aviation   Event   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Howard Altman

U.S. Forces Seize Russian‑Flagged Tanker Marinera (ex‑Bella 1) After Weekslong North Atlantic Pursuit

U.S. special operations and aviation assets launched a boarding of the Russian‑flagged, sanctioned oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic after a weekslong pursuit. U.S. air units were repositioned to the U.K. and Russian naval forces were reported nearby as the seizure unfolded.

2026-01-07T06:11:38.641179-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France’s DGA conducts A400M flight trials, dropping 72 inert drones to validate launch simulations and aircraft safety

By AeroTime: France’s DGA has conducted flight trials releasing 72 inert drone mock-ups from an Airbus A400M to validate simulations and aircraft safety.

2026-01-07T04:34:25.333280-08:00
F-16   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Taiwan searches for missing F-16V pilot after crash

By AeroTime: A ROCAF F-16V Block 20 crashed off Hualien during a night training flight. The pilot remains missing as SAR crews search in rough seas and high winds.

Also: Space Daily, news.ssbcrack.com and South China Morning Post
2026-01-07T01:17:08.771825-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Reuters • Saad Sayeed

Pakistan eyes defence pact with Bangladesh, sale of JF-17 jets

By Reuters: The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held talks on a potential pact covering the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka, Pakistan's military said, as Islamabad widens its arms supply ambitions and beefs up ties with Bangladesh.

Also: India Defense News and english.kyodonews.net
2026-01-06T23:33:07.447053-08:00
AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Sydney J Freedberg Jr

Air Force says AI tools outperform human planners in 'battle management' experiment

By Breaking Defense: In a complex multi-service, multi-domain scenario — not typically covered in Air Force training — the best of several AI tools generated tactical “courses of action” not only faster than military professionals but also with fewer errors.

Also: Breaking Defense, news.ssbcrack.com and realcleardefense.com
2026-01-06T13:54:10.499707-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Russia adds anti-aircraft missile capability to Shahed one-way attack drones

By FlightGlobal: Russian forces appear to have modified Shahed-136 one-way attack drones to carry man-portable air defence missiles, marking a tactical evolution aimed at threatening Ukrainian fighter aircraft deployed to intercept the slow-moving UAVs.

Also: militarywatchmagazine.com and defensemirror.com
2026-01-06T13:55:10.665852-08:00
Airports   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
asiatimes.com • Gabriel Honrada

As China sharpens Pacific kill chain US revives island airfields

By asiatimes.com: As the US races to "island-hop" its airpower back across the Pacific, the real contest is whether US dispersal can stay ahead of China's.

2026-01-06T11:37:46.234198-08:00