Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

Australia is sending an aircraft and personnel to the Middle East. Does this mean we are entering the war?

03/11/2026

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is off to another Middle Eastern war, which is likely a surprise to many given how contentious the country’s involvement in the Iraq war was. The Albanese government has decided to send a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with 85 personnel and a supply of air-to-air missiles capable of shooting down drones.

Serbia Armed Its MiG-29 Fighter Jets with Chinese CM-400AKG Missiles

03/11/2026

Serbia has purchased Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-surface missiles for its MiG-29 fighter jets. Analyst Danube Intel published a photo of the aircraft and suggested that the missiles could have been delivered as early as 2025. The MiG-29 fighters also received universal pylons from the Chinese company CATIC, which allow the integration of other missiles and guided bombs.

Iran War Provides Opportunity for Russia To Test U.S. Alaska Defenses

03/11/2026

As the U.S.-led war against Iran’s clerical regime continues apace, Russia is testing American capabilities in another corner of the globe. Two Russian maritime patrol aircraft flew through the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) on March 4. The pair of Tu-142 planes were met by 12 Canadian and American aircraft sent to monitor and intercept the Russian patrol, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

RAF fighter jets shoot down drones targeting UK allies in Middle East

03/11/2026

RAF fighter jets carried out military action to defend Jordan and Bahrain overnight as fighting intensifies in the Middle East. The jets intercepted a drone heading towards Bahrain and took out an uncrewed aerial system to defend Jordan, the Ministry of Defence said. Defence secretary John Healey confirmed the military action and said fragments of a drone that struck the UK base at Akrotiri, Cyprus, were being examined for “foreign military equipment”.

African Air Forces Update Their Fleets

03/11/2026

Some African air forces are overhauling their fleets while weighing affordability, the types of fighter aircraft to buy, and getting rid of older aircraft too expensive to maintain. The air forces are investing in advanced aircraft to deal with terrorists, criminal groups and regional security threats. They also are working toward defense partnerships with such countries as Italy, Türkiye and the United States.

On the flightline with Swedish fighter jets in Iceland, in Cold War 2.0

03/10/2026

It’s harsh here, with blustery winds at the Icelandic air station that the US shut down two decades ago. The gray, hardened aircraft shelters in concrete give a true sense of Cold War 2.0. The six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen C fighters deployed here for Arctic air policing were grounded for two days when Breaking Defense visited the air station with a group of other media.

Australia to send military aircraft to the Gulf

03/10/2026

Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and 85 Defence personnel to the Gulf at the request of the United Arab Emirates to help protect Australians and others in the region, as 12 countries come under attack from Iran. Australian advanced and medium-range air-to-air missiles will also be provided to the UAE. The E-7A Wedgetail is one of Australia’s most sophisticated military planes, and will be deployed for an initial four weeks.

Turkish Deployment of F-16s in Occupied Portion of Cyprus Raises Tensions in Eastern Mediterranean

03/10/2026

Using the regional turmoil sparked by the war against Iran’s clerical regime as a cover, Turkey has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus. Turkey’s March 9 action represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean. It also raises serious legal questions over the export and end use of U.S.-made military equipment.

NCIST mulls Kratos drone collaboration

03/10/2026

Taiwan’s state-run defense research group is mulling developing autonomous “loyal wingman” drones to support fighter jets in a potential collaboration with a US-based manufacturer, a source said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a defense official said the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCIST) has reached out to Kratos Defense in a bid to collaborate in building combat aircraft utilizing technologies featured in the latter’s XQ-58A Valkyrie.

China signals push for military aircraft exports

03/10/2026

A Global Times report said China plans to expand military aircraft exports following what it described as the first overseas combat success of the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet in 2025. The report cites AVIC official Ji Ruidong saying China should shift from exporting individual aircraft to offering integrated combat systems that include fighters, missiles, sensors and communications networks.

Sharp drop in Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan raises questions

03/10/2026

Taiwan has not detected a single Chinese military aircraft around the island for nine of the past 10 days, leaving experts puzzling over the reasons for the dramatic reduction in sorties. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

UK preparing aircraft carrier for possible Middle East deployment

03/09/2026

The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier before a possible deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence has said. Royal Navy workers in Portsmouth are readying HMS Prince of Wales, the navy’s flagship, meaning it could be deployed more quickly if a decision is made to mobilise it to the region.

US transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation

03/09/2026

U.S. military transport aircraft have been spotted arriving at and departing from a U.S. air base in Korea over the past week, raising speculation that the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) may be deploying some of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict involving Iran. According to the real-time flight tracking website Flightradar24, C-5 and C-17 U.S. transport aircraft have landed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.

Türkiye's biggest military move in years: F-16s deployed to Cyprus?

03/09/2026

Türkiye may deploy its F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus, according to Reuters. The development of a corresponding plan to strengthen security in the Eastern Mediterranean became known on March 7, 2026. According to a source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, Ankara is exploring the possibility of permanently or temporarily basing combat aircraft on the island.

Israeli Air Force image shows F-16I Sufa fighter armed with four RAMPAGE stand-off missiles

03/09/2026

The Israeli Air Force has released a new nighttime image showing an F-16I Sufa fighter equipped with four RAMPAGE stand-off missiles. The photograph was published on March 6, 2026, on the service’s official X account and highlights an expanded long-range strike configuration.

US Iran Israel News: Israel Strikes Tehran Airport, Destroys 16 IRGC Aircraft; Over 80 Fighter Jets Strike Military Targets

03/08/2026

Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran with a large-scale overnight air operation targeting key military infrastructure in Tehran. The Israeli military announced that its air force carried out a series of coordinated strikes that destroyed multiple aircraft belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.

UK confirms US military now using British bases for operations against Iran

03/08/2026

The United States has begun using British military bases to support its airstrikes on Iran, the U.K.’s Defense Ministry said Saturday. The ministry said in a post on X that the “defensive operations” were aimed at preventing Iran from firing more missiles across the region.

Still More Fighters, Bombers Set to Join Iran Air War

03/08/2026

The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, defense officials leading the campaign said March 5 at U.S. Central Command headquarters here. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed.

Royal Air Force deploys additional Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Qatar to reinforce UK air presence

03/08/2026

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft have deployed from RAF Coningsby to Qatar to strengthen the United Kingdom’s air presence in the Middle East. The aircraft will integrate with the existing UK Typhoon force already operating in the region.

RAF Typhoon jets to help defend Bahrain, Starmer tells King Hamad

03/07/2026

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ?the king of Bahrain that four jets the UK is deploying to Qatar could be ?used to help ?defend ?the ?kingdom ?from Iranian ?missile and ?drone strikes against Gulf states. “The Prime Minister also offered further defensive ?air cover from these ?jets ?for Bahrain ?to ?bolster their security,” ?Starmer told King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a call ?late on Thursday, according to a readout ?from ?Starmer’s office on Friday.

Turkish fighter jets conduct patrol flights along Iran border amid war

03/07/2026

Turkish Air Force (TurAF) fighter jets are conducting patrol flights along Türkiye's border with Iran as the war between the United States and Iran continues, with aircraft observed flying over the border region near the Yuksekova district of Hakkari province. Aircraft were observed flying at regular intervals along the border line as part of ongoing operations.

S-400 stand-alone use 'most reasonable solution' for F-35 impasse: Defense Minister

03/07/2026

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that Türkiye still considers using the Russian S-400 air defense system in a stand-alone configuration, without NATO integration, as "the most reasonable solution" to the impasse blocking its reinstatement in the F-35 fighter jet program.

Why Didn’t Iran’s Air Force Put Up a Fight Against the United States?

03/07/2026

Iran’s air force was the most powerful in the Middle East in 1979, and nothing about it has changed since then. That’s a big problem for Tehran. Operation Epic Fury has exposed the limitations of Iran’s aging air force. Within the first days of the campaign, US and Israeli forces achieved air superiority over Iranian air space—a contest during which Iranian fighters were largely absent from the skies.

Swiss government reduces F-35 fighter jet order

03/07/2026

Switzerland confirmed it will proceed with the F-35A fighter jet procurement but expects to acquire about 30 aircraft instead of the originally planned 36 due to rising program costs. The Swiss Federal Council will request an additional 394 million Swiss francs from parliament to cover inflation and raw material cost increases while remaining within the voter-approved funding ceiling.