Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Saab achieves AI milestone with Gripen E fighter jet

06/12/2025

Saab has completed the first three test flights integrating Helsing’s artificial intelligence agent Centaur into a Gripen E fighter jet. The flights, conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond program, mark an advance in bringing AI capabilities to military aircraft, said the Swedish aerospace and defense firm.

South Korean fighter jet crashes at Eielson Air Force Base

06/12/2025

A South Korean F-16 fighter jet crashed on takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks Tuesday afternoon. Both crew members ejected and were taken to a local hospital. U.S. Air Force officials say the F-16D Fighting Falcon from the Republic of Korea Air Force crashed on the runway at Eielson at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Indonesia signs $10bn deal to buy 48 Turkish Kaan fighter jets

06/12/2025

Indonesia will purchase 48 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets from Turkey in a deal valued at more than $10bn, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, which has been attended by Turkish defence firms. The deal will span 10 years and includes the co-production of some Kaan jet components in Indonesia.

USAF slashes F-35 buy, boosts next-gen fighter in unconventional 2026 budget proposal

06/12/2025

The Pentagon is proposing to halve its planned F-35 buy and boost funding for the sixth-gen F-47 fighter jet—but many of its 2026 budget-proposal details hinge on the reconciliation legislation still being debated on Capitol Hill. The budget proposal was quietly delivered to Congress yesterday—an unorthodox rollout without the typical public release and background briefings for press.

Cost of Canada's new US-made fighter jet fleet set to rise, watchdog says

06/11/2025

Canada's planned purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin, opens new tab F-35 fighters will cost at least 45% more than initially estimated and the project is also threatened by a pilot shortage, the country's top watchdog reported on Tuesday. Canada, seeking to replace its antiquated fleet of CF-18 jets, announced the C$19-billion ($13.89 billion) deal in January 2023.

Rebels shoot down Myanmar JF-17 fighter jet

06/11/2025

A JF-17 fighter jet operated by the Myanmar Air Force was shot down Tuesday by anti-junta forces in Pale Township, located in the conflict-ridden Sagaing Region. This is the latest blow to the military’s airpower as resistance groups continue to expand the use of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

U.S., UK, French and Finnish Air Forces participate in Atlantic Trident 25 in Finland

06/11/2025

USAF in Europe-Air Forces Africa will participate in Atlantic Trident 25, a joint, multinational exercise bringing together Finnish, French, U.K., and U.S. forces to strengthen fourth- and fifth-generation integration and improve combat readiness, June 16 to 27. Finland will host this iteration of the biannual tactical-level training exercise, marking not only an expansion of the training scenarios, but also the first time it has been hosted outside of the recurring trilateral partners.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft: the key to restoring American air cuperiority

06/11/2025

In the old days, the United States overmatched its enemies by fielding greater numbers of qualitatively superior combat aircraft, flown by the greatest pilots in the world, who counted victory in ratios of many hostile jets destroyed for every one American. Or, in ideal cases, no American losses at all.

Pentagon’s 2026 budget plan includes more than $4B for next-generation Air Force fighter jets

06/11/2025

The Defense Department plans to allocate more than $4 billion in fiscal 2026 to fund development of the Air Force’s F-47 fighter jet and Collaborative Combat Aircraft, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers Tuesday.

The 100-hour War: India Versus Pakistan

06/10/2025

The four-day armed confrontation between the IAF and PAF, which some aerospace analysts refer to as the 100-hour war, has been carefully studied by air power experts worldwide. For others, this has been an invaluable opportunity to compare, in a live air combat environment, the surveillance architecture, command and control structure, and flying skills of Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc pilots and aircraft.

Saab’s early warning technology enables Ukraine to shoot down Russian Su-35 fighter

06/10/2025

A Russian Su-35 fighter jet was recently shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk direction, marking a significant development in Ukraine’s air defence operations. Ukrainian military sources reported that the incident occurred in the morning over Russian territory, likely in the Korenevsky district of the Kursk region.

Trump's vision for a twin-engine F-55 fighter jet faces reality check

06/10/2025

U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of a new, twin-engine version of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet may need to be scaled back due to cost and engineering realities, according to two people familiar with the matter. Speaking in Doha last month, Trump said the new "F-55" would feature "two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35." However, there is a caveat, with Trump saying, "if we get the right price."

Lockheed Martin delivers second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet to Bulgarian Air Force

06/10/2025

The second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet for the Bulgarian Air Force arrived in Bulgaria on Sunday, 8 June, the Ministry of Defence announced. The aircraft landed at 15:26 local time at the Graf Ignatievo Third Air Base. It was welcomed by Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, and Colonel Metodi Orlov, Commander of the Third Air Base. The newly arrived jet is a single-seat combat aircraft with tail number 313.

Ukraine says it hit Russian MiG-31, Su-30/34 fighter jets following attack on airfield

06/10/2025

A Ukrainian strike allegedly damaged two Russian military aircraft — a MiG-31 and either a Su-30 or Su-34 fighter jet — at an airfield used to launch Kinzhal missile attacks, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 9. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, the military said.

Hungary modernises Air Force with L-39 Skyfox jets

06/09/2025

Hungary has officially received its first L-39 Skyfox aircraft as part of a modernisation effort for its air force, under a defence deal with the Czech company Aero Vodochody. The jets, announced on May 30, 2025, will serve as advanced trainers and reconnaissance platforms, forming the second tier of pilot training after propeller-driven Zlin aircraft.

Pakistan Secures Largest Ever Defense Export Deal to Deliver 40 JF-17 Fighter Jets to Azerbaijan

06/09/2025

The Pakistani Government announced on June 6, 2025, through its official X account, the signing of a $4.6 billion defense agreement with Azerbaijan for the sale of 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, accompanied by a $2 billion investment package. This record-breaking deal not only marks Pakistan’s largest defense export in its history but also signals a major strategic alignment between two nations that have steadily cultivated deeper ties over the past decade.

Pakistan confirms acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth fighters and integrated air defence systems

06/09/2025

Pakistan has officially confirmed the acquisition of up to 40 Chinese J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, making it the first international operator of China’s newest stealth aircraft. The deal marks one of Pakistan’s most significant military modernisation efforts in recent years.

US Air Force sets up new experimental unit to test drone and fighter jet teamwork

06/09/2025

The Experimental Operations Unit of the 53rd Wing is tasked with ensuring uncrewed systems like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft are both technically advanced and tactically integrated from the outset.

How Armenia Might Respond To Azerbaijan’s JF-17 Fighter Acquisition

06/09/2025

In an acquisition that will significantly alter the military balance in the South Caucasus, Pakistan is selling 40 fourth-generation JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The move will undoubtedly worry neighboring Armenia.

Taiwan detects 34 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels close to its territory

06/08/2025

Taiwan said it detected 34 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship around its territory between 6 a.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Saturday, media reports said. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense posted on X: "34 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today."

Lockheed Martin completes final assembly of ninth F-35A fighter jet for Belgium

06/08/2025

Lockheed Martin has completed final assembly of the ninth F-35A Lightning II multi-role combat aircraft for Belgium at its facility in Fort Worth. According to both parties, this is the first Belgian-designated aircraft that will be delivered directly to Belgium after acceptance.

Big Battle Of 6th-Gen Fighters: Japan Faces A Tough Choice Between GCAP & US Defense Partnership With F-47

06/08/2025

Amid reports that the Japan-UK-Italy Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is facing delays, the United States has swooped in to pitch the F-47 sixth-generation aircraft to Japan. The big question is: will Japan bite the bullet?

This Could Be Our Best View Yet Of China’s J-36 Very Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet

06/08/2025

new image appearing to show China’s ‘J-36’ 6th generation tactical jet parked on the ground has emerged online. If legitimate, this would be the best front view of the aircraft to date, notably providing clear proof of the canopy design and further confirmation of a side-by-side seating arrangement. What looks to be three open ventral weapons bays, along with nearby personnel, underscore the design’s large size — something of a hybrid between a very heavy fighter and a tactical bomber.

A Ukrainian Surface-to-Air Missile Just Shot Down One of Russia's Best Su-35 Fighters

06/08/2025

A Ukrainian air force surface-to-air missile shot down a Russian air force Sukhoi Su-35 over Kursk Oblast in western Russia on Saturday. The twin-engine Su-35 is Russia’s best fighter that’s in widespread use. Initial reports that a Ukrainian Lockheed Martin F-16 shot down the Su-35 were apparently false. “According to updated information, the Su-35 fighter jet that took off from the Borisoglebsk air base was shot down by a surface-to-air missile system,” analysis AviVector corrected.

A Russian oil depot that supplies fuel to military aircraft is on fire, according to satellite images

06/07/2025

Satellite images have confirmed a large-scale fire at an oil depot in Engels, Saratov region. It supplies fuel to a military airfield that was previously attacked by drones. Satellite imagery confirmed a large-scale fire at an oil depot in Engels, Saratov region. This was reported by the "Crimean Wind" monitoring group, reports UNN.