Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Serbia Denies It Will Provide MiG-29s to Ukraine as Part of Deal for French Fighters

09/06/2024

In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29. The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.

USAF Rethinks Whether It Needs a Manned 6th-Gen Fighter for Air Superiority

09/06/2024

The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it, acquisition boss Andrew P. Hunter and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in July the Air Force would take a “pause” on its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program, rather than commit to the program as planned.

Ukraine's Air Force Is Getting a 'Fleet' of F-16s and MiG-29 Fighters to Battle Russia

09/05/2024

The Ukrainian Air Force is thriving after receiving its first F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from NATO in August, using them to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones. In addition to these new capabilities, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 36 MiG-29 Fulcrum jets from Serbia via France, expanding its fleet significantly. While the Ukrainian Air Force is poised to benefit from these acquisitions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of trained pilots.

Poland Could Soon Bring F-15EX Fighters Right to Russia's Doorstep

09/05/2024

Poland is in discussions with Boeing to acquire F-15EX fighter jets as part of its military modernization, driven by concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-15EX, an advanced version of the F-15 with cutting-edge avionics, radar, and targeting systems, offers Poland enhanced air defense capabilities. With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs and 12 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs, the F-15EX can address evolving threats.

Azerbaijan to Equip JF-17 Fighter Squadron With Turkish Missiles

09/05/2024

The Azerbaijan Air Force is set to boost the lethality of its upcoming JF-17 fighter aircraft with the purchase of Turkish Bozdogan and Gökdoga missiles. Defense magazine Turkish Century announced the procurement on X, noting that the warplanes are also getting an advanced avionics suite made by Ankara.

US Air Force F-35s make historic first on highway in Finland

09/05/2024

Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Sept. 4, during exercise BAANA 2024.

‘Iconic’ U.S. Warthog Debuts In India – ‘Tank Killer’ A-10 Thunderbolt II Flies With Russia-Made Sukhoi-30 Fighters

09/05/2024

The Indian Air Force’s largest international exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ has entered its second phase. Debuting in the desert phase of the wargames is the iconic Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog.’ In what could be its first and last appearance, the Warthog has been flying with Russian-origin fighter jets – Sukhoi 30MKI.

US Air National Guard Trains in Austria with F-35 Lightning II Multirole Combat Aircraft.

09/04/2024

The Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) is preparing to deploy a contingent of Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Austria. The deployment, scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, will see VTANG participating in the prestigious Airpower Air Show, followed by a multinational training exercise.

Scalability and versatility of combat aircraft, a bad calculation for the armies?

09/04/2024

According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 fighter will continue to represent the backbone of Western air forces until 2080. At that date, the 5th generation fighter, which entered service in 2015, will be 65 years old, and will have seen more than three generations of pilots. This dynamic is far from exclusive to the F-35. Thus, the Rafale Dassault Aviation, which entered service in 2000, will continue to fly with the French air force until 2060, as will the Typhoon European or the American F-15EX.

International collaboration unlocks true potential for collaborative combat aircraft

09/03/2024

That’s why interest among responsible powers is growing in collaboration generally but also with advanced new programs specifically. A case in point is with collaborative combat aircraft, known as CCAs. These highly capable autonomous unmanned fighters are set to revolutionize air dominance and other fields in the coming decades. Understanding how will also help explain allied nations’ desire to work together on building them.

Why the Air Force Needs 6th Generation NGAD 'System'

09/03/2024

Maintaining air superiority is critical for U.S. military success, especially against near-peer adversaries with advanced integrated air defense systems. The F-22 Raptor, with its unmatched stealth, speed, and situational awareness, exemplifies America’s air superiority capabilities, but the limited number of combat-coded F-22s and their aging structures necessitate the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system.

Czech Republic to lease Gripen fighters beyond 2027

09/03/2024

The Czech Republic has signed a Joint Declaration with Sweden to extend its lease of 14 JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft beyond 2027. Two double-seated and 12 single-seated units were delivered to Prague on the 31 August 2005; the fleet is stationed at Cáslav Air Base.

Rare Chinese Y-9LG ELINT Aircraft Spotted In Thailand

09/02/2024

China has deployed an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Intelligence (EW/ELINT) aircraft for an overseas exercise for the first time, with the deployment of one of its newest dedicated special mission aircraft to Thailand for a bilateral air exercise.

F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine unlikely shot down by 'friendly fire,' NYT suggests

09/02/2024

"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29 that the F-16, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by pilot Oleksii Mes, had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.

