Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Another NATO Country Is in Talks to Buy More F-16s

02/20/2026

Additional US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons could soon find a nest in central Europe, as NATO member Slovakia is reportedly in talks to expand its program of record for the single-engine multirole aircraft. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acknowledged this week that discussions were underway to expand Slovakia’s current order for 14 F-16s to 18.

US questions Saudi Arabia's interest in Turkish KAAN fighter

02/20/2026

The Trump administration is pressing Saudi Arabia for clarity on its potential participation in Türkiye's fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet program, with U.S. officials questioning why the Riyadh would pursue the Turkish jet when American alternatives are 'available'.

US buildup of warships and fighter jets sets stage for potential war with Iran

02/20/2026

The US has deployed 13 warships and a large fleet of aircraft to the Middle East, with a second aircraft carrier also en route, setting the stage for a potential military confrontation with Iran less than a year after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on the country's nuclear facilities.

USS ENTERPRISE: HOW MANY FIGHTER JETS CAN THE NEWEST AIRCRAFT CARRIER HOLD?

02/20/2026

While there are many United States warships, those that are likely the best known are called "Enterprise." The U.S. Navy has been commissioning ships with that name since the first Enterprise defended American supply routes from the British in May 1775. The trend continues with the new USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth ship to be thus named.

Exclusive: Germany seeks more F-35 jets as European fighter programme falters, sources say

02/20/2026

Germany is considering ordering more U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, two sources told Reuters, a move that would deepen Berlin's reliance on American military technology as its joint next-generation fighter programme with France falters. One source said Berlin was in talks that could lead to the purchase of more than 35 additional jets. A second source did not specify the number. Both sources cautioned that the outcome was still uncertain.

Airbus open to two-fighter option for FCAS to keep program alive

02/20/2026

Airbus is open to a “two-fighter solution” to break the deadlock on the future air-combat system that France, Germany and Spain are developing, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said, as work on the next-generation fighter (NGF) that’s part of the program has stalled amid infighting between Airbus and Dassault Aviation.

Australia’s missile-capable ‘Ghost Bat’ unmanned aircraft moves toward operational reality

02/19/2026

Australia is moving ahead with the next phase of its MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” collaborative combat aircraft program. The country is expanding production as the system transitions from prototype testing toward operational capability, according to reports.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter in Iran: Symbolic Jab at U.S. Military Buildup or Prelude to Mighty Dragon’s Export?

02/19/2026

Last week, as President Trump ordered USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to move to the Persian Gulf, where USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed along with nine other US warships, a Chinese foreign military attaché based in Tehran presented the commander of the Iranian Air Force with a mock-up of China’s J-20 fighter jet.

UAE–South Korea Defense Cooperation: The KF-21 Factor

02/18/2026

This past summer, UAE Defense Undersecretary Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi climbed into the rear seat of a South Korean KF-21 Boramae prototype for a symbolic “friendship flight” over Sacheon Air Base in South Korea. A few months later, during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Abu Dhabi, Seoul followed up with a far more consequential signal: a reported full value-chain partnership built around joint development, local assembly, and the co-export of future KF-21 variants.

Army successfully tests Apache with new ammunition meant to shred drone swarms

02/18/2026

The Army is one step closer to turning the AH-64 Apache helicopter into a drone-hunting tool. Soldiers recently carried out live-fire tests of a new explosive round specifically designed to take out enemy drones at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

Understanding the Indian Air Force’s Strengths—and Weaknesses

02/18/2026

The Indian Air Force is one of the world’s largest air forces and operates in one of the most complex security environments on earth. The IAF faces a two-front challenge: China to its north and east, and Pakistan to its west. And unlike many Western air forces focused on expeditionary operations, the IAF is built primarily for continental deterrence and high-altitude combat. Though modernizing aggressively, the IAF remains caught between legacy platforms, procurement delays.

Good News: The Philippines Hasn’t Closed the Door on the F-16 After All

02/18/2026

Media reports that the Philippine government had declined to buy the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet may have been premature—though its high price tag remains an obstacle. Last June, the Philippines began reconsidering whether to proceed with the purchase of American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons, even after the sale had received US State Department approval.

Saudi talks with Turkey over KAAN fighter jet spark US pushback: report

02/18/2026

Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Turkey’s next-generation KAAN fighter jet program is attracting pushback from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which views the potential deal as cutting into Washington’s share of the kingdom’s arms market, Middle East Eye reported, citing current and former US officials.

