Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Italy weighs €9 billion Global Combat Air Programme investment as future successor to F-35 and Eurofighter fleets

01/25/2026

According to Euronews, Italy is preparing for a parliamentary decision on whether to invest around €9 billion in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) over the coming decade. The project is described as a costly but strategic attempt to strengthen Italy’s technological autonomy after decades of participation in defence programmes dominated by stronger partners.

Czech Armed Forces Ready to Transfer Four L-159 Combat Aircraft to Ukraine

01/25/2026

The Czech Armed Forces have no objection to transferring four L-159 combat aircraft to Ukraine. Such a transfer would not threaten the country’s security, but the decision to transfer them is political. This was reported by the publication iROZHLAS, citing a statement by the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Rehka.

Morocco explores acquisition of Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets

01/24/2026

Morocco is among several countries showing interest in acquiring the JF-17 fighter jet from Pakistan, with ongoing discussions with Islamabad regarding the potential purchase, according to reports from Pakistani media.

Sweden intercepts Russian fighter jets over Baltic Sea

01/24/2026

Yesterday, January 22, Sweden’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) forces intercepted two Russian fighter jets over the Baltic Sea, according to a statement by the Swedish Armed Forces on Twitter (X). It is noted that on Thursday, January 22, Swedish military personnel intercepted two Su-35S fighter jets that were escorting a Tu-22M bomber over the Baltic Sea. "4/7 Air Policing protecting NATO," the statement said.

Turkey to get first Eurofighter Typhoon from Qatar next month

01/24/2026

After senior defense officials from Turkey, Qatar and the UK held trilateral talks in Doha, Qatar, Ankara is moving closer to receiving its first Eurofighter Typhoon jets, Daily Sabah reported. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) Commander Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadioglu participated in talks with his counterparts from Qatar and the UK focused on the Eurofighter procurement process.

UK Eurofighter Typhoons and US F-15Es deploy amid heightened tensions with Iran

01/24/2026

RAF Eurofighter Typhoons have deployed to Qatar while US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles move into Jordan and a US carrier strike group heads toward the region. The parallel deployments form part of a broader allied military buildup as Washington sharpens its focus on Iran while publicly stressing deterrence over confrontation.

Air Force Bringing Back William Tell Weapons Meet in March

01/24/2026

Air Combat Command will hold its distinguished William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet in March after it was postponed last year. Hundreds of Airmen from ACC, Pacific Air Forces, and the Air National Guard competed in the last iteration of the competition in 2023, which ended a 19-year hiatus for the famous contest named after the Swiss folk hero and legendary archer. With a rich history dating back to the 1950s.

US Prepares Front-Line Pacific Base for Stealth Jets

01/24/2026

The United States is preparing Misawa Air Base, one of its major military outposts in Japan for projecting air power, to support the future hosting of stealth fighter aircraft. As part of a plan announced in July 2024 to modernize its Japan-based tactical aircraft, the Pentagon has decided to deploy 48 F-35A jets, capable of evading radar detection, to Misawa to replace 36 older F-16 jets with greater capacity and capability.

India To Roll Out First Domestically Built C-295 Military Aircraft By September 2026

01/23/2026

India's first domestically manufactured C-295 military transport aircraft will roll out of the Vadodara facility before September this year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed during bilateral talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

Swiss auditors flag delays and rising costs in F-35 Lightning II airfield infrastructure projects

01/23/2026

Converting Swiss military airfields to support the future fleet of F-35 fighter jets is behind schedule and over budget, according to a report by federal auditors cited by swissinfo.ch. New infrastructure is required to house and operate the aircraft, which are due to begin arriving from the United States in mid-2027.

Russian Fighter Jet Drops Bomb on Belgorod Once Again

01/22/2026

Evacuations began in the city of Belgorod after a Russian bomb fell on Gubkina Street. The incident was reported by the ASTRA Telegram channel and regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The published video shows the munition embedded deeply in the ground, without detonating.

GA-ASI, Calidus sign deal to produce MQ-9B, combat aircraft in UAE

01/22/2026

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), a world leader in unmanned aircraft systems, and Calidus Aerospace, one of the leading defence and manufacturing companies, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the prospective co-production of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Gambit Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in the UAE, as well as command and control and battle management systems.

Following their retirement in Denmark, how is the process of incorporating F-16 fighters into the Argentine Air Force progressing?

01/22/2026

January 18 marked the end of the F-16 fighters’ service in Denmark, after completing 46 years of distinguished duty. Nevertheless, the future of the former Royal Danish Air Force combat aircraft is now being decided between Argentina and Ukraine, both countries currently in the process of incorporating them.

