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politico.eu • Jacob Parry

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack

Ankara is evaluating deploying F-16 fighter jets to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to bolster security after a recent drone attack on the island. The move, reported by TRT Haber and Turkish defence sources, has heightened regional tensions and drawn international attention and offers of assistance.

2026-03-07T07:37:58.044813-08:00

Reuters

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00

AeroTime

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reuters

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

News Timeline

politico.eu

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack Ankara is evaluating deploying F-16 fighter jets to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to bolster security after a recent drone attack on the island. The move, reported by TRT Haber and Turkish defence sources, has heightened regional tensions and drawn international attention and offers of assistance.

2026-03-07T07:37:58.044813-08:00

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack

Reuters

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Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages Russian forces launched roughly 155 drones overnight — about 100 Shahed loitering munitions — Kyiv says, with 136 intercepted and at least seven killed and 25 injured. The strikes came as Ukrainian F‑16s endured a multi‑week shortage of US‑made intercept missiles and allied jet transfers remained delayed.

2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

Air Data News

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran The Israel Defense Forces released images of Israeli Air Force F‑16I Sufa fighters fitted with RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles ahead of large‑scale strikes on Iran. The photos confirm operational carriage of the new stand‑off munition on frontline combat jets and underscore changes to Israel's strike posture.

2026-03-01T04:46:18.153891-08:00

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran

Reuters

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U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment The U.S. ambassador to Portugal, John Arrigo, has urged Lisbon to select Lockheed Martin's F‑35 Lightning II to replace its ageing F‑16 fleet, saying the stealth fighter would guarantee interoperability with Europe’s top air forces as Portugal prepares a 2025 reassessment of its fighter plans.

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

The War Zone

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods The U.S. is deploying F-16s to the Middle East equipped with 'Angry Kitten' electronic-warfare pods to improve survivability for fourth-generation fighters conducting Wild Weasel/SEAD missions. The pods provide onboard jamming and enhanced self‑protection, complementing broader US efforts to field advanced EW and anti-radiation capabilities in the region.

2026-02-20T15:50:09.269812-08:00

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

The War Zone

Top Aces fits AESA, IRST, HMD and Link 16 to its F‑16 aggressors Top Aces has upgraded its F‑16 aggressor fleet with an AESA radar, IRST, helmet‑mounted display and an open‑architecture mission system, and added Link 16. The package networks sensors and situational awareness into adversary aircraft to deliver higher‑fidelity, data‑linked red‑air training.

2026-02-19T10:13:33.612312-08:00

Top Aces fits AESA, IRST, HMD and Link 16 to its F‑16 aggressors

AeroTime

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Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots Multiple reports say a covert multinational F-16 squadron — staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots on six‑month contracts — is flying combat missions to defend Kyiv and intercept Russian missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force has rejected those claims, saying no foreign pilots are conducting combat sorties.

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

The War Zone

NORAD: California F-16s scrambled twice Sunday to investigate mysterious targets — balloons, not UFOs NORAD scrambled F-16s out of California twice on Sunday to intercept unidentified targets over Nevada and California. After both intercepts, the aircraft reported the objects were balloons rather than unknown aircraft, with officials treating the missions as routine responses to airspace alerts.

2026-02-16T15:09:49.712496-08:00

NORAD: California F-16s scrambled twice Sunday to investigate mysterious targets — balloons, not UFOs

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F-16 News

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

News Timeline