Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

Portugal May ‘Dump’ U.S. F-35 Stealth Jets For ‘Made In Europe’ Aircraft As Trump Raises Heat On NATO Allies

03/14/2025

Amid a rapidly deteriorating relationship between Europe and the United States, Portugal is reconsidering its plans to purchase the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet and could be looking for a European alternative.

French-made SAMP/T Air Defense System Successfully Shoots Down Russian Sukhoi Fighter Aircraft in Ukraine

03/13/2025

On March 11, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force Command, through its communications department, confirmed that the French-made SAMP/T air defense missile system successfully shot down a Russian Sukhoi fighter aircraft for the first time. The announcement, relayed by Ukrainian media, marks a significant moment for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Canada to Buy Military Choppers to Respond to Potential F-35 Crashes in Arctic

03/13/2025

The Canadian military has announced plans to acquire new helicopters to respond to potential crashes involving the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets in the Arctic. The decision comes amid concerns that the aircraft’s single-engine feature might be a drawback for operations in the country’s far north, where harsh weather conditions and vast, remote terrain heighten the risks associated with engine failure.

NGAD or Bust? Why the U.S. Can’t Afford to Fall Behind in Air Superiority

03/13/2025

The United States Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program may not be too big of a project to fail, it may simply be too important – largely because there may be no other option. “The entire joint force counts on air superiority,” said Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command at last week’s 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.

Can US Really "Turn off" the F-16, or How Long Can Ukrainian Fighter Jets Fly Without Official Maintenance

03/12/2025

The multi-role F-16 aircraft that were transferred to Ukraine by European countries are in any case American aircraft, the fate of which, like all other American weapons around the world, depends on what somebody in the White House thinks about this matter

Norwegian F-35s ‘Chase Away’ Russian BEAR Bombers Watching Ex. Joint Viking; U.S. Plans To Make Its Stealth Jets Much More Lethal

03/12/2025

The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft is in the headlines once again after it shadowed Russian combat aircraft that were allegedly watching a military exercise. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced that two of its F-35 fighter jets took off from Evenes Air Base on March 10 to identify and shadow two Russian Tu-142 ‘BEAR-F’ maritime patrol aircraft flying in international airspace near Troms.

IAF aiming to induct new multirole fighter jets in 4-5 years, US F-15 Strike Eagle may be new entrant in global tender

03/12/2025

With a high-level committee having accepted the need for getting new multirole fighter jets, the Indian Air Force is looking to start induction of these planes in the next four to five years through a fast tracked global tender.

Vietnam Receives Final Czech-Made L-39 Skyfox Military Aircraft

03/12/2025

Czech manufacturers Aero Vodochody and Omnipol have completed delivery of the final batch of trainer and light combat aircraft to Vietnam. Hanoi ordered a fleet of 12 L-39 Skyfox aircraft from the Czech firm in 2021 and received the first half in 2023, the year Prague also expressed interest in supplying the Southeast Asian country with dual-use radars, cargo aircraft, and more Skyfoxes.

US Marine Corps Deploys First F-35B Fighter Squadron to Japan to Boost Airpower in Indo-Pacific

03/09/2025

According to information released by the U.S. Department of Defense on March 8, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps has deployed its first F-35B squadron from the continental United States to Japan to enhance airpower capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, known as the Black Sheep, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, under the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP).

Meet the defense giants that will rearm Europe as the EU eyes a massive military buildup

03/09/2025

The European Union announced plans to increase its defense spending by €800 billion ($867 billion), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this week, unveiling the ReArm Europe plan. The plan includes €150 billion in loans to help member states buy air defenses, artillery, missiles, “ammunition drones,” and anti-drone systems as well as address other needs like cybersecurity and mobility.

U.S. Becomes 1st Country To Classify Armed Drones As Fighters! Can They Replace Or Augment Combat Jets?

03/09/2025

US Air Force has officially classified its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as fighters. The two prototype aircraft, the YFQ-42A developed by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A from Anduril Industries, are the first uncrewed aircraft to receive a fighter designation. Under Air Force naming conventions, the “Y” indicates a prototype, “F” stands for fighter, and “Q” signifies an unmanned system. Once these aircraft transition into production, the “Y” will be dropped from their names.

British Navy tests F-35B fighter jet equipped with Meteor missile for first time

03/08/2025

The British Royal Navy has carried out flight tests of the F-35B Lightning fighter jet armed with the nation’s latest air-to-air missile, the Meteor, for the very first time. Pilot Lieutenant Commander Nick Baker and engineer Lieutenant Commander Lewis Roach, both stationed with the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the US, have been central to the recent trials involving the Meteor missile.

Florida Air National Guard now in fifth-generation fighter era

03/08/2025

The Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing started its week by becoming the fourth Air National Guard unit to be equipped with fifth-generation fighter aircraft, according to a unit press release. With the March 4 arrival of F-35A Lightning II craft in Jacksonville, Fla., the wing will have more power to serve its mission of guarding the southeastern coast, the release said, noting that the coastline is not only crucial for homeland defense but for projecting force globally.

Mitchell Trophy Air Race revived at Selfridge

03/08/2025

Members of the 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, hosted the 1st Fighter Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mar. 6, 2025, reviving an aerial competition made popular when World War I flying aces were front-page news. In a collaboration 89 years in the making, the 1st Fighter Wing, whose lineage dates back to the 1st Pursuit Group, brought part of the Mitchell Trophy Air Race back to Selfridge, a heritage home of both the unit and the race.

North Korea to have first early warning aircraft, satellite image shows

03/07/2025

North Korea “appears close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft,” a significant upgrade for its air force, said U.S.-based research website 38 North, citing commercial satellite imagery. Airborne early warning, or AEW, aircraft use radars to detect incoming missiles, as well as other aircraft and warships at long ranges. They are also used for aerial reconnaissance over the ground and the sea.

Sweden to deploy Gripen fighter jets for NATO air defence operations in Poland

03/07/2025

The Swedish Government has submitted a bill to the Riksdag proposing Sweden’s involvement in NATO’s air defence operations in Poland. The objective is to safeguard military and civil support to Ukraine by strengthening airspace security.

Fifteen hurt after SK fighter jets drop bombs by accident

03/07/2025

Fifteen people in South Korea were injured, two of them seriously, after a pair of fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs in a civilian district on Thursday during a live-fire military exercise, local media reported. The incident involving the Air Force KF-16 aircraft, in the city of Pocheon near North Korea, was part of routine drills held by the South to maintain combat readiness against potential attacks from the North.

NGAD Vs China’s 6th-Gen Fighter: U.S. Official Says NGAD ‘Best Bet’ Against PLAAF’s Sixth-Gen J-36 Aircraft

03/05/2025

As the United States enters the era of next-generation aerial combat, a top US Air Force (USAF) official said at a symposium that China’s sixth-generation aircraft is likely intended as an air superiority aircraft. The participating officials also affirmed that the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program was irreplaceable.

Russian fighter jet provokes French Reaper drone over Mediterranean, French Defense Minister says

03/05/2025

A Russian Su-35 fighter jet engaged in a dangerous provocation against a French Reaper drone over the Mediterranean Sea on March 2, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu reported on March 4. "The Russian Su-35 fighter jet behaved dangerously toward the French Reaper drone... Three consecutive approaches could have led to the loss of control of the drone," Lecornu posted on X.

US eyes Euro-Japanese next-gen fighter program

03/05/2025

A Trump administration envoy’s push for US involvement in a Euro-Japanese fighter jet program has sparked new intrigue, skepticism and strategic questions about transatlantic defense ties. This month, Defense News reported that Paolo Zampolli, a close associate of US President Donald Trump and US special envoy to Italy, proposed US participation in the Euro-Japanese Global Combat Air Program.