Japanese air force Fighters Operate From Indian Soil For First Time in joint military exercise

Good news!

(2) Japanese Fighters Operate From Indian Soil For First Time | WION Defence Pulse - YouTube

France's military jets go on a 40-day global flight to project power and alliance. Really!

All show and nothing to show for! President Macron is weak!

When will the French military attack the Houthis in Yemen?

(259) France's military jets go on a 40-day global flight to project power and alliance - YouTube

Israel aims to build its own stealth fighter jets in 10 years

Good news! I bet Israel can do it faster!

Caveat: I did not have the time to read the article.

Israel aims to build its own stealth fighter jets in 10 years | The Jerusalem Post "A senior Israeli official says the country is ready to develop homegrown stealth jets and unmanned combat aircraft as part of a push to reduce reliance on US aid"

What signal is China sending with first official footage of sixth-generation fighter?

China's military is pushing the envelope again?

"... a move that analysts said might suggest Beijing was ahead of its competitors, including the US, in developing the next generation of warplanes. ..."

What signal is China sending with first official footage of sixth-generation fighter? | South China Morning Post "A fleeting clip of the new fighter – nicknamed ‘Little Six’ – featured in a video released by official military media over the weekend"

Ukraine: How to train thousands of drone pilots for the largest drone air force of the world?

Amazing stuff!

Ukraine Probably Has The World’s Best Drone Pilot Training, Also the Biggest "Ukraine’s “drone advantage” isn’t just airframes, it’s pilot training. Ukraine runs a massive drone program with ~80,000 personnel involved and an estimated 25-40,000 active combat UAV pilots (elite SBS: ~15k) – outnumbering many nations’ entire air forces. Training grew from 2,014 hobbyists to a nationwide network of military, private, and unit-run schools, turning novices into competent pilots in about one to two months. High quality stems from pragmatic, combat-focused methods and advanced simulators – and OJT IRL."

Israel to purchase 50 F-35s, 25 new F-15s, doubling fleet sizes

Good news! Israel armed to the teeth! David's slingshot!

However, in the age of drone warfare was this a good choice?

"Israel announced on Sunday a blockbuster decision to double the size of its F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 and its new F-15IA fleet from 25 to 50.

The decision reflects a radical post-October 7 world: Israel will increase defense spending over the next 10 years by NIS 350 billion, in addition to annual defense spending that has risen from under NIS 100 billion to nearly NIS 150 billion. ..."

Israel to purchase 50 F-35s, 25 new F-15s, doubling fleet sizes | The Jerusalem Post "The NIS 350 billion deal resolves the debate over which plane to invest in, resulting in a much larger budget to cover both."

Israel to mount lasers on fighter jets and helicopters

Good news!

"Elbit Systems will develop laser weapons for the Israeli Air Force to be installed on fighter jets and military helicopters, the company said on Tuesday.

Elbit revealed plans to that effect during the presentation of financial statements for 2025, though the company has kept technical details and information about the envisioned timing under wraps. ..."

Israel to mount lasers on fighter jets and helicopters

Dutch Defence Minister: Can Jaibreak F-35 Software Like An iPhone

Some highly unusual news! If confirmed, then this is quite serious!

(191) Dutch Defence Minister: Can Jaibreak F-35 Software Like An iPhone | WION - YouTube

Indonesia Plans to Turn Its Islands Into Aircraft Carriers. Here's Why with Palki Sharma

Recommendable!

(511) Indonesia Plans to Turn Its Islands Into Aircraft Carriers. Here's Why | Vantage with Palki Sharma - YouTube

India Drops HAL from 5th Generation Fighter Jet Project with Palki Sharma

Recommendable!

Lockheed boasts record 191 F-35 stealth fighter deliveries in 2025

Signs of our times! War is peace and peace is war?

"... Lockheed says the company can produce 156 jets annually, but it’s not clear exactly how many of the 191 deliveries consisted of jets caught up in the TR-3 backlog — which reportedly reached around 110 aircraft at its peak. ...

