Royal Air Force tests A400M grass-runway operations in Poland amid Russian drone incursions across NATO’s eastern flank
The Royal Air Force has deployed an Atlas C1 A400M to Poland to test operations from temporary and unprepared runways.
Saab equips Royal Air Force with Giraffe 1X radars for deployed counter-drone operations amid rising threats to UK and coalition forces
Saab UK has delivered Giraffe 1X radar systems to the Royal Air Force under an urgent requirement for counter-drone operations.
Britain commits another £1.1 billion to Eurofighter Typhoon, sustaining RAF air defence and aerospace exports into the 2040s
Britain will invest a further £1.1 billion in Eurofighter Typhoon upgrades and long-term support, keeping the combat aircraft in service into the 2040s while the Royal Air Force prepares for a new generation of crewed and autonomous systems.
Royal Air Force redesignates headquarters as Air & Space Command, putting space power at centre of British military planning and operations
The Royal Air Force has redesignated Air Command as Air & Space Command, formalising its responsibility for both operational domains across UK defence.
Boeing moves second RAF E-7A Wedgetail to Boscombe Down for next phase of military acceptance under Britain’s three-aircraft programme
Boeing has shown the second E-7A Wedgetail intended for the Royal Air Force in its final paint scheme after the aircraft arrived at Boscombe Down.
Britain plans to bring F-35A Lightning II fighters into RAF service in the early 2030s for NATO’s aircraft-based nuclear mission
Britain expects its first F-35A fighters to enter service in the early 2030s, bringing the Royal Air Force into NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft mission and expanding the strategic role of the country’s Lightning Force.
UK Ministry of Defence says armed forces hold 285 Challenger 2 tanks, 47 F-35Bs, nine submarines and 14 Archer howitzers
Britain’s armed forces held 285 Challenger 2 tanks, 47 F-35B fighters and 73 naval vessels in the latest government inventory.
Britain plans at least 12 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters for NATO’s nuclear mission, with RAF pilots able to carry U.S. weapons
Britain will return the Royal Air Force to a nuclear role with the purchase of at least 12 F-35A aircraft for NATO’s nuclear mission.
RAF deploys Rivet Joint to Norway for Arctic Stone, deepening F-35A integration and NATO intelligence coverage in the High North
The Royal Air Force has deployed a Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft to Ørland, Norway, for Exercise Arctic Stone with the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
QinetiQ supports U.S. and RAF fighter weapons evaluation at Combat Archer 2026 across two UK defence ranges for first time
QinetiQ supported U.S. Air Force and RAF fighter aircraft during Combat Archer 2026, an air-to-air weapons system evaluation conducted at two UK defence ranges.
French A330 MRTT refuels U.S. and U.K. RC-135s, opening access to more than 30 allied tankers for NATO and global ISR missions
A French A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Phénix refueled U.S. and British RC-135 aircraft over central France, marking the first such integration among the three nations within the RC-135 enterprise.
UK launches RAF advanced jet trainer procurement, with Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk positioned for competition ahead of 2030 Hawk exit
The UK Ministry of Defence has opened the procurement process for a new Royal Air Force advanced jet trainer, launching a technical dialogue with potential suppliers on 7 August.