Lockheed Martin F-16

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Ukrainian success in fending off Russia’s invasion is changing Western allies’ policy about supplying fighters.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) released his markup of the fiscal 2024 defense policy bill on June 12.

Norway has formally sold 32 surplus F-16A/B combat aircraft to Romania after securing approval from U.S. authorities.

The seizure and aid package was announced on June 10 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a surprise visit to Kyiv.

The Pentagon has announced a major new influx of military aid for Ukraine, ordering about $2.1 billion in equipment to bolster the nation’s air defenses.

The 34 F-16s were included in a potential 40-aircraft sale announced by the Netherlands to contract air services provider Draken International in 2021.

“I am very happy with the information I received from some countries. It was a serious, powerful offer,” Zelenskyy said.

Denmark has joined the growing list of European nations expected to increase its defense spending in response to Russia’s invasion of parts of Ukraine.

The proposal is called the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023, introduced last month.

Aircraft startup Hermeus received the first military turbofan that will be integrated into the engine core for the hypersonic Darkhorse uncrewed aerial system.

U.S. officials have repeatedly met with Turkish officials in recent months to try to get Ankara to support Sweden’s push to join NATO.

“Four squadrons of F-16s (48 aircraft) are exactly what we need to liberate our country from the aggressor,” Ukraine's defense ministry tweeted May 26

Denmark and the Netherlands will lead a group effort to train Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16s following a green light from the U.S.

The Royal Thai Air Force has provided an explanation for a recent report that the U.S. had rejected Thailand’s proposal to acquire Lockheed Martin F-35As.

A promised supply of Western fighter jets has prompted a comprehensive review within Ukraine’s air force of its structure, training and logistics needs.

While the U.S. and its partners have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16s, the jets’ delivery will take several months.

President Joe Biden said May 19 that the U.S. supports an international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other fourth-generation fighters.

Readers write about hydrogen fuel cells, F-16 tech, Artemis III spacesuits. Plus: Behind the Scenes at Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan Testbed 80 facility.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunk and Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte will be working to build an "international coalition" to provide Ukraine with combat air support.

A new DARPA aircraft designed by Aurora Flight Sciences to experiment with active flow control technology has been designated the X-65.

The U.S. Air Force has stood up a fourth aggressor squadron, comprising older, fourth-generation aircraft.

Romania will end operations with its Mikoyan MiG-21 LanceR fleet on May 15, transitioning its fighter fleet to secondhand Lockheed Martin F-16s.

The training program is part of a new round of military aid being provided as Kyiv gears up for its counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion.

The remarks show that Menendez does not expect the White House to approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey in an exchange for Sweden's NATO membership.