DefenceTalkWRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio: In one of the largest modernization efforts in U.S. Air Force history, 608 F-16s – comprised of Blocks 40 and 50 – will undergo up to 22 modifications designed to improve lethality and ensure the fourth-generation fighter remains effective in meeting current and future threats. The Air Force Life Cycle […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-f-16-fleet-undergoing-largest-modification-work-in-history-78217/

DefenceTalkRussia’s air force still does not enjoy total superiority in the skies above Ukraine despite its overwhelming numerical advantage, part of the reason for the army’s slow progress on the ground, experts say. According to strategic intelligence research service Janes, Russia’s air force comprises 132 bombers versus none for Ukraine, 832 fighter jets against 86 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/low-profile-russian-air-force-puzzles-western-experts-78196/

DefenceTalkSPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany: Six U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron currently operating out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, forward deployed, Feb. 24, to the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions in support of NATO’s collective defense. The fifth generation aircraft, originally from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/u-s-f-35s-forward-deploy-to-natos-eastern-flank-78105/

DefenceTalkEgypt has kicked off joint air and naval drills with France, one of its biggest arms suppliers, in the Mediterranean, the Egyptian army said Monday. “Egypt and France are carrying out the ‘Ramses 2022’ naval and air exercises in the Mediterranean… which will last several days,” army spokesman Gharib Abdelhafiz said in a Facebook statement. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/egypt-france-kick-off-military-drills-in-mediterranean-78021/

DefenceTalkIndonesia on Thursday ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and may acquire two French submarines, while the United States approved Jakarta’s potential purchase of 36 F-15s in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Indonesia’s first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet — consisting mainly of American F-16s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indonesia-to-buy-us-french-warplanes-as-paris-boosts-asia-alliances-77913/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Indonesia of F-15ID Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $13.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Indonesia has requested to buy […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indonesia-to-buy-36-f-15id-fighter-jets-77899/

DefenceTalkFour Danish F-16 fighter jets have arrived in Lithuania after the country appealed for a greater NATO presence due to Russia’s military build-up around Ukraine, officials said on Friday. Denmark’s decision to send the jets “comes at just the right time”, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at a ceremony at the Baltic state’s northern air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/danish-fighter-jets-arrive-in-lithuania-amid-regional-tensions-77794/

DefenceTalkThe Russian military said Tuesday it had launched exercises involving some 6,000 troops and at least 60 fighter jets in southern Russia near Ukraine and in Moscow-annexed Crimea. The southern military district described the live-fire drills as a combat readiness check, as tensions rage between Moscow and the West over Crimea. “Units will practice carrying […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-launches-new-military-drills-in-south-crimea-77771/

DefenceTalkChina’s deployment of J-16D fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone this week marked the first sighting of the new high-tech warplanes, Taipei confirmed Tuesday, their electronic-jamming equipment posing a fresh threat to the island. Taiwan lives under the constant specter of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled, democratic island as part of its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-high-tech-warplanes-pose-big-new-threat-to-taiwan-77763/

DefenceTalkSeven US sailors were injured Monday in a Navy F-35C fighter “landing mishap” on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, the Navy said. The accident occurred while the F-35C Lightning II, a stealth combat aircraft, was attempting to land on the USS Carl Vinson during routine flight operations, the US Pacific Fleet said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/seven-injured-in-us-f-35-incident-in-south-china-sea-77752/