Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Embraer-TAI deal may expand to include C-390 and 5th-gen fighter jet: Report

04/09/2025

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could significantly broaden their industrial collaboration. It could potentially include the co-production of the Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft and even joint development of a fifth-generation fighter jet, according to the report.

F-35 Office Seeks to Clarify $2.1 Trillion Cost Ahead of Budget Release

04/09/2025

For months now, a big number has been attached to the F-35: $2.1 trillion. That’s the new estimated lifetime costs for the program, a massive sum that has become an oft-cited figure in coverage about the fighter. Now, the F-35 Joint Program Office is trying to put context around that number, releasing a “clarification” April 8 explaining those costs.

Slovak Air Force receives two new F-16 Block 70 fighters as part of MiG-29 replacement program following donation to Ukraine

04/09/2025

Continuing with the established schedule, Lockheed Martin has completed the delivery of two new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to the Slovak Air Force. With the arrival of these two new units from the United States, the European country continues its program to replace its aging Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, which were transferred to Ukraine.

Philippines to bolster air force with $5.6 billion fighter jet deal

04/08/2025

The Philippines plans to purchase a squadron’s worth of advanced U.S. fighter jets to shore up its air force, according to a recent Department of Defense notification of a proposed sale. The $5.58 billion package includes 20 Block 70/72 F-16 Fighting Falcons — 16 C models and four D models — along with spare parts, weapons and support systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release April 1.

Uzbekistan looks to buy Chinese fighter jets

04/08/2025

Uzbekistan is nearing a deal to purchase modern fighter aircraft from China, according to reports circulating across regional defense media. While no official confirmation has been issued by either government, a video shared on social media purportedly shows an Uzbek pilot in training on one of the Chinese platforms.

Europe, Japan Sixth Generation Fighter Program Gathering Steam

04/08/2025

Saudi Arabia has become the latest country to show interest in a joint U.K., Italy and Japan effort to build a sixth generation fighter within the next 10 years. The Global Combat Air Programme is a three-way split between BAE Systems in the U.K., Leonardo of Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop the plane. All would have an equal share and no single country would control the program

‘Secretary-level and above’ officials ‘working’ F/A-XX fighter decision: Acting CNO

04/08/2025

The much-anticipated final decision on who will build the Navy’s next-generation fighter aircraft is currently under discussion by senior-most officials, the Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby said today. “It’s a decision at the secretary-level and above, and they’re working that now,” Kilby told reporters on the first day of the Navy-centric Sea Air Space exhibition outside of Washington, DC.

Nearly 70 F-16s set to transform Romania’s regional might soon

04/07/2025

Romania takes a significant step toward bolstering its air force capabilities as reports emerged from the Romanian outlet Defense Romania that the Netherlands is engaged in discreet negotiations to permanently transfer a fleet of F-16 fighter jets to the Eastern European nation by the end of the year.

After Brazil and Colombia, Saab eyes Peru’s Gripen order

04/07/2025

Although a contract does not yet exist, Saab is optimistic about the conclusion of the sale of Gripen E fighters to Colombia. Recently, the company’s CEO, Micael Johansson, was in the country alongside President Gustavo Petro during the announcement of the choice of the aircraft to replace the old IAI Kfir. After several years of evaluations, the Colombian government is expected to order up to 24 Gripen E jets, putting an end to uncertainties regarding the country’s air defense.

Defence Minister: Bulgaria’s second F-16 will arrive at end of April or early May

04/07/2025

The Bulgarian Air Force’s second F-16 multi-role fighter jet will arrive in the country at the end of April or in early May, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television’s weekly Panorama programme.

Pentagon Denies Existence of ‘Kill Switch’ for F-35 Fighter Jets

03/19/2025

The U.S. Department of Defense has denied the existence of any kill switches for the latest F-35 fighter jets. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II announced this on its official account. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that while the systems on 5th-generation fighter jets are subject to some level of control by the United States and Lockheed Martin, disabling them does not deprive the aircraft of the ability to carry out flights and combat missions.

U.S. Air Force, Navy Brief Trump On Future Fighter Plans

03/19/2025

Leadership of the U.S. Air Force and Navy have recently pitched to President Donald Trump their future fighter plans, as the Pentagon and the administration prepare to decide how to fund procurement of the aircraft. Rep Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said March 18 both the service leadership briefed Trump on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) penetrating counter air fighter and the F/A-XX programs ahead of the upcoming fiscal 2026 budget request.

Allvin: Air Force Needs ‘High-End Penetrating Capability’ in Future Combat

03/19/2025

The Air Force needs a high-end aircraft that can operate in contested environments and work with new Collaborative Combat Aircraft semi-autonomous drones, the service’s top officer said March 18—requirements that still yet may be met by the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter.

