Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Eagles have landed: New F-15EXs arrive at Eglin AFB

01/11/2024

The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023, just minutes from each other. The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.

Airmen Can Now Fix Vital F-16 Electronic Countermeasure Pods On the Go

01/11/2024

The F-16 fighter jet is famous for its maneuverability, and the A-10 attack jet for its armor and armaments. But one of the most important features protecting those aircraft in combat is an unassuming grey cylinder slung beneath their bellies: the ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasure pod, which protects the jets in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation

01/10/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Jan. 9 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 10. Of the eight People’s Liberation Army aircraft, one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.

S. Korea to begin production of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet

01/10/2024

South Korea is set to begin production of the KF-21 fighter jet this year as planned, the state arms procurement agency said Wednesday, in what would be a major milestone in the country's pursuit of an advanced homegrown fighter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) seeks to sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the jet's manufacturer, within the first half of the year to pave the way for the KF-21's large-scale production, according to a DAPA official.

The F-16 Fighter Is No Silver Bullet That Will Win the War for Ukraine

01/10/2024

The Ukrainians have fought ardently to keep the Russian invaders at bay – but the Ukrainian resistance has depended mainly on foreign military aid. Wisely, the Ukrainians have vigorously lobbied the Western powers for cash and equipment donations. And at the top of the Ukrainian’s wish list was the multi-role F-16, an American fourth-generation fighter that has been exported throughout NATO.

Indonesia completes order for 42 French Rafale fighter-jets amid regional tensions

01/10/2024

Indonesia has signed a contract to buy 18 more Rafale fighter-jets from France, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday, as Jakarta completed a 2022 order for 42 of these warplanes, in upgrading its air force fleet amid regional security challenges.

Taiwan to Spend $329M for Crucial Mirage 2000-5 Parts

01/09/2024

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense will spend 10.2 billion New Taiwan dollars ($329 million) to purchase spare engine parts for its Mirage 2000-5 fleet. A government source told local media outlets that the contract aims to ensure the French-made fighter jets will remain mission-capable for years to come.

Germany drops block to Eurofighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia

01/09/2024

Saudi Arabia bought 72 Eurofighters in 2007 from BAE Systems for approximately £4.4 billion; those planes have been delivered, but Riyadh wants an additional 48 fighters. However, Germany blocked further deliveries of the fighter — a joint British, German, Italian and Spanish project — due to Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemen civil war and the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Clash Of Stealth Fighters! China’s J-31 To ‘Compete’ With Russia’s Su-75 As An Affordable Alternative To F-35

01/09/2024

China’s J-31 has joined Russia’s Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ to emerge as a competitor to the American F-35 fighter jet following Pakistan’s announcement to acquire the Chinese combat aircraft over the next few years.

Taiwanese troops detect 13 Chinese military aircraft, 5 vessels, 2 balloons near Island

01/08/2024

The Taiwanese armed forces have detected 13 Chinese military aircraft, five vessels and two balloons near the island nation over the past day, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Armed With Stealth, Air Superiority Jets & Strategic Bombers, Russia Yet Again Fails To Dominate Skies – Report

01/08/2024

Two weeks after the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) lost Su-34 fighter jets to Ukrainian air defenses, an intelligence update released by the UK Ministry of Defense (UK MoD) claims that RuAF operations have been hampered due to losses.

Greece’s Ongoing Pursuit of F-35s

01/08/2024

Despite a recent thaw in relations with Turkey, Greece was still eager to purchase advanced F-35 fighter jets from the US, as affirmed by the country’s foreign minister in an interview on Saturday. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke highly of Greece’s relations with Turkey but insisted on upgrading the country’s military by purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the US, whom he described as a major player in the region and a “superpower.”

UK intelligence assesses Russia’s air power after downing Su-34

01/07/2024

Previously, Russia’s tactical air power had been playing a key role in the south of Ukraine, especially attacking Ukraine’s bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. However, the downing of Russian combat aircraft made it impossible for Russia to conduct offensive operations in this area.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around nation

01/06/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Jan. 4) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Jan. 5). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane and one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance plane 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.

