Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Eurofighter Typhoon: The Fighter Jet NATO Is Now Depending On

04/12/2024

In March 2024, six Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were deployed to Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base for NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission, marking 30 years since the Typhoon's first flight. Developed by Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, these multi-role combat aircraft will undertake air policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force until August 2024.

How F-16s could change the war in Ukraine

04/12/2024

With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, the pitched battle this past winter between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the town of Avdiivka now appears notable for at least two reasons. The first is that Ukraine’s loss of the town marks the latest in a series of high-profile military setbacks, including its counteroffensive; the second is that it appears that for the first time in the war, Russia has, at least for the moment, gained a degree of local air superiority.

NATO fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft flying over Baltic sea

04/11/2024

NATO Eurofighters scrambled to intercept a Russian surveillance plane that was clocked flying over the Baltic Sea. A pair of German Eurofighter Typhoons were spotted on the tail of a Ilyushin Il-20 electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) flying over the Baltic Sea near the Swedish island of Gotland. The Russian craft, which boasts a sophisticated radar system for intel gathering, failed to answer to identification requests sparking the scramble, according to NATO's Allied Air Command (AIRCOM).

Serbia’s Potential Rafale Acquisition Signifies More Than Just a Fighter Decision

04/11/2024

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared his country’s intention of acquiring the Rafale jet fighter from France’s Dassault Aviation. The announcement – made while Vucic was on a two-day visit to France – noted that a firm contract signing is expected in two months. The declaration of a French fighter purchase underlines Serbia’s intention to diversify its sources of military importation, while underlining the fallout for Russian defense exports in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

US-Chinese military talks resume on safety in the air and at sea after a nearly 2-year break

04/10/2024

For the first time in nearly two years, U.S. and Chinese defense officials met this week to discuss unsafe and aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the Pacific region, restarting a dialogue that Beijing abruptly ended in a dispute involving Taiwan.

PAF sending fighter plane for the first time to Australia war games

04/10/2024

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will deploy a fighter plane to participate for the first time in Australia’s large-scale multilateral air combat exercise this year. PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo on Tuesday said that the Philippines will send an FA-50 light fighter aircraft for Australia’s Pitch Black Exercise in August.

AI-operated fighter jet will fly Air Force secretary on test run

04/10/2024

The Air Force is betting a large part of its future air warfare on a fleet more than 1,000 autonomously operated drones, and later this spring its top civilian leader plans to climb into one of those artificial intelligence-operated warplanes and let it take him airborne. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told senators on Tuesday at a hearing on the service’s 2025 budget that he will enter the cockpit of one of the F-16s that the service has converted for drone flight to see for himself how it

Greece plans to transfer dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine

04/09/2024

It is noted that the Greek government plans to sell 108 fighter jets that are currently subject to decommissioning. In particular, the conversation is about 32 units of F-16C/-D Block 30. In July 2022, Greece began the procedure for selling the jet fighters and related equipment (spare parts, simulators, devices, materials), the value of which was estimated at €117M.The sale did not occur, and the aircrafts’ condition in open storage constantly deteriorated.

Japan Completes First Stage Mod For Lockheed Martin F-35B Fighters On JS Kaga

04/09/2024

Japan has announced it has completed the first phase of modifying one of its helicopter carriers for F-35 operations. The Izumo-class destroyer Kaga's revamped flight deck will be able to support F-35B fighter jet take-offs and landings.

Serbia’s President to discuss Rafale fighter order during visit to France

04/09/2024

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic is set to visit France on April 8 and 9, 2024, to discuss, among other topics, the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets. During his two-day visit, President Vucic plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and later French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The agenda of the discussions will include the potential purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation.

F-16V, F-15, Rafale, Eurofighter: India Assembling World’s Best Warplanes For Air Drills Amid China Threats

04/08/2024

The IAF conducted two major wargames in 2024, which will be followed by a multinational exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti,’ the first to be held in India. The rise of an assertive China has brought together like-minded countries to pursue greater military cooperation. India, which has been embroiled in a standoff with China since 2020, has increased air exercises with foreign countries.

German fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian Il-20 aircraft over Baltic Sea

04/08/2024

The German Air Force scrambled their fighter jets over the Baltic Sea on Saturday to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. The German aircraft were forced to take off from the base in Lielvarde, Latvia. "Our European fighter jets from VAPB took off from Lielvarde today on a defensive mission to intercept a Russian Il-20 over the Baltic Sea, which was flying without a transponder," the statement reads.

F-16 Block 70/72 Fighter: 5 Reasons This is the Best F-16 Ever

04/07/2024

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the most prolific fourth-generation fighters, continues to dominate the skies thanks to significant upgrades ensuring its relevance in modern warfare. Since its debut in 1978, the Falcon has been a staple in global conflicts, operated by the U.S. Air Force and 26 other nations.

5 Reasons the F-35 Fighter Is Unstoppable in the Sky

04/07/2024

The F-35 Lightning II, an emblem of American aeronautical prowess, represents the pinnacle of fifth-generation fighter technology, amassing over 773,000 flight hours and serving 20 nations worldwide. This fighter jet, known for its stealth capabilities, is critical amidst rising tensions in regions like the South China Sea and Eastern Europe, ensuring survivability against advanced air-defense systems.

The first of the F-5 Tiger fighters bought from Switzerland by the Marine Corps to serve as aggressors arrives in the USA

04/07/2024

As part of the program to purchase 22 F-5 Tiger fighters from Switzerland by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the first aircraft arrived in the USA at the end of last March. More precisely, it arrived at the facilities of the Cecil Field Tactical Air Support Plant, located in Jacksonville, Florida, to undergo the second phase of the ARTEMIS program and subsequently join the force’s aggressor fleet to strengthen the dissimilar training capabilities of new pilots.

Indian Analyst Claims J-20 May not Perform as Well in High Altitudes

04/06/2024

Abhijit Lyer-Mitra, a researcher with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, claimed the J-20 could lose 60-70 percent of its power, notably takeoff weight and payload capacity. Lyer-Mitra’s data reportedly found the J-20 may have performance issues at higher altitudes, possibly due to thinner air reducing the thrust put out by engines, leading to a loss of power.

The farewell of the Italian Air Force to its veteran AMX 'Ghibli' fighter aircraft

04/06/2024

On May 15, 1984 the AMX 'Ghibli' made its first flight, after only three years of development. It will soon be 40 years. The Ghibli, known as Falcão in Brazil, was a design by AMX International, a company formed by the Italian firms Aeritalia and Aermacchi and the Brazilian firm Embraer. This aircraft emerged to replace the old Fiat G.91 and F-104 Starfighter as a light fighter and attack aircraft.

Can Collaborative Combat Aircraft Reduce the Human Burden?

04/06/2024

The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program seeks to field unmanned systems to distribute airpower and create dilemmas for adversaries. That will require developing platforms that reduce the human burden in the air and on the ground, Air Force officials and experts say.

The USA has authorized Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands to transfer 65 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Ukraine

04/06/2024

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives evaluated a series of notifications during the month of February proposing the transfer of 65 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon MLU fighter jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands to Ukraine. Despite the mentioned countries expressing their intention to donate the aircraft, the estimated cost of the initiatives amounts to USD 1.683.5 billion, including spare engines, simulators, manuals, tools, and various materials.

Six Russian planes destroyed by drones, says Kyiv

04/06/2024

Ukraine has carried out a drone attack against targets in southern Russia and claims to have destroyed six Russian planes at an airbase in Rostov region. Security sources told BBC Ukrainian eight more aircraft were badly damaged, while 20 service personnel could have been killed or injured. The Morozovsk base houses Su-27 and Su-34 aircraft used on the front line in Ukraine, the sources said.

South Korea Pitches FA-50 Fighter to Replace Thailand’s F-16s

04/04/2024

The Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has offered the sale of the FA-50 light fighter aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as it plans to spend 519 million USD (19 billion Baht) in the next fiscal year to acquire new fighter aircraft based on claims from the Thai Defense Ministry.

India Might End Up with the Best F-16 Fighting Falcon Ever

04/04/2024

Lockheed Martin's proposal to relocate F-16 production lines to India, in collaboration with Tata, illustrates a keen strategy to win over India's lucrative aviation contract, potentially shifting the balance of military airpower in the region. The F-21, boasting upgraded mission computers, avionics, and enhanced communication systems, represents not just a technological leap but a strategic advantage in India's quest to counterbalance Chinese influence.

Why the MiG-21 Fighter Jet Is Still Revered in Modern Warfare

04/04/2024

The MiG-21, developed by Mikoyan-Gurevich in 1955, stands as a testament to Cold War-era engineering and military strategy. Serving in over 50 countries, this supersonic fighter-interceptor was the most ubiquitous warplane of its time. Despite its simplicity, the MiG-21 was highly effective, notably during the Vietnam War, where it became a formidable adversary to American forces.

U.K. officials: Russians painting images of fighter jets on runways to confuse Ukraine intelligence

04/04/2024

The Russians are painting images of combat aircraft directly on the runway at air bases inside occupied Ukraine in an apparent attempt to throw off targeting efforts. Moscow has been forced to implement several such decoy attempts as a result of continued successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian military locations, British officials said.

US Navy, Air Force to Begin Joint Fighter Jet Training in 2024

04/04/2024

The US Navy and Air Force will start cooperative fighter pilot training this year under the US Department of Defense’s Joint Simulation Environment. The joint agreement is being managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Patuxent River, Maryland, which began by incorporating eight F-35 Lightning II simulation cockpits.