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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Japan's EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft heads to service entry

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has released images of the developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic-warfare aircraft — a conversion of the first Kawasaki C-2 transport — as decision-makers weigh how many EW conversions to buy and the impact on the JASDF's future transport fleet composition.

2026-03-16T22:54:52.363355-07:00

DefenseNews.com

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight 65 Miles East of Okinawa

2026-03-16T22:40:06.535857-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Israel declares first squadron of nine F-35s operational

2026-03-16T22:40:06.486827-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Canada to buy used Australian F/A-18s, effectively ending Boeing Super Hornet bid

2026-03-16T22:40:06.484913-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Japan's EC-2 EW conversion nears service entry as JASDF weighs numbers and transport trade‑offs The Japan Air Self-Defense Force released images of its developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic‑warfare aircraft — a conversion of the first C-2 transport — as the type approaches service entry. Tokyo is weighing how many EC-2s to acquire and the implications for its future transport fleet mix.

2026-03-17T00:24:37.853339-07:00

Japan's EC-2 EW conversion nears service entry as JASDF weighs numbers and transport trade‑offs

FlightGlobal

Japan's EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft heads to service entry The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has released images of the developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic-warfare aircraft — a conversion of the first Kawasaki C-2 transport — as decision-makers weigh how many EW conversions to buy and the impact on the JASDF's future transport fleet composition.

2026-03-16T22:54:52.363355-07:00

Japan's EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft heads to service entry

DefenseNews.com

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight 65 Miles East of Okinawa An F-35A shed an external panel measuring roughly 12 by 24 inches during a routine training mission about 65 miles east of Okinawa. The loss was reported after the sortie; military authorities have not released details on cause, damage to the jet, or any injuries.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.535857-07:00

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight 65 Miles East of Okinawa

DefenseNews.com

Israel declares first squadron of nine F-35s operational The Israeli Air Force has declared its initial squadron of nine F-35 stealth fighters operational, less than a year after the first two jets were delivered by the U.S. Air Force. The certification establishes an in-service fifth‑generation combat capability for Israel's tactical force structure.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.486827-07:00

Israel declares first squadron of nine F-35s operational

DefenseNews.com

Canada to buy used Australian F/A-18s, effectively ending Boeing Super Hornet bid Ottawa will announce next week it will proceed with an interim purchase of used F/A-18 Hornets from Australia, three sources told Reuters. The decision dashes Boeing’s hopes of selling new Super Hornets to Canada and supplies a near‑term stop‑gap fighter capability.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.484913-07:00

Canada to buy used Australian F/A-18s, effectively ending Boeing Super Hornet bid

DefenseNews.com

France receives first A400M fitted with mid‑air refuelling pods France has received its first Airbus A400M transport fitted with underwing refuelling pods, advancing Paris's plan to field tanker‑capable tactical airlift. Airbus Defence and Space says it continues work on two key capabilities sought by France as the programme moves from modification trials toward operational deliveries.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.456908-07:00

France receives first A400M fitted with mid‑air refuelling pods

The War Zone

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran A Pentagon report says US Navy EA-18G Growlers conducting strikes on Iran are operating with a mix of newly fielded and legacy jamming pods; the new electronic-attack pods continue to suffer "significant" teething problems despite being used in active combat missions.

2026-03-16T14:54:10.685792-07:00

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran

Reuters

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits Greece's parliamentary armament committee approved a roughly €4–4.6 billion defence package that green‑lights purchase of an Israeli Achilles Shield air‑defence/drone‑counter system, funds frigate refits and supports the upgrade of 38 F‑16s to the modern Viper standard, plus C‑27 fleet FOS.

2026-03-16T09:00:47.534622-07:00

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Japan's EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft heads to service entry

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight 65 Miles East of Okinawa

Israel declares first squadron of nine F-35s operational

Canada to buy used Australian F/A-18s, effectively ending Boeing Super Hornet bid

News Timeline