Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Belgium May Acquire 21 more F-35A Fighters to Fulfill NATO Defense Requirements

06/03/2025

According to information published by De Morgen on June 2, 2025, the Belgian government is preparing to finalize a strategic order for 21 additional F-35A fighter aircraft, bringing its total fleet to 55 units. This move is part of a broader €36 billion investment plan aimed at modernizing the country’s armed forces by 2035. Scheduled ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the decision is intended to demonstrate Belgium’s commitment to meeting Alliance standards.

Air Force designates two Mission Design Series for collaborative combat aircraft

06/03/2025

The U.S. Air Force announced the designation of two Mission Design Series within its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program today: the YFQ-42A (General Atomics) and the YFQ-44A (Anduril). Representing the first in a new generation of uncrewed fighter aircraft, both will be crucial in securing air superiority for the Joint Force in future conflicts. These aircraft are designed to leverage autonomous capabilities and crewed-uncrewed teaming to defeat enemy threats in contested environments.

GCAP programme: EU approves UK–Italy–Japan joint venture for sixth-generation fighter jet

06/03/2025

The European Union has given formal approval to a joint venture involving BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd, and Leonardo S.p.A. The newly formed company will act as the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

Army designates MV-75 as mission design series for Future Long Range Assault Aircraft

06/02/2025

The U.S. Army has officially designated MV-75 as the mission design series for its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, a key modernization effort aimed at fielding the next generation of vertical lift tactical assault and utility aircraft for the Army and U.S. Special Operations Command.

What Russian Air Force Fighter Jets Are Flying Over Ukraine?

06/02/2025

Now that US president Donald Trump has appeared to set a two-week deadline for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to cease advances in its Ukraine invasion, all eyes are on the Kremlin to see if this ongoing war could finally see an end after three long years. Moscow escalated attacks targeting civilian centers in Kyiv this month, suggesting Putin may not be that serious about slowing down the violent barrages that continue to kill scores of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conf

The Brazilian Air Force prepares to receive another batch of new JAS-39 Gripen E fighters

06/02/2025

As the integration program for the JAS-39 Gripen E fighters continues to progress, the Brazilian Air Force is preparing to receive a new unit manufactured by Saab in Sweden — the tenth of the total 36 aircraft ordered. The latest aircraft was recently transferred from Norrköping Airport to the city’s port, from where it will be shipped to Brazil.

Ukraine destroys more than 40 military aircraft in a drone attack deep inside Russia

06/02/2025

A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia's territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul.

Boeing confirms record investment in F-47 sixth-generation fighter programme

06/01/2025

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has confirmed that the company has made its largest-ever internal investment in the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter programme. Speaking at the Bernstein 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on 29 May, Ortberg highlighted the strategic significance of the project for Boeing’s defence division and its St. Louis production facility.

U.S. F-15E fighter jet expands mission set with APKWS rocket pods to hit drones and ground targets

06/01/2025

According to a picture released by the U.S. Central Command on May 30, 2025, via its official X account, a new armament configuration of the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle has been revealed, showing the aircraft armed with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket pods. The photo clearly displays three APKWS II pods mounted under each wing, each carrying seven laser-guided Hydra 70mm rockets, installed beneath the standard AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM mounts.

Boeing F-47: Japan Could Be The 1st Export Customer Of U.S. Next-Gen Aircraft As GCAP Struggles: Reports

06/01/2025

US President Donald Trump has offered Boeing’s sixth-generation stealth fighter, the F-47, to Japan, according to reports. If true, this would be the first concrete offer to sell the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) combat jet to any country. Notably, this comes amid reports that the US is unhappy with Japan’s participation in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a sixth-generation combat jet being pursued jointly by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

British fighter jets to carry nuclear bombs

06/01/2025

Britain wants to purchase fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, in a major expansion of the deterrent intended to counter the growing threat posed by Russia. Sir Keir Starmer’s government is in highly sensitive talks over the move, which would represent the biggest development in the UK’s deterrent since the Cold War and a recognition that the world has entered a more dangerous nuclear era.

Indian military chief acknowledges loss of fighter jets in May conflict with Pakistan

06/01/2025

India’s military has acknowledged for the first time that an unspecified number of its fighter jets were shot down during strikes on Pakistani-controlled territory amid intense fighting between the neighbors in early May. Indian officials had previously refused to confirm even a single aircraft loss.

Japan frets over fighter rollout target and weighs stopgap options, sources say

05/31/2025

apan has growing doubts that its next-generation fighter project with Britain and Italy will meet a 2035 rollout target, potentially forcing Tokyo to plug air defense gaps with new U.S. F-35 stealth planes or upgrades to aging jets, two sources said. The joint Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) established in 2022 is falling behind schedule due to a lack of urgency from Britain and Italy, which could push deployment beyond 2040, according to one of the sources.

Jet jamming: Fighter plane future rests on mastering electronic warfare

05/31/2025

The ferocity of the shots fired in the recent India-Pakistan conflict have quietened but the skirmish is already having an impact on global air forces. Jamming devices are now considered essential, experts have told The National. A major investigation among Western powers is under way to understand how potentially three French-built Rafales were lost to Pakistan's Chinese made J-10Cs, alongside the worrying development of long-range aerial warfare.

Dutch F-35s Fighter Jets Take Part in Finland’s Baana 25 Exercises

05/31/2025

Dutch F-35s joined Finland’s Baana 25 exercises, simulating highway landings to boost NATO’s Agile Combat Employment strategy, showcasing operational flexibility, readiness, and alliance interoperability amid modern warfare threats. It has been over two years since Finland officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, in that short time, it has worked closely with its allied nations in numerous drills, including its annual “Baana” exercises.

For first time GBU-53/B glide bomb launched by U.S. F-15E fighter jet controlled by Norwegian P8A aircraft

05/31/2025

According to information published by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense on May 28, 2025, Norwegian Armed Forces achieved a groundbreaking milestone in NATO’s advancement of network-enabled warfare. While the operation was conducted on May 14, 2025, the newly revealed details emphasize a major leap in allied digital integration and precision strike capability.

The F-35 could be 'pilot optional' in the not-too-distant future, Lockheed Martin CEO says

05/31/2025

Lockheed Martin is developing an advanced version of its F-35 stealth fighter jet that could potentially be uncrewed, the company's CEO said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Bernstein's 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference, CEO Jim Taiclet floated the possibility of an F-35 whose pilot could be "optional" within a "relatively modest time frame."

Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships

05/30/2025

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 16 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Seven of the 16 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.

UK Warns of Critical Delay in SPEAR 3 Missiles for its F-35B Fighter Jets

05/30/2025

According to information published by the British daily The Telegraph on May 20, 2025, the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm’s F-35B fighters will remain limited in their air-to-ground strike capabilities for several more years. Despite their advanced design, these aircraft currently rely solely on Paveway series guided bombs, due to the lack of integration of more sophisticated weaponry. The SPEAR 3 missile program, intended to fill this gap, has experienced significant delays.

China continues search for fighter export success

05/30/2025

China has emerged as a manufacturing superpower in several industries but has failed to gain traction as an exporter of combat aircraft. Could this be about to change? A fateful night in the skies above mountainous Kashmir hints that the world’s perception of Chinese combat aircraft may have reached a turning point.

Russia Completes Delivery of New Sukhoi Su-30SM2 Fighter-Bombers to Equip the Belarusian Air Force

05/30/2025

Despite international sanctions and the fact that its industrial complex is focused on the war effort, Russia has completed the delivery of a new batch of Sukhoi Su-30SM2 fighter-bombers to equip the Belarusian Air Force. The news emerged through the viral circulation of images showing an undisclosed number of aircraft delivered by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense.

Despite “Anti-Rafale” Propaganda, Indonesia Likely To Place Follow-Up Order For French Fighter Jets

05/29/2025

French President Emmanuel Macron appears to have convinced Indonesia to place follow-on orders for Rafale and Scorpene submarines as it seeks to deepen defense and trade ties with Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Macron arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Vietnam on May 27 for the second leg of his three-country Southeast Asia tour, which also includes Singapore, and aims to project France as a balancing power in the Indo-Pacific.

India and France Are At Each Other’s Throats Over the Dassault Rafale Fighter

05/29/2025

The crisis within the IAF cannot by itself explain the excellent performance of Pakistani PL-15 missiles against what were supposedly India’s superior air capabilities. The dismal showing of India’s expensive French-built Dassault Rafales in its recent war against Pakistan has triggered a wave of recriminations between the Indian and French governments. Not only has the unimpressive display of the Dassault Rafales in the opening phases of the recent conflict come as a shock to the world.

India’s coming counter to Pakistan’s Chinese-made fighters

05/29/2025

India’s new stealth fighter plan aims to reassert air dominance in a region where Pakistan’s Chinese-made jets recently drew first blood in an intensifying South Asian arms race. This month, India’s Ministry of Defense green-lighted a blueprint for developing its most sophisticated stealth fighter jet, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Reuters reported.

India approves development of prototype advanced fighter jet

05/28/2025

India, one of the world's largest arms importers, has made the modernisation of its forces a top priority in the face of tensions with nuclear-armed Pakistan and China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the prototype of a 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the ministry said in a statement, calling it a "significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities".