DefenceTalkTwo of the US Air Force’s most advanced warplanes, F-35 stealth fighters, landed for the first time in Estonia on Tuesday for exercises in the small NATO state amid tensions with neighbouring Russia. The move was seen by Estonian defence officials as a gesture underscoring Washington’s commitment to its NATO partners. Rhetoric by US President […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sends-stealth-fighters-to-russias-backyard-for-nato-drills-69828/

DefenceTalkIsrael is to take delivery of three more F-35 stealth fighters from the United States on Sunday, adding to two that arrived in December, an army statement said. They are among 50 that Israel has agreed to buy from aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. US President Donald Trump has publicly upbraided Lockheed over “out of control” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-to-get-3-more-f-35-fighter-jets-on-sunday-army-69791/

DefenceTalkA pair of Russian nuclear-capable bombers flew near Alaska, coming as close as 100 miles from Kodiak Island — the first time since President Trump took office that Moscow has sent bombers so close to the United States. U.S. officials said on April 18 that the two Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers flew roughly 280 miles […]https://www.defencetalk.com/u-s-jets-intercept-two-russian-bombers-flying-near-alaskan-coast-69773/

DefenceTalkSTUTTGART, Germany: Combat-ready F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft arrived today at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, demonstrating U.S. commitment to NATO allies and European territorial integrity. “The forward presence of F-35s support my priority of having ready and postured forces here in Europe,” said Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. European […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-lighting-ii-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-arrive-in-europe-69746/

DefenceTalkU.S. Air Force Airmen will partner with the Royal Air Force and the French Air Force for a second trilateral exercise beginning April 12 through April 28, 2017, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Atlantic Trident 2017, hosted by the 1st Fighter Wing, focuses on operations in a highly contested operational environment through a variety of complex, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35a-to-face-eurofighter-rafale-in-combat-exercise-for-first-time-69724/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force authorized extending the service life of the Lockheed Martin F-16’s designed service life to 12,000 Equivalent Flight Hours — far beyond the aircraft’s original design service life of 8,000 hours. Following F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) structural modifications, the U.S. Air Force could safely operate Block 40-52 aircraft to 2048 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/u-s-air-force-authorizes-extended-service-life-for-f-16-69722/

DefenceTalkU.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducted aviation delivered ground refueling with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 11, 2017. The ADGR marked the first evolution of this form of refueling for VMFA-121’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The purpose of the training was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-marines-train-to-refuel-f-35bs-from-tankers-on-ground-69706/

DefenceTalkThe 500th Eurofighter Typhoon has been delivered today to the Italian Air Force during a special ceremony held at Leonardo Aircraft Division’s Turin site. Lt. Gen. Gabriele Salvestroni, Logistic Commander of the Italian Air Force, took delivery of the aircraft in the presence of Filippo Bagnato, Leonardo Aircraft Division’s Managing Director, Volker Paltzo, Chief Executive […]https://www.defencetalk.com/500th-eurofighter-typhoon-produced-delivered-to-the-italian-air-force-69701/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 still has a long way to go before it will be ready for combat. That was the parting message of Dr. Michael Gilmore, the now-retired Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, in his last annual report. The Joint Strike Fighter Program has already consumed more than $100 billion and nearly 25 years. Just […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program-continues-to-stumble-69627/

DefenceTalkThe Trump administration has informed Congress it plans to go through with the sale of 19 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft and related equipment to Bahrain, dropping human rights conditions placed on the deal by the Obama administration. The office of Senator Bob Corker (Republican-Tennessee) on March 29 said the Foreign Relations Committee was notified by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-delayed-f-16-jet-sale-to-bahrain-69625/