Tag: U.S. Air Force

Romania signs on for F-35 fighters

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, conduct flight training operations over the Utah Test and Training Range on February 14, 2018 | Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee

Romania has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for 32 F-35A aircraft that are expected to cost around $6.4 billion. Romania already operates the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter and has become the 20th member of the club of F-35 operator countries.

U.S. Marine F-35C fighters in 1st combat missions

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations on Nov. 23, 2021 | Photo: U.S. Marine Corps/1st Lt. Charles Allen

F-35C fighters from the U.S. Marine Corps’ VMFA 314 squadron aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln conducted multiple strikes on Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen. The F-35C stealth fighter model has longer, folding wings and, like the F/A-18, is designed to be launched from the catapults of aircraft carriers, allowing it to carry heavier payloads than the F-35B.

Trump nominates TV host for Secretary of Defense

Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth | Photo: Pete Hegseth

The nomination of a television program co-host with credentials lighter than a feather, for the senior cabinet position of Secretary of Defense, will make it easier to side-line or remove senior military officers whom Trump has said he would fire for being ‘woke.’

U.S. announces $2.35B military aid for Ukraine

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Gerard Holodak, with the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), fires an M136E1 AT4-CS confined space light anti-armour weapon at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on October 12, 2017 | Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Westin Warburton

The latest round of military aid worth USD 150 million is the Biden administration’s 60th tranche of aid since August 2021, including artillery and ammunition from its own inventories, in addition to purchases of air defence systems worth USD 2.2 billion for Ukraine.

F-35 for India?
The F-35 Lightning II offered a thrilling display of aerobatics at Aero India 2023, but here's why the fifth generation stealth fighter doesn't make sense for India

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II displays at Aero India 2023 | Photo: Ministry of Defence

The acquisition of the S-400, differing points of view on the war in Ukraine, eye-watering costs, a domestic 5th gen fighter program and never having operated any U.S. fighter aircraft are some of the reasons why India can’t and shouldn’t consider the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.