Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US military planes pictured at Scottish airport during tanker seizing operation

01/09/2026

At least three American aircraft took off from Wick John O’Groats Airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The planes were assisting with the US seizure of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, which is said to have escaped Donald Trump’s “total naval blockade” of Venezuela. After refusing to comment, the UK’s Ministry of Defence eventually confirmed it took part in the operation, saying it provided “operational support” to the US Air Force.

UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says

01/09/2026

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it had provided military help to the US forces that seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker north-west of Britain and Ireland, initially arguing the operation was legal because the vessel had breached US sanctions on Iran. John Healey, the defence secretary, said the UK had allowed US aircraft to use bases to prepare for and carry out the mission, while the RAF had provided extra surveillance and the navy refuelling while the final capture was under way.

Dassault Aviation edges past 2025 Rafale target as demand stays high

01/09/2026

Dassault Aviation slightly exceeded its Rafale delivery target in 2025, but the French manufacturer is still producing its flagship fighter at a pace that leaves customers facing long waits amid intense global demand. In a financial release published on January 7, 2026, Dassault said it delivered 26 Rafale fighters last year, including 15 for export customers and 11 for the French armed forces, compared with guidance for 25 aircraft.

Northrop Grumman to develop U.S. Marine Corps collaborative combat aircraft using Kratos Valkyrie UAS

01/09/2026

Northrop Grumman has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The award combines the company’s autonomous and uncrewed capabilities with the Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-threat environments.

F-35s And JF-17s: Saudi Arabia Acquiring Highly Diverse Fighter Fleet

01/09/2026

Saudi Arabia may become the second Arab country to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet. The reported deal could put Riyadh on track to acquire the most diverse fleet of advanced combat aircraft in the entire Middle East and possibly beyond.

Fire Breaks Out at Moscow Factory Producing Engines for Sukhoi Fighter Jets

01/08/2026

A fire broke out in Moscow on the premises of Russia’s United Engine Corporation’s Salyut enterprise, which is part of the state-owned Rostec corporation. According to preliminary information, the fire started in one of the production workshops, the Telegram channel 112 reported. According to the channel’s source, the fire engulfed technological equipment inside a building on Budyonny Avenue.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia in JF-17 jets-for-loans talks

01/08/2026

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in discussions to convert approximately $2 billion of Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 fighter jets, according to two Pakistani sources. This move is set to deepen military cooperation between the two countries, following the signing of a mutual defense pact last year, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Lockheed Martin F-35 reaches record deliveries and expands combat and global operations in 2025

01/08/2026

Lockheed Martin reported a record-breaking year for the F-35 Lightning II programme in 2025, delivering 191 aircraft and surpassing the previous annual high of 142 jets. The company said annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter aircraft currently in production, reflecting the scale and maturity of the programme.

Ukraine’s F-16 Pilots Think NATO Tactics Don’t Work

01/08/2026

Though Ukrainian pilots have praised the F-16 itself, they have criticized NATO tactics for relying too much on air superiority—a luxury that Ukraine does not have. The US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon has been one of the most widely adopted fixed-wing combat aircraft of the modern era. The F-16 first flew more than 50 years ago, and although the United States Air Force is no longer acquiring the aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to produce the Fighting Falcon for foreign military sales.

China’s First J-35A Fighter Jet for Local Air Force Takes Off in 2026

01/08/2026

Chinese aircraft manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) has conducted the first flight of a J-35A fighter jet intended for the Chinese Air Force in 2026. Photos of the aircraft were published by Chinese military aviation observer Ruprecht_A on the X platform. Local aviation spotters recorded the aircraft in its Chinese Air Force configuration during a test flight over the territory of the manufacturer’s airfield.

Taiwan's F-16 fighter fleet has been grounded after an 'anomaly' saw a jet and its pilot disappear

01/08/2026

Taiwan's air force has grounded its F-16 fleet and suspended training missions on the jet after one of the planes and the pilot went missing earlier this week. The search continues for the pilot and aircraft, which officials believe went down following an in-flight "anomaly," but rough seas off the island have made efforts difficult.

F-16V Fighter Goes Missing Off Taiwan’s Eastern Coast, President Orders All-Out Search for Pilot

01/07/2026

Taiwan mounted a large-scale emergency response late Tuesday night after a frontline F-16V fighter jet disappeared from radar during a routine training exercise over the waters off its eastern coast. The incident triggered immediate concern at the highest levels of government, with President Lai Ching-te directing all agencies to focus on one goal: bringing the missing pilot home safely.

Bangladesh, Pakistan air chiefs discuss fighter jet purchase

01/07/2026

Air chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held detailed discussions on the ‘potential procurement’ of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, reported DAWN on Tuesday, quoting the Inter Services Public Relations of Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan has proved its combat capabilities during two military conflicts with India in 2019 and 2025, according to the report published online by the English language daily of Pakistan.

