More from Thomas Newdick (Page 2)

In a surprising development, Serbia has emerged as an operator of the Chinese-made CM-400 air-launched supersonic missile. The weapon has been integrated into Serbia’s Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrums, which have undergone various upgrades.
MiG-29

Serbian MiG-29 Appears Armed With Chinese Supersonic Standoff Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

A B-52 bomber lands at RAF Fairford on March 9, 2026 in Fairford, England. Four U.S. B-1 Lancer bombers arrived at RAF Fairford on Friday following the UK Prime Minister's decision to allow "defensive" access to UK bases for strikes against Iranian missile sites, reversing an earlier policy refusal that caused friction with President Donald Trump.
Iran

B-52s Arrive At U.K. Base As Air Campaign Over Iran Grinds On (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 9, 2026

The latest addition to the legendary X-plane family is Bell Textron’s demonstrator for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The chosen X-76 designation (for the year 1776) is intended to reflect the 250th anniversary of the United States. Meanwhile, there is much hope that HSVTOL could eventually provide the U.S. military, and potentially other operators, with a high-speed, runway-independent special operations airlifter.
Helicopters

Bell’s X-76 Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Is DARPA’s Newest X-Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 9, 2026

Less than a week into Operation Epic Fury, we have seen a wide variety of munitions used by the U.S. and Israeli military and have previously looked at how their employment has involved as the conflict has progressed. We have also gotten a look at an apparently mysterious version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) in Israeli Air Force (IAF) service.
F-16

Israeli F-16 Appears Carrying A Mysterious Precision Bomb

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 7, 2026

Kuwait F/A-18 shoot down up for debate.
F/A-18A-D

Kuwaiti F/A-18’s Triple Friendly Fire Shootdown Gets Stranger By The Day

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 6, 2026

For more than three weeks, Ukraine was left with only “a handful” of U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for its F-16 fleet, after the supply of the weapons dried up. This is the conclusion of a Reuters report, citing three sources, all of whom are said to have direct knowledge of the situation. It also comes as Kyiv is increasingly in competition with the U.S. military and its Gulf allies as they come under continued pressure from Iranian drones and missiles in the Middle East.
F-16

Ukrainian F-16s Had Only A Handful Of Sidewinder Missiles Available: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 5, 2026

A submarine attack by the USS Thresher (commanded by Commander W.J. Millican) has broken the back of this Japanese ship, hitting amidships. It is about to sink.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

The Last Time A U.S. Navy Submarine Sunk An Enemy Ship In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

For the first time, an F-35 has shot down a crewed aircraft in combat. According to the Israeli military, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-35I Adir brought down an Iranian Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer over Tehran.
F-35

Israeli Air Force First To Claim F-35 Air-To-Air Kill Of A Crewed Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Iran appears to be increasingly focusing its retaliatory attacks against energy production infrastructure in Gulf Arab States.
Iran

Gulf Arab States Under Pressure As Iranian Attacks Grind On (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

New Russian cruise missile is being used in Ukraine.
Russian Air Force

New Russian Air-Launched Cruise Missile Appears In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran has entered day three.
Iran

War With Iran Now In Its Third Day

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Sept. 28, 2020. The F/A-18 is a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, aerodynamic characteristics, and its ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan)
F/A-18A-D

Friendly-Fire Incidents Are Nothing New In Modern Air Warfare

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 2, 2026

An Aerovironment Locust directed energy laser weapons took down a small Customs and Border Protection Drone.
Directed Energy

Drone That LOCUST Laser Shot Down On Border Was Small And Belonged To Customs and Border Protection

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker before it departs during Operation Agile Spartan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region.
Iran

Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

EA-37B Compass call next generation electronic attack jet.
C-37

This Is What The EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Jet Can Actually Do

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

U.S. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing arrive for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 10, 2026. The 125th Fighter Wing accelerated its readiness timeframe ahead of a mission conversion deadline by deploying eight F-35A Lightning II aircraft, establishing joint-component interoperability with two active-duty U.S. Air Force units under the ACE concept.
F-35A

Former Air Force Fighter Pilot And F-35 Instructor Charged With Training Chinese Military 

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.  
F-15

General Running Air Force Reserve Wants Surplus F-15E Strike Eagles, New F-15EX Eagle IIs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

