Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Donald Trump says Selfridge will receive new fighters. What's replacing the base's A-10s

05/04/2025

Celebrating his 100th day in office, President Donald Trump, during a visit to Michigan on April 29, announced that Selfridge Air National Guard Base would receive 21 F-15EX fighter jets, which will assure the base's future. "This is where they're going to be for a long time," Trump said, touting the fighters as "brand new."

Saudi Arabia to help develop ‘next-generation’ stealth fighter

05/04/2025

Japan, Britain and Italy are almost ready to bring Saud Arabia on board in the development of a next-generation fighter aircraft, Japanese government officials told The Asahi Shimbun on May 2. The move is part of a multinational initiative dubbed the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter. Saudi Arabia would be a “partner country” in the project.

Norway Reinforces F-35 Fighter Jet Firepower with U.S. AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles in $370M Deal

05/04/2025

Norway is set to significantly enhance its air power combat capabilities following the approval of a major Foreign Military Sale (FMS) by the U.S. State Department. Valued at an estimated $370.9 million, the deal includes a substantial number of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and a range of related support equipment. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified U.S. Congress of the proposed sale on May 2, 2025.

NATO combat aircraft over Romania to ‘deter’ Russia

05/04/2025

NATO conducted a joint air and missile defence mission over Romania in April 2025 as part of a coordinated Flexible Deterrence Option (FDO), underscoring Allied cohesion and readiness across eastern Europe. The multinational operation involved Greek and Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcons, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, and a French air-to-air refuelling tanker.

U.S. Approves F-16 Fighter Jet Support for Ukraine as Early Images Suggest Spare Parts Delivery

05/04/2025

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine for F-16 Training and Sustainment and related support, with a total estimated value of $310.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified the U.S. Congress of the decision on May 2, 2025, marking a critical move in the ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air combat readiness.

Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says

05/04/2025

A Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by a sea drone strike carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence, marking the first time a sea drone takes down a jet, Ukraine's military intelligence said on May 3. The intelligence agency, HUR, said the unprecedented operation took place on May 2 near the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea and published the video of the strike.

Quick-thinking act that saved US Navy sailor's life as fighter jet fell off aircraft carrier into the Red Sea

05/02/2025

A quick-thinking US Navy sailor was able to narrowly escape a fighter jet just moments before it fell into the Red Sea on Monday. The unidentified sailor was inside the cockpit of an F/A-18 fighter jet, estimated to cost about $60 million, when it slipped off the hanger deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, Business Insider reports.

USAF F-16s fly in to UK to test their combat readiness during Exercise Combat Archer

05/02/2025

Twenty-one US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons based in Italy have flown to the UK to examine their combat readiness in Exercise Combat Archer. The training was the US Air Force's largest Weapons System Evaluation Programme (WSEP) exercise ever held in Europe.

Air force to investigate IDF flare incident

05/02/2025

The air force yesterday said it was investigating the accidental firing of a flare from one of its Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets, also known as the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo, on Wednesday. There were no injuries or damages, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident, the air force said. The flares, usually used to protect jets against incoming guided missiles, were released in flight, sources said.

India shuts airspace for Pakistan-run flights, military aircraft till 23 May

05/01/2025

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting its airspace to all aircraft registered, operated, or leased by Pakistan, including commercial airlines and military flights. This closure, effective from April 30 to May 23, 2025, is a significant escalation amid heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

Playing Both Sides: Colombia Wants Partnership With russia And Gripen Fighters

05/01/2025

The country wants to buy fighter jets with American engines and at the same time pay russians for repairing its Mi-17 helicopter, which requires an appropriate response Colombia has begun the process of gradually restoring and returning to service its fleet of russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, three of which are due to return to service already in June 2025, and the next three in December, according to Zona Militar.

Rep. Kuhn comments on the new fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base

05/01/2025

State Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, issued the following statement after President Trump’s announcement of the new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: “I fully support the administration’s decision to establish a new F-15EX fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This investment not only secures the long-term future of Selfridge and enhances our national defense, but it also delivers a significant boost to Michigan’s economy.

Air Force asks Northrop Grumman for continued targeting radar technology development for combat aircraft

05/01/2025

U.S. Air Force aerial warfare experts are asking Northrop Grumman Corp. for additional modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar development for jet fighter aircraft under terms of an $8.4 million order announced on Monday.

