Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Taiwan tracks 21 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships

09/12/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 10) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 13 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.

Boeing expects Polish air dominance fighter decision by early 2025

09/12/2024

An aircraft selection decision relating to Poland’s air dominance fighter jet program could be made as soon as the end of the year, according to a Boeing official. Warsaw has long committed to acquiring 32 new multirole jets for the effort with rival bids from the manufacturer’s F-15EX Eagle II fourth generation type and the Eurofighter Typhoon on the table. A third option — another F-35A order — building off the $4.6 billion deal with Washington in 2020, has not been ruled out either.

Russian Su-30 Fighter Jet Disappears Over Black Sea After Firing on Ukraine

09/12/2024

A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappeared off radar over the Black Sea on late Tuesday, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed. According to reports from the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, which cited Russian media sources, the jet had been conducting missile launches towards Ukraine before it vanished. The Su-30SM, a multi-role fighter aircraft, reportedly fired four Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles toward mainland Ukraine during its mission.

Italian Navy F-35Bs: Initial Operational Capability declared

09/11/2024

This statement was made by the Italian Navy’s Chief of Staff, Admiral Enrico Credendino, aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour, docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, as part of the national Carrier Strike Group’s operational projection campaign in the Indo-Pacific.

Putin demands Russian fighter jets escort him to Turkey

09/11/2024

Since last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed several official visits to Turkey. A multitude of reasons have been offered by officials. Some have said Putin has been avoiding any countries that were not part of the Soviet Union since the Ukraine war began. Others have put it down to the Russian elections earlier this year. However, sources familiar with Russian thinking told Middle East Eye that Putin’s conditions to visit Ankara are the primary reason for the constant delay.

Sweden takes step toward supplying Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets

09/11/2024

Weeks after Ukraine received its first batch of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from European allies and more than a year after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the start of test trials on Sweden’s prestigious Gripen multipurpose variants, Stockholm signaled that their possible transfer to Ukraine remains on the table.

Taiwan fighter jet crashes at sea on training mission, pilot rescued

09/11/2024

A Taiwan air force Mirage fighter jet crashed off the island's northwest coast on Tuesday night and the pilot, who successfully ejected, was rescued and taken to hospital, the defence ministry and official Central News Agency said. The defence ministry said the French-built Mirage was conducting nighttime exercises when it suffered a suspected loss of power and the pilot then bailed out.

Netherlands orders $691 Million of US AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to arm growing F-35 fleet.

09/10/2024

On September 6, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands, involving 246 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles and related equipment, for an estimated cost of $691 million. The AIM-9X Block II, introduced in 2003, is an air-to-air missile with a lock-on after-launch (LOAL) capability, suitable for various platforms, including the F-35 Lightning II, which the Netherlands recently announced plans to purchase more of.

China sends 21 military aircraft and 8 ships around Taiwan

09/10/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 21 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Sunday (Sept. 8) and 6 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9). Of the 21 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 16 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. These included fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.

EAV delivers two upgraded F-16 Vipers to Hellenic Air Force

09/10/2024

The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) delivered two upgraded F-16 Vipers to the Hellenic Air Force on Monday, while another fighter jet is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. In recent months, EAV has accelerated deliveries to get back on schedule. EAV officials estimate that they may even exceed their goal for 2024 by delivering an additional Viper, bringing the total number of fighter jets delivered this year to 16.

How Chinese J-20 fighters in Xinjiang and Tibet are a concern for India

09/09/2024

India-China relations have been at lows since the Galwan skirmish four years ago. There is an uneasy calm at present and an attempt to re-engage, but a range of divergences persist between the two Asian giants. China is aggressively building infrastructure in Tibet and Xinjiang along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese want to add air power to the conflict.

US Navy Reveals Unsuccessful Bid To Acquire F-16 Fighting Falcons From Greece For ‘Adversary Squadrons’

09/09/2024

In a surprising development, the US Navy recently revealed for the first time that it previously tried to acquire second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Greece without any success. The revelation came through a press release issued on September 5, which also highlighted a major advancement for the Navy Reserve’s Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC)-13.

