Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

U.S. Forces destroy Iranian Su-22 combat aircraft

03/02/2026

United States Central Command released new video footage showing precision airstrikes against Iranian military targets, including the destruction of at least two Su-22 fighter jets positioned at a military airfield in Iran. In a statement accompanying the video, U.S. Central Command said: “U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue.”

Qatar says its air force shot down 2 Iranian warplanes

03/02/2026

The Gulf state of Qatar says its air forces shot down two Iranian warplanes. The Qatari Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that its forces downed two Sukhoi Su-24s, Soviet-era bombers.

Kuwait: Several U.S. military planes crash; all crew members survived

03/02/2026

Several U.S. military aircraft crashed in Kuwait on Monday, as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East. The number of aircraft downed was not mentioned in the Kuwaiti Defense Ministry statement, reported by the official state Kuwait News Agency, nor was the cause of the crashes.

Retired U.S. General slams U.S. delay in fighter transfers to Ukraine

03/02/2026

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula criticized U.S. policy on military assistance to Ukraine during a Substack Live podcast hosted by military historian Phillips P. O’Brien, arguing that Washington delayed providing key combat capabilities early in the war because American leaders were deterred by Russian rhetoric.

Israeli Air Force deploys F-35I Adir fighter fleet in Operation Roaring Lion amid pngoing strikes on targets in Iran

03/02/2026

The Israeli Air Force is using its most advanced combat aircraft, the F-35I Adir, in strikes on targets in Iran. These aircraft are adapted to Israeli requirements and represent a customized version of the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

A, B, C: What’s the difference between the different Lockheed Martin F-35 variants?

03/02/2026

To maintain combat dominance across air, land, and sea, the multirole F-35 strike fighter is available in three major variants: a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, a short/vertical takeoff and landing (SVTOL) variant, and a carrier-based variant.

UK fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone flying towards Qatar

03/02/2026

A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatar, the UK’s Defence Ministry has said. It is believed to be the first drone shot down by a UK fighter jet since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliation. A squadron of Typhoons was deployed to Qatar earlier this year.

Japan joins U.S., Philippines for military exercises in waters near Taiwan

03/01/2026

Japan, the Philippines and the United States held joint military drills near the Bashi Channel, the waterway between the Philippines and Taiwan, for the first time earlier this week. The naval and aerial exercises were conducted under the framework of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), and ran from Feb. 20 through Thursday.

Sweden confirms Russian drone intercepted near French aircraft carrier

03/01/2026

Sweden’s military has confirmed that a drone disabled near a visiting French aircraft carrier this week was Russian, prompting France to condemn what it described as a “ridiculous provocation” by Moscow. The incident took place in the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark, as France’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was on a visit to the region.

France May Partner With India on Sixth-Generation Fighter as Germany Proves Difficult Match

03/01/2026

Against the backdrop of the European FCAS sixth-generation fighter program's collapse, talk has begun about participants seeking other partners. Among these is France's proposal to replace Germany with India. Various media, particularly Indian and Asian outlets, began spreading such information. Though this may seem strange from the outside, these countries may genuinely have more in common than it appears.

Open-source data indicates more than 300 US military aircraft deployed to CENTCOM

03/01/2026

As tensions grow between the US and Iran, Anadolu has tracked dozens of jets and military aircraft heading to US bases in the Middle East. According to open source intelligence reports, there are more than 300 US military aircraft in the region, primarily distributed between Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, including carrier air wings 8 and 9 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers.

The Brazilian Air Force’s Gripen E fighter jets carried out their first Air Defense Alert mission

03/01/2026

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) reached a new milestone in its operational history with the first Air Defense Alert mission carried out by its modern F-39E Gripen fighters. The deployment, conducted from Anápolis Air Base (Brazil), marks a new chapter in the consolidation of the weapons system after achieving Full Operational Capability.

IDF says 200 jets involved in Air Force’s largest-ever attack sortie

03/01/2026

With some 200 fighter jets, the Israeli Air Force says it carried out its largest-ever strike sortie in Iran today. The extensive strikes targeted Iranian ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems, according to the military.

Afghanistan Says Pakistan Fighter Jet Down as Cross-Border Strikes Flare

03/01/2026

A Pakistani fighter jet crashed in Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s east, the Afghan military and police said on Saturday, after Islamabad launched air strikes on at least three cities in a flare-up of cross-border fighting. The United States voiced its diplomatic support for Pakistan’s actions after Islamabad said it would not stop strikes that were meant to pressure an Afghan government that it accuses of backing militancy.

