Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation

04/17/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (April 15) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 16). Of the 11 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one entered the southwest sector of the nation’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and one helicopter was detected in the southeast ADIZ, according to the MND.

Japan's Next-Gen Fighter Jet and the Future of its Defense

04/17/2024

Japan's next-gen fighter jet, increased collaborative efforts, and military spending signal a new, more proactive era in its defense strategy. The Japanese government's recent approval of exporting a next-gen fighter jet developed with Italy and Britain marks a significant milestone. It signals a new era in Japan's security outlook, emphasizing collaboration and innovation.

Argentine President Buys 24 F-16 Military Aircraft From Denmark

04/17/2024

On Tuesday, Argentine President Javier Milei celebrated the signing of an agreement to purchase 24 F-16 fighter jets from the Danish Army. "The task we are carrying out is only possible because I am accompanied by a cabinet with extremely talented human beings," Milei told Defense Minister Luis Petri, who was at the Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.

Air Force secretary: Selfridge could 'potentially' get future fighter jet mission

04/17/2024

The secretary of the U.S. Air Force said Tuesday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County would "potentially" be considered for a future fighter mission to replace the base's aging A-10 aircraft, "but at the current time we don't have an option to do that." Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was testifying Tuesday morning before the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

France Approves Transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E Fighter Jets from UAE to Morocco

04/16/2024

France has authorized the transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco. According to Spanish media, the transfer is part of a broader cooperation agreement that will see Abu Dhabi acquire 80 Rafales.

Russia's Su-57 Felon Fighter Nightmare Is Just Getting Started

04/16/2024

As the Russo-Ukraine War continues into its third year, the limitations of the Russian military, particularly in controlling airspace, have become evident. Notably, the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon,” a fifth-generation multirole fighter, has underperformed. Since its first flight in 2010, only about 32 Su-57s have been delivered, with production delays exacerbated by industrial bottlenecks.

The Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fighter Now Has the 'Stormbreaker'

04/16/2024

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a mainstay of the U.S. Navy, has recently been enhanced with a significant capability upgrade, making it the first carrier-based aircraft to deploy the SDB-II, also known as the StormBreaker. This 250-pound precision-strike weapon is designed to handle adverse weather conditions and dynamic targeting scenarios, thanks to its tri-mode seeker that integrates infrared, millimeter wave radar, and GPS/INS systems.

Iran launches aerial attack on Israel in major escalation

04/14/2024

Iran has launched dozens of aerial drones and missiles at Israel, marking a widely anticipated reprisal attack. It is the first such direct clash between the two enemies, who have been engaged in a years-long shadow war, with Iran using proxy forces. The Israeli military said Israel and other countries had intercepted hundreds of cruise missiles and drones, mostly outside Israeli airspace.

First KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft Lands in Kecskemét for Testing

04/13/2024

From April 12, the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft manufactured for the Hungarian Defense Forces will stay at the Kecskemét (central Hungary) airbase for three weeks, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky informed MTI on Thursday. According to the statement, the Minister said that the testing schedule, which began after the aircraft’s first take-off on February 8, 2024, has entered its final phase, with ground and air tests being carried out in the final stages of the pro

Florida Air Force Reserve group returns to the Tyndall skies

04/13/2024

The 44th Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve, conducted their first flying Unit Training Assembly at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 6, 2024, since returning to Tyndall. This training proved valuable for the pilots and maintainers by giving them hands-on experience with F-35A Lightning II’s and their first local sortie since departing Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael.

Will Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft Mean Airmen Need New AFSCs?

04/13/2024

The Air Force will award more contracts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the coming months and is committed to fielding the autonomous unmanned jets within the next few years. But how that will impact Airmen’s job remains to be seen, the head of Air Force Futures said April 12. Speaking at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event, Lt. Gen. David A. Harris said the manpower matters raised by CCAs are still a work-in-progress.

Taiwan Fighter Planes Suffer Damage From Earthquake

04/12/2024

The Republic of China Air Force has reported damage to eight of its fighter planes caused by the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake. The six F-16V aircraft and two F-5 fighters stationed at Hualien Air Force Base suffered minor damage caused by the shaking of its boarding ladders during the incident. According to the command, the damage is easily repairable and will not affect the aircraft’s combat readiness.

Tensions On Thai-Myanmar Border: Thailand’s F-16s Check MiG-29 Jets Conducting Airstrikes Near Border

04/12/2024

The patrolling by the F-16s comes in the wake of reports of Russian-built MiG-29 fighter jets, operated by the Myanmar military, conducting air strikes close to the border area. The RTAF announced its deployment via a Facebook post on April 10, citing the need to monitor the situation in Myanmar, particularly in the vicinity of Myawaddy township, where the recent conflict between the Myanmar military and Karen rebel forces has intensified.

