Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet conducts second flight test with Roketsan’s TEBER-82 precision-guided bomb

10/06/2025

Turkish drone maker Baykar Technologies has completed the second captive munition flight test of its Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet, this time using Roketsan’s TEBER-82 precision-guided bomb. The test involved two 500-pound TEBER-82 laser and GNSS-guided bombs mounted on external hardpoints of the Kizilelma PT-3 prototype.

Republic of Korea Air Force reaches new milestone in the modernization of its 134 KF-16 fighters to the Block 72

10/06/2025

While much of the attention in recent years has been focused on the development and production of the new KAI KF-21 Boramae, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has also been making steady progress in other capability enhancement programs. In particular, the one centered on upgrading 134 of its KF-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to the Block 72 Viper standard, with confirmation last September that the flight simulators will also be brought up to the same new configuration.

Iran’s Su-35 Fighter Order Spotted on Russian Documents

10/05/2025

A leaked document regarding KRET equipment for Russian fighter jets to be exported revealed that Iran will receive 48 Su-35 fighters to modernise its fleet. The leaked document was shared on social media platforms, which provides information on the amount of the state-owned KRET’s RF equipment.

Defence Ministry: Two new F-16 fighter jets delivered to Bulgaria

10/04/2025

Two new F-16 fighter jets arrived in Bulgaria on October 3 in fulfillment of the 2019 contract, the country’s Defence Ministry said. The aircraft landed at the Graf Ignatievo near Bulgaria’s city of Plovdiv. Of the combat aircraft that arrived on October 3, one is a single-seater and one a double-seater, the Defence Ministry said.

Status Of Venezuela’s Air Defense Capabilities

10/04/2025

With the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean expanding to become a “non-international armed conflict,” the prospects of some kind of confrontation between the U.S. military and Venezuela are rising, too. On top of the counter-narcotics effort, some officials in the Trump administration are pushing to oust Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.

Why Is a ‘Retired’ Stealth Fighter Practicing Aerial Refueling?

10/04/2025

The United States Air Force’s Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk has officially been “retired” from service. Yet the twin-engine stealth attack aircraft continues to turn up in the most unexpected places—and at times doing the quite unexpected. So it was earlier this week, when trade publication The Aviationist reported that two of the advanced Nighthawk fighters were seen being refueled from a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker on Tuesday over Los Angeles.

Air Guard Loses Fighter Unit

10/03/2025

The Air National Guard lost a fighter unit Sept. 23 when the Maryland National Guard formally ended the A-10C Thunderbolt II mission at Warfield Air National Guard Base outside of Baltimore. The last A-10 departed the base two days later. The 104th Fighter Squadron had operated the aircraft for 45 years. The action was part of an Air Force plan announced in March 2024 to convert the 175th Wing from a dual-mission wing to an exclusively cyber wing.

NATO’s Options on the Eastern Flank

10/03/2025

In US President Donald Trump’s view, NATO countries have every right to shoot down Russian jets and drones crossing into their airspace. The alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte took a similar stance, saying members can target Russian drones and airplanes “if necessary.” CEPA asked its military and security experts: How should NATO respond? Their warning is clear — the alliance must establish and enforce clear red lines or risk the collapse of the very deterrence on which it relies.

Dutch Air Force fighter jet shoots down Russian Shahed drone

10/02/2025

A Dutch Air Force F-35 fighter jet has shot down a Russian Shahed drone, as evidenced by a marking left on the aircraft’s fuselage, according to Defensie.nl. As evidence, the outlet published a photo of the aircraft featuring a marking of a Russian attack drone on its fuselage. The downing likely occurred in Polish airspace on September 10.

Japan’s fighter jet visit follows U.K. strike group’s port call as security partnership deepens

10/02/2025

Japan and the United Kingdom are deepening their defense ties as security challenges grow across the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Following the U.K. Carrier Strike Group’s three-week visit to Japan in August and September 2025, which included joint fighter jet training over the Sea of Japan, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) dispatched F-15 fighters and support aircraft to Europe and North America for unit-to-unit exchanges.

Why Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet Is Heading to Ukraine

10/02/2025

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk, warned that Russia is poised to increase its airstrikes and said that more Western aircraft are desperately needed. Havrylyuk added that help is on the way and that Kyiv is expected to receive “additional deliveries of F-16 aircraft, as well as French Mirage and Swedish Gripen” jet fighters.

The Great U.S. Air Force Reboot Has Arrived

10/02/2025

The Air Force is racing toward 2035 with a simple idea: keep the edge by mixing a few game-changers with smarter versions of what already works. The B-21 Raider sneaks in first; the B-52J lugs big magazines from afar. Up top, the new F-47 NGAD leads with stealth and sensor fusion while “loyal wingman” drones add mass. In the middle, refreshed classics—F-15EX for big weapons and jamming, a “Super” F-22, and a “Ferrari-ized” F-35—stretch every dollar.