Chinese Fighter Jet Crash ‘Exposes’ PLA; Despite 6th-Gen Aircraft Hype, Indigenous Aeroengines Worry Beijing

03/18/2025

The crash of a Chinese Navy J-15 “Flying Shark” fighter jet on March 15 during a routine training exercise near Jialai Town in Lingao County, Hainan Province, has reignited scrutiny of China’s military aviation program. While the pilot ejected safely and there were no reported casualties on the ground, the incident raises questions about the reliability of the aircraft and its components.

China sends most military aircraft near Taiwan since October

03/18/2025

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday it had detected 59 Chinese military aircraft and nine navy vessels operating around the island over the past 24 hours as part of “joint combat patrols,” days after the democratic island’s president called Beijing “a foreign hostile force.” The aircraft tally was the highest reported for a single day near Taiwan since October, when China’s military held massive drills around the island. The Defense Ministry in Taipei said it was closely monitoring the exerc

NATO fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic states three times in a week

03/18/2025

NATO fighter jets conducting air patrol missions in the Baltic States carried out three sorties over last week to detect and escort Russian aircraft violating flight rules. The Ministry of Defence reported that NATO fighter jets conducted a sortie on 10 March to intercept a Russian An-72 military transport aircraft flying in international airspace. On 12 March, they escorted two Russian Su-27 fighters, two supersonic Tu-22 bombers and one Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft.

European NATO: Combat Air Patrols for Ukraine

03/18/2025

As European leaders plan to put thousands of ground troops into Ukraine as a deterrent force following a possible ceasefire, the question arises: where will these military boots come from? British officials said on March 15 that a force of 30,000 would be assembled and that operational planning was now underway. Reports said the UK, France, Turkey, Australia and Canada would form the backbone of the deployment, and that others would help with logistics and other aid.

Colombia to decide which NATO fighter jets to buy within months, minister says

03/17/2025

Colombia will decide within months from which NATO country it will purchase fighter jets, new Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said, acknowledging that illegal armed groups have taken advantage of peace efforts to strengthen themselves militarily. Colombia has been looking to replace its fleet of more than 30-year-old Israeli Kfir planes for more than a decade and is considering U.S.-made F-16s, Sweden's Gripen and France's Rafale, Sanchez said in a Sunday interview.

Rescuers find Philippine fighter jet’s wreckage, bodies of 2 pilots

03/16/2025

Rescuers found the wreckage of a Philippine fighter jet and the bodies of its two pilots on Wednesday in a mountainous region in the country’s south where they had been deployed on a nighttime mission to fight communist guerrillas, military officials said.

Chinese Navy J-15 crashes during training in Hainan province

03/16/2025

According to posts on X, the incident occurred in an open area near Jialai Town, Lingao County, in Hainan Province, China. Video footage shared alongside these claims purportedly shows a large explosion followed by a parachute, suggesting the pilot ejected safely and survived the crash.

Canada Reconsidering $13.2 Billion F-35 Purchase Amid Growing Tensions With The U.S.

03/16/2025

“Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers” Defence Minister Bill Blair said on Mar. 14, 2024, just hours after being reappointed to the post as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet, according to an article published late on Friday by CBC News.

Czech Republic to Deploy Gripen Fighter Aircraft To Iceland

03/14/2025

In May of this year, the Czech Republic will deploy its Gripen fighter aircraft to Iceland as part of the Icelandic Air Policing mission, the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Czech Republic announced. The fighter aircraft will safeguard Iceland’s airspace for two months under NATO’s command. Given Iceland’s geographic location, NATO members have agreed to a periodic presence of NATO fighter jets, based in Keflavik, to ensure the security of its airspace.

Algeria: First test flight of new Russian Su-35 fighters

03/14/2025

The Algerian Air Force has reportedly made the first official flight of new Russian Su-35 fighters, recently purchased from Russia. The Algerian web portal “Mena Defense” reported, explaining that the aircraft arrived a few days ago at the Oum el Bouaghi air base, in northeastern Algeria, a strategic position that allows for effective coverage of Algerian and central Mediterranean airspace.

The United Kingdom rules out transferring its Eurofighter Tranche 1 to the Ukrainian Air Force while continuing to support the training of new Ukrainian F-16 pilots

03/14/2025

In the context of the imminent retirement of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aging Eurofighter Tranche 1 combat aircraft, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has ruled out the possibility of transferring these jets, which are slated for scrapping, to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, it has also stated that it will continue to support and maintain current training programs, including basic flight training, language courses, and other initiatives for pilots and personnel undergoing instruction i

Breaking News: Panama ends decades of neutrality with first acquisition of combat aircraft following US policy change.

03/14/2025

On March 12, 2025, Panama approved a $197 million procurement plan to acquire six aircraft for the National Aeronaval Service (Senan). This purchase includes four A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Embraer for over $78 million and two C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defense and Space for more than $109 million. The government states that the acquisition is intended to strengthen the country’s capabilities in aerial patrol, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.