January 25, 2025 Military Aviation News

Air Force Coalition supports Ukraine’s shift to Western fighter jets

01/25/2025

The Air Force Coalition, which facilitates the transition of Ukrainian aviation to Western aircraft, was established within the framework of Ramstein 2.0 – the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The need to replace the Soviet-era tactical aircraft fleet with Western multi-role fighter jets had been under discussion long before the full-scale invasion. Among the options considered were Swedish Gripens, American F-15/F-16s, and French Rafales. Finally, in May 2023, the Air Force Coalition was formed.

The Ninth Rafale Fighter Jet arrives in Croatia

01/25/2025

Another Rafale fighter jet has arrived in Croatia, as confirmed by the Croatian Ministry of Defense. “The ninth multi-role Rafale fighter jet landed today at the ‘Colonel Marko Zivkovic‘ barracks at Pleso. By the end of April, all 12 jets will be in Croatia, completing the Croatian Air Force’s Fighter Squadron,” they announced yesterday.

Pilot shortage: new report calls for more Air Force fighters and larger Reserve

01/25/2025

The Air Force has long struggled with a shortage of fighter pilots, with 1,150 empty billets in 2024, and aviators leaving the service in droves. How can they turn things around? Buy more planes and keep more pilots in its reserve component, says a new policy paper from a prominent aerospace think tank.

Exclusive: US Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Jet Controls Drone in Flight Using AI Technologies

01/25/2025

Lockheed Martin is revolutionizing the future of air combat warfare by pushing the boundaries of how fighter aircraft and autonomous systems operate together in high-stakes, contested environments. On January 22, 2025, the company released a major update detailing its innovations throughout 2024, showcasing its efforts to enable U.S.-made fighter jets, such as the F-35, to control drones. This effort is central to the U.S. Air Force’s ambitious development of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

All Articles