Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 8 military aircraft
The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and four official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Six of the eight People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.
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The Future of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Alliance is undergoing a major transformation, with European members taking more responsibility for their own defense and assuming airpower and other roles that, for decades, the United States had promised to fulfill. Trump administration officials claim the shift is necessary because the U.S. needs to allocate more forces for other commitments around the globe.
Indonesia orders Leonardo light fighters, eyes naval helicopters
The Indonesian Air Force will soon add yet another aircraft type to its eclectic fleet, after a deal with Leonardo for a dozen M-346F Block 20 light fighters was announced this week.
Why Lockheed’s F-22 Raptor is still one of world’s most capable fighter jets
For nearly two decades, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor has remained the benchmark for air superiority. Designed to dominate enemy fighters before they even know it’s there, the aircraft combines stealth, speed, agility, and advanced sensors in a way few operational fighters have matched.
Spain delays F-18 retirement amid fighter jet shortage
Following the collapse of the FCAS fighter jet programme and a lack of available latest-generation alternatives, Spain is now forced to prolong the service life of its F-18 fleet. This week, Madrid commissioned defence and technology giant Indra to develop new avionics test benches to support the extended lifespan of more than 60 fourth-generation aircraft.
Sudan’s air war shifts to drones as SAF pursues fighter jet revival
While both sides in the Sudan Civil War have largely pivoted to combat drones for airpower, the Sudanese Air Force still seeks to rebuild its fighter-jet capability. However, the Iran war appears to have indirectly derailed these attempts. At this stage, both sides are fighting air-to-air engagements using apparently foreign-supplied higher-end Turkish and Chinese-made drones.
Russia’s Crown-Jewel Su-57 May Have Crashed Outside Moscow
A Russian military aircraft crashed near Zvenigorod in the Moscow region, with preliminary reports suggesting it may have been a Su-57, Russia’s only operational fifth-generation fighter, Russian media Astra reported on July 23. Astra stated that the pilots likely managed to eject before the aircraft went down. No official confirmation of the aircraft type, crew condition, or cause of the crash has yet been released.
BAE, Boeing, Saab Sign UK Next-Gen Pilot Training Partnership
BAE Systems, Boeing, and Saab have signed a teaming agreement to jointly offer a new pilot training system for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), based on Boeing’s T-7 advanced jet trainer. The agreement includes plans to establish a final assembly and integration facility in the UK.
Tempest demonstrator build reaches midway point
Final assembly of the main structure of Team Tempest’s demonstrator fighter aircraft is at the halfway point, according to the BAE-led consortium. Comprising the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA and Rolls-Royce, Team Tempest has been working towards a sixth-generation multirole fighter aircraft - the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) - since 2018.
BAE Unveils Brontanax CCA
BAE Systems has lifted the lid on its hitherto secret Brontanax collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program. A full-scale model was unveiled for the first time at Farnborough on Wednesday by the UK’s newly appointed defense secretary, Wes Streeting, along with BAE Systems group CEO Charles Woodburn and the chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth.
