5/16/2024

Due to successive delays, Congress is considering reducing the number of F-35s destined for the U.S. Armed Forces for Fiscal Year 2025

The U.S. Congress’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 originally included the purchase of 68 stealth fighter jets F-35, but this acquisition could be reduced to as few as 48 aircraft. Problems with upgrades and failure to meet promised deadlines by Lockheed Martin would significantly reduce the number of aircraft intended to equip the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

5/16/2024

U.S. Air Force deploys F-22 fighters to South Korea

The U.S. Air Force has deployed several F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea, according to an announcement on the Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website on Tuesday. The arrival of these advanced jets at Kunsan Air Base, located 178 kilometers south of Seoul, underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

5/16/2024

45 Chinese Aircraft Detected Around Taiwan

Taipei said Wednesday it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year and coming less than a week before the self-ruled island inaugurates its new president, whom China regards as a “dangerous separatist.” China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing’s control.

5/16/2024

Kunsan welcomes F-22 Raptors for integration training

The 8th Fighter Wing welcomed four F-22 Raptors assigned to 19th and 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, May 13. The F-22s, currently operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, arrived to Kunsan AB, to provide the opportunity for dissimilar training and test agile combat employment (ACE) capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region.

5/16/2024

Russia's Su-57 Fighter Isn't Making a Comeback Just Yet

The Russian Armed Forces have increased the deployment of their Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name: Felon) multirole fighters in the Ukraine conflict, launching over six Kh-69 cruise missiles in recent sorties. But don't be fooled: this fighter jet still has many issues to be worked out.

5/15/2024

Norway Aims to Use Biofuel for Its F-35 Multirole Fighters

The Norwegian Armed Forces have announced an ambitious initiative to have their F-35 fighters fly with biofuel by the end of the year, as indicated on the Norwegian Ministry of Defense's X account on May 14, 2024. This initiative is a historic first for Norway, as none of its F-35s have yet used biofuel. This project aims to demonstrate the viability of biofuels in high-tech military operations.

5/15/2024

Poland plans to acquire two squadrons of Boeing F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Jets

Since the MSPO 2023 Defense Exhibition, Poland has been in discussions with the American company Boeing regarding the potential acquisition of 32 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. This news comes shortly after Lockheed Martin announced that the first F-35A "Husarz" jets destined for Poland are expected to be assembled by next summer in Fort Worth, Texas, before being moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for pilot training.

5/15/2024

Japan to take on servicing of F-15 and F-16 U.S. fighter jets

The Japanese government is to expand its capacity to service U.S. fighter jets based in Japan to enhance bilateral defense cooperation in East Asia. F-18 and the latest F-35 fighter jet models stationed at U.S. bases are serviced and repaired in Japan. Tokyo plans to add the F-15 and F-16 capability in 2025 at the earliest, and to tap Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI as service providers. Both companies service Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft.

5/15/2024

TAI exec claims 20 Turkish KAAN fighters to be delivered in 2028

Only one week after the second test flight of Turkey’s domestically-produced KAAN fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries’ general manager has announced that the firm expects to deliver 20 aircraft by 2028 — and is making some big claims about its capabilities.

5/14/2024

Greece plans to acquire 10 additional French Rafale F4 Fighters.

On May 10, 2024, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff announced its intention to acquire up to ten new Rafale F4 fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Greek air force, which involves phasing out older models such as the F-4 Phantom and Mirage 2000-5 in favor of a more compact and technologically advanced fleet.