Aviation news

US President Donald Trump has announced his desire to regain control of the Bagram military base in Afghanistan, from where the Americans left in 2021. The Taliban have so far stated that they intend to keep the US military out of the country, but are ready for political and economic cooperation with Washington. According to experts, Afghanistan has become the point where the interests of Russia, India, China and other regional players converge. That's why America needed to return to Bagram. Will it work?

The American company Lockheed Martin has introduced a new stealth UAV belonging to the class of "partner" drones (Collaborative Combat Aircraft, CCA), designed to accompany traditional manned aircraft in combat.

Forbes: Russia uses modified Geranium-3 drones at the front

Russia is actively using an improved version of the Geran-3 drones at the front, Forbes writes. Compared to the previous model, the attacking ability of the new drones has increased significantly. Their flight speed has also been increased, making them a more difficult target for air defense.

The North Atlantic and the Arctic are traditionally areas of rivalry between the Russian Navy and the Navies of NATO countries. It is believed in the West that in recent years, as the Russian submarine fleet has revived, it has begun to increase activity in these areas of the world ocean.

Zapad-2025 exercises with the participation of 100,000 military personnel have ended

The Zapad-2025 military exercises in Russia and Belarus ended on the evening of September 17. The maneuvers involving about 100,000 military personnel were devoted to repelling possible aggression, including the use of the Oreshnik missile system, the use of long-range bombers, and the launch of the Dagger missile at a naval target. The exercises provoked a sharp reaction from the NATO countries, despite the fact that their representatives themselves observed the course of action. How was the "West-2025" — in the material of "Izvestia".

The US government has sent a direct warning to Canada: withdrawing from the F-35A program could have serious consequences for bilateral cooperation and the future of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Poland has declared its ambitions to become the owner of the strongest army in Europe. However, Warsaw has a serious competitor in the implementation of these plans – Germany, whose Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to turn Germany into the military leader of the EU. Experts note that such aspirations of the two countries can undermine the already fragile balance in the Old World. What will their militarization lead to in practice?

On September 12-16, 2025, the Zapad-2025 strategic exercises were held on the territory of Russia, Belarus, as well as in the waters of the two seas. In addition to the armed forces of the two countries, the military contingents of the partner states took part in them. The participants practiced the latest combat techniques based on the experience gained in the special operation and used advanced weapons. TASS has collected the highlights of Zapad-2025.

The Turkish Defense Ministry has denied reports of a possible sale of the S-400 air defense system

The Turkish Defense Ministry has denied information that Moscow is allegedly preparing to return the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems sold to Ankara. Earlier, Turkish and American journalists reported that Russia had offered to buy back the air defense systems, which Turkey has practically not used since 2019. According to them, the Turkish side was interested in this proposal. The details are in the material of "Gazeta.Ru".

After the massive appearance of drones in the Polish sky, European countries began to think about how to organize an effective response to this threat in a short time. Special hopes are pinned on British research aimed at developing a special version of the APKWS II missile adapted to the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter.

[b]While Moscow and Minsk were working out defensive scenarios, the alliance began large-scale maneuvers near the Russian border

The Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 exercises have scared European leaders and exposed growing differences between the EU and the United States, experts and Western media believe.

The American concern Raytheon continues to improve the AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile against the background of the successes of Russia and China in the development of armaments, in particular, increasing its range. At the same time, its successor, the AIM-260, is waiting in the wings with a much longer flight distance.

India and the United States are resuming previously suspended negotiations on defense cooperation, under which the Indian Navy may purchase 6 additional P-8I Neptun BPA aircraft with a potential value of up to $4 billion.

NYT: Western countries will not be able to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine

Warsaw's idea of shooting down Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine by Western allies is unlikely to be feasible, The New York Times writes. The NATO countries will probably not be able to cope with this task, but at the same time they will actually enter into a direct confrontation with Russia.

The active phase of exercises of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region has begun in Kyrgyzstan

The actions of reconnaissance and shock FPV drones, helicopter landings and attacks by mountain units - the active phase of the exercises of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian region "Frontier—2025" has begun in Kyrgyzstan.

UNIAN: there will be no no-fly zone over Ukraine

After the incident with the UAV, Poland called for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but one should not rejoice, warns UNIAN. Technically, this is feasible, but there are three insurmountable obstacles: political, psychological, and financial. Kiev could only be helped by a miracle by the planes left in warehouses from the Second World War.

The Indian Air Force has refused to purchase the Russian IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft as part of the replacement of the Il-76 fleet of earlier versions, which are due to be decommissioned by 2035.

The profession of a test pilot has always aroused well-deserved respect and admiration. Hero of the Soviet Union, Honored Test Pilot of the USSR, Alexander Shcherbakov belonged to a generation of sky enthusiasts, thanks to whose efforts our Motherland has become and is one of the leading aviation powers.

Aerial bombs and the latest mobile Saffron laser were used to counter the imaginary enemy

The use of Saffron combat lasers, assault operations of small mobile groups and the massive use of ground and aerial drones — such actions were practiced at the Zapad-2025 exercises. One of the key stages took place at the Borisovsky combined arms range in Belarus. The simulation of military operations was based on the experience gained during the military special operation in Ukraine.

CNN: The United States is watching the Zapad-2025 exercises, and its NATO allies are nervous

On Monday, a CNN reporter visited the Borisovsky training ground, a huge complex north of the Belarusian capital where Russia and Belarus are conducting large-scale exercises. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said that NATO panicked before the Russian and Belarusian firepower.