Eurofighter Typhoon: The Fighter Jet NATO Is Now Depending On

04/12/2024

In March 2024, six Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were deployed to Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base for NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission, marking 30 years since the Typhoon's first flight. Developed by Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, these multi-role combat aircraft will undertake air policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force until August 2024.

How F-16s could change the war in Ukraine

04/12/2024

With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, the pitched battle this past winter between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the town of Avdiivka now appears notable for at least two reasons. The first is that Ukraine’s loss of the town marks the latest in a series of high-profile military setbacks, including its counteroffensive; the second is that it appears that for the first time in the war, Russia has, at least for the moment, gained a degree of local air superiority.

NATO fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft flying over Baltic sea

04/11/2024

NATO Eurofighters scrambled to intercept a Russian surveillance plane that was clocked flying over the Baltic Sea. A pair of German Eurofighter Typhoons were spotted on the tail of a Ilyushin Il-20 electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) flying over the Baltic Sea near the Swedish island of Gotland. The Russian craft, which boasts a sophisticated radar system for intel gathering, failed to answer to identification requests sparking the scramble, according to NATO's Allied Air Command (AIRCOM).

Serbia’s Potential Rafale Acquisition Signifies More Than Just a Fighter Decision

04/11/2024

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared his country’s intention of acquiring the Rafale jet fighter from France’s Dassault Aviation. The announcement – made while Vucic was on a two-day visit to France – noted that a firm contract signing is expected in two months. The declaration of a French fighter purchase underlines Serbia’s intention to diversify its sources of military importation, while underlining the fallout for Russian defense exports in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

US-Chinese military talks resume on safety in the air and at sea after a nearly 2-year break

04/10/2024

For the first time in nearly two years, U.S. and Chinese defense officials met this week to discuss unsafe and aggressive ship and aircraft incidents between the two militaries in the Pacific region, restarting a dialogue that Beijing abruptly ended in a dispute involving Taiwan.

PAF sending fighter plane for the first time to Australia war games

04/10/2024

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will deploy a fighter plane to participate for the first time in Australia’s large-scale multilateral air combat exercise this year. PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo on Tuesday said that the Philippines will send an FA-50 light fighter aircraft for Australia’s Pitch Black Exercise in August.

AI-operated fighter jet will fly Air Force secretary on test run

04/10/2024

The Air Force is betting a large part of its future air warfare on a fleet more than 1,000 autonomously operated drones, and later this spring its top civilian leader plans to climb into one of those artificial intelligence-operated warplanes and let it take him airborne. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told senators on Tuesday at a hearing on the service’s 2025 budget that he will enter the cockpit of one of the F-16s that the service has converted for drone flight to see for himself how it

Greece plans to transfer dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine

04/09/2024

It is noted that the Greek government plans to sell 108 fighter jets that are currently subject to decommissioning. In particular, the conversation is about 32 units of F-16C/-D Block 30. In July 2022, Greece began the procedure for selling the jet fighters and related equipment (spare parts, simulators, devices, materials), the value of which was estimated at €117M.The sale did not occur, and the aircrafts’ condition in open storage constantly deteriorated.

Japan Completes First Stage Mod For Lockheed Martin F-35B Fighters On JS Kaga

04/09/2024

Japan has announced it has completed the first phase of modifying one of its helicopter carriers for F-35 operations. The Izumo-class destroyer Kaga's revamped flight deck will be able to support F-35B fighter jet take-offs and landings.

Serbia’s President to discuss Rafale fighter order during visit to France

04/09/2024

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic is set to visit France on April 8 and 9, 2024, to discuss, among other topics, the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets. During his two-day visit, President Vucic plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and later French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The agenda of the discussions will include the potential purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation.

F-16V, F-15, Rafale, Eurofighter: India Assembling World’s Best Warplanes For Air Drills Amid China Threats

04/08/2024

The IAF conducted two major wargames in 2024, which will be followed by a multinational exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti,’ the first to be held in India. The rise of an assertive China has brought together like-minded countries to pursue greater military cooperation. India, which has been embroiled in a standoff with China since 2020, has increased air exercises with foreign countries.

German fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian Il-20 aircraft over Baltic Sea

04/08/2024

The German Air Force scrambled their fighter jets over the Baltic Sea on Saturday to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. The German aircraft were forced to take off from the base in Lielvarde, Latvia. "Our European fighter jets from VAPB took off from Lielvarde today on a defensive mission to intercept a Russian Il-20 over the Baltic Sea, which was flying without a transponder," the statement reads.