Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Switzerland Blocks U.S. Military Planes from Airspace Amid Neutrality Concerns

03/16/2026

Switzerland has recently drawn global attention after refusing to allow certain United States military aircraft to pass through its airspace. The decision came during rising tensions in the Middle East and was based on the country’s long-standing policy of neutrality. While the move surprised some observers, it reflects Switzerland’s traditional approach to international conflicts: staying neutral and avoiding involvement in military operations between other nations.

Myanmar junta inducts new Su-30 and K-8 fighter jets in Meiktila to bolster air superiority amid rising civilian casualties

03/16/2026

At a regional air force base in Meiktila on 12 March, the Myanmar military junta commissioned four new combat aircraft into its fleet. This latest induction included two Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter jets and two K-8 Karakorum light attack aircraft, co-developed by China and Pakistan.Myanmar Politics Analysis. This was confirmed to Mizzima by Ko Naung Yoe, a military research officer at the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI).

Large-scale air activities near Taiwan restart

03/16/2026

The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported the return of large-scale Chinese air force activities after their unexplained absence for more than two weeks, which had prompted speculation regarding Beijing’s motives. China usually sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the nation on a daily basis. Interruptions to such routine are generally caused by bad weather.

Inside Pratt & Whitney’s adaptive engine for future fighter jets

03/16/2026

Pratt & Whitney is designing a next-generation adaptive cycle engine that offers on-demand performance and efficiency to future fighter jets. With the US Air Force’s (USAF) aim to stay dominant in the combat environment, Pratt & Whitney’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program will deliver efficiency, power, and versatility during multiple flight regimes.

RAF Fighter Jets Shoot Down Drones Heading Toward Two American Allies After Quick Reaction Alert

03/15/2026

The moment the radar blip appeared, someone in an underground bunker made a split-second call that would send £100 million worth of British engineering screaming through the night sky. The night sky above the Gulf region has become a crowded and dangerous place, and not just for commercial airliners. Just past midnight local time, a fast-moving blip appeared on radar screens, tracked by operators watching for threats approaching Bahrain’s airspace.

Poland scrambles fighter jets amid Russian missile attack on Ukraine

03/15/2026

Poland scrambled military aircraft overnight following Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine, while ground-based reconnaissance and air defense systems were placed on high alert. According to Ukrinform, this was reported on the social media platform X by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.

Five US refueling planes damaged at Saudi base: Report

03/14/2026

Five U.S. Air Force (USAF) refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile strike, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Saturday, as a separate analysis estimated total U.S. military asset losses in the first two weeks of Operation Epic Fury at approximately $3.84 billion.

Greece Eyes €5bln Defense Plan Featuring ‘Iron Dome’ Type Shield

03/14/2026

Athens is preparing a major defense modernization package worth roughly five billion euros, with the highlight being the development and deployment of a multi-layered national air defense system known as the “Achilles’ Shield,” reportedly patterned on Israel’s “Iron Dome”, according to government sources ahead of discussion at a relevant parliamentary committee on Monday.

Romania scrambles F-16 fighter jets over drones in airspace

03/14/2026

Radar systems of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence detected aerial targets north of Tulcea County around 10:00 on Friday, in the area between Chilia Veche and Vylkove. The military scrambled two F-16 Fighting Falcon jets.

Airbus prepares Kratos Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft for first flight with European mission system for German Air Force

03/14/2026

Airbus is preparing two uncrewed combat aircraft based on the Kratos Valkyrie platform for their first flight equipped with a European mission system. The company aims to provide the German Air Force with an operational Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft system by 2029.

Myanmar's military boosts air power as it recaptures a key town

03/14/2026

Myanmar’s military has commissioned new combat aircraft to boost its air capacities, state media reported Friday, as the army steps up efforts to regain territory from resistance forces in the country’s civil war. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper did not specify the number or types of the newly commissioned aircraft, but photos released by the military suggest it received four jet fighters, including two Russian-made Su-30 aircraft widely used for bombing and combat missions.

