Singapore has reportedly begun exploring the future of sixth-generation combat aviation by holding early discussions about the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational initiative led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy.
F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet
Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A completes its maiden flight as deliveries continue under the country’s 32-jet program.
Japan has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) Komaki South Plant in Aichi Prefecture as the national assembly site for its Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation fighter, marking another major milestone in the trilateral defense project with the United Kingdom and Italy.
Canada has officially joined the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as its first observer nation, gaining access to classified discussions on one of the world’s most advanced sixth-generation fighter aircraft projects.
American, Australian, and Japanese Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters have begun flying joint combat missions over northern Australia as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the world’s largest multinational air combat drills.
Turkey is pushing to sell its Russian S-400 air defense system to win back access to the American F-35, with Qatar and the UAE named as potential buyers.
Patria has begun manufacturing F-35 fighter forward fuselages, landing gear doors, and F135 engine assemblies in Finland, and the company said the programme is progressing as planned.
Lockheed Martin Australia has begun construction of a new AUD 85.9 million Air Power Precinct in the Hunter region, marking a major investment in Australia’s future air and missile defence capabilities.
President Trump announced that the United States will lift its 2020 sanctions on Turkey and signaled openness to selling F-35 fighter jets to the NATO ally, marking a major shift after years of tension over Ankara’s Russian S-400 purchase.
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that UK F-35 jets intercepted a Russian Tupolev Tu-142 “Bear-F” maritime patrol aircraft after it repeatedly approached the HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea.