Royal Air Force – The Defense Post

Apr- 2026 -

9 April

Air

Troops walking in front of a light aircraft

Babcock Secures Four-Year Extension for British Light Aircraft Training Support

Babcock International Group has signed a contract extension to continue supporting the Royal Air Force’s Light Aircraft Flying Task program.

9 April

Air

Christine Casimiro

RAF Typhoon Test-Fires Low-Cost Counter-Drone Rockets

The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft successfully fired a counter-drone rocket at BAE Systems’ flight test development center in Warton, Lancashire.

2 April

Air

Some 270 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade jumped from three RAF A400M transport aircraft.

Giulia Bernacchi

UK Conducts Largest Military Parachute Drop in Over a Decade

The British Army and Royal Air Force have carried out the largest military parachute operation on the country in more than a decade.

Mar- 2026 -

5 March

Europe

Christine Casimiro

Royal Air Force Officially Names E-7 Hub at RAF Lossiemouth

The Royal Air Force has officially named its new E-7 Wedgetail building at RAF Lossiemouth as the Aden Wing, supporting the airborne early warning and control aircraft.

Feb- 2026 -

16 February

Air

Giulia Bernacchi

Indian Air Force Trainers to Instruct UK Fast-Jet Pilots in New Agreement

The UK and India have agreed to expand military training ties following the 19th UK–India Air Staff Talks held in New Delhi.

Jan- 2026 -

21 January

Air

Christine Casimiro

QinetiQ Lands $275M Contract Extension to Support RAF Typhoons

QinetiQ has been awarded a five-year contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence to continue providing mission-critical support for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets.

Dec- 2025 -

23 December

Air

Christine Casimiro

First Jupiter HC2 Enters Service With UK’s Joint Aviation Command

The UK’s Joint Aviation Command (JAC) has welcomed its first of six Jupiter HC2 helicopters — based on the Airbus H145 — into service, moving closer to supporting British forces overseas.

Oct- 2025 -

23 October

Air

Pictured are Hercules C-130J from 47 Sqn, on a final flypast over the UK before its forthcoming retirement. Three RAF Hercules C130 aircraft have conducted a tour of the UK as a farewell tour ahead of their withdrawal from service at the end of June. The trio departed RAF Brize Norton at 10am, performing a set of flypasts across all four countries in the UK before returning to Brize Norton in the early evening. The first Hercules arrived at Marshalls of Cambridge in December 1966 Hercules. Since entering RAF service, originally with 242 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Thorney Island, it has operated across the globe in support of UK military and humanitarian relief operations. The transition to the 22-strong Atlas (A400) fleet and other air mobility aircraft has been ongoing for some time. 47 Squadron and the Hercules will continue to deliver on operations supporting UK defence objectives until 30 Jun 23.

Rojoef Manuel

Marshall Aerospace to Overhaul 12 Ex-British C-130Js for Turkish Air Force

Turkey has signed a multi-year contract with Marshall Aerospace to maintain and upgrade 12 former Royal Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft acquired from the UK.

14 October

Air