NATO Members Romania, Latvia Accuse Russia Of Violating Airspace With Military Drones

09/09/2024

Romania and Latvia, both members of NATO, on September 8 accused Russia of violating their countries' airspace with military drones, escalating tensions between Moscow and the West. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, incidents of Russian military drones or missiles flying across or crashing into neighboring states of Ukraine have been reported. Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions, as recently as July this year.

Egypt to replace F-16s with China’s fighter jets

09/08/2024

Egypt has reportedly signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets, aiming to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. According to various reports, the deal for the Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” was signed on August 19, 2024. This acquisition would make Egypt the second international customer for the J-10C, following Pakistan.

Ukrainian MiG-29 jet lands safely after emergency

09/08/2024

The Ukrainian military has released footage of a MiG-29 fighter jet after it made an emergency landing in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the spring of 2024. The pilot safely exited the aircraft without injury, according to local sources. The exact condition of the aircraft remains unclear, but some sources suggest that the airframe sustained damage. The fighter jet has reportedly been transferred for possible repairs, though its future remains uncertain.

Pentagon Report: Air Force to Bed Down Only 25 F-35s in Fiscal 2026

09/08/2024

The Air Force would only bed down 25 F-35s in fiscal 2026 under a plan included in a recent Pentagon report on the fighter. The plan calls for the service to field some 700 of the jets by the end of the decade and never buy more than 48 in any given year.

With Next-Gen Fighter in Limbo, F-22 Must Dominate

09/07/2024

The Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance fighter is facing fiscal headwinds and conceptual turbulence, with service leaders recently announcing a pause in the program designed to field a sixth-generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor. “We are taking another look at the NGAD platform itself, and before we make the commitment that we’re close to making, we want to make sure we get the right design concept there,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in July.

Chinese military planes displayed at Egypt airshow, but demand is in question

09/07/2024

As the first Egypt International Air Show wrapped up Thursday, industry analysts debated the significance of China’s presence, which included the most complete demonstration of its advanced Y-20 transport aircraft and the first showcase of its J-10 fighter jets in Africa.

Serbia Denies It Will Provide MiG-29s to Ukraine as Part of Deal for French Fighters

09/06/2024

In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29. The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.

USAF Rethinks Whether It Needs a Manned 6th-Gen Fighter for Air Superiority

09/06/2024

The Air Force is reconsidering how it gains air superiority—and whether it needs a manned sixth-generation fighter to achieve it, acquisition boss Andrew P. Hunter and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in July the Air Force would take a “pause” on its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter program, rather than commit to the program as planned.

Ukraine's Air Force Is Getting a 'Fleet' of F-16s and MiG-29 Fighters to Battle Russia

09/05/2024

The Ukrainian Air Force is thriving after receiving its first F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from NATO in August, using them to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones. In addition to these new capabilities, Ukraine is expected to receive up to 36 MiG-29 Fulcrum jets from Serbia via France, expanding its fleet significantly. While the Ukrainian Air Force is poised to benefit from these acquisitions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of trained pilots.

Poland Could Soon Bring F-15EX Fighters Right to Russia's Doorstep

09/05/2024

Poland is in discussions with Boeing to acquire F-15EX fighter jets as part of its military modernization, driven by concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The F-15EX, an advanced version of the F-15 with cutting-edge avionics, radar, and targeting systems, offers Poland enhanced air defense capabilities. With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs and 12 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs, the F-15EX can address evolving threats.

Azerbaijan to Equip JF-17 Fighter Squadron With Turkish Missiles

09/05/2024

The Azerbaijan Air Force is set to boost the lethality of its upcoming JF-17 fighter aircraft with the purchase of Turkish Bozdogan and Gökdoga missiles. Defense magazine Turkish Century announced the procurement on X, noting that the warplanes are also getting an advanced avionics suite made by Ankara.

US Air Force F-35s make historic first on highway in Finland

09/05/2024

Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Sept. 4, during exercise BAANA 2024.

‘Iconic’ U.S. Warthog Debuts In India – ‘Tank Killer’ A-10 Thunderbolt II Flies With Russia-Made Sukhoi-30 Fighters

09/05/2024

The Indian Air Force’s largest international exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ has entered its second phase. Debuting in the desert phase of the wargames is the iconic Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog.’ In what could be its first and last appearance, the Warthog has been flying with Russian-origin fighter jets – Sukhoi 30MKI.