Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

India Will Receive Decommissioned Jaguars from Oman to Maintain its Own Aircraft Fleet

12/16/2025

India has agreed with Oman to transfer decommissioned SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers as part of efforts to support the current fleet of this type of aircraft in the country’s Air Force. This was reported by the aviation publication Scramble. Omani Jaguars were decommissioned back in 2014. In total, the country received 27 aircraft of various modifications, which began to be delivered in the late 1970s.

Diehl Aerospace develops tablet-based control interface to link Eurofighter pilots with UAVs

12/16/2025

Diehl Aerospace is developing a new technology that will allow fighter pilots, including those flying the Eurofighter, to interact directly with unmanned aerial systems and other mission-related platforms. The initiative aims to expand the operational capabilities of existing fighter aircraft and prepare them for future, network-centric combat scenarios.

Unknown Source Fires Laser at US Fighter Jets Landing at NATO Ally Base

12/16/2025

Authorities in Germany have launched a criminal probe into apparent laser attacks on U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16 pilots approaching a NATO base in the west of the country earlier this month. On three occasions, fighter jet pilots were approaching Spangdahlem Air Base "when unknown persons targeted the aircraft with a blue laser beam," German police said in a statement.

Lockheed Martin completes production of initial F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria, Slovakia

12/16/2025

Lockheed Martin has completed production of all F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the initial fleets of Bulgaria and Slovakia. The aircraft are intended to equip both air forces for NATO and allied operations. The aircraft were manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina. They have completed DD250 final acceptance under the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales programme.

Peruvian Air Force acquisition plan for 24 combat aircraft faces procurement scrutiny

12/16/2025

Peru’s Contraloría, the national audit watchdog, reported procedural observations on December 12 regarding the technical dossier for the Peruvian Air Force’s planned acquisition of 24 new fighter jets. The observations target the validation process of the Air Force’s technical documents, a step required before information is submitted to the Armed Forces Procurement Agency for negotiations with foreign vendors.

A fifth-gen frontier: Algeria’s Su-57 signals a new order in the Maghreb

12/16/2025

When the head of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Vadim Badekha, went on record in November to announce that the first Su-57 fighters had been delivered to a foreign customer and were already on combat duty, he did not need to say “Algeria.” He simply noted that the aircraft were “demonstrating their best qualities” and that “our customer is satisfied,” and left it at that.

India Can’t Give Up Its Jaguar Strike Aircraft

12/16/2025

India, now the sole operator of the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft, is to acquire surplus examples of the Cold War-era jets from Oman, which retired the type in 2014. The decision reflects the continued value of the Jaguar to the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also points to the service’s shrinking fighter force and delays in acquiring new equipment.

US military aircraft approved to operate from Dominican Republic

12/15/2025

The Dominican Republic government has authorized several United States military aircraft to land and operate in the country in the coming days as part of an operational support deployment in the Caribbean. According to officials, the aircraft have been granted temporary permits to operate from restricted areas at San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport. The cooperation agreement allows for surveillance, transport, and technical support missions.

Combat Rescue Aircraft, Tankers Arrive In Caribbean As U.S. Military Buildup Accelerates

12/15/2025

The Pentagon is continuing to rapidly add military capabilities to Operation Southern Spear, a mission that began as a counter-narcotics effort but is increasingly aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Images emerged online today of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) aircraft having arrived in Puerto Rico. In addition, KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelers are now flying missions out of the Dominican Republic.

As it negotiates return to F-35 programme, Ankara holds on to Russian S-400s

12/14/2025

Turkey and the United States are discussing the US sanctions and obstacles to Ankara rejoining the F-35 jet programme but nothing has changed with respect to its possession of Russian S-400 air defences, the defence ministry said on Friday. The NATO allies have been at loggerheads since 2020 when Washington removed Ankara from Lockheed Martin’s fighter jet programme and imposed sanctions over Turkey’s acquisition of the S-400s, which Washington calls a security threat.

Taiwan tracks 2 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels

12/14/2025

The defense ministry detected two Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Neither of the aircraft were reported to have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait nor to have entered the air defense identification zone. Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the Chinese activity.

Sorry, Russia: India Just Doesn’t Want Your Fifth-Gen Fighter

12/14/2025

India won’t be “quitting” Russia anytime soon, as it still needs Russian military platforms, but New Delhi is all-in on developing indigenous platforms. Indian news outlet The Hindu reported that New Delhi is no closer to finalizing a deal for the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57 following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the country than it was in March. If anything, India may be less interested in the fifth-generation fighter, even as Russia has offered a co-production deal.

Why Are All Modern Fighter Jets “Multirole” Aircraft?

