Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Congress Moves To Save Gutted F/A-XX 6th Generation Naval Fighter Program

08/01/2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a draft defense spending bill that would reverse the Pentagon’s plan to freeze the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program. In addition, the legislation includes funding for the U.S. Air Force to continue with the acquisition of E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, something the Department of Defense also wants to axe.

Why India Must Accept Trump’s Offer of F-35 Combat Aircraft

08/01/2025

In February, U.S President Donald Trump, in one of his trademark off-script surprises, offered to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the United States’ most capable and secretive combat aircraft: the F-35 Lightning II “joint strike fighter” (JSF). This is the first time that Washington has signaled interest in supplying India with the F-35.

Seven Dead In Venezuelan Military Plane Crash

07/31/2025

A small military plane transporting members of an indigenous community to their Amazonian home territory crashed in the jungle Tuesday, killing seven people on board, Venezuela’s defence ministry said.

Ukraine arrests air force officer for spying on Western-supplied fighter jets

07/31/2025

Ukraine's domestic security agency has detained an air force officer on charges of having spied for Russia by leaking the location of prized F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, officials said on Wednesday. The unidentified officer, a flight instructor holding the rank of major, stands accused of helping Russia carry out air strikes by providing coordinates and suggesting strike tactics, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement.

France surges in fighter sales as GCAP, SCAF loom

07/31/2025

Selling combat aircraft against US competition has never been easy. Pentagon research budgets tend to push US fighters to the front of the technological pack, and Washington’s political clout slants the playing field even further.

Israel closely monitoring US F-47 fighter jet project amid regional F-35 interest

07/31/2025

Israel is closely observing growing interest from Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, in acquiring the advanced F-35 stealth fighter from the United States. Security officials warn that any potential sale could affect the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) qualitative military edge in the region.

Air force modernisation in Southeast Asia: Deterrence or danger?

07/31/2025

Southeast Asia is in the midst of a sweeping wave of air force modernisation, signalling a profound transformation in the region’s defence posture. From Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippines and Thailand, governments are investing heavily in new combat aircraft.

Türkiye to integrate indigenous engine into KAAN fighter jet by 2032

07/30/2025

Türkiye's indigenous TF35000 turbofan engine will undergo initial testing in 2026 and begin integration with the KAAN fighter jet in 2032, according to information published in TAI Magazine's 141st edition. The timeline represents a crucial milestone for Türkiye's most strategic defense project, as the country develops its fifth-generation fighter aircraft to replace aging F-16s beginning in the 2030s.

New F-22 Raptor Upgrade to Keep Platform Viable

07/30/2025

Despite the newer F-35 Lightning II’s introduction, the F-22 remains dominant in terms of stealth and speed. The US Air Force’s dwindling fleet of F-22 Raptor fighters may be aging, but these fifth-generation jets will not be scrapped for retirement just yet. According to recent reports, the Raptor platform may become the first operational airborne controllers for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.

The Western Tech Inside Russia’s Warplanes Bombing Civilians

07/30/2025

Despite more than a decade of sanctions, Western tech is still powering Russia’s deadliest weapons linked to deliberate strikes on Ukrainian civilians. A new investigation uncovered more than 1,100 foreign-made microchips inside Russia’s most advanced fighter jets: the Su-34 and Su-35.

Boeing downplays impending fighter jet worker strike

07/30/2025

Boeing leaders say they are not concerned about the impact of 3,200 union workers going on strike next week at three St. Louis-area facilities that produce fighter jets and munitions. The number of workers planning to strike is an “order of magnitude less” than the 30,000 machinists who went on strike last fall in the Pacific Northwest, CEO Kelly Ortberg said Tuesday during the company’s second quarter earnings call.

Diversifying from West, Egypt to join Turkey's Kaan fighter jet development

07/29/2025

Turkey has reportedly approved Egyptian participation in the programme for the development of the TAI Kaan fighter jet, opening the door for enhanced military industry cooperation with the Arab country. Egypt had been eyeing participation in the programme for some time, and Egyptian interest in this regard was purportedly expressed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his visit to Ankara, his first to the Turkish capital as president, in September last year.

Air power is about a system, not merely fighter jets

07/29/2025

Today's airpower is defined by a foundational defense system that seamlessly integrates multilayered technologies such as land and space-based detection platforms, missiles, UAVs as well as cyber operations in a centralized command system; one that requires a vision far beyond headline-grabbing aircraft acquisitions for short-term political visibility.

