Event   F-16   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

F-35A expands Japan’s role in Wild Weasel SEAD—first Japanese-built F-35A joins Misawa mission as wing proves F-35A reach in NAT

The U.S. Air Force is transferring the historic Wild Weasel air-defense suppression mission to F-35A fighters based at Misawa, replacing F-16s in locating and destroying radar-guided surface-to-air missile systems. Japan also produced its first F-35A and is using the type to demonstrate NATO integration and combat-airpower generation during Exercise Ramstein Flag 26.

Also: DefenseNews.com and defence-industry.eu
2026-06-22T04:09:28.124115-07:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
NEW
DefenseNews.com • Military Times staff

Can China’s latest air-to-air missile take on its US equivalent? Definitely maybe, experts say.

By DefenseNews.com: The PL-16’s specs would let it chase large, slower-moving aircraft, one analyst said, though its effectiveness against smaller, faster planes is unclear.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times
2026-06-22T05:39:32.857055-07:00
Middle East   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Aftab Ahmed, Saurabh Sharma

EXCLUSIVE: India in talks to sell supersonic BrahMos missile to UAE, sources say

By Reuters: The Indian government is in talks with the UAE to sell some of its flagship defence systems, including the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, four Indian sources said, as the Gulf nation steps up arms ​procurement following the war in the Middle East.

2026-06-22T02:24:41.188313-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

MBDA and Fly-R launch UAE drone program tied to Rafale deal

By AeroTime: MBDA and Fly-R will develop and industrialize the R2-120 Raijin in the UAE, in a project linked to France’s Rafale industrial commitments.

2026-06-22T01:27:01.882906-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   China   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
Reuters

China says Liaoning aircraft carrier completes over 40 days of drills

By Reuters: China's Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels on Monday returned ​to a Chinese port after more ‌than 40 days of drills in the South China Sea and the western ​Pacific Ocean, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV ​reported.

2026-06-22T02:24:44.726370-07:00