Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

U.S. Marine Corps F-35s neutralize Venezuelan air force assets

01/04/2026

U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets destroyed Venezuelan Air Force aircraft during precision strikes on air bases across Venezuela, according to local reports describing the operation. The reports said Marine Corps F-35s carried out targeted attacks on Venezuelan fighter aviation bases shortly after missile strikes hit areas hosting long-range air defense systems, including S-300V and Buk-M2 units, along with their ammunition depots.

US engines secured for Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet

01/04/2026

It has emerged that Turkey secured the procurement of 10 GE F110 engines from US-based GE Aerospace, the successor to General Electric. The engines are a critical component of Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN, which is being developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Ukrainian Air Superiority 2026 Status Update: Western Weapons Systems to Watch

01/04/2026

While Ukraine’s deep-strike interdiction drones and partisan agents are executing the grand strategy that is taking the offensive to the airfields, factories, and oil refineries of the Russian heartland, nerve centers in Moscow, and the Kremlin arteries of pipelines and railways, back in Ukraine’s homeland theater, more traditional, conventional air power is also being upgraded.

U.S. Approves Possible FMS of 3 P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Denmark

01/03/2026

The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of 3 P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to Denmark under an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) program, according to a US DSCA’s (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) announcement made on December 29, 2025. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $1.8 billion.

Ukraine trained nearly 100 pilots in 2025 as aviation training scales up

01/03/2026

Ukraine has reported training nearly 100 cadet pilots during 2025, as part of a broader effort to expand and professionalize its aviation personnel pipeline while continuing combat operations against Russia, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

How Fighter Pilots Use “Post-Stall Maneuvering” in Air Combat

01/03/2026

The post-stall maneuvers, like the Cobra, Tail Slide, and Kulbit are often dismissed as airshow tricks, for the sake of entertainment value, but that’s not quite right. Post-stall capabilities reflect deeper technological advances in flight control surfaces, thrust vectoring, and high-alpha aerodynamics. So, from a technological standpoint, post-stall maneuvers are absolutely impressive. The question, however, is how relevant are these capabilities to modern air combat?

South Korea to Deliver First Locally Developed KF-21 Boramae Fighter Jets to its Air Force in 2026

01/03/2026

South Korea is preparing to hand over the first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2026, according to a January 2, 2026, report by Korea JoongAng Daily. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the twin-engine multirole fighter represents the most technically demanding weapons program ever pursued domestically, reflecting years of investment aimed at reducing reliance on foreign combat aircraft while strengthening export competitiveness.

Supersonic Without the Burn: The Hidden Power of Supercruise

01/02/2026

Supercruise is sustained supersonic flight without afterburner.Distinguishable from a brief supersonic fast, or afterburner-assisted flight, supercruise is becoming a premium feature of modern fighter design for its offering of efficiency, survivability, and operational flexibility. And although supercruise unlocks supersonic flight, the technology is not about raw speed—it’s about sustained advantage.

Why the Flanker Fights Like No Western Jet

01/02/2026

The Flanker platform is famous for airshow maneuvers, but those maneuvers are not merely for entertainment value; they allow the Flanker to win engagements within visual range. The Russian “Flanker” aircraft is not one aircraft, but a family of fighters derived from the original Su-27. Introduced as the Soviet Union’s answer to the American F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 prioritizes range, payload, and maneuverability—reflecting a distinctive Russian approach to air combat.

Taiwan confirms over 200 Chinese military aircraft during drills

01/02/2026

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday it has confirmed a total of 207 Chinese military aircraft flew around the self-ruled island during the 48 hours until early Wednesday, as China conducted drills seen as a warning against separatism. Of the total plane sightings until 6 a.m., 125 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, the ministry said. The median line was long respected by both sides but has been increasingly ignored by China

Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet makes first flight with Aselsan's KARAT IRST

01/02/2026

Baykar's Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet completed its first test flight with Aselsan's KARAT Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system in its final test of 2025, enabling enhanced detection and tracking of low radar cross-section (RCS) targets, including 5th-generation fighter aircraft. Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar announced the test on his social media account, saying the KARAT IRST was tested during the last Kizilelma flight of 2025.

Berlin says decision postponed on European fighter jet

01/02/2026

Efforts to break a deadlock in 2025 over plans for a new European fighter jet have been unsuccessful, a German government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. The Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) programme was launched in 2017 to replace France's Rafale jet and the Eurofighter planes used by Germany and Spain.