All Crew Members of U.S. KC-135 Loss in Iraq Confirmed Deceased

03/14/2026

All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq

03/13/2026

At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

KC-135 Crashes In Iraq While Supporting Iran Ops

03/13/2026

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed in western Iraq after a refueling incident involving two aircraft March 12, U.S. Central Command announced.

Russia Quietly Armed Iran’s Air Force for Years, Leaked Files Reveal. Su-35 Jets Expected Next

03/13/2026

An F-35 made history on March 4, 2026, by shooting down a Russian-made aircraft over Tehran—the first confirmed air-to-air kill by the stealth fighter. Leaked documents show how the downed Yak-130 reached Iran.

Fear of defections may have stopped flights

03/13/2026

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could have held off flying military aircraft close to Taiwan over the past two weeks over fear of defections by pilots, Taiwanese researchers said yesterday. The decline in sorties could be due to factors other than US President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2, the experts said at a symposium held by Secure Taiwan Associate Corp.

PLA military flights off Taiwan resume

03/13/2026

China between Wednesday and yesterday sent more military aircraft into a sensitive area off Taiwan following a brief period that saw it mysteriously hold off on the flights. Five Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were detected in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) — a space closely monitored by the military — from 6am on Wednesday to 6am yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

Norway scrambles fighter jets for 2 consecutive days after Russian military aircraft detected

03/13/2026

Norwegian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled for two consecutive days after sensors detected Russian military aircraft in international airspace off Finnmark, the country's armed forces said Wednesday. In a statement, the Norwegian Armed Forces said Norwegian sensors detected Russian Il-20M aircraft off Finnmark’s coast Tuesday and Wednesday. "NOR F-35s from Evenes scrambled, identified and shadowed them," said the statement.

US Scrambles Fighter Jets After Russian Anti-Submarine Aircraft Enter Alaska Defense Zone

03/13/2026

Radar operators monitoring the skies over the North Pacific detected an unusual flight path approaching the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on March 4, 2026. The aircraft were moving along a corridor frequently used during long-range military patrol missions across the Arctic region. Their approach immediately drew attention from defense monitoring systems operated by the United States and Canada.

Inside the Cockpit: How F-35 and Typhoon Work Together to Protect the Skies

03/12/2026

Each aircraft contributes different strengths. Typhoon is a fast, highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter carrying a large weapons load. The F-35, meanwhile, is designed around stealth and advanced sensor fusion-technology that allows it to detect and track threats earlier than conventional aircraft.

Air force expected to conduct exercises this week

03/12/2026

Taiwan’s air force is expected to conduct a series of exercises this week as part of its joint combat tactics specialty course, implementing a combat-like simulated environment, airdefensenews.com wrote on Facebook on Sunday, with Ministry of National Defense sources yesterday appearing to confirm the report.

Lockheed Martin receives $700 million contract to begin production work for additional Danish F-35A Lightning II fighters

03/12/2026

The U.S. Department of War announced on March 9 that it had signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to begin the production process for additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft ordered by Denmark. The agreement marks another step in expanding Denmark’s fleet of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Romania agrees to allow US to use its military bases for Iran missions

03/12/2026

The United States was granted permission to use bases in NATO ally Romania for operations in Iran on Wednesday following a meeting of defense officials in Bucharest. Romanian President Nicusor Dan called a defense council meeting to discuss whether to allow U.S. aircraft to carry out such missions, multiple Romanian news agencies reported Wednesday.

Why Did the US Just Send a Dozen Planes After Two Russian Bombers Near Alaska?

03/12/2026

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed overwhelming force against the two Russian aircraft: two US Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, two F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, four KC-135 Stratotanker air tankers, one E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), two Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, and one CC-150 Polaris air tanker.

Norwegian F-35s intercept Russian spy aircraft during NATO drill

03/12/2026

Norwegian F-35s intercepted Russian intelligence-gathering aircraft two days in a row during an ongoing NATO military exercise here. On March 11 at 9:30 am, the deep and distinctive rumble of two Norwegian fighter jets echoed across the silent, mountainous terrain here in northern Norway, where NATO forces are currently conducting part of the biennial Cold Response 2026 exercise.