Air Forces

Latest in Air Forces

Royal Canadian Air Force Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna tells us how NORAD is helping defend the high north.
Royal Canadian Air Force

Canadian NORAD Commander On What It Will Take To Defend The High North

By Howard Altman

Posted 22 Hours Ago

A newly published video interview with a Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot sheds more light on the operations of the country’s F-16 fleet in its war with Russia. The interview with the pilot, whose name is not provided, is a rare opportunity to hear about how the Ukrainian Air Force has gone about introducing its first Western fighter jet. The Viper is now heavily engaged on various fronts, combatting cruise missiles and drones, as well as striking ground targets, including in close proximity to friendly troops.
Ukrainian Air Force

Ukrainian F-16 Pilot’s Account Of The Challenges Of The Air War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted 24 Hours Ago

160th SOAR took part in operation to strike targets in Venezuela and capture Maduro.
U.S. Air Force

U.S. Has Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 3, 2026

China’s latest live-fire drills around Taiwan appear to have prompted the movement of the island’s secretive Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) land-attack cruise missile. While the development of this important weapons is understood to date back at least to the early 2000s, it has only very rarely been seen since then, which makes its public appearance now all the more interesting.
Republic Of China Air Force (Taiwan)

Secretive Taiwanese Land Attack Cruise Missile Seen On The Move

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2025

Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel
Israeli Air Force

Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

TAIWAN - DECEMBER 29: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - TAIWAN'S MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) A screen grab from a video shows fighter jet as Taiwanâs Ministry of National Defense said the islandâs armed forces conducted rapid response exercises on Monday in response to aircraft and naval activity by Chinaâs Peopleâs Liberation Army in Taiwan on December 29, 2025. In a statement posted on social media, the ministry said the armed forces closely monitored the situation and carried out joint sea and air operations involving all service branches.The ministry said Taiwanâs Coast Guard also remained on high alert as part of the response. No further details on the scale or duration of the activities were immediately provided. China launched joint military drills Monday around Taiwan in a stern warning against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces and external interference, according to state-run media.The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in coordination with long-range rocket forces to conduct drills code-named 'Justice Mission 2025' in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the theater command.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China Launches Snap “Warning” Drills Around Taiwan Simulating A Total Blockade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

Shenyang J-35
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

Chinese Fighter Jet Exports Set To Grow Significantly

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2025

A U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare plane was seen landing in Puerto Rico.
U.S. Air Force

EC-130H Compass Call Electronic Warfare Plane Joins Growing U.S. Force In Caribbean

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

Two Russian Flanker series fighter jets have been damaged in an overnight arson attack on the military airfield at Lipetsk in the region of the same name in southwest Russia. According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), the raid was launched by “a representative of the resistance movement in Russia.” If that’s the case, it underscores the varied tactics being used to strike Russian military aircraft on their bases, coming soon after two separate drone attacks on Belbek Air Base in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russian Air Force

Sabotage Attack On Russian Su-30 Fighters Shown In Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has formally designated Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon drone as the YFQ-48A and described it as a "strong contender" to be part of its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) fleets.
U.S. Air Force

YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’ Designation Given To Northrop Grumman’s Talon By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft appeared near the Venezuelan coast today
U.S. Air Force

E-3 Sentry Joins U.S. Combat Aircraft Tracked Off Venezuelan Coast

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

A top Canadian Air Force general breaks down the role of his nation's future F-35A stealh fighters and the challenges of integrating them into the force and NORAD.
Royal Canadian Air Force

Canadian NORAD Commander’s View On Future F-35 Fighter Force

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

A key Russian airbase in occupied Crimea has been targeted by a Ukrainian drone strike. According to Ukraine, the drones hit a MiG-31BM Foxhound interceptor, as well as elements of an S-400 air defense system, at Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol.
Russian Air Force

MiG-31 Foxhound Among Russian Air Defense Assets Targeted In Crimean Drone Strike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed it is buying two Boeing 747-8 airliners from German flag carrier Lufthansa.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Buying Lufthansa 747s To Serve As Future Air Force One Trainers, Spare Parts Sources

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

The Pentagon has sent more KC-135 refueling jets to the Dominican Republic as part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. Air Force

More KC-135 Tankers Deploy To The Caribbean

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

The latest Chinese military aircraft to appear in flight test is a tactical transport aircraft, known, unofficially for now, as the Y-30. Not perhaps as headline-grabbing as China’s string of new crewed and uncrewed combat aircraft designs, the transport is nonetheless highly significant, reflecting the People’s Liberation Army’s growing ambitions to be able to conduct out-of-area operations.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s ‘Y-30’ Turboprop Airlifter Spotted For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2025