Pilatus has commenced construction on a new flagship sales, service and production facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Florida. The project marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Pilatus in the United States.
The first of four MC-55A Peregrine surveillance jets has arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh, based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet. The aircraft is heavily modified for airborne surveillance and electronic warfare by L3Harris, according to a joint media release issued by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.
Air Canada has welcomed the first of five new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from US-based lessor Air Lease Corporation, Breaking AeroTime reports. The aircraft was part of a long-term lease agreement signed in 2023 and joins Air Canada's diverse fleet of modern aircraft.
Italy has taken delivery of its first SAMP/T New Generation (NG) and GRIFO surface-to-air missile systems, marking an important step in the country's air defense modernization. The handover took place on January 22, 2026, at the Santa Barbara barracks in Sabaudia, home to the Army Air Defence Artillery Command (COMACA).
Riyadh Air has partnered with Neo Space Group to provide inflight Wi-Fi for its Airbus A321neo fleet, starting Q4 2026. The service will offer speeds of up to 300 Mbps using HBC+ hardware and a Thinkom Ka2517 antenna.
As Cebu Pacific celebrates its 30th anniversary, the airline is positioning itself for growth in China travel demand following the Philippines' relaxation of visa requirements. The carrier plans to restore pre-pandemic routes to China and take delivery of seven aircraft in 2026.
Indonesia has received its first three Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, marking the start of deliveries under Jakarta's long-running effort to modernize the Indonesian Air Force. The aircraft arrived on January 23, 2026, and are now stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Indonesia.
Colombia is exploring ways to modify its gasoline supply to make cocaine less potent, as part of an effort to diminish global demand for the illicit substance. The initiative comes at a tense geopolitical moment, with US President Donald Trump's administration taking a lethal campaign against drug trafficking into the US.
An investigation has been launched by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) after a tool was discovered in the left wing of a Qantas Airbus A380-800 following flights between Australia and the US. The aircraft, registered VH-OQK, had flown two sectors prior to the discovery.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, a South Australian aerospace engineer, was named 2026 Australian of the Year for her pioneering work as Australia's first qualified astronaut. The award comes after she completed Basic Astronaut Training at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany and became the first person to train under the Australian flag.
Australia has officially taken delivery of its first MC-55A Peregrine spy jet, which will be operated by No. 10 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The aircraft is based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet and enhanced by L3Harris Technologies as a prime contractor.
A Bombardier Challenger 650 with eight people on board crashed while departing from Bangor International Airport, Maine, amid winter storms in the US. According to reports from a government official, the crash occurred at 19:45 on January 25, 2026, and resulted in a significant fire onboard the aircraft.
Breaking Defense is pleased to announce Diana Stancy as its new Staff Reporter for Naval Warfare. With a background in covering the military at Navy Times and Military Times, Stancy will be responsible for covering the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as global naval developments.
Air China has launched its first new international route of 2026, connecting Beijing Capital International Airport with Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport on a Boeing 787 widebody. The service, which operates four times weekly, marks an expansion of Air China's Middle East network and provides an alternative to existing one-stop itineraries.
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that it has selected seven companies to develop prototypes for its AH-64 Apache 'loyal wingman' program, Project NYX. The initiative aims to create Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) capable of operating alongside the UK's Apache attack helicopters.
Copa Airlines has announced plans to roll out internet connectivity across its entire fleet, starting in October 2026. This follows recent announcements from Avianca and LATAM Airlines, as well as United Airlines' existing service on its fleet.
Zipline, the world's largest drone delivery firm by some metrics, has raised $600 million from private investors to fuel its US expansion. The company plans to deploy its services in at least four states, with Houston and Phoenix being the next focus cities.
Bombardier's Global 8000 has secured EASA certification, marking a significant milestone in its journey to customer operations in Europe. Following type certification from Transport Canada and FAA validation, the aircraft entered service in December 2025.
The Pentagon has released its new National Defense Strategy, placing a strong focus on homeland defense and security in the Western Hemisphere. The document, which was traditionally considered a foundational guide for the department, emphasizes the importance of defending America's interests throughout the region.
Skytron, a fly-by-wire aircraft designed by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Greg Mercer, aims to revolutionize general aviation with automation and reduced pilot workload. The aircraft features twin Rotax 916iS engines and is targeted at owner-pilots and professionals drawn to high-performance personal aircraft.