The Uruguayan Air Force officially presented its first A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft in Durazno

03/01/2026

After completing their ferry flight from Brazil and arriving at Teniente 2.º Mario Walter Parallada Air Base, located in Durazno, the Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya (FAU) officially presented its first two new Embraer A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft. The ceremony was led by the President of Uruguay, Yamandu Orsi, along with civilian and military authorities, officially marking the beginning of a new stage for Uruguayan combat aviation.

US and Israel carry out joint attack on Iran as Tehran launches retaliatory strikes

02/28/2026

US and Israel launch an attack on Iran, as President Donald Trump confirms "major combat operations" are under way and calls for a regime change. The Israel Defense Forces says retaliatory strikes have been launched by Iran towards the country - and explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump has urged Iranians to "take over" the Iranian government, saying "it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations".

Türkiye Secures Landmark Hürjet Export Deal with Spain

02/28/2026

Türkiye's defense industry reached a historic milestone with the export of TAI's Hürjet jet trainer to Spain, marking the first sale of a Turkish combat aircraft to a NATO and EU member country. Havelsan will supply full mission simulators as part of the comprehensive package, reversing decades of Turkish import dependency, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.

Argentina’s Historic Leap Forward with the Incorporation of Cutting-Edge Military Technology

02/28/2026

December 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the modernization of the Argentine Armed Forces. In the span of just 48 hours, the country simultaneously restored its supersonic air capabilities and introduced a new generation of armored vehicles to its ground forces, signaling a decisive shift toward NATO-standard interoperability and modern operational doctrines.

Iran Turned to Russia, China for Missiles After 12-Day War

02/28/2026

Following the “12-Day War” with Israel in June 2025, the Iranian government accelerated negotiations with Russia and China to procure advanced missile systems. According to recent reports from the Financial Times and Reuters, these talks persisted even after the international arms embargo was reinstated in September.

US ramps up deployments to CENTCOM despite ongoing talks with Iran

02/28/2026

The US has continued to increase its deployment of jets and military aircraft in the Middle East despite ongoing talks with Iran, according to open-source intelligence reports. More than 330 US military aircraft are now positioned in the region, a rise of about 10% in two days, mainly spread across Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The buildup includes carrier air wings 8 and 9.

U.S. Deploys F-22s to Israel as Iran Tries To Intimidate Washington’s Arab Partners

02/28/2026

In an extraordinary development, the United States deployed up to 12 F-22 fighter aircraft to Israel’s southern Ovda airbase this week after several of America’s Arab partners suggested they would restrict the U.S. military’s use of their territory for potential strikes on Iran. The deployment reportedly represents the first time U.S. F-22s have been positioned in Israel in anticipation of real-world combat operations.

Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan in ‘Open War’ Against Taliban Government

02/27/2026

Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s two largest cities on Friday, including the capital, Kabul, according to officials from both nations, escalating months of tension and border skirmishes into an open conflict. Beyond Kabul, home to six million people, the strikes hit the southern city of Kandahar — where the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, lives — and the border province of Paktia, according to Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government.

Coming Soon: Experimental CCA Ops, Flights with F-22s

02/27/2026

The Air Force plans to put Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the hands of Airmen to experiment with the semi-autonomous drones this summer, Gen. Dale R. White said Feb. 25 at AFA’s Warfare Symposium. Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft, added that the Air Force will build on a demonstration earlier this month in which an F-22 flew with a surrogate drone, and fly a Raptor with one or both CCAs now under development.

How Aerial Electronic Warfare Works

02/27/2026

The United States must destroy Iran’s air defense network before it can begin major air operations in the country. Fortunately, it has the tools to do it. The largest US military air and naval armada since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 is currently gathering off the coast of Iran.

Former US F-35 instructor accused of providing tactical training to Chinese military

02/27/2026

A former F-35 Lightning II instructor described as an elite fighter pilot with decades of experience flying US military aircraft has been accused of conspiring to help the Chinese military. Major (Ret'd) Gerald Brown Jr, 65, was arrested in Indiana and charged with providing defence services to Chinese pilots without authorisation, according to the US Department of Justice.