Military Aviation News Archive

Second US Navy jet is lost at sea from Truman aircraft carrier

05/08/2025

Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, five people familiar with the matter told CNN. It is not entirely clear what happened yet, as the investigation is ongoing, but two of the people said there was some kind of arrestment failure as the jet was trying to land on the carrier and the pilot and weapons systems officer had to eject. They were recovered by a rescue

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India launches air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir

05/07/2025

The Indian government says it has launched an attack on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Three locations have been attacked, Pakistan's military says. It says seven people including two children have been killed. Residents in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir told the BBC how they were jolted awake by huge explosions.

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Progress continues on Britain’s sixth generation combat jet

05/07/2025

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed continued progress on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), with over £2 billion invested to date and formal programme structures now in place to deliver the next-generation fighter aircraft under the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Japan and Italy.

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India’s Rafale and Su-30 star in daring drills near Pakistan

05/07/2025

On May 7, 2025, the Indian Air Force launched a significant military exercise over the desert skies of Rajasthan, just miles from the Pakistan border, deploying its frontline Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets in a bold display of aerial prowess.

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Japan receives first F-35 fighters at Komatsu Air Base, marking key defence milestone

05/07/2025

Komatsu Air Base on Japan’s western coast has become the latest hub for the country’s advanced air power with the arrival of its first F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This delivery, which took place on 26 April 2025, represents a historic moment for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

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From the Mojave to Ukraine: F-16 Parts Are on the Move to Europe

05/06/2025

The U.S. is sending non-flyable, stripped-down F-16s from Arizona storage to Ukraine for spare parts, supporting NATO-donated jets and aiding Kyiv’s air capabilities amid ongoing Russian missile attacks.

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Türkiye’s KIZILELMA Unmanned Fighter Jet Set to Join Turkish Navy Carrier Fleet by 2026

05/06/2025

On May 5, 2025, TürkiyeToday published a pivotal interview with Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Turkish Defense Industries (SSB), revealing crucial developments about Türkiye’s most ambitious unmanned aerial combat system—the Bayraktar KIZILELMA. Developed by leading Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, the KIZILELMA is expected to be officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) by 2026, marking a transformative moment in Türkiye’s defense capabilities.

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Vendor vows to hasten Turkey’s fifth-generation ‘Kaan’ fighter plane

05/06/2025

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) is working to expand flight testing and accelerate prototype production of the Kaan aircraft. The company says it now aims to deliver the first aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028. Speaking on the sidelines of the Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in an interview with Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT, TUSAS CEO Mustafa Demiroglu provided an update on the project’s progress.

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The Missile Used By Ukrainian Magura Drone For Historic Su-30 Downing Was the AIM-9 Sidewinder

05/05/2025

Friday, May 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down two russian Su-30 fighter jets in one mission. First, footage showing one of the fighters falling into the sea after a missile hit was published by the Defense Intelligence, later Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi reported that another russian aircraft was destroyed, too, although without specifying what type it was.

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Indian Air Force Fighters Operate from Highway Amid Mounting Tensions with Pakistan

05/05/2025

On May 2, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted touch-and-go operations on a 3.5-kilometer stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. The exercise featured various frontline aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000 jets, demonstrating the IAF’s operational readiness. ?

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Making F-35 & Eurofighter “Invisible”, UK Rolls Out ‘StormShroud’ Drones That Could Blind Enemy Radars

05/05/2025

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) has unveiled its first-ever Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), StormShroud. It will operate in a manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) format with crewed fighter jets, including the RAF F-35B Lightning II and Eurofighter Typhoons.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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