Can China’s latest air-to-air missile take on its US equivalent? Definitely maybe, experts say.
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.
Europe
Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter program
The announcement comes as the Polish government is mulling plans to acquire up to 32 new fighter jets.
German, Spanish FCAS companies rally to preserve breakthrough fighter tech
With existing FCAS contracts ending this year, the companies want the government to keep spending money on a sixth-generation warplane.
Germany welcome in GCAP, but new Leonardo boss warns about timing
CEO Lorenzo Mariani said that the advantages of a new partner were extra cash and know-how.
German air show opens under shadow of Iran war, fighter project collapse
Airbus, which represented Germany and Spain in FCAS, is increasingly looking to Sweden’s Saab as a preferred partner, according to sources.
After FCAS demise, Germany’s options include ordering more F-35 warplanes
“Knowing what we know today, we wouldn’t set up a program in this way again,” Pistorius said.
Putin offers Su-57 to India as New Delhi faces stealth fighter gap
The co-production and customization being offered by Russia marks one of the most expansive defense cooperation proposals made in recent years to India.
Airbus-led alliance lobbies Germany on fighter jet project
Industry sources said the move did not amount to an attempt to launch a new fighter project following the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS program.
Germany and France drop joint fighter jet project
Failure to reach an agreement underscores the struggles Europe has faced in rebuilding its military capacity after decades of underinvestment.
French jet on NATO mission shoots down drone in Latvian airspace
Military drones straying into the airspace of Russia’s neighbors have stoked concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine is spilling over NATO’s borders.
US tells Europe, Canada to boost NATO air and naval forces
“Nations just need to assign the capabilities they have to NATO,” a spokesman for the alliance's military headquarters said.
Ukraine would gain advantage over Russian glide bombs with Gripen-Meteor combo
Moscow has been launching record numbers of glide bombs in 2026, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, grinding down frontline positions.
Ukraine to buy 20 new Gripen jets, Sweden to donate older jets sooner
“We need these jets, and for us this is really a new page for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
Canada wants Saab early-warning aircraft under push to retool defense suppliers
Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to diversify and localize defense production following continued threats by U.S. President Trump.
Italy settles on Airbus tanker purchase in swing toward European equipment
The deal marks a shift from Boeing to Airbus for the Italian Air Force, which flies four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft which entered service from 2011.
War in pieces: Air Force wants special ops plane that can be built on the fly
The Skyraider II, a militarized version of the AT-802 crop duster, is built to give isolated special ops teams eyes overhead and firepower on call.
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Elbit Systems was awarded the development contract, valued at approximately $34 million (100 million NIS).
