NETHERLANDS JOINS U.S. AIR FORCE COLLABORATIVE COMBAT DRONE PROGRAM
The United States Air Force (USAF) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence have formalized a partnership to develop prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) , expanding international participation in one of the Pentagon’s fastest-moving combat aviation programs. The agreement will allow the Netherlands to join the U.S. effort to develop autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters, providing what the Air Force describes as lower-cost combat mass in future conflicts. Under the deal, Dutch personnel will participate in testing and concept development at the Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis Air Force Base, where the Air Force is refining operational concepts for autonomous aircraft and human-machine teaming.
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Indian Air Force’s Push to Manufacture Aero Engines and Fighter Aircraft
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed purchase orders for only 40 Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) since the Indian fighter’s inaugural flight in 2001. Now the defense aircraft establishment in Bengaluru is scurrying to design and manufacture many more indigenous fighter variants to replace the Russian-origin MiG-21s that have been the IAF’s backbone for decades.
NATO’s Air Power
In the event of a crisis, how would NATO’s air forces defend its territory? The answer: a complex ballet of radars, both ground-based and airborne, flying petrol stations carrying more than 100,000 litres of jet fuel, supersonic strike fighters and a group of pilots called “Wild Weasels”, who are tasked with taking down enemy air defences. Success depends not on one element alone, but on the combined power of all these elements working together. Allied air forces constantly train to be ready to defend themselves and their NATO Allies, and after years of hard work, they’ve largely developed a set of common tactics and procedures.
Airbus leads national industry launch of Spain's new combat training system
An Airbus-led group of Spanish companies presented today the industrial programme of the Spanish Air and Space Force's new Integrated Combat Training System (ITS-C). The programme, for which a contract was awarded in December 2025, will replace the current fleet of F-5 aircraft and will include a 60% participation of national industry.
“No ICD, No Deal”: India Threatens to Walk Away From $43 Billion Rafale Fighter Deal as France Refuses Source Code Access
India’s negotiations for 114 additional Dassault Rafale F4 multirole fighters are approaching a strategic breaking point as New Delhi signals it is prepared to abandon one of its most consequential airpower procurements over France’s refusal to provide critical avionics access and Interface Control Document (ICD) control.
Czech Republic offered Azerbaijan a new military training aircraft
The Czech Republic has offered Azerbaijan a new military training aircraft, the "L-39NG". Modern.az reports that Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said this in a statement to the press with President Ilham Aliyev in Gabala.
Su-57M1 Stealth Fighter Deal: Features, Price, Engine, and Why India May Choose It Over Waiting for AMCA
India Russia Su-57M1 fighter deal has become a major talking point in defence circles as Russia expands its offer to India in April 2026. This upgraded proposal goes beyond a simple aircraft sale and focuses on advanced technology sharing, local integration, and modern warfare capabilities.
Boeing Delivers First Operational Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet to the U.S. Navy
Block III is the most advanced version of the Super Hornet and exceeds fourth-generation fighter capabilities. U.S Navy capabilities include the advanced cockpit system with a 10-inch-by-19-inch touch screen display, enhanced networking, open mission systems, reduced radar signature and a 10,000-hour airframe.
Canada mulls observer role in fighter jet program with Italy, U.K., Japan
Defence Minister David McGuinty confirms Canada is looking into getting involved in a program run by a coalition of countries to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. But McGuinty says Canada has not yet made a final decision on whether to obtain observer status in the Global Combat Air Programme, run by Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy. The Global Combat Air Programme grew out of Britain’s Tempest program, which was launched to design a replacement for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Blue Shark becomes official name of China’s new carrier-based J-35 fighter
China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (a subsidiary of the state-run AVIC) has officially announced its newest fighter jet for the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) is called the J-35 Blue Shark. The name confirms four years of teasing.
