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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

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Air Data News

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25

2026-02-17T05:16:07.597979-08:00

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

News Timeline

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries designed, built and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, conducting a first flight that underscores a dramatic acceleration in rapid defense prototyping. The demonstrator highlights industry moves toward compressed development cycles for autonomous armed systems.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

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

Air Data News

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25 Brazil will present its first locally assembled F-39 Gripen on March 25 at Embraer's production facility, in what the government and industry describe as the type's first domestic final-assembly milestone. The unveiling underscores Embraer's manufacturing role in Brazil's Gripen programme and local defence industrialisation.

2026-02-17T05:16:07.597979-08:00

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25

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

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

Boeing highlights F-15EX push and local production plans at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh At the World Defense Show in Riyadh (Feb. 8–12, 2026), Boeing used a major exhibition presence to press its F-15EX offering for Saudi Arabia and signpost plans to localize production, underlining the company's dual civilian and military footprint in the kingdom.

2026-02-17T02:04:58.278765-08:00

Boeing highlights F-15EX push and local production plans at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh

FlightGlobal

US Army tests XM1225 30x113mm proximity‑fuzed rounds on AH‑64 Apache to counter drone swarms The U.S. Army conducted live‑fire trials at Yuma Proving Ground of the XM1225 30x113mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) round aboard AH‑64 Apache attack helicopters, demonstrating an airburst capability to engage unmanned aircraft at multiple ranges with minimal new pilot training.

2026-02-16T20:44:36.344199-08:00

US Army tests XM1225 30x113mm proximity‑fuzed rounds on AH‑64 Apache to counter drone swarms

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

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

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25

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

News Timeline