Multirole combat aircraft evaluation to begin in 2029
The Malaysian defence ministry will begin its evaluation process for the acquisition of multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) in 2029 or 2030, in line with plans to replace the country’s key air assets. Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the move was aimed at replacing the existing F-18 and Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter aircraft, which are expected to be decommissioned in 2035 or 2036.
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Concerns of delay loom over KF-21 fighter jet program as production costs likely to rise
South Korea's first homegrown fighter jet program may face delays as costs for follow-on production are projected to sharply rise from the original estimate, a document drafted by the state arms procurement agency showed Tuesday. The "Block-II" production of the KF-21 Boramae fighters was projected to cost 18.44 trillion won (US$12.5 billion) as of March, an increase of 29.5 percent, or 4.19 trillion won, from the initial estimate of 14.24 trillion won made in August 2024, according to the document by the Defense Acquisition Procurement Administration (DAPA) submitted to a lawmaker.
Another setback for LCA Tejas Mk-1A? IAF may have to wait longer for new fighter jets as key meeting delayed
With the Indian Air Force (IAF) facing a shrinking fighter squadron strength, the rapid induction of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet has become extremely critical to maintain the force's combat readiness. However, due to various reasons, including the the delay in GE engine supply and supply-chain bottlenecks, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) hasn't been able to meet the deadlines to supply the jets to the force.
Pakistan quietly hosted Iranian military aircraft during US war, despite public mediator role
US officials told CBS that Tehran moved aircraft to Pakistan and Afghanistan in an apparent effort to shield aviation assets from possible American strikes, even as Islamabad presented itself as a diplomatic channel between Iran and Washington.
A Swiss F-35 dilemma
Paying more for less doesn’t sound like a great deal, but this is where Switzerland has landed in the purchase of its next combat aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The Swiss Ministry of Defence had first planned to buy 36 of the type, but the budget, even with a modest increase, is now expected to cover no more than 30 of the fighter/ground-attack aircraft.
Air Combat Command to Take Over Fighter and Drone Pilot Training
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to ACC at seven installations.
China’s J-10C Armed With World’s Longest-Range Air-to-Air Missile Sparks Indo-Pacific Alarm
China’s apparent decision to integrate the PL-17 ultra-long-range air-to-air missile onto the lightweight Chengdu J-10C fighter is rapidly emerging as one of the most strategically disruptive airpower developments in the Indo-Pacific since the operational debut of the J-20 stealth fighter.
Australian Wedgetail plane gave NATO 'critical' information during Russian incursion over Estonia
Australia's Wedgetail military surveillance plane gave "critical" information to NATO as it responded to an incursion by Russian fighter jets over Estonia in September. A European official says they would welcome Australia's government deploying the aircraft to Europe again.
Mexico Moves to Replace Aging F-5s as US Tensions Cloud F-16 Bid
FAM commander General Román Carmona Landa confirmed the program on April 25, 2026, at the Tulum Air Show, telling Janes that the F-5 “represents Mexico’s greatest capability, but it is old technology and we are planning its replacement in the short and medium term.” He said candidates include the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72, Saab JAS-39 Gripen E, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle, and Leonardo M-346FA.
New Tu-160M photo confirms Russia’s slow but steady bomber upgrades
Fighterbomber channel published the first photo of Tu-160 '8-04' Deynekin after Tu-160M upgrade, bringing confirmed modernized Tu-160M count to six plus three new Tu-160M2s. AviVector analysis indicates only seven of Russia's 18 Tu-160M conduct combat missions against Ukraine, with seven to nine aircraft in Kazan workshops at any given time.