The program’s previous delivery high of 142 was hit in 2021, according to a review of the company’s annual financial reports, which dipped slightly to 141 in 2022 and then to 98 in 2023 due to the TR-3 issues that halted acceptances. Nearly 1,300 F-35s are operational globally ..."

"... Most importantly, the F-35 continued to prove its performance in real-world combat operations, including:

• Playing a key role in suppressing Iran's air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer;
• Recording nearly 5,000 mishap-free flight hours during a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B deployment;
• Eliminating Russian drones over Poland, marking the first time NATO F-35s have engaged threats in allied airspace.

..."

Lockheed boasts record 191 F-35 deliveries in 2025 - Breaking Defense "The delivery total greatly exceeds a previous record of 142, boosted by a backlog of undelivered jets that had to be held in storage."

F-35 Breaks Delivery Record, Continues Combat Success in 2025

France, Spain reassert faith in Europe's next-gen future fighter jet, but Germany stays mum

Will the Europeans ever be able and ready to develop modern fighter jets together?

Sweden and their Gripen fighter jet or the British BAE were not even mentioned in the article.

"Coming out of the latest meeting on the troubled Future Combat Air System (FCAS), France and Spain signaled their renewed commitment to the next-gen program, though key stakeholder Germany declined to join them with a public comment. ...

But the German Ministry of Defence refused to share any details about the outcome of the meeting, telling Breaking Defense, “Please understand that the content of yesterday’s [trilateral] discussions will be treated as confidential.” ..."

France, Spain reassert faith in Europe's next-gen future fighter, but Germany stays mum - Breaking Defense ""Please understand that the content of yesterday's [trilateral] discussions will be treated as confidential," the German Ministry of Defense told Breaking Defense."

China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight

Bad news!

China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight | South China Morning Post "Designer says UAV can quickly penetrate target areas for reconnaissance and rely on stealth to send information from battle front lines"

Switzerland reduces F-35 fighter jet buy after $610 million price hike

What are the Swiss people doing with F-35 supersonic stealth strike fighters? They have come a long way since the famous Wilhelm Tell crossbow! 😊

What language do the Swiss air force pilots speak to avoid any confusion or dangerous misunderstanding among the four official languages of Switzerland? English? 😊

The Swiss people are known for being penny pinchers (but in a good way)!

Switzerland is such a tiny land locked country! Once the F-35 is in the air it is almost an air space violation to another country!

Caution: irony!

Switzerland reduces F-35 buy after $610 million price hike - Breaking Defense ""Due to foreseeable additional costs, it is not financially viable to maintain the originally planned number" of aircraft, said a Swiss statement."

Deutsche Eurofighter und deutsche Luftwaffe Piloten schützen NATO-Luftraum Polens und Rumäniens

Sehr empfehlenswert! Wieviele russische Dronen sind bereits im NATO Raum hinein geflogen oder sogar gelandet/abgestürzt?

Sehr gut, dass die deutsche Luftwaffe in Rumänien und Poland tätig ist!

Wann werden die Russen endlich den Putin der Schreckliche loswerden!

PLA shows first footage of Chinese GJ-11 drone working with crewed J-20 fighter

It appears that China is moving very fast to integrate drones into their air force! Or is this more show and make belief?

See also my recent post about similar efforts of the Chinese navy.

PLA shows first footage of Chinese GJ-11 drone working with crewed J-20 fighter | South China Morning Post "Military promotional video is the first time China has publicly shown its manned-unmanned teaming technology"

Why Did India Withdraw from Tajikistan's Ayni Base? with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! 

Turkey Aims For The Top-Tier Fighter Force Outside The West

What is this for? Ask the Osman sultan Erdogan in office since 2003! It is high time for a new and better Turkish PM! 

Chilling first look at ROBOT helicopter that can fly itself without a pilot in US

Impressive! More robots on the battlefield! Operated via a tablet computer!

Rajnath Singh Inaugurates New HAL Tejas Production Line

Good news! India, a rising superpower now with its own fighter aircraft!