Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Can The F-35 Stealth Fighter Really Replace The A-10 Warthog?

09/20/2025

The A-10 Thunderbolt II was purpose-built for close air support: long loiter, armor, and a 30mm cannon to shred tanks. But in peer fights with dense, layered air defenses—like those seen over Ukraine—non-stealth jets struggle to survive near the front. The F-35 can’t loiter like an A-10, yet its stealth, precision weapons, and powerful sensor-fusion let it find, fix, and pass targets while staying alive, teaming with drones, AC-130s, and helicopters for effects.

NATO F-35 stealth fighters scrambled to repel the Russian MiG-31s that breached alliance airspace

09/20/2025

After Russian MiG-31 fighter jets flew into NATO member Estonia's airspace without permission, Italian F-35 stealth fighters scrambled to respond. The incident marks the fourth time this year the Russian military has has violated Estonian airspace. It also comes at a time of rising tensions between the alliance and Moscow.

NATO Reacts After 'Unprecedented' Russian Airspace Violation

09/20/2025

NATO has reacted after Russian military jets breached Estonian airspace on Friday, marking a fresh provocation near the bloc's eastern flank. Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for several minutes earlier in the day, before leaving again, according to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign mutual defence pact as regional tensions escalate

09/19/2025

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a formal mutual defence pact in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions. The enhanced defence ties come as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary about the reliability of the US as their longstanding security guarantor – concerns heightened by Israel’s attack in Qatar last week.

NATO presses Denmark to increase fighter jet capacity: Report

09/19/2025

NATO has warned Denmark that it has too few fighter jets and urged the country to boost its air combat capacity, according to broadcaster DR News. NATO is warning that Denmark must increase its Air Force fighter jet strength by 60% to meet the alliance’s recently updated target of 43 jets, according to DR sources. This increase corresponds to Denmark buying 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the US and Lockheed Martin, the jets’ manufacturer.

Venezuela Begins Large-Scale Military Drills in Response to US Deployment

09/19/2025

Venezuela began large-scale military drills on the Caribbean island of La Orchila, mobilizing thousands of troops, warships, aircraft, and air-defense systems in a show of force it said was a response to United States naval deployment in the southern Caribbean.

Why France’s Dassault Rafale Fighters Are Deploying to Poland

09/18/2025

France has sent three Dassault Rafale fighter jets to Poland to protect NATO’s eastern border following a series of Russian drone incursions, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

US Air Force conducts record AMRAAM missile launch with F-22

09/18/2025

The US Air Force (USAF), in partnership with Raytheon, recently conducted the longest recorded launch of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) from a fifth-generation fighter. The test took place at Eglin Air Force Base and involved an F-22 Raptor, highlighting the missile’s extended flight capability under the current F3R development program.

Leonardo presents its proposal to equip the Philippine Air Force with 32 new Eurofighter Tranche 5 fighters

09/18/2025

The Italian firm Leonardo formally presented its proposal to supply 32 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 5 fighters to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The offer seeks to meet the requirement of the multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) program, in which the Typhoon stands out as the first twin-engine fighter in the competition.

United States approves possible $3.4 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Peru amid tender process

09/18/2025

On 15 September, the US Department of State announced the approval of a request from the Peruvian authorities regarding a potential purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70 multirole fighter aircraft. The request is linked to Peru’s ongoing tender for next-generation combat aircraft, with the American offer being one of several under consideration.

LM Awarded Contract to Implement Software Upgrade for F-16 Flight Training in the Republic of Korea

09/18/2025

Lockheed Martin has announced an upgrade to the Republic of Korea Air Force’s F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to reflect the advanced capabilities of its upgraded F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft. These upgrades reflect enhanced mission capabilities of the Republic of Korea Air Force, providing high-fidelity simulated environments for pilots to train like they fly.

JUST IN: Polish Partners Join Forces to Build Uncrewed Counter-Drone Aircraft

09/18/2025

Three Polish organizations have formed a strategic consortium to build what they claim is Europe's first unmanned fighter aircraft designed to combat the growing threat of drones, drone swarms and loitering munitions on the modern battlefield.

