A US Air Force investigation found that combined mistakes by a KC-46 boom operator and an F-22 pilot snapped a refueling boom, causing roughly $10 million in damage when it fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
Defence
When discussing the world’s top combat aircraft in 2026, the conversation often centers on fighter jets such as the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, or China’s J-20.
Israel has approved a major defense procurement plan to acquire advanced fighter jets from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, signaling a significant expansion of its air combat capabilities amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Northrop Grumman delivers first EGI-M jam-resistant navigation system for F-22 Raptor and E-2D Hawkeye for GPS-denied operations.
The Department of the Air Force has launched a major initiative to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure by inviting private firms to develop up to 12 data centers across key military installations in Alaska.
The United States Air Force (USAF) confirmed that an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on April 3, 2026, amid escalating military operations in the Middle East.
Canada has awarded defense contracts worth approximately C$1.5 billion to L3Harris Technologies (LHX) and Airbus SE to support its next-generation military aircraft fleet.
Sri Lanka denied a request from a United States military aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), according to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The world’s leading air defence systems in 2026 reflect a shift toward layered, multi-domain protection.
Air defense systems across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have intercepted more than 3,133 Iranian missiles and drones targeting civilian areas and strategic infrastructure.