Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Sweden and UK conduct joint Viking flame trials to advance next generation aircraft countermeasures

12/02/2025

Swedish and British armed forces conducted the Viking flame trials at Donna Nook Air Weapons Range in Lincolnshire between 10 and 14 November. The aim was to strengthen self protection capabilities and improve the survivability of NATO combat aircraft.

S. Korea Ramps Up Homegrown Fighter Engine Initiatives With New Interagency Task Force

12/02/2025

South Korea has formed a government-wide task force to push the development of a locally manufactured engine for next-generation fighter aircraft, according to local media. The ministerial group consists of agencies for industry, land, and defense, with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Korea AeroSpace Administration directing coordination.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Flies at the Dubai Airshow

12/02/2025

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth multirole combat aircraft that originated from the U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.1 Classified as a fifth-generation fighter, it is designed for both air superiority and strike missions, while also possessing advanced electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Russia to donate Su-30 and Su-35 fighter jets to East African nation in exchange for naval base access

12/02/2025

The Sudanese Defence Ministry is reportedly in talks with Russia to acquire Su-30 and Su-35 fighter aircraft, which would be provided in exchange for rights to build a major naval facility on the Red Sea, according to Military Watch Magazine. The development comes as Russia pushes to establish a permanent naval base in Africa, while Sudan seeks additional weapons for its ongoing conflict, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from Western powers, particularly the United States.

NATO air defences scrambled again after 4 Russian fighter jets spark alarm

12/01/2025

NATO has once again been forced into action after four Russian fighter jets sparked an urgent response near the border with Poland. The MiG-31 aircraft flew towards Russia's western border, Bild am Sonntag reported, citing NATO sources. Poland and Germany both placed their air defence systems on high alert.

Czech F-35 programme progresses with joint Pardubice training involving U.S. Air Force instructors

12/01/2025

Training for the Czech Republic’s future F-35 pilots moved forward last week as members of the 211th Tactical Squadron completed simulator exercises at the Tactical Simulation Centre in Pardubice. The sessions ran from 10 to 14 November and included instructors from the United States Air Force who specialise in the fifth-generation aircraft.

YES To Su-57, NO To GCAP! India’s Acquisition Of Russian Stealth Jets May Hinge On Adversary’s 5th-Gen Plans

12/01/2025

Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth-fighter once again enthralled the spectators at the recent Dubai air show. As India prepares to host Putin, defence cooperation has moved to the centre. Expectations around Putin’s visit are high. S-400 is expected to be the star point of discussion. There could be some discussions on Su-57 collaboration as well.

Philippines eyes acquiring most advanced South Korea fighter jet

12/01/2025

The Philippines is eyeing the acquisition of the most advanced fighter jet made by South Korea, the KF-21. An official of Korea Aerospace Industries told The STAR that KAI is in talks with the Department of National Defense and Philippine Air Force for the procurement of the 4.5-generation fighter jets for the PAF.

Turkish fighter-like drone hits jet-powered target

12/01/2025

Baykar’s KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft has achieved a breakthrough moment in aviation, completing the world’s first confirmed shoot-down of a jet-powered target using a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The test, conducted over Sinop, took place before the UCAV has even entered operational service.

Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Armed With Supersonic Missiles Buzz NATO Airspace

11/30/2025

Russia conducted a high-visibility patrol over the Baltic Sea involving Tu-22M3 long-range bombers armed with Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on November 27. The aircraft were accompanied by Su-35S and Su-27 fighter jets throughout the more than five-hour flight in international airspace.

Brazilian Air Force fires first Meteor air-to-air missile from Saab Gripen fighter jet

11/30/2025

On November 27, 2025, the Brazilian Air Force performed the first live launch of the Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile from a Saab F-39E Gripen. The test, made during the EXTEC BVR-X exercise near Natal Air Base, was conducted in a scenario designed to test the missile and the fighter jet against high-speed aerial targets in conditions intended to reproduce complex operational environments.

Baykar’s KIZILELMA achieves virtual F-16 strike in major test of Turkish unmanned fighter

11/30/2025

Baykar Technologies has announced a major milestone for Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar KIZILELMA, which achieved a direct virtual hit on a Turkish Air Force F-16 during a simulated firing test. The trial took place on 19 November 2025 over Tekirdag, with two F-16s participating in the scenario.

Saab delivers eleventh Gripen E fighter to Brazilian Air Force as binational programme advances

11/29/2025

Saab has delivered another F-39E Gripen to the Brazilian Air Force, with aircraft 4111 landing at Anápolis Air Base at 10:26 on 19 November after a one-hour and three-minute flight from Navegantes. The jet, piloted by Major Thiago Camargo, is now the eleventh Gripen to arrive in Brazil.

F-35 Crushed Gripen-E Jets In Leaked Canadian Military Test; Saab’s New Campaign Runs Into Bitter Reality

11/29/2025

Newly leaked data shows that the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was the top-scoring aircraft in Canada’s fighter jet competition, outmatching Saab’s Gripen E by a massive margin. In a 2021 evaluation conducted by Canada’s Department of National Defense, the F-35 received a 95% rating for military capabilities. The Gripen-E finished with a score of 33%, scoring 19.8 points out of 60, according to data obtained by Radio-Canada.

Ukrainian pilot says his French Mirage 2000 fighter has a 98% kill rate against Russian drones and missiles

11/29/2025

A Ukrainian crew operating one of their country's few Dassault Mirage 2000s said their French-built fighter has been nearly 100% effective against Russia's weapons. The Ukrainian Air Force released a video about the fourth-generation combat jet on Wednesday, in which a Mirage pilot and several technicians discussed the aircraft at a forward airstrip.

As General Caine flies out, 2 US military aircraft reportedly touch down in Tobago

11/27/2025

One day after US top military officer General Dan Caine arrived in Trinidad and met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, two US military aircraft are believed to have departed from Scarborough Tobago, headed to North America.

French Mirage 2000 fighter jet shown in action in Ukrainian skies

11/27/2025

The Ukrainian Air Force has released a video showing a French Mirage 2000 fighter jet in action during a combat sortie. In the video, pilots talk about their impressions of the aircraft and demonstrate the launch of a Magic 2 missile. The video was posted on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

Why No One Touched The F-35 Fighters Escorting B-2 Stealth Bombers Over Iran

11/27/2025

Expert Reuben F. Johnson pairs a personal story of a lost naval aviator with the F-35’s combat debut as both “tip of the spear” and “tail-end Charlie” over Iran. During Operation Midnight Hammer, F-35s escorted B-2 bombers hundreds of miles into Iranian airspace, then loitered to hunt surface-to-air missile sites and cover the raid’s egress — the most vulnerable phase of any strike.

U.S. Air Guard gets new advanced Eagle fighter jet

11/27/2025

Boeing announced on Tuesday that a new F-15EX fighter aircraft, designated EX15, has been officially delivered to the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, marking the unit’s eighth aircraft of the type and adding momentum to the U.S. Air Force’s growing fleet of upgraded Eagles.

Dassault and Thales to develop AI for crewed and uncrewed combat aircraft

11/27/2025

Dassault Aviation and Thales have entered a long-term strategic partnership to develop “controlled and supervised” artificial intelligence (AI) for future air combat applications, the two companies announced on November 25, 2025. The agreement was signed on November 18, 2025, by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Thales CEO Patrice Caine, and unveiled at the International Adopt AI Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Chinese Drone Incursion Prompts Japanese Fighter Jet Scramble Near Yonaguni Island

11/26/2025

Japan scrambled JASDF fighter aircraft after a presumed Chinese high altitude surveillance drone passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan on November 24, 2025. The incident comes as Tokyo prepares to station a new Type 03 Chu SAM unit on Yonaguni, a move that strengthens air defense coverage across one of the most sensitive points in the first island chain.

A German Factory Is Now Building Its First F-35A Fighter Jet

11/26/2025

Construction has continued on NATO member Germany’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, the US-based aerospace firm confirmed. A ceremony marking the signing off on the center-fuselage bulkhead and start of final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility was held last week.

Saudi Arabia in talks with General Atomics for up to 200 Gambit Collaborative Combat Aircraft

11/26/2025

On November 18, 2025, Breaking Defense reported that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' ongoing talks with Saudi Arabia now include up to 200 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) based on the Gambit family and 130 MQ-9B drones. At the Dubai Airshow, the company's president, David Alexander, noted that production options inside the Kingdom are being analyzed due to the size of the potential order, one of the largest regional opportunities in the company’s history.

Defense chiefs of Japan, UK, Italy discuss joint development of fighter aircraft

11/26/2025

The defense chiefs of Japan, the UK and Italy on Tuesday discussed their trilateral collaboration to jointly develop the next-generation fighter aircraft. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto held the Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting via teleconference, according to a statement from Japan’s Defense Ministry.

Israel’s F-35 And Stealth Fighter Monopoly In Middle East May Soon End

11/26/2025

Almost a decade has passed since Israel received its first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter from the United States. The fifth-generation aircraft markedly enhanced Israel’s air superiority and technological edge over the wider region, as demonstrated by recent wars, especially the 12-day June war against Iran. With the U.S. signaling its intent to sell F-35s to other regional states, this may prove the beginning of the end for Israel’s regional monopoly on F-35s.