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Military Aviation News

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

01/13/2026

India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. According to new Indian media reports, New Delhi is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large IAF order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to plug growing gaps in its fighter inventory.

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

Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems. As part of the agreement, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.

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

Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player.

The NGAD Program Is More than Just a Fighter Jet

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is centered around the F-47, a manned fighter contract that was awarded to Boeing last spring. But the NGAD program contains more than just the F-47—the program also includes unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), for manned-unmanned teaming, and a series of sensors, networks, and other weapons.

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

Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI and is leading the startup’s $200 million Series B funding round to accelerate the integration of “controlled autonomy” and artificial intelligence into future combat aviation systems.

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

The issue of transferring several Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine has been resolved, and technical consultations are ongoing regarding Kyiv's transfer of certain UAV and missile production technologies to Warsaw. These consultations will continue for several more weeks, and the transfer of aircraft may take place in February.

India Allocates $1 Billion to Replace Russian Il-78MKI Refueling Aircraft

The fleet of six Il-78MKI refueling aircraft, introduced more than twenty years ago, has exhausted its service life. It is no longer able to meet the current requirements for long-range operations of the Rafale, Su-30MKI and indigenous Tejas variants. The IAI plans to modify six used Boeing 767s into MMTT multirole refueling aircraft.

Italy Is Breaking Ground on Europe’s First F-35 Training Center

Last November, the Italian Air Force announced plans to create an international training facility for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Currently, all pilots from allied and partner nations receive their F-35 training at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, following its relocation from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The latter base remains the primary hub for US F-35A pilot training, with Eglin AFB, Florida.

JF-17 gains traction as Iraq explores fighter jet purchase

Iraq has expressed a keen interest in acquiring Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft as senior air force commanders from both countries held talks in Baghdad, underscoring growing defence cooperation and Islamabad's expanding profile as a supplier of combat aviation platforms.

Pakistan negotiates a $1.5 billion military agreement with Sudan that would include JF-17 Block III 4.5-gen fighter jets

Russia lost up to 21 tactical aircraft in 2025 – Defence24

US Marines test deadly autonomous drones that can assist crewed fighter jets

While the US military grabbed Maduro, where was Venezuela’s air force?

Why is Pakistan selling its JF-17 fighter jets to Bangladesh and others?

US military planes pictured at Scottish airport during tanker seizing operation

UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says

Dassault Aviation edges past 2025 Rafale target as demand stays high

Northrop Grumman to develop U.S. Marine Corps collaborative combat aircraft using Kratos Valkyrie UAS

F-35s And JF-17s: Saudi Arabia Acquiring Highly Diverse Fighter Fleet

Fire Breaks Out at Moscow Factory Producing Engines for Sukhoi Fighter Jets