ATC   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Anna Koper

Polish fighters scramble to intercept Russian reconnaissance aircraft near Baltic Sea as balloons breach airspace

On Christmas Eve Polish fighter jets scrambled to intercept and escort a Russian reconnaissance aircraft operating over international waters close to Poland’s airspace, while separate reports said weather balloons from Belarus violated Polish airspace. The incidents come amid heightened NATO air-policing on the eastern flank.

Also: theglobeandmail.com, The Independent and aa.com.tr
2025-12-25T03:08:53.692353-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   China   Satellite   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Pentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of War's latest annual assessment of Chinese military capabilities reveals significant progress in airpower development, including testing of two sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advances in airborne early warning systems.

Also: Aviation Week, maritime-executive.com, aeroxplorer.com, news.defcros.com, insidedefense.com, USNI News and Aviation Week
2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

DAPA Approves Indigenous 16,000 lb / 24,000 lb Turbofan Engine Program for South Korean Fighter

By Aviation Week: The Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project will develop, test and certify a turbofan engine with 16,000 lb.-thrust at military power and 24,000 lb.-thrust on afterburner.

2025-12-23T11:57:17.125142-08:00
ATC   Dassault Aviation   Middle East   Africa   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Tuvan Gumrukcu

Radio contact lost with private jet believed to carry Libya’s army chief over Ankara; flights diverted

By Reuters: The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally recognised government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Also: AeroTime, Aviation24, halifax.citynews.ca, ABC News, The Independent, al-monitor.com, defensemirror.com, travelcodex.com, news.ssbcrack.com, moderndiplomacy.eu, intellinews.com, Economic Times and 47 more
2025-12-23T11:35:41.175896-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Airbus • News Release

Spain orders 18 C295 transport aircraft

By Airbus: The Spanish Ministry of Defence has acquired 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft to replace the CN235 and C212 fleets of the Spanish Air and Space Force.

Also: AeroTime, FlightGlobal, asdnews.com, Aviation A2Z, Janes, Aviation Week, defensemirror.com and 9 more
2025-12-23T02:57:50.550251-08:00