News

DefenseNews.com • Gordon Arthur

Tanker gap and regional tug-of-war: IAF's aging Il‑78s, Pakistan Il‑78s in China, and heightened Indian air-defence posture

India faces a looming aerial-refuelling shortfall as its six Ilyushin Il‑78MKI tankers (acquired 2003–04) near end of life, while Pakistan's Il‑78s were photographed in China's Sichuan on Jan 19–20. New Delhi has reinforced air defences—deploying ~20 fighters, AEW and SAMs—for Republic Day and readiness drills.

2026-01-26T02:47:52.358535-08:00

Runway Girl

Embraer brings E195‑E2 and KC‑390 Millennium to the 2026 Singapore Airshow

2026-01-25T17:30:22.534536-08:00

FlightGlobal

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft

2026-01-25T19:53:42.950941-08:00

defencetoday.com

UK selects seven firms for Project NYX to build Apache 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones

2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Tanker gap and regional tug-of-war: IAF's aging Il‑78s, Pakistan Il‑78s in China, and heightened Indian air-defence posture India faces a looming aerial-refuelling shortfall as its six Ilyushin Il‑78MKI tankers (acquired 2003–04) near end of life, while Pakistan's Il‑78s were photographed in China's Sichuan on Jan 19–20. New Delhi has reinforced air defences—deploying ~20 fighters, AEW and SAMs—for Republic Day and readiness drills.

2026-01-26T02:47:52.358535-08:00

Tanker gap and regional tug-of-war: IAF's aging Il‑78s, Pakistan Il‑78s in China, and heightened Indian air-defence posture

FlightGlobal

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft Militaries rushing to introduce Collaborative Combat Aircraft risk failing to gain a meaningful combat edge unless they transform their entire operating concept, argues Fahad ibne Masood. He warns that without doctrinal, organisational and operational overhaul, CCA programmes will underdeliver on their promised force‑multiplying effects.

2026-01-26T01:52:25.821523-08:00

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

FlightGlobal

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine — a Bombardier G550‑derived intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic‑warfare jet — arriving at RAAF Base Edinburgh on 24 January after integration, mission‑system testing and programme delays.

2026-01-25T19:53:42.950941-08:00

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft

Runway Girl

❗️

Embraer brings E195‑E2 and KC‑390 Millennium to the 2026 Singapore Airshow Embraer will display its E195‑E2 regional jet and the KC‑390 Millennium tactical transport at the 10th Singapore Airshow (Feb 3–8), underscoring a coordinated commercial and defence push in Southeast Asia. The appearances follow recent APAC orders, partnerships and regional sustainment initiatives.

2026-01-25T17:30:22.534536-08:00

Embraer brings E195‑E2 and KC‑390 Millennium to the 2026 Singapore Airshow

Air Data News

Trump proposes 'F‑47' designation for USAF sixth‑generation NGAD; China calls it 'obsolete' President Trump suggested renaming the U.S. Air Force's next‑generation sixth‑generation fighter — the NGAD program — as 'F‑47', prompting immediate dismissal from Chinese military commentators who characterized the new jet as already 'obsolete'. The exchange highlights political and international attention on NGAD.

2026-01-25T10:10:48.013921-08:00

Trump proposes 'F‑47' designation for USAF sixth‑generation NGAD; China calls it 'obsolete'

defencetoday.com

UK selects seven firms for Project NYX to build Apache 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones The UK Ministry of Defence has shortlisted seven British firms, including BAE Systems, Leonardo and Tekever, for Project NYX to develop autonomous 'loyal wingman' drones to operate alongside AH‑64E Apache attack helicopters. The programme funds design work and technology maturation ahead of planned demonstrations.

2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00

UK selects seven firms for Project NYX to build Apache 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones

Air Data News

Portugal accepts fourth Embraer KC-390 fitted for aerial refuelling Portugal’s Air Force accepted its fourth Embraer KC-390 Millennium, the latest example fitted with hose-and-drogue aerial-refuelling equipment to enable receiver and tanker roles. The delivery advances Lisbon’s fleet modernisation, expanding tactical airlift, strategic reach and in-flight refuelling capacity for NATO and national missions.

2026-01-23T14:23:14.301007-08:00

Portugal accepts fourth Embraer KC-390 fitted for aerial refuelling

The War Zone

Inside Anduril’s Bolt‑M: USMC orders ML‑driven loitering munition and scale‑up plan Anduril’s Bolt‑M loitering munition — a machine‑learning‑infused 'kamikaze' drone — has been ordered by the U.S. Marine Corps. This report explains how Bolt‑M’s autonomy and edge‑ML targeting work, and outlines Anduril’s manufacturing strategy to rapidly produce and field expendable strike systems at operational scale.

2026-01-23T10:11:53.478727-08:00

Inside Anduril’s Bolt‑M: USMC orders ML‑driven loitering munition and scale‑up plan

Menu

Military Aircraft Procurement News

Tanker gap and regional tug-of-war: IAF's aging Il‑78s, Pakistan Il‑78s in China, and heightened Indian air-defence posture

Embraer brings E195‑E2 and KC‑390 Millennium to the 2026 Singapore Airshow

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft

UK selects seven firms for Project NYX to build Apache 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones

News Timeline