The US Air Force Reserve Command is pushing to acquire surplus F-15E Strike Eagles and new F-15EX Eagle II fighters to replace retiring aircraft. Lt. Gen. John P. Healy aims to end a 14-year pattern of divesting aircraft without recapitalization.
Defense
India is advancing discussions to procure the Sky Sting beyond visual range air to air missile from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to strengthen the Indian Air Force.
Lockheed Martin has flight tested an AI-enabled Combat Identification capability on the F-35 Lightning II, improving how pilots detect and classify hostile radar emissions.
Bulgarian investigative journalists tracked more than 120 US Air Force aircraft crossing the Atlantic within days.
Training a fighter pilot for the United States Air Force (USAF) at bases such as Washington involves multi-year instruction pipelines and millions of dollars in taxpayer investment.
The United States Air Force (USAF) has deployed six Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft to forward locations in Europe, signaling a major airpower buildup linked to rising tensions with Iran.
The Pentagon is replenishing GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs after their first combat use in Iran, while preparing to shift toward a next-generation penetrator weapon for future stealth bomber missions.
The U.S. Air Force confirms Lot 17 F-35A fighters arrive with radars installed, countering earlier reports while modernization challenges continue.
Across Europe, fighter jet pilot salaries in 2026 continue to vary widely, reflecting national defence budgets, economic strength, and long-standing military pay structures.
New Delhi has granted formal approval for a sweeping defense procurement plan that covers additional Rafale fighter jets, Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, and more locally built Dornier Do 228 aircraft.