Author: Alistair Zammit Farrugia

Four RAF Typhoons (ZK426, ZK340, ZK364 & ZK308) sporting 12 Squadron markings flew in on the 24th November 2025 for a nightstop on their way to the Middle East. They were supported by an Airbus Voyager KC.2 ‘ZZ331’.

Number 12 Squadron, also known as No. 12 (Bomber) Squadron and occasionally as No. XII Squadron, was reformed in July 2018 as a joint RAF/Qatar Emiri Air Force squadron. It is currently based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and operates the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, while temporarily integrating Qatari air and ground crews in order to provide training and support as part of the Qatari purchase of 24 Typhoons from the UK. It is interesting to note the UK and Qatari national flags beneath the Squadron’s fox emblem in the badges adorning their aircraft.

An Italian Air Force Leonardo HH-139B helicopter, bearing serial MM81990, was recently present in Malta for a series of joint training activities with the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM). The visit forms part of ongoing bilateral military cooperation between the two countries, a relationship that has seen Italian Air Force helicopters regularly operating in Maltese airspace in support of shared regional security objectives.

The Italian Air Force operates two distinct variants of the Leonardo AW139 in the search-and-rescue and utility role, designated HH-139A and HH-139B. The newer B model incorporates a higher maximum take-off weight, updated avionics and sensor systems, and a dual-hoist rescue capability. Externally, it can be identified by its slimmer sponsons, reflecting the standard AW139 design.

For more than a decade, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 Solo Display Team has been one of Europe’s most recognisable F-16 demonstrations, showcasing the agility, power, and precision of Denmark’s frontline fighter. In 2025, the team took to the skies for the last time symbolically closing a significant chapter in Danish airpower history. At the centre of this historic finale was Captain Troels “TEO” Vang, the active-duty fighter pilot chosen to lead the final season and deliver the last public F-16 displays in Danish Air Force service.

A report highlighting the operational significance of the RDAF F-16 demo team for the country of Denmark can be found on the following link.

The MED5 is an informal grouping of five EU Mediterranean frontline states — Malta, Italy, Greece, Spain and Cyprus. These five countries coordinate on migration, border-management and asylum policy to present a united front. Last weekend’s meeting solidified a shared fair but firm approach to migration. The MED5 group reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, while demanding stronger EU support, including tangible solidarity and adequate funding for frontline countries. They also emphasized strengthening border control and return systems for migrants who do not qualify for asylum, plus deeper cooperation with origin and transit countries, viewing prevention and return as essential to tackling irregular migration.

For Malta specifically, the summit offered a chance to highlight the country’s recent results. Over the past five years irregular sea arrivals have dropped by 93%, and returns of irregular migrants have risen to roughly 75–80%. Malta’s representative underlined that despite these improvements, collaboration with the other MED5 states and the EU remains crucial to manage migration fairly and effectively across all member states.

For military aviation enthusiasts, the summit brought about two rare military state aircraft, a Spanish Air Force Dassault Falcon 900 ‘T.18-3’, and the first ever visit at LMML by the Italian Air Force Gulfstream VC-650A ‘MM62343’.

Earlier this week a French Air Force CASA CN-235 visited LMML for a night stop. The CASA CN-235 is a key component of the French Air and Space Force’s transport capability. Introduced in 1991, the fleet now includes 27 aircraft in total, with 19 CN-235-200s and 8 CN-235-300s.

This compact twin-engine transport can accommodate around 40 passengers or about 5 tons of cargo, and its flexibility enables it to perform a wide range of missions, including troop movement, cargo transport from short or semi-prepared airstrips, medical evacuation, humanitarian support, and both parachute and cargo-drop operations.

Roskilde Airshow 2025 took place over the weekend of August 23–24 at Roskilde Airport, drawing just over 21,000 spectators on a sunny weekend. The event featured a broad lineup of aircraft, from Danish and foreign military jets (including the Eurofighter, SAAB Gripen and F-16s) to vintage warbirds, aerobatic teams like the Polish Orlik squadron, and civilian aircraft.

Crowd highlights included a spectacular twilight airshow on Saturday evening with pyrotechnics, lasers, LEDs, and fireworks. The RAF Red Arrows made a much-anticipated return, performing a fly-past on Saturday and a full display on Sunday. On the ground, there were exhibition stands focused on aviation education, military history, and interactive activities for families plus food, rides, and more. As a bonus, there were pleasure flights offered in seaplanes, helicopters, and airliners. The event also marked the airshow’s 30th anniversary.

A report on the airshow can be found on the following link.

Earlier this month, I attended the spotters day organised by the Hellenic Air Force during military exercise Iniochos hosted by the Hellenic Air Force in collaboration with NATO. Exercise Iniochos is a multinational military air exercise hosted annually by Greece at Andravida Air Base in western Greece. Iniochos aims to enhance interoperability, joint training, and combat readiness among allied air forces by simulating complex, real-world air operations including reconnaissance, search & rescue, air-to-air combat, air-to-ground missions, Suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare.

The Peruvian Air Force sent over 5 FAP KT-1Ps to participate at Cruzex 2024. The KT-1P is used by the Peruvian Air Force to provide basic training for its pilots and perform tactical flights in patrol and support missions in the Vraem region. It can also be deployed in missions such as counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal mining in the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro. The KT-1Ps replaced the ageing EMB-312 and MB-399 aircraft that were previosuly operated by the FAP.

The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-62 engine and fitted with a four-blade HC-E4N-2D / E9512G(B)-1 propeller. The fuel capacity of the aircraft is 110 gallons and produces a maximum speed of 450km/h and a range of 688km, reaching an altitude of 10,000m. The G limit of the aircraft is between -3.5g and +7.0g and its endurance is four hours.

In November 2012, the Peruvian Government signed a $210m agreement with Korea to acquire 20 KT-1P military trainer aircraft. The first four aircraft were exported by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), while the remaining aircraft were jointly manufactured by KAI and the FAP’s Maintenance Service Department (SEMAN) in Peru. The FAP’s SEMAN manufactured structural parts and performed final assembly for 16 aircraft, while KAI managed training, implementation and delivery of special tools and equipment at its local production base at Las Palmas Air Base in Lima. The first KT-1P produced in Peru performed its maiden flight in April 2015.

In anticipation of the next Cobra Warrior exercise, that should take place between the 24th February and last until the 14th March, here are some memories from 2023 that saw the participation of one of the rarest jets I have ever photographed; the Indian Air Force Mirage 2000s.