Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Australia’s missile-capable ‘Ghost Bat’ unmanned aircraft moves toward operational reality

02/19/2026

Australia is moving ahead with the next phase of its MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” collaborative combat aircraft program. The country is expanding production as the system transitions from prototype testing toward operational capability, according to reports.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter in Iran: Symbolic Jab at U.S. Military Buildup or Prelude to Mighty Dragon’s Export?

02/19/2026

Last week, as President Trump ordered USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to move to the Persian Gulf, where USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed along with nine other US warships, a Chinese foreign military attaché based in Tehran presented the commander of the Iranian Air Force with a mock-up of China’s J-20 fighter jet.

UAE–South Korea Defense Cooperation: The KF-21 Factor

02/18/2026

This past summer, UAE Defense Undersecretary Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi climbed into the rear seat of a South Korean KF-21 Boramae prototype for a symbolic “friendship flight” over Sacheon Air Base in South Korea. A few months later, during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Abu Dhabi, Seoul followed up with a far more consequential signal: a reported full value-chain partnership built around joint development, local assembly, and the co-export of future KF-21 variants.

Army successfully tests Apache with new ammunition meant to shred drone swarms

02/18/2026

The Army is one step closer to turning the AH-64 Apache helicopter into a drone-hunting tool. Soldiers recently carried out live-fire tests of a new explosive round specifically designed to take out enemy drones at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

Understanding the Indian Air Force’s Strengths—and Weaknesses

02/18/2026

The Indian Air Force is one of the world’s largest air forces and operates in one of the most complex security environments on earth. The IAF faces a two-front challenge: China to its north and east, and Pakistan to its west. And unlike many Western air forces focused on expeditionary operations, the IAF is built primarily for continental deterrence and high-altitude combat. Though modernizing aggressively, the IAF remains caught between legacy platforms, procurement delays.

Good News: The Philippines Hasn’t Closed the Door on the F-16 After All

02/18/2026

Media reports that the Philippine government had declined to buy the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet may have been premature—though its high price tag remains an obstacle. Last June, the Philippines began reconsidering whether to proceed with the purchase of American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons, even after the sale had received US State Department approval.

Saudi talks with Turkey over KAAN fighter jet spark US pushback: report

02/18/2026

Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Turkey’s next-generation KAAN fighter jet program is attracting pushback from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which views the potential deal as cutting into Washington’s share of the kingdom’s arms market, Middle East Eye reported, citing current and former US officials.

US rushes more than 50 fighter jets to Middle East as Trump sets two-week deadline

02/18/2026

The United States has moved more than 50 advanced fighter jets toward the Middle East over the past two days, a massive show of military force that coincides with a pivotal moment in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, according to open-source flight tracking data and a US official.

Air Force delays arrival of permanent F-15EX Eagle II fighters on Okinawa Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2026-02-17/air-force-eagle-ii-kadena-boeing-20770728.html Source - Stars and Stripes

02/18/2026

The Air Force has delayed delivery of the 18th Wing’s first F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, according to the wing. The wing expects an updated timeline for the aircraft’s arrival this spring, according to an unsigned email from Kadena on Tuesday. The delay is due to a strike at Boeing’s St. Louis plant that occurred from Aug. 4 to Nov. 17, Ann Stefanek, spokeswoman for the secretary of the Air Force, wrote in an email Tuesday.

Australia prepares for next batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ warplane buddy drones

02/18/2026

Australia is one of the pioneers exploring collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs, as it throws its full weight behind Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat platform. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) already has eight Block 1 aircraft in testing. In addition, the first of three Block 2 aircraft ordered in February 2024 is currently performing ground testing and will fly soon, according to the manufacturer.

Russian military aircraft maker reports heavy financial losses

02/16/2026

Russia’s Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex named after Beriev (TANTK Beriev) reported a net loss of more than 5 billion rubles, or approximately $65 million, in 2025, according to financial statements published on Interfax.

Danish F-35 fighters deploy to Iceland for NATO Arctic Sentry training with Swedish and German jets

02/16/2026

Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Keflavik, Iceland on Friday to train alongside Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, marking Denmark’s first contribution to NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity, which began on 13 February. German Eurofighter jets will also be based at Keflavik in the coming period, with all aircraft operating under NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk as part of efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence.

Nigeria tries to catch up with Egypt and Algeria with 46 new fighter jets and helicopters

02/16/2026

Nigeria’s Air Force said on Friday it is accelerating the acquisition of more than 46 advanced fighter jets, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, reaffirming procurement plans first announced in July 2025 as Africa’s major military powers modernise their fleets.

