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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

Reports say Ukraine has formed a covert F-16 squadron staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots flying combat sorties to bolster air defences and intercept Russian drones. The Ukrainian Air Force dismissed the claims, saying there is no evidence U.S. or Dutch pilots are operating Kyiv's jets.

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

SpaceWatch Global

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

2026-02-17T03:35:15.449881-08:00

AeroTime

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances

2026-02-17T05:05:01.374836-08:00

DefenseNews.com

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

2026-02-17T02:36:09.126694-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

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Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies Reports say Ukraine has formed a covert F-16 squadron staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots flying combat sorties to bolster air defences and intercept Russian drones. The Ukrainian Air Force dismissed the claims, saying there is no evidence U.S. or Dutch pilots are operating Kyiv's jets.

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

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

AeroTime

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances India has requested 31 additional carrier‑capable Rafale M jets from France to bring its naval fighter fleet to a full 57‑aircraft carrier strength, French media report. The move comes as New Delhi advances a key procurement step for a separate 114‑aircraft MRFA buy.

2026-02-17T05:05:01.374836-08:00

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances

SpaceWatch Global

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Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic Europe’s space posture is shifting from an ESA‑centred, science‑driven model toward a national‑security logic, as capitals reweight funding, procurement and institutional roles to prioritise defence, resilience and sovereign capabilities. The shift reframes programme priorities and constrains ESA’s traditional mandate.

2026-02-17T03:35:15.449881-08:00

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

AeroTime

Denmark establishes Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate MQ-9B SeaGuardian for Arctic and North‑Atlantic surveillance Denmark has established 729 Squadron at Aalborg Air Base to operate four MQ-9B SeaGuardian (SkyGuardian) long‑range remotely piloted aircraft, with deliveries scheduled from 2028. The unit will provide persistent maritime and high‑north ISR across the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic regions.

2026-02-17T03:09:55.062885-08:00

Denmark establishes Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate MQ-9B SeaGuardian for Arctic and North‑Atlantic surveillance

DefenseNews.com

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028 Australia has approved a follow‑on production batch of Boeing’s MQ‑28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft and says the Royal Australian Air Force will have 10 operational systems by 2028, advancing manned–unmanned teaming and Canberra’s regional deterrence posture.

2026-02-17T02:36:09.126694-08:00

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

AeroTime

Footage appears to show Patriot intercepting Russian 3M22 Zircon during Feb. 15–16 strike Video released by Ukraine’s Air Command Center appears to show a Patriot surface‑to‑air missile system intercepting a Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile amid a Feb. 15–16 strike that Kyiv says also included four Zirkons, an Iskander, a Kh‑31 and about 62 drones, with at least 13 injured.

2026-02-17T01:13:37.142660-08:00

Footage appears to show Patriot intercepting Russian 3M22 Zircon during Feb. 15–16 strike

FlightGlobal

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026 Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 UCAV performed autonomous short‑deck launches from TCG Anadolu and executed live naval strikes with MAM‑L munitions during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026. The sortie — the TB3’s first overseas operational demo — highlights shipboard strike capability and reported export interest, including Indonesia’s plan for 60.

2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026

DefenseNews.com

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four additional F-16s, boosting fleet to 18 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Bratislava is in talks with the United States to buy four additional Lockheed Martin F‑16s — increasing Slovakia’s Block 70 order to 18 — after transferring jets to Ukraine, a move intended to restore the country’s air‑policing and sovereignty.

2026-02-16T05:25:36.084345-08:00

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four additional F-16s, boosting fleet to 18

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Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

News Timeline