12/14/2025

As fighter jets have grown more and more expensive, pressure has mounted on modern air forces to enable those aircraft to carry out multiple distinct missions. The term “multirole fighter” is thrown around a lot in the modern era, one of the most common levels applied to modern combat aircraft, often without much precision. Many assume the definition applies to any fighter that can also drop bombs, giving it a semblance of ground attack capability as well as its more traditional role as a dogfig

No Link 22 For Pakistan’s F-16 Jets! Why U.S. Only Trusts 7 Allies With Its Most Secure Air Combat Network?

12/14/2025

Announced on December 8, 2025, via a formal notification to Congress from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal includes cutting-edge avionics, secure communication systems, and comprehensive sustainment support to keep these Cold War-era jets in service until the 2040s. The package breaks down into two main buckets: $37 million for “major defense equipment” and $649 million for the nuts-and-bolts extras like software tweaks, training programs, and logistical backbone.

Finland authorises procurement of AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM missiles for future F-35A fighter fleet

12/13/2025

Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to procure AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles from the United States. The missiles will be compatible with the F-35A multi-role combat aircraft and will supplement the armament of Finland’s future F-35 fleet.

U.S. boosts airpower presence near Venezuelan airspace

12/13/2025

The Pentagon is rapidly expanding U.S. military capabilities tied to Operation Southern Spear, a mission that began as a counter-narcotics effort but is increasingly focused on pressure against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

While France Stalls FCAS, General Atomics Offers Germany Its Gambit Fighter Drone

12/13/2025

While the French create problems with the FCAS sixth-generation fighter project, a serious competitor from the U.S. has appeared in Europe. And we're talking about General Atomics, which wants to sell Germany and other countries in the region its Gambit unmanned fighter. So, a mockup of the European variant of this UAV was presented at the German airport Oberpfaffenhofen. This is promoted as a low-risk and realistic solution for enhancing capabilities in the

While final decisions are still pending, Peru has approved the second tranche of funding for the purchase of 24 new multirole fighter jets

12/13/2025

In the midst of the wait for the definition of the future multirole fighter that will be chosen to renew the combat fleet of the Peruvian Air Force, Congress approved the second tranche of financing destined for the acquisition of 24 next-generation fighter aircraft. The measure was formalized in the Public Sector Borrowing Law for the 2026 fiscal year.

Swiss to reduce F-35 fighter jet order from US as costs rise

12/13/2025

Switzerland said on Friday it would reduce the number of Lockheed Martin, opens new tab F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it is buying from the United States so it can stick to the original budget plan after the cost of the order rose. Bern chose the F-35A as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021 for what it considered a fixed price of 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.54 billion) for 36 jets. The United States later said that sum was a misunderstanding.

US Air Force pilots finally have a training jet built for a modern air war of stealth fighters and bombers

12/13/2025

US Air Force pilots have a new training aircraft, the T-7 Red Hawk, promising to prepare them to fly fifth-generation fighters, stealth bombers, and the US' planned sixth-generation fighter. The first T-7 Red Hawk trainer, made by Boeing, arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas this month. The new training aircraft will replace Northrop Grumman's T-38 Talon, which pilots have been training on for six decades.

Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Just Got The Engine It Always Needed

12/12/2025

Russia’s Su-57 began life powered by the AL-41F1/117S, a deeply modernized Su-27 engine used as a stopgap while a true 5th-generation powerplant was developed. That engine, now designated AL-51F1 (177S), only flew on a Su-57 testbed in 2017 and has just entered low-rate production.

Aircraft Carriers, Marines And Bombers: What The U.S. Miliary Is Really Signaling To Venezuela

12/12/2025

The U.S. military buildup around Venezuela is no routine counternarcotics mission. Washington is assembling a carrier strike group, amphibious forces, long-range bombers, and dense ISR coverage to coerce Nicolás Maduro into dismantling the foothold China, Russia, and Iran have built inside the Western Hemisphere.

Russia deploys two dozen new combat aircraft in 2025

12/12/2025

Ukrainian sources say Russia’s defense industry delivered roughly 14 Su-34 frontline bombers and about 10 Su-35S fighter jets to its armed forces in 2025, expanding Moscow’s tactical aviation inventory as the war enters its fourth year.

Germany, France, Spain move to end deadlock in fighter jet dispute

12/12/2025

Germany, France and Spain will try this week to break a deadlock over Europe’s next-generation fighter jet programme, a project worth up to 100 billion euros ($117 billion) seen as vital for the region’s defence ambitions as the war in Ukraine grinds on. The push for progress at talks between the countries' defence ministers follows mounting political pressure to salvage the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), launched more than eight years ago but stalled by industrial rivalries.

US bombers join Japanese jets in show of force after China-Russia drills, Tokyo says

12/12/2025

U.S. nuclear-capable bombers flew over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese fighter jets on Wednesday, Tokyo said, in a show of force following Chinese and Russian drills in the skies and seas around U.S. allies Japan and South Korea. Japan and the U.S. "reaffirmed their strong resolve to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force and confirmed the readiness posture of both the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces," Japan's defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday.