Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Ukraine Is Getting 30 More F-16 Fighter Jets to Battle Russia in the Sky

06/01/2024

Belgium has agreed to supply up to 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Ukraine over the next few years to aid in its defense against Russian aggression. This pledge, alongside commitments from other countries, brings the total number of F-16s promised to Ukraine to around 115.

Sweden Sending Two Saab 340 AEWCS Sky and Sea Surveillance Planes to Ukrainian Air Force

05/30/2024

The Ukrainian Air Force will receive two Saab 340 AEWCS aircraft in the ASC 890 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system configuration from Sweden, providing Kyiv with “absolutely new potential for radar reconnaissance and combat control against targets in the air and at sea,” according to the local publication Sydsvenskan.

Pilot injured after a military fighter jet crashes near international airport in Albuquerque

05/30/2024

A military fighter jet on its way to an Air Force base in California crashed Tuesday near the international airport in New Mexico’s largest city, sending up a large plume of smoke and injuring the pilot. The pilot, the only person on board, was able to escape after crashing around 2 p.m. on a hillside on the south side of Albuquerque’s airport and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to the city’s fire department.

Canada purchasing 16 new fighter jets out of current budget, minister says

05/28/2024

The first 16 of the air force's new F-35 fighters will be paid for out of the current federal budget, even though Canada isn't expected to take delivery of the warplanes until 2026. Defence Minister Bill Blair pointed to the investment on Monday while defending the Liberal government's military spending plans before a House of Commons committee.

Taiwan tracks 21 Chinese military aircraft, 15 ships around nation

05/28/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels, and four coast guard ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (May 26) and 6 a.m. on Monday (May 27). Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 10 entered the southwest and southeast sectors of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

PH, Sweden sign pact on fighter purchases

05/28/2024

The Philippines and Sweden have signed a key agreement to support Manila’s planned acquisition of multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Titled “Implementing Arrangement Concerning the Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment,” the deal provides the government framework for the Philippines to purchase Swedish-made defense equipment.

Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets To Thwart New Chinese Intruder; JSO Says PLAAF’s WL-10 UAV Spotted For The First Time

05/28/2024

On May 27, the Chinese PLA Air Force’s WL-10, an unmanned aerial vehicle designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions, carried out flight activities above the East China Sea. Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO), which oversees the operations of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, announced that the incident prompted an immediate response from Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, which scrambled fighter jets to intercept the intruding UAV.

Saab sketches first details of Sweden’s next-generation fighter jet study

05/28/2024

Saab has revealed the initial details of Sweden’s Future Combat Aviation Concept study (Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg, KFS). This independent project began in July 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025. It was presented at a press briefing held at Saab’s headquarters in Linköping.

Morocco Bolsters Military Power with New F-16 Viper Fighter Jets

05/26/2024

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, has confirmed the start of production of the advanced F-16 Viper fighter aircraft for Morocco. This development marks a pivotal moment in the North African kingdom’s defense strategy, aiming for greater self-sufficiency and enhanced military prowess.

Will combat drones reshape the American military aeronautics industry?

05/26/2024

The US Air Force revealed, through press release, the names of the two manufacturers selected to design and build the prototypes of the first batch of combat drones, intended to accompany the future NGAD, successors to the F-22, as well as a few hundred specially prepared F-35As.

China sends dozens of warplanes and ships near Taiwan to show its anger over island’s new leaders

05/25/2024

Taiwan tracked dozens of Chinese warplanes and navy vessels off its coast on Friday, the second day of a large military exercise launched by Beijing to show its anger over the self-governing island’s inauguration of new leaders who refuse to accept its insistence that Taiwan is part of China.

Ukraine F-16 Update as First Pilots Complete Training

05/25/2024

The first round of Ukrainian pilots have completed F-16 fighter jet training at a military base in Arizona, advancing Kyiv one step closer to using the modern aircraft in its war against Russia. Air National Guard spokesperson Erin Hannigan told Politico's Lara Seligman that the pilots had been training at the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard in Tucson. They are now headed to Europe for additional training.

F-16 and Su-30 fighters from the Bolivarian Military Aviation engage in exercises alongside the Venezuelan Army and Navy

05/25/2024

As part of operational training, SU-30 and F-16 aircraft of the Bolivarian Military Aviation conducted combined exercises under the framework of the so-called “Domingo Sifontes Task Force.” According to information published by the Bolivarian Military Aviation on its social media platforms, the maneuvers carried out in coastal areas involved the participation of units from the Army and the Bolivarian Navy conducting patrol exercises, land incursions, and aerial coverage.