US Air Force revamps pilot training as T-7 era nears

10/02/2025

The Air Force is laying the groundwork to start incorporating the T-7A Red Hawk into its pilot training operations. But the service is still about two years away from the first student pilots learning in the new, fifth-generation, Boeing-made jet. Before that can happen, the Air Force has to train its own trainers, said Air Education and Training Command deputy commander Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn.

Turkey To Declare S-400 ‘Inoperable’ To Gain F-35 Stealth Fighter Deal

10/01/2025

The Trump Administration is exploring a workaround to restore Turkey’s access to F-35s by deeming Ankara’s Russian S-400 “inoperable” after removing a component—an attempt to skirt CAATSA sanctions that Congress must review. Critics warn the reversible fix sets a dangerous precedent: Iran or North Korea could cite it to “disable” systems temporarily while preserving rapid reactivation.

Ministry of Defense Announces Delivery of Gripen Fighters to Ukraine

10/01/2025

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, hinted in a BBC interview that the country anticipates receiving additional combat aircraft, including F-16, as well as French Mirage jets and Swedish Gripen fighters.

Türkiye starts integrating homegrown engines into military platforms

10/01/2025

Türkiye has started fitting its own developed engines into land, air, sea and missile systems, a key move toward full self-reliance in defense.The push, driven by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), aims to cut reliance on foreign parts like engines for home-built platforms.

Taiwan Eyes Rafale Jets to Replace Aging Mirage 2000 Fleet: Dassault CEO

10/01/2025

Taiwan has expressed interest in acquiring Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation to replace its aging Mirage 2000 fleet, according to company Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. Although Taipei has extended the service life of its Mirage 2000s, Trappier noted that Taiwan and other operators may face growing sustainment challenges as production support for the aircraft declines with Dassault’s shift toward the newer Rafale.

Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s

10/01/2025

The Pentagon’s Joint Program Office and manufacturer Lockheed Martin have finalized a deal for roughly $24.3 billion that covers nearly 300 F-35 stealth fighters, the two parties announced Monday evening. The agreement provides for 148 airframes each in production lots 18 and 19, according to a Pentagon contract announcement, concluding negotiations that have stretched on for roughly two years. The deal includes jets for the US government as well as foreign buyers.

Air Force Contemplating B-21-Like Aircraft for Air-to-Air Combat

09/30/2025

The Air Force is studying whether a large flying wing-type stealth aircraft armed with dozens of air-to-air missiles could be an element of its future air superiority force, sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The aircraft could be based on the Northrop Grumman B-21, but the concept is at an early stage and other contractors could potentially have a shot at the work due to Northrop’s limited B-21 production capacity.

Türkiye insists its fighter jet won't depend on any single foreign engine

09/30/2025

Türkiye's indigenous fighter jet program is advancing as planned and will not be dependent on any single foreign engine supplier, according to the country's top defense procurement official late on Sunday. The remarks came shortly after Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye was waiting for approval by the U.S. Congress for deliveries of American-made engines intended for the first batch of the advanced Kaan warplanes.

Why the Expected Swedish Gripen Fighters Are More Than Just Another Jet for Ukraine

09/30/2025

Swedish Gripen has been repeatedly mentioned in discussions about supplying aircraft to Ukraine, but priority was given to the F-16 platform. It seems the situation is changing now. What are the advantages of the Gripen, and what tasks can it perform?

Boeing to relocate Super Hornet upgrade work out of St. Louis facilities

09/30/2025

The company is considering relocating the Super Hornet work to its other sites, starting with its facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and San Antonio, according to the press release. In addition to St. Louis, the modification work is also currently being performed in San Antonio and Jacksonville as well as at the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego.

Russia’s provocations are menacing Nato. The cold war shows how it needs to respond

09/30/2025

Earlier this month, a swarm of Russian drones violated Poland’s borders. Some were shot down. A few days later, another Russian drone overflew Romania en route to Ukraine. The Romanian air defence let it get away. Then, on 19 September, three Russian MiG-31 fighters intruded into Estonia’s airspace. Italian F-35s – in the area on a Nato mission – intercepted the Russians and saw them off.

NATO fighter jets scrambled in Poland as Russia launches deadly strikes on Ukraine

09/29/2025

NATO fighter jets were scrambled and air defense units put on alert in the early hours of Sunday in response to a major Russian drone and missile strike on Ukraine, the Polish Operational Command said in posts to X. "Due to the activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation, which is carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace," the command said in a statement.

Singapore to add U.S.-made fighter jets in Air Force modernization

09/28/2025

Singapore is set to receive the first of its 20 F-35 fighter jets by late 2026, marking an important step in its Air Force modernization, according to the Singapore Defence Ministry. The procurement of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft is part of a “long-term strategy to build up the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s [RSAF] future fighter fleet, which will comprise a diversified fleet of F-35As, F-35Bs and F-15SGs,” the ministry stated.