Polish F-35 Fighter Jets Are Now Being Built in Europe
NATO member Poland could see its aerial capabilities further expanded, as the first F-35A Lightning II made outside the United States conducted its maiden functional flight earlier this month from the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy. Owned by the Italian Ministry of Defense and operated by Italian aerospace giant Leonardo in partnership with Lockheed Martin, the 101-acre industrial aircraft facility, located at the Cameri Air Base near Novara, also serves as the primary European maintenance hub for the F-35 Lightning II.
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How Ukrainian Cyber Operation May Have Led to Downing of russian Su-57 Near Moscow
Ukrainian InformNapalm community reported that russian forces had shot down one of their own aircraft and that the incident was the result of an operation conducted by Ukrainian cyber units. These units effectively turned russian air defense into a weapon against its own air force.
China’s J-10CE Push Into Uzbekistan Threatens Russia’s Central Asian Airpower Monopoly as 24-Jet Pivot Redraws Eurasian Balance
Uzbekistan’s air force has entered a transition whose significance lies beyond one fighter delivery, because the programme challenges the seven-decade Russian monopoly that shaped Central Asian combat aviation, sustainment networks, training systems, and air-defence architecture.
As drones take over, ejection-seat makers prepare for a pilotless battlefield
In the eight decades since Martin-Baker conducted its first in-flight test, its ejection seats have saved the lives of more than 7,800 aviators. But more recently, advancements in robotic and autonomous aircraft have Martin-Baker and fellow ejection-seat makers looking for ways to keep themselves alive and well.
China Reveals How Pakistani J-10CEs Shot Down Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30MKI Without Using AEW&C System
Until now, the prevailing theory was that the reason for the success of the Pakistan Air Force was a combination of three Chinese components: the ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft, the J-10CE fighter and the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile, but new details from China contradict this.
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 8 military aircraft
The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and four official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Six of the eight People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
The Future of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Alliance is undergoing a major transformation, with European members taking more responsibility for their own defense and assuming airpower and other roles that, for decades, the United States had promised to fulfill. Trump administration officials claim the shift is necessary because the U.S. needs to allocate more forces for other commitments around the globe.
Indonesia orders Leonardo light fighters, eyes naval helicopters
The Indonesian Air Force will soon add yet another aircraft type to its eclectic fleet, after a deal with Leonardo for a dozen M-346F Block 20 light fighters was announced this week.
Why Lockheed’s F-22 Raptor is still one of world’s most capable fighter jets
For nearly two decades, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor has remained the benchmark for air superiority. Designed to dominate enemy fighters before they even know it’s there, the aircraft combines stealth, speed, agility, and advanced sensors in a way few operational fighters have matched.
Spain delays F-18 retirement amid fighter jet shortage
Following the collapse of the FCAS fighter jet programme and a lack of available latest-generation alternatives, Spain is now forced to prolong the service life of its F-18 fleet. This week, Madrid commissioned defence and technology giant Indra to develop new avionics test benches to support the extended lifespan of more than 60 fourth-generation aircraft.