F-15 squadron that took out Iranian drones returns to the Middle East

01/22/2026

F-15 crews with the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron played a major role in shooting down Iranian drones launched against Israel nearly two years ago in what the Air Force has described as “the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years.” Now, F-15s from the squadron are back in the Middle East as President Donald Trump reportedly weighs military options for possible strikes against Iran for cracking down on anti-regime protests.

Congress Boosts U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX Funding 12X To $900M As 6th-Gen Fighter Race Escalates With China

01/22/2026

The US Navy was the first to pioneer a carrier-based stealth fighter jet, the F-35C Lightning II, and to achieve unrivalled naval capability. However, China is catching up fast, and if the Pentagon doesn’t expedite the next-generation F/A-XX, it risks losing that edge.

‘Not available’: Czech government blocks sale of L-159 drone hunter aircraft to Ukraine

01/21/2026

The Czech Republic’s ruling coalition has moved to block the transfer of its Aero L-159 light combat aircraft to Ukraine, overriding comments by President Petr Pavel and insisting the jets remain essential to national defence. The decision undercuts earlier signals that Prague was preparing to release a small number of the Soviet-era aircraft for Ukraine’s air defence effort, highlighting growing divisions within the Czech government over further military support for Kyiv.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport set for F-35 fighter jets to operate alongside passenger airliners in rare exercise

01/21/2026

For two days in late January, the sightlines at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will briefly blur the familiar boundary between civil aviation and military air power. Amid the steady rhythm of widebody airliners and short-haul traffic, four Dutch F-35 fighter jets and a military transport aircraft will arrive, depart and manoeuvre as part of a carefully planned training exercise by the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force.

US, Canada to send military aircraft to Greenland for routine drills, NORAD says Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2026-01-20/norad-greenland-trump-nato-20463347.html Source - Stars and Stripes

01/21/2026

U.S. and Canadian military aircraft will soon be headed to Greenland for routine defense drills, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement this week. They come amid high tension between the United States and European allies over President Donald Trump’s bid to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Saab’s Bold Bid to Canada: 72 Gripen Jets, 6 AEW&C Aircraft, 12K Jobs; Is F-35 at Risk Amid Trump’s Greenland Push?

01/21/2026

Swedish defence giant SAAB has offered 72 Gripen E/F fighter jets and 6 GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to the Canadian Armed Forces, which would generate thousands of jobs in the country. Reiterating its offer, Saab informed the Canadian Armed Forces last week that it could deliver on its promise to create 12,600 jobs locally if Ottawa buys 72 Gripen jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.

Italy faces GCAP warplane price tag topping $21 billion

01/21/2026

Italy’s outlay on the design and development of the tri-nation GCAP fighter has tripled from €6 billion to €18.6 billion — or from $7 billion to $21.8 billion — in the last five years, the country’s defense minister has told parliament. The announcement of the price hike came in a request to parliament to authorize the pay-out which prompted criticism from Italy’s opposition Five Star party.

F-15E Strike Eagles shift from RAF Lakenheath to Jordan as aircraft carrier approaches

01/20/2026

US F-15E Strike Eagles appear to be redeploying to the Middle East as the USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Straits of Malacca. The moves come as the US once again seeks to bolster its posture in the region amid dramatic developments in Iran.

Germany awards Top Aces decade-long €420 million contract to deliver advanced air combat training to 2035

01/20/2026

The German Armed Forces have awarded Top Aces Inc. a 10-year contract worth up to €420 million to deliver advanced air combat training across the Air Force, Army and Navy. Officially titled “Contracted Fast Adversary Air”, the agreement renews a partnership that will run to 2035 and builds on more than a decade of service to the Bundeswehr.

Sweden sends Gripen fighters to Iceland for NATO Arctic air policing

01/20/2026

Sweden will deploy a Gripen fighter unit to Iceland in February and March 2026 to support NATO’s incident preparedness mission, taking on joint air defense tasks in the Arctic region, the Swedish Armed Forces said on January 19, 2026. The deployment will see a fighter unit equivalent to a fighter division, along with ground personnel from Skaraborg Air Flotilla (F 7), operate from Keflavik Air Base. In Swedish Air Force terminology, a fighter division typically fields around eight to twelve airc

Pakistan deploys F-16 Block-52 jets to Saudi Arabia for multinational air combat exercise

01/20/2026

Pakistan Air Force has deployed F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia to take part in the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, marking a significant overseas deployment of its frontline combat jets, the military said on Monday. The exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base and includes participation from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Danish F-35 fighters and French tanker conduct joint Arctic training flight over southeast Greenland

01/19/2026

Two Danish F-35 fighter jets and a French MRTT tanker aircraft carried out a planned training mission in southeastern Greenland on 16 December. The mission focused on practising joint operations, including aerial refuelling, long-range flying and safety procedures in demanding Arctic conditions.