Ukraine revises F-16 combat tactics for frontline operations

01/07/2026

Ukrainian Air Force pilots operating F-16 fighter jets were forced to revise NATO-taught air combat tactics after returning from training abroad, as the methods proved unsuitable for the realities of combat near the front line in Ukraine, according to a report published by Militarnyi citing official Air Force video footage.

Philippines requests KF-21 fighter jet delivery from South Korea between 2027 and 2029

01/07/2026

On January 6, 2026, Reportera indicated that, according to a Korea Aerospace Industries official, the Philippines requested delivery of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet between 2027 and 2029, aligning the timeline with the Philippine Air Force’s Horizon 3 planning cycle. This request is directly connected to ongoing FA-50PH procurement, production capacity considerations, sustainment planning, and the limited availability of fighter aircraft slots on the global market.

Ukrainian F-16 Pilot’s Account Of The Challenges Of The Air War

01/07/2026

A newly published video interview with a Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot sheds more light on the operations of the country’s F-16 fleet in its war with Russia. The interview with the pilot, whose name is not provided, is a rare first-hand opportunity to hear about how the Ukrainian Air Force has gone about introducing its first Western fighter jet. The Viper is now heavily engaged on various fronts, combating cruise missiles and drones, as well as striking ground targets.

Japan confirms Chinese aircraft fly through Okinawa corridor

01/06/2026

Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Chinese military aircraft, including H-6 bombers, J-16 fighters, and a Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft, flew between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island into the Pacific Ocean on December 29, prompting an emergency response by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

RAF Typhoon and French Rafale strike ISIS targets in Syria under Operation Inherent Resolve

01/06/2026

European air power was once again on display on 2 January 2026, as the United Kingdom and France conducted coordinated strike missions against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria. Operating under Operation Inherent Resolve, both nations deployed advanced multirole combat aircraft, precision-guided weapons, and aerial refuelling tankers to engage targets near Palmyra, hundreds of miles from their home bases.

Iraq, France prepare for Rafale fighter jet deal

01/06/2026

Iraq is anticipated to sign a deal with France in 2026 to buy 14 Rafale F4 fighter jets for the Iraqi Air Force. According to Avions Legendaires, a French publication specializing in military aviation news, discussions between the two sides are approaching completion. Sources predict that the deal might be finished in the first half of 2026, while others merely say that it will take place next year.

America Is Selling Israel Another 25 F-15IA Fighter Jets. Not Everyone Is Happy

01/06/2026

Earlier this week, the United States military’s Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, awarded aerospace giant Boeing an $8.6 billion “hybrid cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive” contract for 25 F-15IA aircraft, the modernized variant of the F-15 for the State of Israel. The contract also included an option for 25 additional fighters.

NAWCAD simulation milestone advances F-35 Lightning II integration with U.S. Navy collaborative combat aircraft

01/06/2026

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has completed a tactical demonstration advancing the integration of the F-35 Lightning II with the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft in its Joint Simulation Environment. The event showed how advanced modelling and simulation can be used to develop tactics for fifth-generation aircraft operating alongside uncrewed combat systems.

150 aircraft, cyber effects and ‘overwhelming force:’ How the Venezuela operation unfolded

01/05/2026

“The word integration does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission, an extraction so precise it involved more than 150 aircraft launching across the western hemisphere in close coordination, all coming together in time and place to layer effects for a single purpose, to get an interdiction force into downtown Caracas while maintaining the element of tactical surprise,” he said. “Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission.”

Why Does America Have an “Air National Guard”?

01/05/2026

The Air National Guard (ANG) is often perceived as a reserve or secondary force to the US Air Force. In reality, the ANG performs a vital national security function, close to home, without the headlines or fanfare associated with the Air Force. Sitting at the crossroads of territorial defense, global operations, and civil response, the ANG is a versatile component of US air power.

China’s stealth fighter jet approached key Taiwanese airbase without detection: Report

01/04/2026

New footage has been released that seems to show a Chinese Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter flying close to a Taiwanese airbase during a recent military exercise. Purportedly taken during the recent “Justice Mission 2025,” this has sparked debate as to whether the aircraft was able to approach undetected or not.

Saab CEO offers Germany fighter partnership as doubts grow over Europe’s air combat plans

01/04/2026

Saab CEO Micael Johansson has said the company is ready to partner with Germany on a future fighter aircraft, presenting itself as an alternative as doubts continue over Europe’s next-generation air combat plans. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Johansson placed the offer in the context of Europe still struggling to move fast enough on defence modernisation nearly four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.