to the press release. In addition to St. Louis, the modification work is also currently being performed in San Antonio and Jacksonville as well as at the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego.

Russia’s provocations are menacing Nato. The cold war shows how it needs to respond

09/30/2025

Earlier this month, a swarm of Russian drones violated Poland’s borders. Some were shot down. A few days later, another Russian drone overflew Romania en route to Ukraine. The Romanian air defence let it get away. Then, on 19 September, three Russian MiG-31 fighters intruded into Estonia’s airspace. Italian F-35s – in the area on a Nato mission – intercepted the Russians and saw them off.

NATO fighter jets scrambled in Poland as Russia launches deadly strikes on Ukraine

09/29/2025

NATO fighter jets were scrambled and air defense units put on alert in the early hours of Sunday in response to a major Russian drone and missile strike on Ukraine, the Polish Operational Command said in posts to X. "Due to the activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation, which is carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace," the command said in a statement.

Singapore to add U.S.-made fighter jets in Air Force modernization

09/28/2025

Singapore is set to receive the first of its 20 F-35 fighter jets by late 2026, marking an important step in its Air Force modernization, according to the Singapore Defence Ministry. The procurement of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft is part of a “long-term strategy to build up the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s [RSAF] future fighter fleet, which will comprise a diversified fleet of F-35As, F-35Bs and F-15SGs,” the ministry stated.

Massive NATO show of force in Nordic region sends message to Russia

09/28/2025

The bombing mission is the first time fighter jets have flown from an aircraft carrier in the North Sea to reach a target at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland, the easternmost arm of the Baltic Sea. "We can fly the F-18s 1,000 miles (1,600 km), and even longer with aerial refuelling. No problem to reach Finland," said Capt. David J. Dartez, commander of the Air Wing Eight which is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

Denmark says new drone sightings overnight at military installations

09/27/2025

Unidentified drones were observed near military installations in Denmark overnight, the Armed Forces said on Saturday, following several drone incursions near airports and critical infrastructure this week. "The Danish Defence can confirm that drones were observed at several of the Danish Defence's locations last night. Several capabilities were deployed," a spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

Turkish Kizilelma fighter drone completes first armed flight test

09/27/2025

Türkiye's unmanned fighter aircraft Bayraktar Kizilelma completed its first captive flight test successfully, carrying Aselsan's TOLUN precision munition, marking a significant milestone in the drone's weapons integration phase. Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar and the company shared footage of the test on social media platforms, showing the third prototype of Kizilelma carrying two SADAK-4T smart racks, each fitted with one TOLUN small-diameter bomb on external hardpoints.

Dassault chief: Customers want Rafale

09/27/2025

Speaking before the National Assembly, Trappier highlighted that several countries — including India, Qatar, Egypt, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates — are now planning to replace their Mirage 2000 fleets with Rafale fighters.

Russia’s ‘Mach 2.8’ MiG-31 Foxhound Might Be Putin’s Unreplaceable Warplane

09/27/2025

Russia’s MiG-31 remains pivotal thanks to rugged steel/titanium airframes, periodic depot overhauls, and major upgrades. Variants like MiG-31BM add Zaslon-M radar and R-37M shots; MiG-31K carries the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, turning a Cold War interceptor into a long-range strike host.With Mach 2.8 speed, big sensors, and heavy missile loads, the MiG-31 fills a niche Russia can’t readily replace, evidenced by recent NATO-border incidents.

Ukrainian Forces Shoot Down Russian Su-34 Fighter-Bomber Near Zaporizhzhia

09/26/2025

Ukraine’s Defense Forces shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber over the Zaporizhzhia axis on the morning of September 25, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Telegram. The aircraft was downed at around 4 am while conducting strikes on Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs.

India signs $7.5B contract with HAL for 97 Tejas Mk1A jets

09/26/2025

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a landmark contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal, valued at Rs 62,370 crore (around $7.5 billion), was signed in New Delhi on September 25, 2025. It covers 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment.

As drones disrupted Danish airports, they also turned up at an F-35 stealth fighter base

09/26/2025

Amid what it described as a "hybrid attack," NATO ally Denmark said drones were spotted near an airbase housing F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. Drones also disrupted airports across the country. Danish officials reported drone sightings near multiple airports Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, with the military saying it saw drones at "several military installations."

Alaskan NORAD Region conducts Agile Combat Employment from King Salmon

09/26/2025

Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command, under NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, conducted Agile Combat Employment operations at King Salmon Airport, Alaska, from Sept. 8-12, 2025. Four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, conducted Homeland Defense operations from remote airfield King Salmon, demonstrating the capability to conduct Homeland Defense missions from dispersed locations in the Alaskan.

Helsing unveils CA-1 Europa, a European autonomous combat jet

09/26/2025

Helsing has unveiled the CA-1 Europa, an autonomous uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that the company says could be operational within the next four years. The full-scale design study was presented at Grob Aircraft, the German light-aircraft manufacturer that Helsing acquired in June 2025. Development and testing of the platform will take place at Grob’s facilities with support from European partners across the aerospace ecosystem.

Pratt & Whitney advances turbofan technology for future Combat Aircraft

09/26/2025

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has successfully completed a critical round of testing on its small turbofan engine family, paving the way for integration into next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The tests confirmed that thrust levels on these engines can be significantly increased, strengthening their suitability for advanced military applications.

NORAD detects and tracks Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone

09/26/2025

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sept. 24, 2025. NORAD responded with an E-3, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tankers to positively identify and intercept in the Alaskan ADIZ.

The Nato dilemma: when is it right to shoot down a Russian drone?

09/25/2025

Late on a Friday night, a handful of Russian fast jets veer into the airspace of one of Nato’s frontline states with their transponders switched off. Instead of flying parallel to the border and then slipping away as they usually would, this time they make an abrupt turn inland, seemingly heading towards a military facility.