With the deployment of A-29 Super Tucano and F-5M aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force continues to strengthen airspace control in border regions

01/01/2026

Within the framework of efforts to strengthen aerospace surveillance and control tasks, as well as to combat illicit incursions, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has intensified its interdiction operations in coordination with Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), through the deployment of F-5M Tiger II aircraft and A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

90 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line during drill

12/31/2025

From 6am yesterday until 6am today, 14 Chinese warships, eight government vessels and 130 military aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, were detected around Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. The ministry said China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent 130 warplanes and drones during the 24-hour period to "harass" Taiwan, with 90 of them crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line and flying into Taiwanese airspace.

Strategic Reach: Poland Selects Airbus A330 MRTT+ to Power its Future Fighter Fleet

12/31/2025

The contemporary evolution of the Republic of Poland‘s defense posture, specifically within the framework of the Polish Air Force (Sily Powietrzne), represents a sophisticated pivot toward integrated regional hegemony and strategic autonomy within the NATO eastern flank, necessitated by the deteriorating security architecture of Eastern Europe as of December 30, 2025.

China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills

12/31/2025

China's People's Liberation Army staged a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, unleashing a live-fire show of force as part of what it called "Justice Mission 2025" to demonstrate its ability to deter any external armed support for the self-ruled island that it has long insisted is part of its sovereign territory.

Spain Selects Turkish HÜRJET Jet Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft in €2.6bn Deal

12/31/2025

Spain has officially selected the Turkish-built HÜRJET advanced jet trainer for its next-generation pilot training program, committing to a €2.6 billion acquisition covering aircraft, simulators, and long-term support. The decision marks a major milestone for Türkiye’s defense industry and reflects shifting procurement dynamics within NATO.

Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA

12/31/2025

New-build F-15 Eagle fighters are headed to Israel again, with a contract for 25 new F-15IA aircraft placed with Boeing. These will be the first new Eagles that the country has acquired since 1999, when it received the last of its F-15I Ra’am jets and continues the enduring legacy of the F-15 in Israeli Air Force service.

Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 2 military aircraft

12/29/2025

The Ministry of National Defense tracked two Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and two official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday. The two People’s Liberation Army did not cross the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

Turkish unmanned fighter KIZILELMA achieves world 1st autonomous close-formation flight

12/29/2025

Turkish defense company Baykar announced on Sunday that two prototypes of its Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft have successfully carried out the world’s first fully autonomous close-formation flight by jet-powered drones.

Lockheed Martin awarded $3.6 billion contract for logistics support of global F-35 fighter fleet

12/29/2025

On 19 December, the United States Department of War announced the signing of another contract with Lockheed Martin for the provision of logistics support services for the global fleet of multirole combat aircraft from the F-35 Lightning II family. The December agreement is valued at USD 3.6 billion and is to be completed by the end of 2026, with an initial tranche of USD 1.8 billion released at the time of signing.

Japan responds to China with unprecedented number of F-2 Fighters with anti-ship missiles

12/29/2025

On 9 December 2025, at Tsuiki Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), at least 16 F-2 fighter aircraft were observed conducting training flights with each jet carrying four ASM-2 air-to-ship missiles mounted under their main wings. The ASM-2 is an indigenously developed Japanese anti-ship missile with a range exceeding 140 km. It employs an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and is equipped with infrared counter-countermeasures (IRCCM) as well as target discrimination capabilities.

Ukrainian Saboteurs Destroy 4 Russian Fighter Jets

12/28/2025

Last weekend, the Ukrainian Security Service and Ukrainian Military Intelligence were on the hunt for Russian fighter jets. In two separate operations, the Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed four Russian aircraft (a Su-27 Flanker and three Su-30 Flankers). The four aircraft cost approximately $170 million. On Saturday, the GUR used a saboteur to attack the Russian air base in Lipetsk. In a post released by the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, the Ukrainians called the operation “unique.

Advanced AI sustainment solutions to boost effectiveness of US combat aircraft fleet

12/28/2025

A Maryland-based company is set to integrate advanced AI-driven sustainment solutions into the U.S. combat aircraft fleet. For this, Lockheed Martin has partnered with MANTECH, which provides mission-focused technology solutions and services for U.S. defense, intelligence and federal civilian agencies.

Korea Aerospace signs deal to upgrade Philippines' FA-50PH fighter jets

12/27/2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a Korean aircraft manufacturer, said Friday it has signed a deal with the Philippine defense ministry to upgrade the performance of its FA-50 fighter jets operated by the Philippine Air Force. The company said it will carry out a 93 billion-won ($64 million) performance upgrade program for 11 FA-50PH light attack aircraft through 2029.