As well as a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have also arrived in theater, according to multiple reports. The stealth jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in England yesterday, confirmed by open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and are now at an Israeli Air Force base in the south of Israel.
Iran

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

Lockheed Martin has presented a scale model of the new-look F-22 Raptor fitted with stealthy external fuel tanks and underwing infrared sensor pods. Up to this point, the fuel tanks had been seen in renderings as well as at least one long-distance photo that revealed little in the way of details. The sensor pods had previously been seen at closer quarters during flight testing, as you can read about here.
F-22

Upgraded F-22 “Raptor 2.0” Details Seen In New Model

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mil Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. One less-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Has Tiny Crew Compartment To Pick Up Downed Pilots

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 15, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
Iran

Iran Signals Possible “Fast Deal” To Be Made In Nuclear Talks As U.S. Military Build-Up Grinds On

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
MQ-28

Boeing Details New MQ-28 Ghost Bat Features, Eyes Indo-Pacific Sales

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

New footage has emerged showing how Ukraine is using adapted Antonov An-28 Cash twin-turboprop utility aircraft as part of its anti-drone inventory. While images of the aircraft, replete with multiple drone kill marks, had previously been published, we now get to see the aircraft’s armament — a six-barrel M134 Minigun — in action, too.
Ukrainian Air Force

Watch Ukraine’s Minigun-Firing, Drone-Hunting Turboprop In Action

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Meteor was one of the weapons under discussion for the next Swedish security aid package for Ukraine. Also on the agenda were the Gripen E and undisclosed air defense systems, Saab radars, electronic warfare systems, and drones, including long-range one-way attack drones. The announcement came after talks between the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov and his Swedish counterpart, Paul Jonsson.
Gripen

Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile In The Works For Ukraine, But There’s A Catch

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 4, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.
F-15

F-15EX Buy Dropped By Indonesia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has released details of a live-fire test of the Rusty Dagger, one of two new Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) being developed under a crash program. The milestone suggest that Ukraine is a step closer to getting its hands on thousands of air-launched ERAMs that will provide the country with a powerful new and relatively low-cost standoff strike capability. The event is also significant in terms of the Pentagon’s focus on rapidly developing and bringing into operational service new weapons that can be built at scale.
Ukrainian Air Force

Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Hits Its Target

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 2, 2026

As both sides in the war in Ukraine continue their campaigns of long-range drone attacks, the Ukrainian government’s internal security agency has released a compilation of strikes directed against Russian airbases.
Russian Air Force

Ukrainian Drone Strikes On Parked Russian Aircraft Seen In “Greatest Hits” Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2026

The recent declassification of the United States’ Jumpseat spy satellite provides details on what was previously a highly secretive system, one that monitored critical Soviet military installations during some of the tensest years of the Cold War.
Spy Satellites

Top Secret Spy Satellite Declassified By National Reconnaissance Office

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 29, 2026

A camera placed in the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet recorded the dramatic demise of the aircraft, after it was reportedly struck by a Russian long-range air-to-air missile. This is not the first time in the Ukrainian conflict that we’ve seen the destruction of a combat jet at such close quarters. However, with the death of the pilot confirmed by Ukrainian authorities, the footage is a sobering reminder of the huge risks faced by aircrew in some of the most lethal airspace in history.
Su-25

Ukrainian Su-25 Shoot-Down Seen In Harrowing Onboard Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.
J-20

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

The Leopard 2 Family of Vehicles (FOV) are the main battle tanks (MBT) of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as several NATO countries. This FOV includes the Armoured Engineer Vehicles (AEV) and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV), and are capable of supporting a wide range of operations.
M113

Canada Accelerates Armor Plans To Contend With Growing Threats

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

India hypersonic missile unveiled during a parade.
Land-Based Conventional Hypersonic Weapons

India’s New Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile Shown Off During Military Parade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 26, 2026

NASA’s newest F-15Ds arrived at the Armstrong Flight Research Center late last month.
F-15

Legacy F-15 Eagles Boost NASA Test Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 24, 2026