Wave of interceptions of Russian aircraft by Spanish fighters in Lithuania

09/17/2025

In early August, the Spanish Air Force deployed eight Eurofighter fighter jets (C-16, according to the Spanish designation) to the Lithuanian base, under the name Vilkas Detachment. This is a Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission with NATO, in which Spanish fighter jets are participating for the 12th time to provide support to three NATO member countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) that have very small air forces and no combat aircraft of their own.

ATAC Awarded Fleet Fighter Jet Services Contract for Up to $555M in Air Services Over Five Years for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps

09/17/2025

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc., announced today that it was awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to continue to provide the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with training support services under the Fleet Fighter Jet Services (FJS) program. This latest award builds on ATAC’s 20 years of success supporting the U.S. Navy with high subsonic and supersonic aircraft flying a variety of airborne threat simulations.

China converts Cold War jet into combat drone

09/17/2025

At the Changchun Air Show, China publicly displayed for the first time a J-6 fighter aircraft that has been converted into a drone, marking a rare appearance of the retrofitted Cold War-era jet in unmanned form.

US approves $3.4 billion F-16 fighter jet sale to Peru

09/17/2025

The United States has struck a potentially significant military deal with Peru, approving a $3.42 billion sale of advanced F-16 Fighting Falcon single- and dual-seat jets plus a support package of weapons and spare parts aimed at modernizing the South American nation’s air force.

Japan deploys fighter jets to NATO bases

09/17/2025

Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including four F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the United States, Canada and Europe in an unprecedented mission to support NATO. The mission, dubbed Atlantic Eagles, reportedly marks the first time in history that Japanese warplanes have deployed to Canada and Europe.

UK jets to defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursion

09/16/2025

Fighter jets from the UK will join Nato allies in defending Polish airspace after last week's incursion of Russian drones, the defence secretary has confirmed. RAF Typhoon jets will fly air defence missions over Poland as part of the military alliance's mission to bolster the eastern flank.

The Hellenic Air Force is evaluating the purchase of additional F-35A fighters from the U.S. instead of modernizing its 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the Block 70 standard

09/16/2025

In what would constitute a significant shift in its future modernization plans, the Hellenic Air Force is reportedly evaluating the purchase of additional F-35 stealth fighters from the U.S., which would effectively rule out continuing the upgrade of its remaining fleet of 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft. According to local media reports, the Greek government is interested in acquiring between 8 and 12 fifth-generation aircraft, which would join the 20 F-35s already ordered.

DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)

09/16/2025

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield. With the extensive development of C4I systems, electronic warfare and other avionics, the aircraft has evolved into a system hub. While the global primes work to achieve a sixth-generation capability, it remains crucial that the defence industry continues to develop the 4.5-5th generation market.

Turkey’s Security Outlook Without The F-35: A Multi-Layered Strategy – OpEd

09/16/2025

Stealth technology, embodied by the F-35 fighter jet, poses a serious challenge to many air defense systems. But how does a country without access to such aircraft construct an effective defense posture? Since Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program, Ankara has pursued a multi-layered strategy to close the capability gap. The key elements of this approach are outlined below.

British P-8 Poseidon Flies Unusual Overland Mission Along Polish Border

09/16/2025

A U.K. Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was noted today flying in Polish airspace along the border with Russia and Belarus, apparently highlighting a significant, if overlooked, overland surveillance mission for the type. The unusual flight comes amid rising tensions between NATO and Russia in the region, following the Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace last week.

Swedish Air Force Gripen Fighters Intercept Russian Su-30SM/SM2 and Su-35 Combat Aircraft over the Baltic

09/16/2025

In the days before and after the Russian drone incursion into Poland, the Swedish Air Force confirmed the interception over the Baltic of Russian Armed Forces combat aircraft, as well as signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft, by its JAS-39 Gripen fighters, in coordination with Denmark.

Poland Purchases Rounds for Its FA-50 Fighter Jets for the First Time

09/15/2025

Turkish company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi signed an agreement to export 20 mm ammunition for FA-50 light fighter jets to Poland at the DSEI 2025 exhibition. This will allow aircraft delivered in 2023 to begin using their cannon weapons.

Poland, Romania scramble jets as NATO ally records new Russian drone violation

09/15/2025

NATO allies Poland and Romania both scrambled fighter jets to respond to Russian drone and missile attacks in Ukraine on Saturday, as the alliance looks to bolster its defensive options in response to repeated violations of allied airspace by Russian munitions.