KAI targets Peru for new fighter deal

04/30/2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has confirmed that Peru is actively exploring the KF-21 as a potential candidate in its ongoing fighter acquisition process, marking a possible expansion of South Korea’s defense ties in Latin America.

Selfridge ANGB slated to receive twelve new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus

04/30/2025

Selfridge ANGB is already slated to receive twelve new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling and multirole transport aircraft to replace its existing squadron of aging KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-46s are expected to begin arriving at Selfridge as early as 2029 according to the Secretary of Air Force Public Affairs. The base has also recently begun construction on a new hangar facility with additional new buildings planned to support future missions.

Trump Announces New Boeing F-15EX Unit and KC-46 Squadron for Selfridge ANGB

04/30/2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, will be home to a new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II unit. The announcement was made during a visit by the U.S. President to Selfridge ANGB today, April 29, 2025.

The Russian Air Force Has Suffered Heavy Losses in Ukraine

04/29/2025

It is estimated that the Russian Air Force has likely lost at least 100 fixed-wing combat planes. The sheer number of military equipment lost over the last three-plus years of Russia’s Ukraine invasion is staggering. While precise figures are difficult to verify due to the nature of the ongoing war, open-source intelligence trackers continue to provide insightful analyses of weapon loss in the conflict. From main battle tanks (MBTs) and airframes to munitions and infantry fighting vehicles.

AI-controlled fighter jets may be closer than we think — and would change the face of warfare

04/29/2025

Could we be on the verge of an era where fighter jets take flight without pilots – and are controlled by artificial intelligence (AI)? U.S. Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly recently said that an upcoming combat jet could be the navy’s last one with a pilot in the cockpit. That marks a striking, if not entirely surprising, shift in thinking about the future of aerial warfare.

US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier

04/29/2025

A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been “lost” at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement on Monday. A US official said that initial reports from the scene indicated that the Truman made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard.

Ukraine loses Su-27 fighter jet repelling Russian drone attack, Air Force says

04/29/2025

Ukraine has lost a Su-27 fighter jet while it was repelling a Russian drone attack and providing air support to ground troops on the morning of April 28, Ukraine's Air Force reported. The pilot ejected and is receiving medical attention, according to the statement. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The Su-27, also known under the NATO code name "Flanker," is a highly maneuverable Soviet-era air superiority fighter used by both Ukraine and Russia.

India signs $7.4 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets

04/29/2025

India signed a deal with France on Monday to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth 630 billion rupees ($7.4 billion) for its navy, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. India will buy 22 single-seater and four twin-seater fighters, made by France's Dassault Aviation, opens new tab, the ministry said, in a deal that would boost the Asian country's defence ties with its second-largest arms supplier.

Pakistan highlights JF-17’s missile capability to counter India

04/28/2025

Pakistan has released the first official images of its JF-17C fighter jet armed with Chinese-made PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles, as tensions with India continue to mount over a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. The release comes amid rising fears of another military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Following the attack, India has promised retaliation and threatened to disrupt the flow of a major river system into Pakistan.

China’s J-10C “Losing” To FA-50 Fighters For Egypt Deal? Seoul, Cairo Ink Pact For Local Manufacturing Of Aircraft: Reports

04/28/2025

Since the Chinese J-10C fighter jets arrived in Egypt for the first-ever Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air drills, all eyes have remained on the Chinese aircraft that have been offered to Cairo. However, as per reports, Cairo has set its sights on the South Korean FA-50 instead.

Delivery of first JSM missiles marks major milestone for Norway’s F-35A fighter fleet

04/27/2025

Norway will reach an important milestone on 28 April as it receives the first Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its F-35 fighter aircraft. A ceremony at Ørland Air Base will mark both the completion of Norway’s F-35 deliveries and the start of a new era in national defence capabilities.

Croatia has received the last of ordered Rafale fighters

04/27/2025

The Croatian Air Force has received the last of the ordered French Rafale fighters. This was reported on the official page of the Croatian Ministry of Defense on the X network. The last, twelfth, Rafale fighter jet landed at Franjo Tudman Airport, thus forming a complete squadron of this type of aircraft.