Eurofighter’s Loss Is Rafale’s Gain! France Eyes 174 Fighter Contract As Germany Confused On Export Policies

05/25/2024

Once hailed as the epitome of cutting-edge aerial warfare, the Eurofighter Typhoon soared to prominence in the early 2000s, emerging as one of the “world’s most advanced combat aircraft.” However, its glory days seem to be fading a bit. In the ring with the Typhoon is the Rafale, a contender that emerged almost a decade after its European counterpart. Surprisingly, the Rafale is swiftly closing in on the Typhoon’s sales figures.

For F-35, Congress must heed history

05/23/2024

History serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting air superiority, a mistake America must not repeat with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it did with the F-22 Raptor. In 2009, the F-22 program was abruptly cancelled after the production of only 187 aircraft — a quarter of the originally planned 750 fighters. This short-sighted decision left the U.S. Air Force with a diminished capacity to maintain air superiority in the face of evolving threats from the major military adversa

Saudi Arabia Eyes Full Partnership On Future Fighter

05/23/2024

Saudi Arabia is seeking full partner status as it decides what future combat aircraft program to join, with a decision possible within months. The kingdom aims to be “an equal partner” in any sixth-generation fighter program, Maj. Gen. Hamed Alamri, director of Joint Chiefs of Staff and chairman of the Committee on Future Capabilities of the Armed Forces for the Saudi Air Force, said May 21. “Saudi Arabia seeks to become a global innovator, not just a customer,” he told an event at the Royal Aer

It’s Time To Rebuild America’s Fighter Force, Not Cut It

05/23/2024

The U.S. Air Force today is the oldest and smallest in its history. Consequently, it is experiencing a severe fighter aircraft gap between what it has and what it requires to execute the national defense strategy. This gap is particularly acute within the F-35 stealth advanced 5th generation aircraft inventory. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 House Armed Services Committee bill language cutting F-35 purchases exacerbate this shortfall.

Ukraine Wants a Fleet of 130 F-16 Fighters to Battle Russia

05/21/2024

Ukraine's war effort is set to receive a boost with the imminent addition of F-16 Fighting Falcons to its fleet. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for 120 to 130 F-16s to achieve parity with Russia, but only around 85 have been pledged so far by countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.

KF-21 Boromae fighter fires IRIS-T missile for first time

05/21/2024

South Korea’s latest fighter jet, the KF-21 Boromae, which is still under development, has deployed the short-range German IRIS-T missile for the first time this month. IRIS-T (infra-red imaging system – tail/thrust vector controlled) is an air-to-air guided missile manufactured by Diehl Defence as part of a German-led multinational programme.

Russian Fighter Deal Reflects Indonesia’s Goal of a ‘Sanctions-Proof’ Economy

05/21/2024

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares confirmed last week that a $1.14 billion contract signed for the acquisition of 11 Su-35S fighter aircraft from Russia remains in force, in spite of widespread unconfirmed reports and speculation since early 2019 that it had been terminated due to threats of sanctions by the United States Treasury Department.

A NATO Warbird: Belgium is Now Operating the F-35 Fighter

05/20/2024

Belgium's third F-35A, designated AY-03, has completed its first flight, advancing the country's transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for its air force. The aircraft, featuring subdued Belgian national markings, will join Belgium's fleet of F-35s, replacing the aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Pakistan Eyes More J-10C Fighters; Continues To “Lead” Indian Air Force In Combat Jet Acquisition Since 1954

05/18/2024

After JF-17 and J-10C fighters, cash-strapped Pakistan turns to China for the Light Combat Aircraft JL-15 and has been eyeing to have the Chinese J-31 stealth fifth-generation aircraft by 2029. Pakistan earlier ordered 36 Chengdu J-10CE ‘Vigorous Dragon’ multi-role fighters (20 delivered, 16 to come). There are reports that they will order 14 more to make it 50.

Egypt goes shopping for pick and mix...

05/18/2024

Egypt is in the market for new fighters, but budgetary constraints mean that they may have to settle for a mixture of new and second-hand aircraft. Before 1979, when then President Anwar Sadat signed a historic peace agreement with Israel, the Egyptian Air Force was primarily equipped with aircraft of Soviet design, some of them supplied by China after the loosening of ties with Russia in 1976.

Another Dead End for Airborne Lasers: Air Force Scraps Effort to Mount Directed-Energy Weapon on Fighter Jet

05/18/2024

After years in development, the U.S. military's latest attempt at an airborne laser weapon to protect troops on the ground from incoming ballistic missiles appears to be headed for the scrapyard.

F-22s Practice Dogfights over the Korean Peninsula with ROK F-35s

05/17/2024

A pair of U.S. F-22s practiced dogfighting with South Korean F-35As on May 16, making a rare appearance over the peninsula’s inland airspace. The training saw the four stealthy fighters engaging in close-range air combat maneuver, taking turns in offensive and defensive posture in simulated confrontation scenarios, the Republic of Korea Air Force said in a release.