US aircraft, troops reportedly land in Maiduguri

02/16/2026

International media reports at the weekend indicated that United States military aircraft and an initial batch of American troops have arrived in north-east Nigeria, in what many describe as a possible expansion of counter-terrorism cooperation between Nigeria and Washington.

F-21: The Super F-16 ‘Viper’ Fighter The U.S. Air Force Won’t Ever Fly

02/16/2026

Lockheed Martin’s F-21 is a proposed India-tailored evolution of the F-16 Block 70/72, marketed as a “fourth-generation++” fighter with modern AESA radar, upgraded cockpit displays, sensor-fusion style avionics, and open-architecture systems. A central selling point is “Make in India” production through an industrial partnership tied to Tata, with spillover into the global F-16 supply chain.

Chinese fighter jets in 800-meter range tangle with foreign stealth aircraft, PLA claims

02/15/2026

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) claims that one of its fighter jets was able to radar-lock a “foreign” stealth aircraft at close range. Initially reported by the PLA Daily (China’s official military paper), the incident reportedly occurred at a distance of 2,624 feet (800 meters).

Why Is Russia Amassing Su-57 Felon Fighters Near the Chinese Border?

02/15/2026

Reports online indicate that the Russian Aerospace Forces have massed most of its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) fifth-generation fighter fleet at Dzyomgi Air Base in the Khabarovsk region of Russia’s Far East, approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) from the border with Manchuria (Heilongjiang). Satellite imagery shared by OSINT air analyst AviVector on social media showed multiple Su-57s at the remote facility.

Counting military pilots, not fighter jets: The hidden metric behind US air power dominance

02/15/2026

Few air forces list their military pilot strengths, so estimating the number is difficult and requires estimates, sometimes broad estimates. But when doing so, an unmistakable picture of the US dominance emerges.

Belgium wants additional F-35 jets to be ‘as European as possible,’ says defense minister

02/14/2026

As part of discussions between Belgium and US giant Lockheed Martin for a potential deal covering 11 additional F-35A fifth-generation fighter jets, Brussels is pushing hard for hefty domestic industrial returns, according to the country’s defense minister.

U.S. Marine Corps details 2026 aviation plan, sets final AV-8 Harrier flight for June 3 at MCAS Cherry Point

02/14/2026

The U.S. Marine Corps has released its 2026 organizational plans, outlining future steps for its aviation branch as units transition to new combat platforms and retire legacy aircraft. As part of an intensive modernization effort across the armed forces, the Corps will phase out the AV-8 Harrier vertical takeoff aircraft, which will fully give way this year to the F-35B.

Saudi Arabia’s Aging F-15 Eagle Fighters Could Get a Huge New Upgrade Soon

02/14/2026

Even as one door has closed for aerospace giant Boeing in recent weeks, another has opened. Only days after Indonesia announced it would not proceed with a deal to acquire the F-15ID variant of Boeing’s upgraded F-15EX Eagle II twin-engine multi-role fighter, reports circulated that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in the aircraft instead. Riyadh has been a loyal customer of Boeing for many years.

KAAN's crossroads: Saudi Arabia to choose between buying 20 jets or building them

02/14/2026

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in the "final stages" of negotiations with Saudi Arabia over the kingdom's potential participation in Türkiye's next-generation KAAN fighter program, with a decision expected this year, the company's CEO told Breaking Defense on Feb. 12. "It is in the final stages of decision-making process," Turkish Aerospace Industries General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu said at World Defense Show (WDS) 2026.

Air Force Working with Collins, Shield AI to Build Autonomy Software for CCAs

02/14/2026

The Air Force is working with Collins Aerospace and Shield AI to develop the software Collaborative Combat Aircraft will use to fly missions alongside manned fighters, the service revealed Feb. 12—and drone-maker General Atomics was quick to announce it has already flown its YFQ-42A aircraft with Collins’ system.

Canada Pays for F-35 Long-Lead Items Despite Ongoing Fighter Jet Review

02/14/2026

Canada has reportedly begun making payments for “long-lead items” tied to 14 additional F-35 fighter jets despite a contract review triggered by US trade tensions and sovereignty concerns. The purchases involve key components that must be ordered before the delivery of a fully assembled aircraft and were made to ensure that Ottawa maintains its place in the long queue for the stealth aircraft, according to unnamed sources quoted by CBC News.

Swedish Air Force to deploy Gripen fighters to NATO’s Arctic Sentry operation in High North

02/13/2026

Sweden will contribute JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft to the newly established NATO operation Arctic Sentry, aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and the High North, the Swedish Ministry of Defence said. The operation brings together ongoing and future NATO activities in the region to reinforce deterrence and stability.