It’s Over: The 50-Year-Old Russia-India Military Partnership Is Dying

07/29/2025

One of the biggest recent indicators that this change is consolidating came earlier this year, when India signed one of its biggest-ever defense import contracts – a $7.5 billion agreement to procure 26 Rafale M fighter jets. The Rafale M is a carrier-capable version of the land-based Rafale fighter – the Indian Air Force purchased 36 Rafale fighters more than a decade ago. India this year selected the Rafale M over other options including the Russian-made MiG-29K and the U.S. F/A-18E/F Super Ho

Boeing fighter jet workers poised to strike after rejecting contract offer

07/29/2025

Boeing Co expects more than 3,200 union workers at three St Louis-area plants that produce US fighter jets to strike after they rejected a proposed contract on Sunday that included a 20% wage increase over four years.

The JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet Engages in Combat in Thailand

07/29/2025

After nearly 30 years in service, the Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter saw its first combat use by Thailand, in a border clash with Cambodia, signaling its growing regional strategic value.

Poland Scrambles Fighter Jets Amid Russian Attack on Ukraine

07/29/2025

Poland's armed forces have scrambled aircraft in response to the threat posed by a combined drone and missile attack by Russian forces on Ukraine. The NATO member said in a statement the aircraft were deployed overnight Sunday and air defense and radar reconnaissance systems had been placed on high alert.

Man with most flying hours on MIG-21 wants one last sortie as it flies into the sunset

07/28/2025

When it comes to MIG-21s, there is no one more knowledgeable than Air Commodore Surendra Singh Tyagi (retd), who has a record-breaking 4,306 hours flying the aircraft–a feat acknowledged by the Russians themselves–and a staggering 6316 sorties in total. So when he speaks about the pros and cons of the Russian aircraft, everyone listens.

I Have Studied Russia’s Military For 3 Decades. Putin Sends Bombers To Test America

07/28/2025

On 22 July, a combined formation of two Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and two Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) conducted flight operations off the coast of Alaska. At one point, this formation entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), triggering a response from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

South Korean C-130 plane triggers Japanese jets scramble

07/27/2025

A South Korean Air Force C-130 transport aircraft prompted a response from Japanese fighter jets earlier this month after it entered Japanese airspace without prior authorization, according to South Korean defense officials. The incident occurred on July 13 as the aircraft was en route to Guam for training.

China Wants More Fighter Pilots—and Is Finding Creative Ways to Get Them

07/27/2025

Rather than targeting only one group of young people, Beijing has directed its recruitment efforts to a wider range of sources. Even as all branches of the United States military met their respective recruiting goals for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) and are either on track to reach or exceed them, there is still one area where the services continue to fall short for FY26. Across the Department of Defense (DoD), a shortage of pilots remains.

Russian Su-27UB Burned at Training Airbase Overnight, Ukrainian Intelligence Says

07/27/2025

A Russian Su-27UB combat trainer aircraft was destroyed in a fire at the Armavir military airfield in Krasnodar Krai overnight on July 25–26, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). In a statement published via its official Telegram channel, HUR confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft belonged to the Russian Armed Forces and was stationed at a base primarily used for training cadets from the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School.

Ukraine's F-16 have a new trick to avoid Russian ballistic missiles

07/27/2025

Ukraine's fleet of F-16 fighter jets have been given a badly-needed boost with the creation of new mobile maintenance and operations modules which will help them evade Russian ballistic missile strikes. Developed by the Come Back Alive charity foundation and Ukraine's Defense Ministry, the two types of mobile modules contain everything needed to both maintain and equip the aircraft and to conduct operations.

Türkiye, Indonesia finalize historic sale of 48 Kaan fighter jets

07/27/2025

Türkiye and Indonesia on Saturday finalized the sale of 48 Kaan fighter jets with a ceremony at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul. Representatives from both sides signed the agreement that makes the Southeast Asian nation the first buyer of Türkiye’s homegrown aircraft.

French “F-35 Taunt” Prompts NATO’s ‘Founding Father’ To Evaluate Franco-German FCAS Program Participation

07/26/2025

Days after committing to seek full-partner status in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation aircraft program, Belgium has taken a sharp U-turn, notifying that it is “reconsidering” its position due to the arrogance displayed by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier.