Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Guard and Reserve Test Center Leads F-35 Combat Operations Testing

01/29/2025

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) marked a significant milestone this week, leading an integrated test team in testing rapid aircraft regeneration processes that will dramatically reduce the time the F-35 Lightning II spends on the ground during combat operations.

Air Force triples funding for prototype sixth-gen fighter engine

01/29/2025

The Air Force on Monday greatly expanded funding for the prototype engine for the service’s planned sixth-generation fighter. General Electric of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney Engines of East Hartford, Connecticut, each received modifications to their initial Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, contracts that bring the maximum amount for the prototype phase up to $3.5 billion apiece. That is more than three times higher than the $975 million ceiling on the original contracts awarded.

F-35 fighter jet crashes at Eielson Air Force Base

01/29/2025

An F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday on a flightline on Eielson Air Force Base, a military official told Alaska News Source. The pilot was uninjured, according to Airman 1st Class Spencer Hanson. The crash occurred at about 12:49 p.m., according to Col. Paul Townsend, 354th Fighter Wing Commander.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards commander says Iran purchased Russian-made Sukhoi 35 fighter jets

01/28/2025

Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday, amid Western concerns about Tehran and Moscow's growing military cooperation. This is the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the purchase of Su-35 jets. However, Ali Shadmani, who was quoted by the Student News Network, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.

Saudi Moves Closer To 6th-Gen Fighter Aircraft! Italian PM Meloni Ready To Welcome Riyadh Into GCAP

01/28/2025

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has officially cleared her position regarding Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP)—the sixth-generation combat aircraft being jointly developed by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The GCAP, launched in 2022, is a collaborative initiative that seeks to design, manufacture, and deliver a next-generation crewed combat aircraft.

JF-17 vs J-10C: Two Chinese Fighter Jets Battle For Bangladesh’s Air Force Deal; Which Aircraft Holds The Edge?

01/28/2025

Bangladesh has shown a growing interest in modernizing its air force as part of its broader military modernization under the “Forces Goal 2030” initiative. The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) currently operates older platforms. These aging aircraft are increasingly inadequate against modern threats and require replacement with advanced platforms.

Colombia Wants the JAS 39 Gripen for Its Fighter Fleet

01/27/2025

In November of last year, Reuters reported that the Colombian government was interested in purchasing a fleet of the Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. JAS stands for “Jakt, Attack, Spaning,” or, in English, “Fighter, Attack, Reconnaissance.”

China tests J-10C with PL-17 missile for long-range combat

01/27/2025

A Chinese J-10C fighter jet was recently spotted carrying the PL-17, an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, a sight that has raised eyebrows among military analysts. The PL-17, known for its exceptional range and advanced radar guidance, is typically mounted on larger aircraft like the J-20, China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for long-range missions with a capacity for heavier munitions.

India threatening to derail Pakistani JF-17 sale to Bangladesh

01/26/2025

In a move that could reshape the regional power dynamics in South Asia, India has reportedly taken a firm stance against Pakistan’s potential arms sales to Bangladesh, particularly concerning the JF-17 Block-III fighter jet. This development comes amidst heightened tensions and strategic posturing between the two neighboring countries.

Air Force Coalition supports Ukraine’s shift to Western fighter jets

01/25/2025

The Air Force Coalition, which facilitates the transition of Ukrainian aviation to Western aircraft, was established within the framework of Ramstein 2.0 – the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The need to replace the Soviet-era tactical aircraft fleet with Western multi-role fighter jets had been under discussion long before the full-scale invasion. Among the options considered were Swedish Gripens, American F-15/F-16s, and French Rafales. Finally, in May 2023, the Air Force Coalition was formed.

The Ninth Rafale Fighter Jet arrives in Croatia

01/25/2025

Another Rafale fighter jet has arrived in Croatia, as confirmed by the Croatian Ministry of Defense. “The ninth multi-role Rafale fighter jet landed today at the ‘Colonel Marko Zivkovic‘ barracks at Pleso. By the end of April, all 12 jets will be in Croatia, completing the Croatian Air Force’s Fighter Squadron,” they announced yesterday.

Pilot shortage: new report calls for more Air Force fighters and larger Reserve

01/25/2025

The Air Force has long struggled with a shortage of fighter pilots, with 1,150 empty billets in 2024, and aviators leaving the service in droves. How can they turn things around? Buy more planes and keep more pilots in its reserve component, says a new policy paper from a prominent aerospace think tank.

