The French Air and Space Force has deployed two Dassault Rafale fighters to Uppsala, Sweden, as part of France's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. The detachment includes around 30 personnel and will conduct experimental flights in cold weather conditions for the Rafale F4.
Peru is moving toward selecting the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 Viper as its next-generation fighter jet, marking a significant pivot in modernizing the Peruvian Air Force. According to local media, the Peruvian government has decided to proceed with the purchase of up to 24 F-16 Block 70 aircraft valued at approximately $7 billion.
Breaking Defense reports that NATO allies have rejected US President Donald Trump's proposed peace deal with Russia, citing its favoring of Moscow's interests. Meanwhile, a dispute between French firm Dassault and Airbus over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project has raised concerns about the effectiveness of European defense cooperation.
Libya's army chief of staff, Gen. Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has been confirmed killed after the Dassault Falcon 50 business jet carrying him crashed near Ankara, Turkey, on December 23, 2025.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has denied media reports linking a recent Indian Air Force (IAF) decision to conduct precautionary checks on its Tejas fleet to a crash. According to HAL, the incident in question was a minor technical incident on ground and not an aircraft loss.
India has approved a $39 billion purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, in an effort to bolster its air force capabilities. The deal comes after years of negotiations and was backed by the Defense Acquisition Council on February 12, 2026.
In a provocative opinion piece published in Handelsblatt, leading German labor union IG Metall and aerospace industry association BDLI called for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program to be scrapped. The authors proposed establishing their own future fighter jet program and seeking partners who wish to participate.
In a significant operational milestone, a French Air & Space Force KC-130J Super Hercules successfully refueled a Dassault Rafale fighter jet in flight for the first time during the Gulf25 exercise between France and the UAE. The demonstration, conducted from Air Base 104 Al Dhafra, expands the KC-130J's operational envelope beyond its primary roles supporting special operations and helicopter refueling.
France and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, citing renewed cooperation and shared goals for European strategic autonomy. However, Germany declined to comment on the meeting, fueling concerns over the program's progress and potential industry disputes.
France and Ukraine have signed a historic defense agreement covering the procurement of up to 100 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, along with new air defense systems and drone capabilities. The signing took place on November 17, 2025, at Villacoublay Air Base, where French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
AeroTime examines the strategic crossroads faced by Dassault and Bombardier in the large-cabin segment. With Gulfstream's G500 and G400 leading the way, both OEMs must consider refresh or derivative strategies to regain competitiveness.