4/17/2026

Underground bunker network preserves majority of Iran air force

Despite repeated U.S. and Israeli claims that Iran’s air force had been destroyed or rendered combat-ineffective, confirmed OSINT data and post-ceasefire sightings now show that Tehran deliberately sheltered the overwhelming majority of its flyable combat aircraft in hardened underground bases — preserving an estimated two-thirds of its operational fleet while absorbing a campaign of unprecedented intensity.

4/17/2026

Experimental Operations Unit accelerates Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice. The exercise employed the YFQ-44A aircraft and represents a shift toward the new concept of earlier, operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures.

4/16/2026

RAF scrambles jets after unidentified aircraft approached British airspace

The RAF scrambled two fighter jets on Tuesday after sightings of an unidentified aircraft approaching British airspace. The jets, which were launched from RAF Lossiemouth in north Scotland, were supported by a Voyager refuelling jet from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. An RAF spokesperson told ITV News: "RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched on April 14 from RAF Lossiemouth after unidentified aircraft were tracked flying towards UK airspace.

4/16/2026

Greece scrambles fighter jets as 'Turkish planes with weapons invade airspace'

A NATO member has been forced to scramble fighter jets after another member state's planes infringed upon its airspace, according to reports. Greek media reports the country deployed fighters to intercept Turkish F-16s and a single CN-235 naval cooperation aircraft.

4/16/2026

WILL CANADA GO FOR A SPLIT F-35-GRIPEN FIGHTER JET FLEET?

There has been a lot of debate and speculation on Canada’s F-35 file but Prime Minister Mark Carney has still yet to make a decision on which way he will decide. The main focus is on whether Canada will decide to go for a mixed fleet of F-35s from Lockheed Martin and Gripen fighter jets from Saab.

4/16/2026

Russia Announces New Export Contracts for Su-57E Fighter Jets

During the opening of the DSA-2026 international arms exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport signed several export contracts for Su-57E fighter jets. This was reported on the company’s website. The aircraft has drawn interest from countries politically aligned with Moscow.

4/16/2026

Saab is on the verge of withdrawing its proposal to equip the Peruvian Air Force with the new Gripen E/F fighter

Saab AB informed the Peruvian government that, unless it receives a formal invitation to submit its final proposal, based on the Gripen E/F fighter, in the competition for the Air Force’s new combat aircraft, it “will officially withdraw from the acquisition process.” Through a letter delivered to Peru’s Ministry of Defense on April 10, the Swedish company granted two business days to learn the decision on the matter, a deadline that expires tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15.

4/15/2026

Russian fighter jets pose challenges

Norwegian fighter jets were reportedly sent out more than 40 times last year to identify and document a total of 53 Russian fighter jets flying close to Norwegian airspace. During Easter came reports of an unusually close encounter in the Arctic, which Norway regularly patrols on behalf of NATO.

4/15/2026

The war in the Middle East delays the delivery of 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets to Morocco by the United Arab Emirates

Despite the agreement reached in 2024, Morocco will not yet receive the French-made fighter jets, which have been deployed by the UAE’s air defence forces in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

4/15/2026

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

The MQ-9 Reaper, a staple for the U.S. since the turn of the 21st century, has remained a go-to asset for the military, even as recently as the war with Iran. But over the last few years, the U.S. has lost at least 35 Reaper drones — at least 16 were downed over Iran, 7 were shot by the Houthis in Yemen in Spring 2025, and 12 from other aircraft accidents recorded by the Air Force.