Exclusive: US Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Jet Controls Drone in Flight Using AI Technologies

01/25/2025

Lockheed Martin is revolutionizing the future of air combat warfare by pushing the boundaries of how fighter aircraft and autonomous systems operate together in high-stakes, contested environments. On January 22, 2025, the company released a major update detailing its innovations throughout 2024, showcasing its efforts to enable U.S.-made fighter jets, such as the F-35, to control drones. This effort is central to the U.S. Air Force’s ambitious development of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

China encircles Taiwan with 41 military aircraft, warships

01/24/2025

Chinese military planes and ships surrounded Taiwan on Wednesday during a drill, with some of the aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the defense ministry said Thursday. In total, 35 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six warships were detected around the island during China's "joint combat readiness patrols," Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.

Turkiye, Pakistan to establish joint factory for production of KAAN fighter jet

01/23/2025

Turkiye and Pakistan are reportedly set to establish and operate a joint factory to produce the new Turkish KAAN fighter jet, in what would be a significant move between the two countries. According to a number of Turkish and Pakistani news outlets, representatives from 32 institutions gathered at the 8th meeting of the Pak-Turkish Industrial Expo in Pakistan earlier this month and finalised plans for a partnership between Ankara and Islamabad for the production of Turkiye’s KAAN fighter jet.

Philippines to increase FA-50 fighter fleet, among moves analysts say complicate planning in Beijing

01/23/2025

The Philippines has decided to double the size of its FA-50 light fighter fleet, reportedly buying another 12 from South Korea, in a move that analysts told Breaking Defense won’t get China off Manila’s back but could complicate Beijing’s plans.

Algeria authorizes a Qatari aircraft to operate between Algiers and Laayoune

01/22/2025

A Qatari military aircraft touched down at Laayoune airport yesterday evening, having departed from Algeria. According to a Moroccan source speaking to Yabiladi, the plane was transporting equipment for one of the Emir of Qatar's brothers, including birds from his hunting grounds in the Algerian desert, to his reserve in Morocco near Boujdour.

Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships

01/22/2025

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 14 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday and 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Twelve of the 14 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.

CCD reports attack on Smolensk Aircraft Plant, where military aircraft are manufactured, modernized

01/22/2025

The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalenko, has reported an attack on the Smolensk Aircraft Plant, which is involved in the production and modernization of Russian military aircraft, including Su-25 attack aircraft.

Saab to Provide Secure Communications for MQ-28 Ghost Bat

01/22/2025

Saab recently announced that it will supply, through its Saab Australia subdivision, its TactiCall secure communications system to the MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft developed by Boeing Australia. The company will also provide avionics equipment, including electro-mechanical actuators and controllers for the Primary Flight Control System from Saab in Sweden.

Reports Resurface About UAE’s Plans to Transfer 30 Mirage Jets to Morocco

01/21/2025

New reports have emerged suggesting that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing to transfer 30 Mirage 2000-9E fighter jets to Morocco. The transfer is expected to take place in 2027 when the UAE receives its new batch of Rafale F4 aircraft. According to Military Africa and several international media outlets, the potential transfer would involve half of the UAE’s operational fleet of Mirage 2000-9E fighters.

Philippines to Double FA-50 Supersonic Fighter Jet Fleet

01/21/2025

The Philippines is considering the purchase of 12 more FA-50 Fighting Eagle supersonic combat aircraft from South Korea. The potential 40-billion Philippine peso ($683.7 million) deal would double Manila’s FA-50 fleet, which has been in service since the early 2010s.

Bangladesh could purchase up to 32 Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to modernize its Air Force.

01/21/2025

As reported by The Express Tribune on January 16, 2025, Bangladesh has officially expressed interest in the JF-17 Thunder, a fighter aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, following a high-level Bangladeshi defense delegation's visit to Pakistan on January 15, 2025. Led by Lieutenant General SM Qamarul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, the delegation met with Pakistan Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, at the Air Headquarters.

UK’s future fighter and early warning programmes ‘unachievable’

01/21/2025

Two of the UK’s main air domain defence programmes, the Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) and E-7 Wedgetail, have been given a ‘red’ rating in the government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023-24, published on 17 January 2025. Of the 49 defence programmes listed in the report the vast majority are listed as being ‘amber’, which means that significant issues remain but the programme can still meet its targetted timelines.

Report to Congress on U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter

01/21/2025

U.S. Air Force officials paused a planned contract award for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) to rethink the aircraft’s requirements. NGAD is an advanced fighter jet intended to replace the stealthy F-22 Raptor (see Figure 1). According to the Air Force, NGAD is also a “family of systems,” enabling air superiority, defined as the ability to operate without threat of attack, even in highly contested environments.