Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Turkey's KAAN fighter jet conducts first flight

02/22/2024

Turkey's KAAN, its first national combat aircraft, completed its first flight on Wednesday, part of the country's efforts to upgrade its air force. NATO member Turkey launched its TF-X project to produce a national combat aircraft in 2016. Turkish aerospace firm TUSAS signed a deal with Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab worth $125 million in 2017 to develop the next-generation fighter jet.

Ukraine took out another Russian fighter jet, bringing its kill streak to 7 in a week

02/22/2024

Ukraine said it destroyed another Russian fighter jet on Wednesday, bringing its kill streak to seven in one week. The commander of Ukraine's air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Wednesday that Ukraine had taken out a Su-34 fighter bomber.

Thai Air Force faces a choice between F-16 and Gripen to replace aging fleet

02/21/2024

The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 new fighter jets — either the US F-16 or the Swedish Gripen — to replace an aging fleet in the coming years after failing last year to procure its No. 1 choice: the most advanced US F-35. The acquisition plan would be released when the Air Force issues a White Paper on its long-term air defense strategy at the end of February, according to Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, the commander-in-chief of the Air Force.

China Approved Patent for Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing Fighter

02/21/2024

In May 2023, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) approved a utility model patent for China’s first Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) Fighter. Chengdu Aircraft Research & Design Institute (CADI) – also known as Chengfei – submitted the patent on December 29, 2022, for a twin-engine tandem vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Taiwan tracks 24 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation

02/20/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 24 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 20). Of the 24 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, while seven entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Two PLA aircraft also were tracked in the northeast corner of the ADIZ.

Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships

02/20/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Feb. 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19). Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

German IRIS-T air-to-air missile to be integrated into Korean FA-50 and KF-21 Boramae fighters

02/20/2024

Germany’s Diehl Defence and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), manufacturer of the FA-50 series and the KF-21 fighter aircraft, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the purpose of intensifying their integration and commercialization efforts, addressing the potential of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on FA-50 and KF-21 aircrafts.

S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market

02/20/2024

South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50.

Ukraine's Air Force shoots down two more Russian warplanes

02/20/2024

Ukraine's Air Force destroyed two Russian aircraft that were dropping guided bombs on the positions of our troops this morning. [The warplanes in question were] one Su-34 fighter-bomber and one Su-35S fighter jet."

Japan looks to limit third-country defense exports to next-gen fighter jet

02/19/2024

Japan is considering a plan to limit — at least for now — exports to certain countries of finished defense equipment co-developed with other nations to its next-generation fighter jet, which will be built with Britain and Italy, sources have said.

Construction of 120 KF-21 Boramae for the South Korean Air Force will begin in 2024

02/19/2024

The contract between DAPA, the South Korean arms agency, and the aircraft manufacturer KAI, for the mass production of the KF-21 Boramae fighter, will be signed soon, according to an official South Korean press release. It will make it possible to begin manufacturing the 120 fighters expected by the South Korean air force before the end of the first half of 2024, with the last aircraft due to be delivered in 2032.

Russian Su-34 Fighter Jet Nosedives in Flames

02/19/2024

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) claim to have shot down a fourth Russian fighter aircraft in less than 48 hours. On early Sunday morning, video of aircraft reported to be a Russian Su-34 crashing in the Luhansk region made the rounds of social media. Ukrainian defenders “brought down” another Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. It happened this morning, according to Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Forces of the AFU, cited by the RBC Ukraine news outlet.

Embraer Views Asia Pacific As Key Growth Driver

02/18/2024

Embraer's growth target of 80 percent over the next seven years would result in $10 billion in revenue by 2030, thanks largely to its presence in the flourishing Asia-Pacific region. Speaking with AIN just ahead of this year's Singapore Airshow, company president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto noted the company’s high-profile presence at the Changi Exhibition Center reflects its ambition to meet that goal.

China’s Fighter Goals Soar on the Wings of the Dragon

02/18/2024

By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.

China sends 7 fighter jets, 5 navy ships, 1 balloon around Taiwan

02/18/2024

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels, and one balloon around the country between 6 a.m. Friday (Feb. 16) and 6 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). The defense ministry said that seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets had been detected in the Taiwan Strait. However, it did not indicate that any had entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or crossed the median line.

Vayu Shakti: Air Force displays growing combat prowess at Pokhran desert

02/18/2024

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday displayed its firepower capability at a mega exercise featuring over 120 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets and attack helicopters in Rajasthan's Pokhran desert. In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF also demonstrated the capabilities of its long-range drones and air-to-air missiles as well as its increasing strength in the rapid deployment of combat assets by airlifting weapons like M-777 ultra-light howitzers and other military platforms.

Air Force commander: Ukraine downs 3 Russian warplanes

02/18/2024

Ukraine's military shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter jets and another Russian Su-35 combat aircraft on Feb. 17, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported. The destruction of the jets is the latest in a recent uptick of downed Russian planes, including a Beriev A-50 military observation plane in January, which reportedly cost $330 million to produce.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in Arctic Circle jail, says Russia

02/17/2024

Russia's most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in an Arctic Circle jail, the prison service has said. President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic, he was serving 19 years on extremism charges that were widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny was moved to one of Russia's toughest penal colonies late last year.

J-35: China's New Aircraft Carrier Stealth Fighter Is a Mystery

02/17/2024

Reports have circulated online this week that a mockup of China's J-35 carrier-capable fighter aircraft was being employed in tests aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning. As TheWarzone reported, it could be an indication of further progress in the J-35's path to a career as a frontline naval fighter. Still, it further raises the possibility of a version of the jet operating from Beijing's two in-service carriers.

NATO Air Forces Conduct Aerial Combat Drills Over Estonia

02/17/2024

NATO allied air forces practiced refueling, close formation flights, and aerial combat drills in Europe this week. The training comes as more warnings emerged that NATO’s eastern flank faces potential conflict with Russia within the next decade. Speaking this week in Poland, Estonia Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that allied forces have about three or four years to strengthen its defenses before Russia prepares a “test for NATO,” the Associated Press reported.

India’s quest to sell Tejas jets to Argentina gets renewed push

02/17/2024

The young government of President Javier Milei is still working through its options for what fighter jet Argentina’s air force will be equipped with, but one contender is making an open push for the new government: India and its Tejas multirole fighter.

F-15EX ‘Hot Choice’ Over F-35 Stealth Fighters; Top US Official Says Will Push For More Air Superiority Jets

02/17/2024

The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II got its seal of approval from Lt Gen Michael A Loh, Director of the US Air National Guard, for its operability as it can carry more weapons and fly longer distances and its easy integration into the service than the stealth F-35A. The all-weather multirole strike fighter is, incidentally, the first US Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests.

How Russia's brazen plan to put nukes in SPACE could cripple America - causing a nationwide blackout, grounding military aircraft fleet and disabling banking system

02/16/2024

Russia's brazen plan to put a nuclear weapon in space could threaten satellites that enable military and civilian communications for the US and other western allies. It is unclear what exactly Moscow plans to put into space, but according to early reports from unnamed US government sources, a space-based nuke would be used to attack satellites in orbit rather than strike targets on the ground.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships

02/16/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 15) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 16). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

9 Chinese military aircraft cross median line: Taiwan defense ministry

02/16/2024

A total of 14 warplanes and drones sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army were detected in waters near Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon, with nine of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND). The 14 aircraft dispatched by the Chinese military starting at 1 p.m. included Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, the MND said.