Defense News

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight on Sept. 23 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility. The flight marks a milestone in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s effort to replace its CF-188 Hornet fleet, even as Ottawa continues reviewing the size and composition of its planned 88-aircraft buy.

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Also: f-16.net, defence-blog.com and news.ssbcrack.com

6 Sources

2026-09-24T05:16:20.136041-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

By Air Data News: AIDC delivered the last two aircraft to the Air Force, completing a nine-year development and Taiwan’s Air Force has received the 66th and final production T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer, completing a program launched more than nine years ago to replace two older training aircraft types.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:36:53.883974-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

By AeroTime: US intelligence reportedly warned European governments of a possible Russian Gerbera drone operation targeting Spain, France or Italy, El Mundo says.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:08:48.635697-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

By Bloomberg: The Chinese government has taken possession of potentially sensitive F-35 stealth aircraft parts that were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong while being sent to the US from Australia, people briefed on the incident said.

FlightGlobal

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets under way

Associated Press

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Also: The Aviationist, Australian Aviation, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Economic Times, The Loadstar, news.ssbcrack.com, Seeking Alpha and 4 more

17 Sources

2026-09-23T13:36:30.444741-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

By The Air Current: The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-23T16:20:47.973525-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

By The War Zone: Recent video footage shows continued refinement of the J-36 design, and there has also been talk of laser armament for the jet.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:52:54.349141-07:00

Satellite Space Force Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing two commercial satellite servicing missions for 2027 that will test ways of giving military spacecraft more freedom to maneuver after launch.

1 Source

2026-09-23T16:45:45.434615-07:00

Viasat Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors