Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Saab details Brazilian Gripen E Meteor firings that confirm the fighter’s long range combat edge

12/04/2025

The Brazilian Air Force has completed its first firings of the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile from the Gripen E, marking an important step in the fighter’s operational development. Saab said the November tests confirmed the aircraft’s long range air combat capability after both missiles hit their designated targets during the BVR X Technical Exercise at Natal Air Base.

Turboprop for Modern Warfare – Super Tucano is Becoming Even More Useful

12/04/2025

The first jet fighters appeared in World War II – yes, that long ago! Soon after, propeller-driven light combat aircraft were pushed to the margins. This process accelerated further with the spread of missile air defense systems. A shoulder-launched missile can eliminate any slow aircraft, so it seems better not to even come on the modern battlefield with a propeller-driven fighter plane.

Air Force F-35 Jets Deploy to Alaska for Arctic War Training

12/04/2025

The exercise was designed to test the 354th Fighter Wing’s ability to rapidly generate, deploy, and sustain its combat aircraft in a near-peer operational environment. F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets have recently been deployed to Alaska to hone their arctic warfare capabilities. The Air Force conducted the exercise to test and validate its Arctic warfare capabilities and prepare for potential combat operations in the High North.

Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon Crashes in California

12/04/2025

An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon belonging to the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team crashed this afternoon in California, the Air Force said. “On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission over controlled airspace in California,” according to a statement from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office. “The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care.”

Finally, the Hellenic Air Force is set to move forward with upgrading its 38 F-16 Block 50 fighters to the Block 70 standard

12/03/2025

Amid various doubts that seemed to point toward purchasing new F-35 fighters at the expense of the upgrade program, the Hellenic Air Force has ultimately decided to continue moving forward with modernizing its fleet of F-16 Block 50 fighters to the Block 70 standard, a fleet that currently consists of around 38 aircraft. According to local media reports, the decision already has the approval of the current Greek government.

In a first, Egypt locally manufactures Rafale Fighter Jet parts

12/03/2025

Egypt officially announced a significant step in its journey toward localizing defense industries after the Arab Organization for Industrialization revealed its success in locally manufacturing components of the French Rafale fighter jet. This announcement was made during the launch of the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX 2025), currently hosted by Egypt under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

France confirms India’s interest in Rafale F5, potential first export customer

12/03/2025

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has publicly confirmed that India is pursuing a plan to acquire 90 Rafale F4 fighter jets, with an additional option for 24 Rafale F5s, marking the most explicit acknowledgment yet of New Delhi’s commitment to the aircraft’s upcoming variant. The reference appeared in a ministry analysis, since removed from public access, addressing the information campaign launched by China and echoed by Pakistan following the loss of an Indian Air Force Rafale during M

China’s navy flexes muscles with new flattops

12/03/2025

China’s navy is gradually moving closer to becoming a peer adversary for U.S.naval forces in the Pacific region, as evidenced by China’s growing number of modern aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The increasing quality of these flattops also threatens to erase the qualitative advantages that U.S. ships currently have.

AFCENT strengthens international partnerships through Ferocious Falcon 6

12/03/2025

Air, land and naval forces from Qatar, Turkey, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and the United States converged across their respective domains to raise combat efficiency by building integrated command and control systems capable of achieving combat readiness in joint operations during Ferocious Falcon 6, an exercise hosted and led by Qatar, Nov. 16-20.

Upgrade carrier air wings with F/A-XX or lose to China

12/03/2025

Carrier Air Wing 8 provides powerful options. Yet while US aircraft carriers have delivered remarkable results in Operation Rough Rider and other strikes in the Middle East, their recent combat success is masking a problem that will only get worse: old planes.

Indonesian Air Force accepts first three Rafale F4 fighter jets in France

12/02/2025

On November 28, 2025, the Indonesian Air Force held an acceptance ceremony for the first three Rafale fighters at Dassault Aviation’s Merignac production line in Bordeaux. Marking the official handover of these jets, the event was attended by representatives of Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales, the Indonesian Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff, who represented the Air Force leadership and oversaw technical presentations, airframe inspections, and reviews of airworthiness and op readiness.

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.