Australia has taken the next step in its wide-ranging program to overhaul its air force with the arrival of its first MC-55A Peregrine. The platform, configured for “airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare” (AISREW), is a highly modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet, an increasingly popular choice for adaptation for these kinds of specialist missions.
Royal Australian Air Force

Australia Just Took Delivery Of One Of Its Most Powerful Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 22, 2026

A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia on September 22, 2020 during the "Caucasus-2020" military drills gathering China, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar troops, along with ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. - Up to 250 tanks and around 450 infantry combat vehicles and armoured personnel carriers will take part in the September 21 to 26 land and naval exercises that will involve 80,000 people including support staff.
9K720 Iskander-M

Claims Swirl Around Use Of New Russian Missiles To Strike Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 21, 2026

The British Army’s next main battle tank, the Challenger 3, has successfully fired its main gun for the first time. The new tank is planned to enter service in 2027 and is further evidence of the pivot back toward armored warfare — in Europe, specially — in response to the growing threat from Russia, after many years of stagnation.
Tanks

Britain’s Challenger 3 Advanced Main Battle Tank Starts Firing Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 20, 2026

With much of the world’s attention on the growing rift between the United States, Denmark, and its allies over Greenland, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) became the latest NATO operator to retire the iconic F-16 fighter.
F-16

Denmark Retires F-16 After More Than Four Decades Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 19, 2026

A Transporter erector launcher carrying the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles, capable of carrying an 8-9 ton warhead and destroying underground bunkers, are featured during a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day held at Seoul Air Base. South Korea showcased its largest ballistic missile for the first time as it marked Armed Forces Day in an apparent warning against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The ground-to-ground missile, dubbed a monster for its size, had been shrouded in secrecy due to its strategic importance. It is known to be able to carry a warhead weighing about 8 tons and capable of destroying underground bunkers. The transporter erector launchers crawled across the air base, each of them carrying a massive canister, apparently housing the "high-power" and "high-precision" missile known to be able to target anywhere in North Korea.
MRBMs/IRBMs

Ballistic Missile With Absolutely Massive Bunker-Buster Warhead Fielded By South Korea: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 19, 2026

An Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter transporting the released Israeli hostages formerly held captive in Gaza since the 2023 October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants is pictured above the helipad at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on October 13, 2025.
UH-60

Israeli CH-53 Dropping Stricken UH-60 During Sling-Load Mishap Caught On Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 16, 2026

A Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules is parked on the tarmak at Nuuk international airport on January 15, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland, the day after it arrived transporting Danish military personnel. Denmark's prime minister said on January 15, 2026 that the US ambition to take control of Greenland remained "intact" and that there were still a "fundamental disagreement" between the countries, despite high-stakes White House talks.
NATO

First Contingent Of European Troops Operating Outside Of NATO Have Arrived In Greenland

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 15, 2026

German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall has confirmed that a batch of KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles will arrive in Ukraine “in the coming weeks.” While a single example has already been provided for evaluation, the next five vehicles are expected to make the type’s combat debut. The KF41 variant was unveiled in 2018 and is otherwise only used by Hungary. Its future success could depend on how it fares on the battlefield with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ukrainian Army

Lynx KF41 Fighting Vehicles’ Arrival In Ukraine Imminent

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 13, 2026

The Ukrainian Armed Forces using the U.S.-made V2X Tempest, a high-mobility vehicle with a launcher for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles that is optimized for the counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) role. Mounting Hellfires on a high-mobility vehicle provides a valuable new means of employing these weapons, not only against drone threats, but potentially also other targets, too.
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (C-UAS)

Hellfire-Armed Drone-Killing Buggy Appears In Ukrainian Service

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

The latest iteration of Russia’s Geran long-range one-way attack drone features a jet engine and is apparently being considered for launch from aircraft, to boost its range. The new drone, apparently first used at the beginning of this year, underlines Russia’s continued development of these drones, which bear the brunt of its relentless strikes on Ukraine, which ramp up during the winter months. It further points to Russia seeking to field drones that are better able to evade Ukraine’s air defenses, which are increasingly tailored to these kinds of threats.
Su-25

Russia’s New Geran-5 Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Could Be Air-Launched

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

Developed during the Cold War, the Hind-G1 was a dedicated NBC reconnaissance version of the Mi-24, first flown in prototype form in 1978.
Mi-24

The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 10, 2026

Another example of Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) has been fired against Ukraine. Moscow said the strike was retaliation for a supposed attempted Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence late last month — an allegation Kyiv and Washington have said is false. Authorities in Kyiv described Moscow’s justification for the Oreshnik strike, part of a massive overnight missile and drone barrage, as “absurd.”
MRBMs/IRBMs

Russia’s Oreshnik Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Used In Large-Scale Attack On Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 9, 2026

PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, a fighter jet made in China and Pakistan. The Pakistani plane is painted with the country's flag as it belongs to Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft performed a flight demo, flying demonstration at the 53rd Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France on June 2019. The advanced and sophisticated fighter jet is developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China.
Royal Saudi Air Force

JF-17 Thunder Fighter To Be Offered To Saudi Arabia: Report

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

In a notably low-key move, Russia has introduced to service a brand-new “rescue ship,” the Voyevoda, in the Baltic region. Meanwhile, despite being assigned to the Marine Rescue Service of Russia, the ship is widely considered to have at the very least, a dual role, serving as a presidential vessel, leading to it being dubbed “Putin’s yacht.”
Russia

Is This Russian Rescue Ship Really “Putin’s New Yacht?”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

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.
F-16

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Shahed-136 crashed with a shoulder-fired heat seeking missile attached.
Air

Russian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones Now Carrying MANPADS Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approach Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic during a forward arming and refueling point exercise, MCOLF Atlantic, May 6, 2025. U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft from the 160th SOAR utilized MCAS Cherry Point’s training area to conduct a FARP. This training is essential for enhancing the unit’s operational readiness and ensuring efficient support for rapid deployment, as Cherry Point provides the facilities and resources to simulate real world scenarios.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

This Is What The Night Stalkers’ MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator Brought To The Venezuelan Op

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

Details are still emerging about the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. We now have access to satellite imagery that, while not answering all the questions about how Operation Absolute Resolve unfolded, provides an intriguing look at some of the key locations where it played out.
South America

Destruction Seen At Caracas Base That Was A Focus Of The U.S. Military Operation

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 4, 2026

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 31, 2025. Equipped with state-of-the-art radars, sensors and an air-to-air refueling capability, the P-8A is scheduled to receive periodic future enhancements to keep pace with the submarine warfare threat.
P-8

Danish P-8 Sale Set To Boost Poseidon’s Northern Footprint

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 2, 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.
China

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
F-15

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

A screen grab from a video shows installation of the Oreshnik missile system on December 30, 2025 in Belarus. Belarus has placed a military unit equipped with the Russian-made Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system on combat duty, according to official information. The unitâs launch, communications, security, and technical crews completed additional training before becoming operational. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has previously said that up to 10 Oreshnik ballistic missile systems could be deployed in the country.
Russian Army

Russia Claims Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Now “On Combat Duty” In Belarus

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.
China

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

The Chinese military has published a video showing what it says is the launch of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from one of its Type 055 ‘super destroyers.’
China

YJ-20 High-Speed Anti-Ship Missile Seen In Action On China’s Type 055 Super Destroyer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

Type 076 seen carrying loyal wingman drone mockup or prototype.
China

Chinese Loyal Wingman Drone Design Appear Set For Deck Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 27, 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

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.
Su-30

Sabotage Attack On Russian Su-30 Fighters Shown In Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

F-117 combat debut in Panama happened 36 years ago today.
F-117

The F-117 Nighthawk First Went To War 36 Years Ago Today

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 20, 2025

In a significant escalation of the ‘tanker war’ between Russia and Ukraine, which has so far played out mainly in the Black Sea, Ukrainian aerial drones have struck a tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean

Ukraine Strikes Russia-Linked Tanker In The Mediterranean With ‘Bomber Drone’

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 19, 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

Austria is buying 12 M-346F Block 20 light combat aircraft from Italian defense contractor Leonardo, as part of an overhaul of its air force, the Luftstreitkräfte. Austria already operates 15 Eurofighter Typhoons, procured under controversial circumstances, but these jets have notably limited capabilities and high operating costs, which has seen previous efforts to offload them.
Typhoon

Austria Buys M-346F Light Fighters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 17, 2025