Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

U.S. Air Force secures F-35 delivery and technology as Finland prepares to field Lightning II fleet

01/17/2026

Long before Finland’s first F-35A reaches Europe, the aircraft’s journey has involved secure U.S. facilities, according to a press release from the U.S. Air Force. As Finland, a NATO member since 2023, prepares to introduce the fighter into service, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations’ Office of Special Projects, known as AFOSI PJ, has been working to secure delivery of the aircraft and its capabilities.

Czechia signals readiness to send fighter jets to Ukraine for drone defense

Czech President Petr Pavel said that his country will soon deliver combat aircraft to Ukraine capable of intercepting approaching drones, reports Reuters. “The Czech Republic can in relatively short time provide several medium combat planes, which are highly effective in fighting drones, and I believe we will manage to quickly and successfully conclude this issue,” Pavel said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Bangladesh treads carefully as it explores closer defense ties with Pakistan

Bangladesh appears to be moving with caution as Dhaka and Islamabad forge closer ties and explore a potential defense deal, experts said on Friday. Following decades of acrimonious ties, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have been growing since a student-led uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Poland to Transfer Up to 9 MiG-29 Fighter Jets to Ukraine

Poland has decided to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for drone technology. Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Zalewski announced this in an exclusive interview with the TVP World program On the Record. In December, Poland’s military leadership confirmed that talks were ongoing about a potential deal where Poland would receive Ukrainian drone technologies in return for supplying the aircraft.

Fighter aircraft training

For almost 25 years, Canada operated the NATO Flying Training Centre at 15 Wing Moose Jaw and 4 Wing Cold Lake, training Canadian and allied pilots to become fighter pilots under its Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) program. In March 2024, the FLIT program came to an end when the CT-155 Hawk trainer aircraft were retired from service to begin the required transition to training solutions needed for the RCAF’s future fighter aircraft.

Turkish F-16 Fighter Jets Could Soon Patrol Baltic Airspace

NATO member Turkey could soon be the latest alliance nation to deploy combat aircraft to the Baltic countries, to help monitor Russia’s activity in the region, Bloomberg first reported. Since 2004, various member nations have provided continuous air defense for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—the year those three states joined NATO—as none have significant aerial assets to protect the airspace.

Saab wants Canada to buy 72 Gripens and 6 GlobalEyes to fulfil promise of 12,600 jobs

The Canadian Armed Forces would need to buy 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for Swedish manufacturer Saab to deliver on its pledge of creating 12,600 jobs in Canada, CBC News has learned. Government and industry sources said Saab's proposals for both aircraft are currently being studied by experts in defence matters and economic benefits in Ottawa.

Shield AI begins wind tunnel trials for X-Bat fighter drone

Shield AI announced on Wednesday that it has begun wind tunnel testing of its X-Bat unmanned combat aircraft, marking the first major evaluation phase for the company’s next-generation autonomous strike platform. The company said the tests are intended to accelerate design refinement and reduce developmental risk as the aircraft moves toward flight demonstrations.

F-47: The US Air Force’s Next Step In The Strategic Race For Air Superiority – Analysis

In late 2025, Washington made a potentially decisive move in the race for air dominance by commencing construction on the F-47, with a first flight planned for 2028. This is not a routine modernisation; it heralds a faster-than-expected shift in air warfare, one defined by range, technology, and the ability to operate in heavily contested environments.

China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets

Northrop Grumman to Develop USMC Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Navy demonstrates AI-enabled autonomy for future collaborative combat aircraft

Croatian Air Force Dassault Rafales Can Now Patrol Eastern Europe

China confirms J-10CE achieves first combat victory

India and France near major deal for 114 Rafale fighters ahead of Macron visit

Dassault Aviation leads $200 million Harmattan AI Series B to support AI integration in combat air systems

Exclusive: Pakistan and Indonesia closing in on jets and drones defence deal, sources say

The NGAD Program Is More than Just a Fighter Jet

Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS

Expert: Issue of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine resolved, technical consultations ongoing