Chinese carrier operations near Okinawa draw Japanese fighter response
Japan scrambled fighter jets Wednesday after a Chinese aircraft carrier conducted flight operations south of Okinawa, days before the start of a major U.S.-Japan military exercise, according to Japan’s Joint Staff.
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France has only 184 combat aircraft. Air Force chief warns of overstretch
France has 184 combat aircraft, and its Air and Space Force is already operating beyond its planned capacity. General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, has warned that the current fleet is insufficient to maintain nuclear deterrence, protect national airspace and simultaneously prepare for high-intensity warfare. During a parliamentary hearing, he revealed that French fighter aircraft are being used more than 15% above their planned operational level.
Agile Combat Employment Explained: Why Air Forces Scatter Their Jets
A modern fighter is fast, stealthy and deadly in the air. On the ground it is a very expensive sitting duck. A few cruise missiles or a handful of cheap drones can wreck a squadron parked on one airfield before it ever takes off, as Russia learned at its bomber bases in June 2025 and again at Borisoglebsk this week.
Belgium promises to transfer 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by end of year
During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the EU summit, De Wever and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine's military needs. He also emphasised that Ukraine urgently needs operational fighter jets, calling the F-16s one of the few weapons capable of effectively defending against "Russian jet-powered drones."
Why does Somalia want JF-17 fighter jets when its biggest enemy has no air force?
The move raises questions about how useful they will be for Somalia and its struggle against al-Shabaab. Considering the rapidly evolving geopolitical context of the Horn of Africa, it may be less about al-Shabaab and more about a complex web of alliances and the desire for state-building.
One Night, Six Su-34s Hit—More Than Russia’s Entire Known 2026 Supply
Russia may have lost more Su-34s in one night at Borisoglebsk than it received during the entire year—a brutal production-versus-loss imbalance.
Boeing reports 94 military aircraft deliveries through September, including Apache helicopters, fighter jets and KC-46 tankers
Boeing delivered more than 90 military aircraft in the first nine months of the year, reaching 94 after handing over 30 in the third quarter. Apache helicopters accounted for 15 of those quarterly deliveries, while KC-46A Pegasus tankers contributed another seven.
France tests how Rafale fighters can keep flying from civilian airports
The French Air and Space Force operated three Rafale fighters and two CASA CN235 transport aircraft from two civilian airports during its BASEX exercise. The exercise was held across France from September 23 to October 2, 2026, according to a statement the service published on October 13, 2026.
Chinese J-16 fighter jet pilot reveals how four jets defeated six French Rafale and Russian MiG-29 fighters in African airspace
Four Chinese J-16 jets engaged six Egyptian aircraft, including Rafale and MiG-29M fighters, overcoming a numerical disadvantage using airborne warning and electronic warfare.
Romania scrambles F-16 jets after drones detected near Ukrainian border
Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and deployed a military helicopter after three drones were detected near the country’s border with Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
