Finland has received its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters at Rovaniemi, beginning the country’s transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to a new-generation fighter fleet.
USAF
U.S. Air Force faces a $14 billion aircraft parts gap as aging fleets, supply shortages and maintenance backlogs pressure readiness.
The U.S. Air Force is on track to exceed 1,500 pilot graduates in fiscal 2026 after overhauling undergraduate pilot training through the FUPT model. The system shifts foundational instruction to civilian flight schools while keeping advanced military training at Air Force bases. The milestone strengthens pilot production, but officials say retention, operational absorption and flying-hour funding will remain critical to reducing the broader pilot shortage.
In 2026, total military aircraft numbers continue to highlight which countries possess the most expansive and versatile aerial forces.
The United States has approved a proposed $24.3bn sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, subject to congressional review. The decision comes amid renewed fighting with Yemen’s Houthis, Saudi requests for greater US support, concerns over Chinese access to sensitive military technology, and continued debate over Israel’s qualitative military edge.
The U.S. Air Force is considering buying new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters as it works to address capacity gaps in an aging fighter fleet.
The US Air Force (USAF) plans to use Exercise Emerald Flag in December 2026 for the first real large-force employment (LFE) of its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The US Air Force has advanced two major B-52 Stratofortress modernization programs, moving its engine replacement effort into development while authorizing initial production of a new radar system.
The US Air Force is moving to make base defense a core combat function as missiles and drones expose vulnerabilities at American installations.
The U.S. Air Force expects Boeing to power on the first new VC-25B Air Force One aircraft before the end of 2026, marking a major step toward flight testing.