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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France deploys Rafale fighters to UAE to secure French bases as Paris reinforces Cyprus defences

France has deployed Dassault Rafale fighters to the United Arab Emirates to carry out "air security" over French bases and protect hundreds of navy, air force and army personnel, Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said on March 3, 2026, as Paris also boosts defences in Cyprus.

2026-03-03T05:11:37.122249-08:00

FlightGlobal

B-2 and B-1Bs strike Iran's underground missile sites as campaign widens

2026-03-03T01:11:17.646094-08:00

AeroTime

US tankers depart Spanish bases after Madrid bars use for strikes on Iran

2026-03-02T13:33:30.433834-08:00

FlightGlobal

Qatar says it shot down two Iranian Su-24s and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones

2026-03-02T11:16:10.462399-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

France deploys Rafale fighters to UAE to secure French bases as Paris reinforces Cyprus defences France has deployed Dassault Rafale fighters to the United Arab Emirates to carry out "air security" over French bases and protect hundreds of navy, air force and army personnel, Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said on March 3, 2026, as Paris also boosts defences in Cyprus.

2026-03-03T05:11:37.122249-08:00

France deploys Rafale fighters to UAE to secure French bases as Paris reinforces Cyprus defences

FlightGlobal

B-2 and B-1Bs strike Iran's underground missile sites as campaign widens US B-2 and B-1B bombers struck Iranian underground missile 'caves' with advanced munitions as Washington's air campaign widens — officials say strikes covering more than 1,200 sites will intensify in coming weeks. Iran's drone and missile launches aim to erode adversaries' magazine depth, testing logistics and deterrence.

2026-03-03T01:11:17.646094-08:00

B-2 and B-1Bs strike Iran's underground missile sites as campaign widens

AeroTime

US tankers depart Spanish bases after Madrid bars use for strikes on Iran At least 15 U.S. aircraft — predominantly air-to-air refuelling tankers — departed Rota and Morón after Spain told U.S. forces its bases cannot be used for attacks on Iran. The withdrawals reduce forward tanker capacity in southern Europe amid a wider U.S. regional military buildup.

2026-03-02T13:33:30.433834-08:00

US tankers depart Spanish bases after Madrid bars use for strikes on Iran

FlightGlobal

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Operation Epic Fury: U.S. launches largest regional air campaign on Iran — B‑1s, fighters, drones and 900+ strikes Operation Epic Fury has escalated into the largest regional concentration of U.S. firepower, with B‑1 bombers, fighters, drones, ships and missile systems executing more than 900 strikes in a 24‑hour period. Satellite imagery shows damage to Iranian targets and U.S. bases, while CENTCOM rejects claims a carrier was sunk.

2026-03-02T12:36:11.222805-08:00

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. launches largest regional air campaign on Iran — B‑1s, fighters, drones and 900+ strikes

FlightGlobal

❗️

Qatar says it shot down two Iranian Su-24s and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones Qatar’s Defense Ministry said the Qatar Emiri Air Force shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 fighter‑bombers and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones targeting multiple sites in the country. The ministry said Qatar retains full capability to safeguard its sovereignty and respond firmly to external threats.

2026-03-02T11:16:10.462399-08:00

Qatar says it shot down two Iranian Su-24s and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones

AeroTime

Macron positions French nuclear deterrent for a European role while retaining national command From Île Longue, President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant shift in France's nuclear doctrine, proposing a European deterrence dialogue to deepen coordination with partners while explicitly retaining exclusive national authority over the French nuclear force. The speech frames nuclear policy as both sovereign and more outward‑facing.

2026-03-02T07:11:37.683677-08:00

Macron positions French nuclear deterrent for a European role while retaining national command

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon details cyber and space 'first-mover' role against Iran The Pentagon disclosed using cyber and space capabilities as a 'first mover' to shape operations against Iran, describing preemptive actions to detect, disrupt and degrade adversary systems ahead of wider military steps. Officials framed cyber and orbital tools as integral to deterrence and campaign advantage.

2026-03-02T06:53:51.624316-08:00

Pentagon details cyber and space 'first-mover' role against Iran

New York Times

Palmer Luckey emerges as the Pentagon’s tech adviser as Washington pushes autonomous weapons Palmer Luckey, founder of defense-tech start-up Anduril, has become a prominent tech adviser to the Pentagon and President Trump as the administration advances a push to modernize U.S. military capabilities around autonomous weapons. The profile highlights the increasing visibility of private defense‑tech leaders in current policy debates.

2026-03-02T06:16:13.876080-08:00

Palmer Luckey emerges as the Pentagon’s tech adviser as Washington pushes autonomous weapons

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France deploys Rafale fighters to UAE to secure French bases as Paris reinforces Cyprus defences

B-2 and B-1Bs strike Iran's underground missile sites as campaign widens

US tankers depart Spanish bases after Madrid bars use for strikes on Iran

Qatar says it shot down two Iranian Su-24s and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones

News Timeline