Air Force bomber carrying 4 crashes at Ellsworth base during training mission

01/06/2024

An Air Force bomber jet crashed during a training mission at a South Dakota base Thursday, officials confirmed. All four aircrew members on board safely ejected from the B-1B Lancer before it smashed into the ground just before 6 p.m. at Ellsworth Air Force Base, a spokesperson from the unit said. The crew had been attempting to land the heavy bomber jet during a training mission when it lost control of the aircraft. The Air Force could not say whether any injuries were reported.

Pentagon 6th-Gen Stealth Jet to Incorporate AI & Cyberwar Breakthroughs

01/06/2024

The Pentagon’s relentless journey into the future of air dominance has for generations been informed by technological breakthroughs that redefine military aviation capabilities. The most recent instance of anticipated breakthroughs can be associated with the mysterious and still somewhat unknown Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a new platform likely to change technical paradigms defining air dominance.

US DoD deploys F-35s across armed forces in a deal worth $1.1bn

01/06/2024

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated the ‘site activation’ of F-35 A, B and C fighter jets to the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as foreign military sales customers. Site activation – a DoD phrase – refers to the process by which systems and equipment are delivered to an put into service by operational units in the field.

Indonesia Shelves Mirage Fighter Jet Procurement

01/06/2024

The Indonesian government has shelved its planned procurement of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets previously owned by Qatar due to budget constraints. A defense ministry spokesperson told local media outlet TV One that neither the Indonesian Defense Ministry nor the country’s Ministry of Finance can financially support the controversial acquisition “for the time being.” He added that the military will just opt to retrofit its Sukhoi and F-16 combat jets to fill current capability gaps.

Belgium to send two F-16s to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots - media

01/05/2024

"Belgium will send two F-16s to Denmark and around fifty personnel to train Ukrainian pilots between March and September. [...] for two eight-week periods. The training mission is part of the F-16 coalition, made up of thirteen countries and led by Denmark, the Netherlands and the U.S. The aim is to equip the Ukrainian Air Force with these types of fighter jets from the 1980s and 90s," the report reads.

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around nation

01/04/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 2) to 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 3). Of the nine People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, including one Xian JH-7 fighter bomber in the northeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone in the southwest sector of the ADIZ, according to the MND.

Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2023)

01/04/2024

The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet is still in the limelight over 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the aircraft in the 2020s. The list of countries that would like to get their hands on the jet constantly grows. Ukraine, after lobbying hard for acquiring enhanced air power, is now in the process of training its pilots for the F-16 as the invaded country waits for the arrival of the jets from Europe.

Ukrainian pilots complete UK F-16 training – Netherlands commits aircraft

01/04/2024

In a strategic move to fortify Ukraine’s air capabilities, the United Kingdom has successfully concluded basic training for Ukrainian combat air pilots, enabling them to embark on F-16 fighter jet proficiency in Denmark. Simultaneously, the Netherlands has pledged 18 F-16 fighter aircraft, solidifying international support against Russian aggression.

J-20 Fighter: “Banned” For Exports, China Could Sell Its ‘Next Best Thing’ Stealth J-31 Aircraft To PAF?

01/04/2024

Pakistan could acquire China’s other stealth fighter, the Shenyang FC-31 (or J-31), according to its air force and army chiefs. The news comes just as the fighter is also being readied to operate from China’s Fujian aircraft carrier and become Beijing’s second carrier-borne strike fighter after the J-15.

Poland scrambles F-16 fighter jets during massive Russian missile strike on Ukraine

01/03/2024

According to a statement from the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, Poland scrambled F-16 fighter jets early Tuesday morning to “ensure the security of Polish airspace” amid “intense long-range air activity by the Russian Federation connected with carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine.”

Boeing's F-15EX: The Incredible Fighter Jet Israel Wants

01/03/2024

The Israelis still want the F-15EX fighter. The Israeli Ministry of Defense officially requested 25 F-15EX fighters from the US last January, but sources suggest that Israel intended to purchase upwards of 50.