US rushes more than 50 fighter jets to Middle East as Trump sets two-week deadline

02/18/2026

The United States has moved more than 50 advanced fighter jets toward the Middle East over the past two days, a massive show of military force that coincides with a pivotal moment in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, according to open-source flight tracking data and a US official.

Air Force delays arrival of permanent F-15EX Eagle II fighters on Okinawa Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2026-02-17/air-force-eagle-ii-kadena-boeing-20770728.html Source - Stars and Stripes

02/18/2026

The Air Force has delayed delivery of the 18th Wing’s first F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, according to the wing. The wing expects an updated timeline for the aircraft’s arrival this spring, according to an unsigned email from Kadena on Tuesday. The delay is due to a strike at Boeing’s St. Louis plant that occurred from Aug. 4 to Nov. 17, Ann Stefanek, spokeswoman for the secretary of the Air Force, wrote in an email Tuesday.

Australia prepares for next batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ warplane buddy drones

02/18/2026

Australia is one of the pioneers exploring collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs, as it throws its full weight behind Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat platform. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) already has eight Block 1 aircraft in testing. In addition, the first of three Block 2 aircraft ordered in February 2024 is currently performing ground testing and will fly soon, according to the manufacturer.

Russian military aircraft maker reports heavy financial losses

02/16/2026

Russia’s Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex named after Beriev (TANTK Beriev) reported a net loss of more than 5 billion rubles, or approximately $65 million, in 2025, according to financial statements published on Interfax.

Danish F-35 fighters deploy to Iceland for NATO Arctic Sentry training with Swedish and German jets

02/16/2026

Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Keflavik, Iceland on Friday to train alongside Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, marking Denmark’s first contribution to NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity, which began on 13 February. German Eurofighter jets will also be based at Keflavik in the coming period, with all aircraft operating under NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk as part of efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence.

Nigeria tries to catch up with Egypt and Algeria with 46 new fighter jets and helicopters

02/16/2026

Nigeria’s Air Force said on Friday it is accelerating the acquisition of more than 46 advanced fighter jets, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, reaffirming procurement plans first announced in July 2025 as Africa’s major military powers modernise their fleets.

US aircraft, troops reportedly land in Maiduguri

02/16/2026

International media reports at the weekend indicated that United States military aircraft and an initial batch of American troops have arrived in north-east Nigeria, in what many describe as a possible expansion of counter-terrorism cooperation between Nigeria and Washington.

F-21: The Super F-16 ‘Viper’ Fighter The U.S. Air Force Won’t Ever Fly

02/16/2026

Lockheed Martin’s F-21 is a proposed India-tailored evolution of the F-16 Block 70/72, marketed as a “fourth-generation++” fighter with modern AESA radar, upgraded cockpit displays, sensor-fusion style avionics, and open-architecture systems. A central selling point is “Make in India” production through an industrial partnership tied to Tata, with spillover into the global F-16 supply chain.

Chinese fighter jets in 800-meter range tangle with foreign stealth aircraft, PLA claims

02/15/2026

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) claims that one of its fighter jets was able to radar-lock a “foreign” stealth aircraft at close range. Initially reported by the PLA Daily (China’s official military paper), the incident reportedly occurred at a distance of 2,624 feet (800 meters).

Why Is Russia Amassing Su-57 Felon Fighters Near the Chinese Border?

02/15/2026

Reports online indicate that the Russian Aerospace Forces have massed most of its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) fifth-generation fighter fleet at Dzyomgi Air Base in the Khabarovsk region of Russia’s Far East, approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) from the border with Manchuria (Heilongjiang). Satellite imagery shared by OSINT air analyst AviVector on social media showed multiple Su-57s at the remote facility.

Counting military pilots, not fighter jets: The hidden metric behind US air power dominance

02/15/2026

Few air forces list their military pilot strengths, so estimating the number is difficult and requires estimates, sometimes broad estimates. But when doing so, an unmistakable picture of the US dominance emerges.

Belgium wants additional F-35 jets to be ‘as European as possible,’ says defense minister

02/14/2026

As part of discussions between Belgium and US giant Lockheed Martin for a potential deal covering 11 additional F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets, Brussels is pushing hard for hefty domestic industrial returns, according to the country’s defense minister.