Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US announces multi-day aerial military drills in the Middle East amid Iran tensions

01/28/2026

The US has announced plans to hold multi-day military exercises in the Middle East as it deploys what Donald Trump has called an “armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region as part of a tense standoff with Iran. The display of US air power was announced as the White House has suggested it could launch new strikes on Iran after the government’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that has left thousands dead and many more in detention with their fates uncertain.

F-35 Quarterbacks and CCAs: The Behavioral Path to Sixth-Generation Airpower

01/28/2026

The concept of fifth-generation air warfare was clearly articulated by former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne during the early development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Wynne emphasized a fundamental shift from platform-centric thinking to network-centric operations, where stealth, sensor fusion, and information dominance would define a new era of air combat.

Russia Sends Yak-130s to Ethiopia—Just a Sale, or a Signal to the West?

01/28/2026

Russia has delivered up to six Yak-130 advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, along with at least one Orion combat drone, to Ethiopia, according to Defense Express on January 27, citing images from the Aviation Expo 2026 held at Bishoftu Air Base. Photos from the air show show Yak-130 jets bearing tail numbers 2301 through 2306. The aircraft, produced by Russia’s defense industry, are designed primarily for pilot training but can also perform light combat missions.

Navy Is Flying Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters

01/27/2026

An elite U.S. Navy test and evaluation squadron, the VX-9 “Vampires” based out of NAWS China Lake, are now flying the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A model. The Navy traditionally flies the carrier-capable F-35C and the Marines fly both the short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B and the F-35C.

Swedish jets shadow Russian combat aircraft over Baltic Sea

01/27/2026

Sweden’s Armed Forces detected two Russian Su-35S fighter jets and one Tu-22M3 bomber flying over the Baltic Sea on January 23, prompting a response by Swedish Air Force quick reaction alert aircraft.

Ukrainian Flamingo Missiles Strike Russian Plant Supplying Su-35 and Su-57 Fighter Jets

01/27/2026

A precision missile strike carried out by Ukraine targeted the Skif-M plant in Belgorod, a facility identified by defense analysts as critical to Russia’s military aircraft production. According to open-source intelligence groups CyberBoroshno and Exilenova+, four domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used in the September 23, 2025 operation. The site is known for supplying specialized tooling essential for manufacturing Su-34, Su-35, Su-57, and MiG aircraft.

Indonesia receives Rafale advanced fighter jets from France in major upgrade

01/27/2026

Indonesia has received three Rafale fighter jets from France in the first deliveries from a multi-billion-dollar defence deal between the two countries, a defence ministry official told Reuters on Monday, marking a major upgrade to the country's ageing military hardware.

NORAD pact would change if Canada pulls back from F-35 order, warns U.S. ambassador

01/27/2026

U.S. President Donald Trump's ambassador to Canada is warning of consequences to the continental defence pact if Canada does not move forward with the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. "NORAD would have to be altered," U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra told CBC News in an exclusive interview at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

The Argentine Air Force confirmed the receipt of a new logistics package for its F-16 fighters

01/26/2026

As previously reported days ago by Zona Militar, the Argentine Air Force confirmed the receipt of a new logistics package intended to support the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters recently received by the institution, aimed at ensuring the start of operations with the weapons system.

US Air Force to begin Middle East exercise amid Iran tensions

01/26/2026

The US Air Force said Sunday it was about to begin a multi-day readiness exercise across the Middle East “to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower” in the region, amid heightened tensions with Iran. “This exercise reinforces peace through strength by fielding a credible, combat-ready, and responsible presence designed to deter aggression, reduce the risk of miscalculation and assure partners,” a statement released by US Air Forces Central said.

Stavatti Aerospace outlines SM-39 Razor concept as independent candidate for U.S. Navy’s NCAD F/A-XX fighter program

01/26/2026

Stavatti Aerospace has presented the SM-39 Razor as an independent proposal for the U.S. Navy’s Next Carrier Air Dominance effort, informally known as F/A-XX, intended to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the 2030s. Program assumptions published in January 2026 call for at least 600 aircraft at USD 85 million each—USD 51 billion total—with deliveries planned for 2031–2037 and a training system that includes 50 mission simulators.

Pro-Russian Czech PM Babiš shuts down any transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine

01/26/2026

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has categorically ruled out the transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine, despite support from Czech President Petr Pavel and the country's top military official, according to Idnes. The statement came amid contrasting positions from Czech officials on the potential sale of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine as Kyiv continues to seek international assistance amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The F-15 Eagle Is Now America’s “Forever Fighter”

01/25/2026

Owing to shortcomings in the F-35 program—and its F-47 successor—the F-15 Eagle will remain in service with the US Air Force at least into the 2040s. The F-15 Eagle is slowly becoming America’s “Forever Fighter.” That’s because, despite decades of talk regarding the retirement of these fourth-generation warplanes, the United States Air Force just can’t seem to quit these magnificent birds.

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.