Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

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.