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Military Aviation News

On the flightline with Swedish fighter jets in Iceland, in Cold War 2.0

03/10/2026

It’s harsh here, with blustery winds at the Icelandic air station that the US shut down two decades ago. The gray, hardened aircraft shelters in concrete give a true sense of Cold War 2.0. The six Swedish JAS 39 Gripen C fighters deployed here for Arctic air policing were grounded for two days when Breaking Defense visited the air station with a group of other media.

Australia to send military aircraft to the Gulf

Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and 85 Defence personnel to the Gulf at the request of the United Arab Emirates to help protect Australians and others in the region, as 12 countries come under attack from Iran. Australian advanced and medium-range air-to-air missiles will also be provided to the UAE. The E-7A Wedgetail is one of Australia’s most sophisticated military planes, and will be deployed for an initial four weeks.

Turkish Deployment of F-16s in Occupied Portion of Cyprus Raises Tensions in Eastern Mediterranean

Using the regional turmoil sparked by the war against Iran’s clerical regime as a cover, Turkey has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus. Turkey’s March 9 action represents a significant escalation in the militarization of the Eastern Mediterranean. It also raises serious legal questions over the export and end use of U.S.-made military equipment.

NCIST mulls Kratos drone collaboration

Taiwan’s state-run defense research group is mulling developing autonomous “loyal wingman” drones to support fighter jets in a potential collaboration with a US-based manufacturer, a source said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a defense official said the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCIST) has reached out to Kratos Defense in a bid to collaborate in building combat aircraft utilizing technologies featured in the latter’s XQ-58A Valkyrie.

China signals push for military aircraft exports

A Global Times report said China plans to expand military aircraft exports following what it described as the first overseas combat success of the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet in 2025. The report cites AVIC official Ji Ruidong saying China should shift from exporting individual aircraft to offering integrated combat systems that include fighters, missiles, sensors and communications networks.

Sharp drop in Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan raises questions

Taiwan has not detected a single Chinese military aircraft around the island for nine of the past 10 days, leaving experts puzzling over the reasons for the dramatic reduction in sorties. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

UK preparing aircraft carrier for possible Middle East deployment

The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier before a possible deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence has said. Royal Navy workers in Portsmouth are readying HMS Prince of Wales, the navy’s flagship, meaning it could be deployed more quickly if a decision is made to mobilise it to the region.

US transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation

U.S. military transport aircraft have been spotted arriving at and departing from a U.S. air base in Korea over the past week, raising speculation that the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) may be deploying some of its assets to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict involving Iran. According to the real-time flight tracking website Flightradar24, C-5 and C-17 U.S. transport aircraft have landed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.

Türkiye's biggest military move in years: F-16s deployed to Cyprus?

Türkiye may deploy its F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus, according to Reuters. The development of a corresponding plan to strengthen security in the Eastern Mediterranean became known on March 7, 2026. According to a source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, Ankara is exploring the possibility of permanently or temporarily basing combat aircraft on the island.

Israeli Air Force image shows F-16I Sufa fighter armed with four RAMPAGE stand-off missiles

US Iran Israel News: Israel Strikes Tehran Airport, Destroys 16 IRGC Aircraft; Over 80 Fighter Jets Strike Military Targets

UK confirms US military now using British bases for operations against Iran

Still More Fighters, Bombers Set to Join Iran Air War

Royal Air Force deploys additional Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Qatar to reinforce UK air presence

RAF Typhoon jets to help defend Bahrain, Starmer tells King Hamad

Turkish fighter jets conduct patrol flights along Iran border amid war

S-400 stand-alone use 'most reasonable solution' for F-35 impasse: Defense Minister

Why Didn’t Iran’s Air Force Put Up a Fight Against the United States?

Swiss government reduces F-35 fighter jet order

Ukraine Prepares Down Payment for Gripen and Rafale Fighter Jets