Le Rafale faces a potential export market of 324 aircraft by 2035.

09/01/2024

With more than 300 combat aircraft ordered for export to date, the Rafale of Dassault Aviation has become, since 2015, a great international success for the aircraft manufacturer and the entire French defense aeronautical industry. The commercial spearhead of Dassault has already exceeded the total export sales of the Mirage 2000 by 281 aircraft, and now aims to do better than the Mirage F1, sold in 450 units on the international scene.

U.S. Air Force Awards RTX $1 Billion Contract to Upgrade F-22 Sensors

09/01/2024

Amid the acute need for 5th generation fighters in modern combat scenarios against peer adversaries, the U.S. Air Force is looking to upgrade its F-22 Raptor with a series of sensors to make it more survivable and relevant. The service announced on Aug. 29, 2024, the award of a $1 billion contract to RTX‘s Raytheon for new sensors that are categorized as “Group B hardware”, together with spares and support equipment.

Zelenskiy fires head of air force after fatal crash of donated F-16 fighter jet

08/31/2024

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has fired the head of Ukraine’s air force a day after it emerged that a recently delivered F-16 jet had crashed earlier this week, killing the pilot. “I have decided to replace the commander of the air forces … I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots,” Zelenskiy said in his evening video address on Friday, without giving a reason for the dismissal of Mykola Oleshchuk.

Serbia to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets in nod to European industry

08/31/2024

Serbia agreed to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet, in a deal which French President Emmanuel Macron called a strategic change for the Balkan country that maintains ties with Russia and China. The contract for nine single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters is worth €2.7 billion (US$3 billion), according to French media, citing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Romanian Ministry of Defence has requested funds to purchase F-35A fighter jets

08/30/2024

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has requested funds from the government to purchase the latest F-35A fighter jets. The relevant document with the budget request from the Romanian Ministry of Defense was published on the official website of the Romanian government. The funding allocation stage is now the last step for Romania to officially start purchasing new fighter jets.

Ukrainian F-16 Crashes in Combat, Killing Pilot

08/30/2024

A Ukrainian Air Force pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter crashed Aug. 26, Ukraine’s military announced Aug. 29. The incident occurred during a massive Russian missile and drone attack that day that saw Ukraine’s F-16s make their combat debut. But the mission came at a high cost. Ukraine has only a handful of F-16s, and the pilot, Oleksiy “Moonfish” Mes, was a prominent aviator who was one of the first Ukrainians trained to fly the F-16.

Thai air force favours Swedish Gripen fighter jets over F-16s

08/29/2024

Thailand wants to renew its fleet of combat aircraft with Gripen fighter jets, the air force said, favouring the Swedish-made planes over American F-16s. A procurement committee weighed the choice for 10 months before deciding the JAS 39 Gripen E/F was the most suitable, the Royal Thai Air Force said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Serbia Leader Plans To Seal French Fighter Jet Deal With Macron

08/29/2024

Serbia expects to sign a "huge" deal for French fighter jets during a visit this week from France's leader, President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP on Wednesday, in an agreement estimated to be worth billions of dollars. Vucic made the comments ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's two-day visit to Serbia that kicks off on Thursday, with the duo expected to sign a range of bilateral deals.

Lockheed unveils Polish F-35 “Husarz”

08/29/2024

The F-35 stealth combat aircraft being produced by Lockheed Martin for Poland has been unveiled at the US defence giant’s aeronautics headquarters in Texas, at a ceremony attended by Polish and US officials. The Polish version of the aircraft has been named “Husarz” in reference to Poland’s famous “Winged Hussar” heavy cavalry units that operated from the 16th to the 18th century.

Russian fighter jet downed over eastern Ukraine as oil depot set ablaze

08/29/2024

Ukrainian troops have dramatically downed a Russian fighter jet over eastern Ukraine as an oil depot was set ablaze by a drone strike more than 100 miles away in Russia. The Soviet-designed Su-25, nicknamed “Frogfoot” by Nato, was brought down over Kramatorsk, Donetsk, as it fired on Ukrainian troops. In footage released by Ukraine’s 28th Brigade, it was seen bursting into flames in mid-air while flying alongside another aircraft and then crashing into the ground.

F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter Could Make a Big 'Comeback'

08/28/2024

The U.S. Air Force faces a dilemma as its advanced but aging fleet, including the F-117 Nighthawk, is gradually retired. Despite being officially decommissioned in 2008, the Nighthawk has continued to serve in classified testing, highlighting its enduring value.