Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pentagon agrees to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots at Idaho air base

10/11/2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon has agreed to build a new facility in Idaho to host fighter jets and pilots from Qatar. Hegseth made the announcement during a Pentagon ceremony honoring Qatari Minister of Defense Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, where the Trump administration official also highlighted the “core part” the Gulf nation played in securing the Gaza peace deal.

Denmark commits $4.5 billion for additional F-35 jets, invests in Arctic defense spending plan

10/11/2025

Denmark pledged today to spend 56.4 billion Danish Krone ($8.77 billion) on “significantly strengthening” its defense capabilities, split between a second tranche acquisition of 16 Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, valued at 27.4 billion Danish Krone, and an Arctic spending plan at a cost of 27.4 billion Danish Krone.

Kabul blames Pakistan for airstrikes that killed 3 people in eastern Afghanistan

10/10/2025

Airstrikes that Afghanistan’s Taliban government blamed on neighboring Pakistan struck two eastern provinces of the country, killing at least three people, wounding seven others and damaging homes, officials and witnesses said Thursday. In Kabul, the foreign ministry decried the strikes that took place late Wednesday in Nangarhar and Khost provinces, calling them a “provocative act” by Pakistan and summoning the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul.

Wilsbach: F-15EX Delayed by Strike; Fourth-Gen Fighters Still Bring Value

10/10/2025

Deliveries of F-15EX aircraft are being delayed by labor strikes at Boeing, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his Oct. 9 confirmation hearing to be Air Force Chief of Staff. During the hearing, Wilsbach touted the value of the EX and other fourth-generation platforms despite their lack of stealth, saying they can contribute in other ways. As an example, he cited the F-15EX’s expected ability to carry oversized hypersonic weapons.

U.S. Navy Nears Decision on F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter with Boeing or Northrop Grumman

10/10/2025

The United States Navy is close to naming the winner of its highly anticipated contract for its sixth-generation fighter. The still-unnamed aircraft, known simply as the F/A-XX, will eventually replace the service’s aging carrier-capable F/A-18 Super Hornet, the updated variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

NATO Considers Letting Pilots Fire on Russian Aircraft After Airspace Violations

10/10/2025

NATO allies are discussing the possibility of a stronger response to Russia’s ongoing provocations, including potentially allowing pilots to open fire on Russian aircraft and expanding military exercises along the Alliance’s eastern border, the Financial Times (FT) reported on October 8, citing four NATO officials.

Air Force Must Increase Flying Hours, Invest in Spare Parts: CSAF Nominee Wilsbach

10/10/2025

Air Force pilots are not flying enough, and the service must fix what has become a chronic issue and the myriad of factors that contribute to it, particularly a lack of spare parts, the nominee to become the next Chief of Staff of the Air Force told senators during his confirmation hearing Oct. 9.

NATO's air policing mission is getting riskier for the F-35s, Gripens, F-16s, and other fighter jets at the front

10/09/2025

More frequent and more provocative Russian aircraft incursions into NATO airspace and rising pressure within the alliance to respond with force are raising the risks for front-line pilots flying air policing missions.

Why Greece Needs The F-35 Stealth Fighter

10/09/2025

Greece is buying 20 F-35s (Lot-20) for about $8.6 billion, with deliveries targeted from 2028, to complement its F-16V fleet and transform the Hellenic Air Force’s reach, survivability, and ISR. The F-35’s stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare sharpen air policing and intercept missions across Greece’s vast coastline and islands while deepening NATO interoperability.

Boeing completes critical F-15C upgrades to rxtend combat readiness for U.S. Air Force fleet

10/09/2025

Boeing’s Government Services team has completed subsystem upgrades on 37 F-15C Eagle fighter jets at the Louisiana Air National Guard Base in New Orleans. The enhancements are part of a four-year effort to ensure the ageing aircraft remain combat-effective and secure into the 2030s.

The Hidden Cost of Flying Yesterday’s Trainers

10/09/2025

When the first T-7A Red Hawk trainer arrives at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph this December, it will mark more than just the introduction of a new aircraft. It represents the U.S. Air Force’s acknowledgment of a decades-long training crisis that has quietly undermined pilot development: the service has been teaching aviators habits they’ll later need to unlearn, building muscle memory for aircraft that retired before many current pilots were born.

Germany signs off on $4.4 billion Eurofighter Typhoon deal

10/09/2025

The German budget committee approved a long-planned order of advanced Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets today, greenlighting the €3.75 billion ($4.36 billion) procurement of 20 additional aircraft, designed to the Tranche 5 standard. In a translated statement, the German Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that the combat jets will be equipped with E-scan radars with deliveries set to run from 2031 to 2034.

