Category -- Air -- The Defense Post

May- 2026 -

25 May

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft is seen flying above a body of water in the background.

Australia to Decommission Spartan Airlifters Under New Defense Strategy

Australia will retire its Leonardo C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft and replace them with commercial airframes as part of the country’s latest defense strategy.

25 May

11 MAY 2026 - Wildcat HMA2s from 815 Naval Air Squadron conduct a photo exercise with P2000s and a Royal Norwegian Navy Skjold-class corvette, during Exercise Tamber Shield in Norway. Now in its fourth consecutive year, Tamber Shield continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of enhanced interoperability between the two maritime forces. For the first time, Puma surveillance drones from 700X NAS will also participate in the exercise, enabling the Fleet Air Arm to develop its crewed-uncrewed teaming (CUC-T) capability against small, agile threats.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Tests Helicopter-Drone Tactics in Norwegian Fjord Drills

The UK Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter crews have trained alongside unmanned aerial systems during the three-week Tamber Shield exercise in Norway’s fjords, focused on countering high-speed littoral threats.

25 May

Air Commandos assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing prepare to load a GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Weapon System onto an MQ-9 Reaper during a weapons load competition at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, March 27, 2026. The GBU-39B is designed to limit collateral damage, expanding the MQ-9’s ability to deliver persistent, scalable effects in support of special operations forces across a range of operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Williams)

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force MQ-9 Reapers Gain Long-Range Precision Strike Capability

The US Air Force Special Operations Command has integrated the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb into MQ-9 Reaper drones, adding a long-range precision strike capability designed for contested environments.

25 May

Giulia Bernacchi

Embraer, Greece Explore Potential In-Country C-390 Sustainment Capability

Embraer signed a deal with Greece’s Hellenic Aerospace Industry to explore local C-390 maintenance and overhaul support.

25 May

Flight simulator for the C295 military transport aircraft.

Giulia Bernacchi

Airbus Selects Indra for C295 Full-Flight Simulator in Spain

Airbus Defence and Space has selected Indra to develop a new full-flight simulator for the C295 military transport aircraft.

25 May

Christine Casimiro

Thailand Buys Two Airbus C295 Transport Aircraft for Air Force

Thailand is expanding its C295 tactical transport fleet to five aircraft after ordering two additional platforms from Airbus.

25 May

Christine Casimiro

MBDA SPEAR Cruise Missile Takes First Test Flight on F-35B Stealth Fighter Jet

MBDA’s SPEAR air-to-ground miniature cruise missiles have conducted their maiden flight aboard an F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter, flown by a UK test pilot in the US.

25 May

The Martlet weapon system has officially achieved full operating capability.

Jodesz Gavilan

UK’s Wildcat Helicopters Expand Counter-Drone Role With Martlet Missiles

The Martlet missile has reached full operating capability on Wildcat helicopters, giving the aircraft a broader role in the UK Royal Navy’s counter-drone and maritime strike missions.

25 May

Image of a Apache AH-64E helicopter, seen here being demonstrated at Lulworth Range in the UK. A multi-domain immersive experience showcasing military equipment and capabilities took place at Lulworth Range, ahead of the Defence Command Paper refresh. The event was attended by Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. As well as demonstrating some of the cutting-edge equipment being used by the British military, the activity showcased integrated tactics and combined arms warfare. Other developing capability demonstrated included remote medical support and counter-unmanned aerial systems technology. The RAF's F35 fast jet and A400M transport aircraft were part of demonstrations, along with other equipment from across the three single services including Merlin and Apache helicopters and a Challenger 2 main battle tank. The demonstration featured personnel and equipment from units including 4 Light Brigade Combat Team; Future Commando Force (30 Commando Royal Marines); 4 Ranger from the Army Special Operations Brigade; 11 Group RAF; Experimental and Trial Group (ETG) consisting of elements from 2YORKS, the Next Generation Combat Team; elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team HQ and Medical Regiment.

Jodesz Gavilan

GE Aerospace Wins UK Apache Helicopter Engine Support Contract

GE Aerospace has secured a new three-year support contract for the engines powering the British Army’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopter fleet.

24 May

Bea Castañeda

Russia’s MiG-35: Built for the Modern Air Battlefield

As Russia's air combat doctrine evolves, one fighter sits at the center of its modernization ambitions: the MiG-35. Here's what it can do, and what it's up against.

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