Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20

Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20
Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20

The move would set up the Singapore Air Force to join a small group of countries that operate both the A and B variants of the stealth fighter.

Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next

Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next
Ukraine war turns 2: Lessons learned and what comes next

On the two year anniversary of the war, the Breaking Defense team has assembled a series of pieces on the state of the conflict across multiple domains, what might come in year three, and what lessons the US has learned from the conflict. 

Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight

Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight
Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight

The indigenously-produced fighter “reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and achieved a speed of 230 knots,” according to a statement.

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite
As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

Two international customers so far have signed on to buy Northrop’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, and the company hopes more could be in the works.

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move
Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Lawmakers have not been shy about directly tying Turkey’s F-16s to Anakara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid.

With Argentina’s new leader likely comes an ‘austere’ defense budget: Analysts

With Argentina’s new leader likely comes an ‘austere’ defense budget: Analysts
With Argentina’s new leader likely comes an ‘austere’ defense budget: Analysts

New President Javier Milei’s top priority is fixing the economy, which could put the brakes on some, but likely not all, planned defense programs, analysts told Breaking Defense.

Portugal’s air force chief has a ‘vision’ for the F-35, but for now it’s just that

Portugal’s air force chief has a ‘vision’ for the F-35, but for now it’s just that
Portugal’s air force chief has a ‘vision’ for the F-35, but for now it’s just that

“This is a vision for the future, so there is currently no process of acquiring aircraft to replace the F-16s,” a spokesperson from the office of Portugal’s defense minister Helena Carreiras, told Breaking Defense.

L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December

L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December
L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December

The new Viper Shield electronic warfare suite, meant to help foreign F-16 customers fend off modern EW threats, will be ready for production in late 2025, L3Harris told Breaking Defense in Dubai.

For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’

For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’
For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’

The company has incurred some $1.3 billion in charges on the delayed program, but a senior official at the Dubai Airshow sees much clearer skies ahead.

In Argentina’s fighter competition, Washington and Beijing fight for regional influence

In Argentina’s fighter competition, Washington and Beijing fight for regional influence
In Argentina’s fighter competition, Washington and Beijing fight for regional influence

SOUTHCOM head Gen. Laura Richardson spelled it out clearly, saying Chinese investment in the region means Beijing is “on the 20-yard line of our homeland.”

Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says

Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says
Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says

Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Michael Loh called the F-16s a potential “gamechanger” for Ukraine, but said the timeline for pilots depends mostly on experience levels.

Netherlands, Romania and Lockheed agree to open F-16 training center

Netherlands, Romania and Lockheed agree to open F-16 training center
Netherlands, Romania and Lockheed agree to open F-16 training center

The letter of intent comes after the Biden administration approved the re-export of the fourth generation jets to Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16s in US in weeks: Pentagon

Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16s in US in weeks: Pentagon
Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16s in US in weeks: Pentagon

Flight training is to begin in October, following language training for what’s expected to be “several” Ukrainian pilots and more maintainers.

As US OKs F-16 transfers, USAFE head warns Ukraine won’t have them flying in 2023

As US OKs F-16 transfers, USAFE head warns Ukraine won’t have them flying in 2023
As US OKs F-16 transfers, USAFE head warns Ukraine won’t have them flying in 2023

Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Africa and Europe, said it could take anywhere from 4-5 years for Ukraine to achieve “proficiency” in flying F-16s.