In 2026, the global balance of air power continues to reflect both historic military dominance and rapid modernisation efforts, particularly across Asia.
Defense
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) first F-35A Lightning II has completed its maiden flight at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (FWH), Fort Worth, Texas.
Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two sovereign artificial intelligence algorithms aboard its Rafale fighter jet as France advances work on AI-supported combat aircraft capabilities.
South Korea has delivered KF-21 No. 001 after 1,600 flight tests, beginning a plan for 40 fighters by 2028 and 80 more by 2032.
Honeywell Aerospace has introduced a new P40 upgrade for the F-35 Lightning II’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS), increasing cooling capacity from about 32 kilowatts to 40 kilowatts.
US Air Force to buy Boeing 737 MAX for its C-40 fleet, adding a new military operator and expanding VIP transport.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) is examining ways to preserve the continent’s ability to move oversized military cargo as the Antonov An-124 and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III fleets age and both aircraft types remain out of production.
A US Air Force F-16 assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing crashed during approach to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany on September 22, 2026. The pilot ejected safely and received medical treatment as German and US emergency teams responded. The cause remained under investigation.
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from Eielson Air Force Base (EIL) have moved across North America toward Greenland as part of a multinational Arctic operation designed to test how quickly combat aircraft can operate from remote northern locations.
Sensitive F-35 components reportedly diverted to Hong Kong have triggered a US security inquiry, congressional briefings and renewed scrutiny of the fighter’s global supply chain, spare-parts accountability and protection of stealth-related technology.