Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China sends 21 military aircraft and 8 ships around Taiwan

09/10/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 8) and 6 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9). Of the 21 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 16 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. These included fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.

EAV delivers two upgraded F-16 Vipers to Hellenic Air Force

09/10/2024

The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) delivered two upgraded F-16 Vipers to the Hellenic Air Force on Monday, while another fighter jet is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. In recent months, EAV has accelerated deliveries to get back on schedule. EAV officials estimate that they may even exceed their goal for 2024 by delivering an additional Viper, bringing the total number of fighter jets delivered this year to 16.

How Chinese J-20 fighters in Xinjiang and Tibet are a concern for India

09/09/2024

India-China relations have been at lows since the Galwan skirmish four years ago. There is an uneasy calm at present and an attempt to re-engage, but a range of divergences persist between the two Asian giants. China is aggressively building infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese want to add air power to the conflict.

US Navy Reveals Unsuccessful Bid To Acquire F-16 Fighting Falcons From Greece For ‘Adversary Squadrons’

09/09/2024

In a surprising development, the US Navy recently revealed for the first time that it previously tried to acquire second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Greece without any success. The revelation came through a press release issued on September 5, which also highlighted a major advancement for the Navy Reserve’s Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC)-13.

NATO Members Romania, Latvia Accuse Russia Of Violating Airspace With Military Drones

09/09/2024

Romania and Latvia, both members of NATO, on September 8 accused Russia of violating their countries' airspace with military drones, escalating tensions between Moscow and the West. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, incidents of Russian military drones or missiles flying across or crashing into neighboring states of Ukraine have been reported. Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions, as recently as July this year.

Egypt to replace F-16s with China’s fighter jets

09/08/2024

Egypt has reportedly signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. According to various reports, the deal for the Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” was signed on August 19, 2024. This acquisition would make Egypt the second international customer for the J-10C, following Pakistan.

Ukrainian MiG-29 jet lands safely after emergency

09/08/2024

The Ukrainian military has released footage of a MiG-29 fighter jet after it made an emergency landing in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the spring of 2024. The pilot safely exited the aircraft without injury, according to local sources. The exact condition of the aircraft remains unclear, but some sources suggest that the airframe sustained damage. The fighter jet has reportedly been transferred for possible repairs, though its future remains uncertain.

Pentagon Report: Air Force to Bed Down Only 25 F-35s in Fiscal 2026

09/08/2024

The Air Force would only bed down 25 F-35s in fiscal 2026 under a plan included in a recent Pentagon report on the fighter. The plan calls for the service to field some 700 of the jets by the end of the decade and never buy more than 48 in any given year.

With Next-Gen Fighter in Limbo, F-22 Must Dominate

09/07/2024

The Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance fighter is facing fiscal headwinds and conceptual turbulence, with service leaders recently announcing a pause in the program designed to field a sixth-generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor. “We are taking another look at the NGAD platform itself, and before we make the commitment that we’re close to making, we want to make sure we get the right design concept there,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in July.

Chinese military planes displayed at Egypt airshow, but demand is in question

09/07/2024

As the first Egypt International Air Show wrapped up Thursday, industry analysts debated the significance of China’s presence, which included the most complete demonstration of its advanced Y-20 transport aircraft and the first showcase of its J-10 fighter jets in Africa.

Serbia Denies It Will Provide MiG-29s to Ukraine as Part of Deal for French Fighters

09/06/2024

In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29. The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.

USAF Rethinks Whether It Needs a Manned 6th-Gen Fighter for Air Superiority

09/06/2024

The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it, acquisition boss Andrew P. Hunter and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in July the Air Force would take a “pause” on its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program, rather than commit to the program as planned.

Ukraine's Air Force Is Getting a 'Fleet' of F-16s and MiG-29 Fighters to Battle Russia

09/05/2024

The Ukrainian Air Force is thriving after receiving its first F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from NATO in August, using them to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones. In addition to these new capabilities, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 36 MiG-29 Fulcrum jets from Serbia via France, expanding its fleet significantly. While the Ukrainian Air Force is poised to benefit from these acquisitions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of trained pilots.

