The U.S. Air Force has opened applications for its Fiscal Year 2026 Aviation Bonus (AvB) program, giving eligible active-duty aviators a two-month window from April 1 to May 31, 2026, to apply for annual incentive pay of up to $50,000.
defense
BAE Systems has successfully tested the low-cost Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) aboard a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet from its Warton flight test center in England.
The U.S. Air Force is reviving its Standoff Attack Weapon (SoAW) program, seeking an affordable air-launched cruise missile ready for fielding by 2033, backed by a record $11.36 billion missile procurement budget request for fiscal 2027.
The U.S. F-47 secures $8.5B in funding, GCAP lands a $908M contract, while Franco-German FCAS stalls over industrial disputes in 2026.
India has approved a landmark $25 billion military modernization package covering S-400 air defense systems, remotely piloted strike aircraft, and transport planes, marking a major escalation in its air power strategy amid rising regional threats.
Switzerland is weighing the cancellation of its Patriot air defense order after US delivery delays stretched to five years.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter assigned to Nellis Air Force Base (LSV) crashed within the Nevada Test and Training Range on March 31, 2026.
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.
Norway plans $11.8B defense boost for F-35 missiles, Type 26 frigates, and Type 212CD submarines to meet NATO’s 3.5% GDP target by 2035.
Below are the top 10 largest navies in the world in 2026, ranked by naval aircraft fleet size, reflecting both breadth and operational scope.