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Military Aviation News

U.S. Quietly Arms Australia With 450 AIM-260A Missiles in US$3.16 Billion Deal, Giving RAAF a Powerful New Edge Against China’s PL-15

04/02/2026

The quiet approval of up to 450 AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles will make Australia the first foreign operator of America’s next-generation air-to-air weapon, dramatically expanding the RAAF’s long-range capability against China’s PL-15 and PL-17 missile threat.

Iran issues stark warning to Bulgaria over US aircraft access

Iranian authorities have warned Bulgaria not to allow the United States to use its airports for aircraft involved in military operations against Iran, the Bulgarian foreign ministry confirmed. The warning was conveyed in a diplomatic note dated March 18, in which Tehran protested against US military refuelling planes stationed at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport. The development was first highlighted by Stanislav Balabanov, a lawmaker from the “There is Such People” party, Reuters reports.

Pentagon Is Doubling Fleet of A-10 Attack Planes in Middle East

The Pentagon is doubling its Middle East fleet of Air Force A-10 attack planes, which can support advancing ground troops, even as President Trump says he wants to end the Iran war in two to three weeks. The Air Force is dispatching 18 A-10s to join roughly a dozen A-10s already in the region that U.S. commanders have used to attack Iranian boats and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, two Pentagon officials said on Wednesday.

30 killed in Russian military transport aircraft crash in Crimea

At least 30 passengers and crew were killed when a Russian military transport plane went down during a routine flight over a remote, mountainous region of Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry and Russian investigators said Wednesday. Communication had been lost with the AN-26, a twin-engined prop plane made by Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov, before it crashed into a cliff at about 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday with seven crew and 23 passengers on board.

France Refuses Rafale Source Codes to India, Triggering Major Blow to New Delhi’s Airpower Independence Strategy

Paris has reportedly denied India access to the Rafale fighter’s core source codes, preventing New Delhi from independently modifying the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, MDPU mission computer and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.

Dozens Of A-10 Warthogs Appear Poised To Join Epic Fury

With the iconic attack jet now in the twilight of its career, there are signs that the A-10C is set to deploy to the Middle East region for Operation Epic Fury. Such a deployment might well provide the combat swansong for the A-10, which the USAF plans to retire for good by the end of the decade, if not sooner. The development comes as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his threats against Iran, including threatening to eliminate its civilian infrastructure and oil-producing capability.

Russia Reportedly Loses Another Su-34 Fighter-Bomber

Russian military bloggers have reported the loss of another Su-34 fighter-bomber. The information about the loss of the Su-34 by the Russian Armed Forces was shared by the Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber. The post did not include specific details about the location or cause of the incident. However, the message included the phrase "Eternal flight, brother," which suggests that the pilot did not survive the event.

F-35 Crashes In The Nevada Test And Training Range Complex (Updated)

An F-35 crashed in the Nevada Test and Training Range in Southern Nevada. The pilot ejected and is reportedly safe after sustaining only minor injuries. According to KSNV News 3, “The U.S. military is searching for a pilot who had to eject from an aircraft over Southern Nevada on Tuesday, sources tell News 3… The aircraft reported trouble maneuvering around noon, according to sources.” The outlet subsequently reported that the pilot was found in good condition.

Italy closes Sicily base to US flights in Iran operations: Reports

Italy has refused to grant the U.S. permission to land military planes at an air base in Sicily before departing to the Middle East, according to Italian media reports. Corriere della Sera reported on Tuesday that “several US bombers” planned to land at Sigonella air base on their way to the Middle East earlier this week but were denied because the U.S. had not requested authorization or consulted with Italian military leaders.

Canadian supplier FTG supports global F-35 production with advanced circuit boards for fifth-generation fighter

US ‘wild weasel’ squadron in Japan begins transition from F-16 to F-35

NORAD Chief: F-35 “Not Needed” for North American Defense — Canada’s Fighter Jet Review Just Got Tougher?

Trump Approves F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia, Triggering a New Middle East Air Power Shift

Despite Significant Interest, IAF Hesitant on F-35 Acquisition Due to US End-Use Monitoring and Indigenous Weapon Integration Issues

Finnish Air Force prepares for arrival of first F-35 Lightning II fighters as integration and training progress

Saab CEO: Canada could get its first Gripen fighter in five years

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 1 military aircraft

Spain Bars U.S. Iran-Related Military Flights From Its Airspace

Iraq vows to respond to rocket attack destroyed military aircraft

UK receives 48th F-35B Lightning II fighter, completing first procurement batch amid ongoing capability challenges