Bangladesh air force gets nod to spend billions on multirole fighters

10/08/2025

Two air forces fly the Chinese-manufactured J-10 fighter – China and Pakistan – but a third nation could soon become an operator of this 4.5-generation jet. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Bangladesh’s top air force officer, announced last month that his country’s interim government had given an in-principle approval for the purchase of “multirole combat and attack aircraft” plus new surface-to-air missiles and long-range radars.

Mysterious Aircraft Crash Near Area 51 Just Got Weirder

10/08/2025

Details remain scant about an unspecified U.S. Air Force aircraft, widely believed to be a drone of some kind, which came down in southern Nevada not far from Area 51 nearly two weeks ago. Whether the aircraft was ever actually inside Area 51’s highly restricted airspace, also known as “The Box,” is unknown. The mishap prompted authorities to temporarily close the airspace above the crash site, with some exemptions, while the wreckage was cleared.

India, Brazil Weigh Barter Deal for Military Aircraft

10/08/2025

India and Brazil are in talks over a landmark defense deal that could see both nations swap high-value military platforms instead of paying in cash, according to local media. While specifics remain undisclosed, reports suggest New Delhi would acquire Brazil’s Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, while Brasília would receive an equivalent value of Indian-made defense systems.

Russia’s ‘New’ Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter Could Soon Be In The Air

10/08/2025

The appearance of purported photos of the Russian Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate fighter aircraft has created a stir in the combat aviation community. Images show what appears to be the preparation of a flying prototype for a flight test on a tarmac. That facility is assessed to be the factory aerodrome of the Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KNAAPO) in Khabarovsk Province, Russian Far East.

Pentagon's Hegseth okays US Navy next-generation fighter, sources say

10/08/2025

After months of delay, the Pentagon will select as soon as this week the defense company to design and build the Navy's next stealth fighter, a U.S. official and two people familiar with the decision said, in what will be a multibillion-dollar effort for a jet seen as central to U.S. efforts to counter China.

Stealth standoff near China hints at shifting airpower balance

10/07/2025

This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China has revealed a previously undisclosed aerial confrontation in 2024 involving a domestically produced J-16 fighter jet and two unidentified foreign stealth aircraft near its coastal waters, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

NATO Presses Greece to Transfer Mirage 2000 Combat Jets to Ukraine

10/07/2025

NATO allies are increasing pressure on Greece to transfer part of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter fleet to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. The push reflects broader NATO efforts to reinforce Kyiv’s air defenses using allies’ stockpiles, according to Piraeus-based news agency Kathimerini.

The Air Force Might Soon Have 32 Extra F-22 Combat Ready ‘Raptor’ Stealth Fighters

10/07/2025

The Air Force may upgrade 35 older F-22 Block 20 Raptors once slated for retirement, converting training airframes into combat-coded jets to bolster stealth capacity before sixth-generation NGAD arrives. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works says talks center on adding modern sensors, infrared search-and-track, electronic warfare, open-mission systems, and manned-unmanned teaming links for Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Navy maintenance crews are stripping their own jets and submarines for spare parts

10/07/2025

The U.S. Navy’s maintainers have had to strip submarines and fighter jets for spare parts to repair other planes and subs, a government watchdog found. In at least one case, mechanics repairing a Navy fighter jet could not repair a radio because the cables needed for the job were only available from the manufacturer.

Spain Eyes Turkish KAAN Fighter Jet After Scrapping F-35 Plan: Report

10/07/2025

Spain is reportedly considering acquiring Turkey’s incoming fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets after shelving plans to purchase US-made F-35s in August in favor of European-built platforms. Madrid’s alleged interest in the KAAN is tied to growing defense ties with Ankara, including the prominent presence of Turkish defense companies at the Madrid defense fair in May and Spain’s acquisition of the Hürjet training aircraft in July, according to El Economista.

Documents reveal Australia's F-35 fighter jet export details 'quietly' disappeared

10/06/2025

Human rights lawyers and the Greens are accusing the federal government of "hiding" details of Australia's involvement in a global supply chain Israel uses to maintain its F-35 fighter jets. A page on the Department of Defence website once explained how the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program was "transforming Australian industry".

https://defence-industry.eu/raytheon-unveils-apg-82vx-radar-for-f-15ex-with-greater-range-and-no-increase-in-power-demand/

10/06/2025

Raytheon has announced a new variant of its APG-82 radar for the F-15EX fighter aircraft that offers increased effective range without requiring additional power. The new solution was unveiled during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in mid-September.

Leak doc reveals Su-57s for Algeria, Su-35s for Iran and Ethiopia

10/06/2025

A newly leaked document allegedly from Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec appears to outline detailed pricing, delivery schedules, and export plans for advanced Sukhoi fighter jets destined for several foreign clients — including Iran, Algeria, and Ethiopia. The material was published online on October 3 by the hacker collective Black Mirror, which claims to have accessed more than 300 internal documents from Rostec’s systems.