Poland Could Soon Bring F-15EX Fighters Right to Russia's Doorstep

09/05/2024

Poland is in discussions with Boeing to acquire F-15EX fighter jets as part of its military modernization, driven by concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-15EX, an advanced version of the F-15 with cutting-edge avionics, radar, and targeting systems, offers Poland enhanced air defense capabilities. With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs and 12 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs, the F-15EX can address evolving threats.

Azerbaijan to Equip JF-17 Fighter Squadron With Turkish Missiles

09/05/2024

The Azerbaijan Air Force is set to boost the lethality of its upcoming JF-17 fighter aircraft with the purchase of Turkish Bozdogan and Gökdoga missiles. Defense magazine Turkish Century announced the procurement on X, noting that the warplanes are also getting an advanced avionics suite made by Ankara.

US Air Force F-35s make historic first on highway in Finland

09/05/2024

Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Sept. 4, during exercise BAANA 2024.

‘Iconic’ U.S. Warthog Debuts In India – ‘Tank Killer’ A-10 Thunderbolt II Flies With Russia-Made Sukhoi-30 Fighters

09/05/2024

The Indian Air Force’s largest international exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ has entered its second phase. Debuting in the desert phase of the wargames is the iconic Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog.’ In what could be its first and last appearance, the Warthog has been flying with Russian-origin fighter jets – Sukhoi 30MKI.

US Air National Guard Trains in Austria with F-35 Lightning II Multirole Combat Aircraft.

09/04/2024

The Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) is preparing to deploy a contingent of Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Austria. The deployment, scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, will see VTANG participating in the prestigious Airpower Air Show, followed by a multinational training exercise.

Scalability and versatility of combat aircraft, a bad calculation for the armies?

09/04/2024

According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 fighter will continue to represent the backbone of Western air forces until 2080. At that date, the 5th generation fighter, which entered service in 2015, will be 65 years old, and will have seen more than three generations of pilots. This dynamic is far from exclusive to the F-35. Thus, the Rafale Dassault Aviation, which entered service in 2000, will continue to fly with the French air force until 2060, as will the Typhoon European or the American F-15EX.

International collaboration unlocks true potential for collaborative combat aircraft

09/03/2024

That’s why interest among responsible powers is growing in collaboration generally but also with advanced new programs specifically. A case in point is with collaborative combat aircraft, known as CCAs. These highly capable autonomous unmanned fighters are set to revolutionize air dominance and other fields in the coming decades. Understanding how will also help explain allied nations’ desire to work together on building them.

Why the Air Force Needs 6th Generation NGAD 'System'

09/03/2024

Maintaining air superiority is critical for U.S. military success, especially against near-peer adversaries with advanced integrated air defense systems. The F-22 Raptor, with its unmatched stealth, speed, and situational awareness, exemplifies America’s air superiority capabilities, but the limited number of combat-coded F-22s and their aging structures necessitate the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system.

Czech Republic to lease Gripen fighters beyond 2027

09/03/2024

The Czech Republic has signed a Joint Declaration with Sweden to extend its lease of 14 JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft beyond 2027. Two double-seated and 12 single-seated units were delivered to Prague on the 31 August 2005; the fleet is stationed at Cáslav Air Base.

Rare Chinese Y-9LG ELINT Aircraft Spotted In Thailand

09/02/2024

China has deployed an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Intelligence (EW/ELINT) aircraft for an overseas exercise for the first time, with the deployment of one of its newest dedicated special mission aircraft to Thailand for a bilateral air exercise.

F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine unlikely shot down by 'friendly fire,' NYT suggests

09/02/2024

"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29 that the F-16, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by pilot Oleksii Mes, had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.

Le Rafale faces a potential export market of 324 aircraft by 2035.

09/01/2024

With more than 300 combat aircraft ordered for export to date, the Rafale of Dassault Aviation has become, since 2015, a great international success for the aircraft manufacturer and the entire French defense aeronautical industry. The commercial spearhead of Dassault has already exceeded the total export sales of the Mirage 2000 by 281 aircraft, and now aims to do better than the Mirage F1, sold in 450 units on the international scene.