Boeing faces a critical labor deadline as about 17,000 engineers and technical employees represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) prepare to vote on a revised four-year contract.
Aerospace
Germany has received its first F-35A Lightning II from Lockheed Martin as the country prepares to introduce 35 fifth-generation fighters into Luftwaffe service.
Finland has received its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters at Rovaniemi, beginning the country’s transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to a new-generation fighter fleet.
U.S. Air Force faces a $14 billion aircraft parts gap as aging fleets, supply shortages and maintenance backlogs pressure readiness.
The U.S. Air Force is on track to exceed 1,500 pilot graduates in fiscal 2026 after overhauling undergraduate pilot training through the FUPT model. The system shifts foundational instruction to civilian flight schools while keeping advanced military training at Air Force bases. The milestone strengthens pilot production, but officials say retention, operational absorption and flying-hour funding will remain critical to reducing the broader pilot shortage.
In 2026, total military aircraft numbers continue to highlight which countries possess the most expansive and versatile aerial forces.
The United States has approved a proposed $24.3bn sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, subject to congressional review. The decision comes amid renewed fighting with Yemen’s Houthis, Saudi requests for greater US support, concerns over Chinese access to sensitive military technology, and continued debate over Israel’s qualitative military edge.
GE Aerospace says a redesigned mid-seal for the GE9X engine should not delay the Boeing 777X beyond the company’s existing 2027 target. Lufthansa (LH) is among the launch customers awaiting the Boeing 777-9.
Lufthansa Group orders 20 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft to boost capacity, efficiency and fleet modernization from the early 2030s.
The U.S. Air Force is considering buying new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters as it works to address capacity gaps in an aging fighter fleet.