The F-35's high-tech coating is reportedly wearing off quicker than expected, making it visible on enemy radar. RAF officials are aware of the situation according to British media reports.

In other Joint Strike Fighter news the F-35 Joint Program Office started the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation phase in early December, 16 months behind the original schedule, and Australia has received its first delivery of two F-35s.

Meanwhile Japan is reportedly considering the purchase of an additional 100 F-35s, including a version that could be operated from its Izumo-class destroyers.

The Austrian government is split over the decision whether to scrap its Eurofighter jets. The country currently operates decades-old Saab aircraft alongside its Eurofighters. The two preferred options - keeping the Eurofighter or buying Saab Gripen jets - would cost about the same at around €2bn, Austrian newspaper Die Presse reported.

The German army is growing for the first time since the end of the Cold War with the creation of a sixth tank battalion. The formation of the 363rd Tank Battalion will begin in October next year and be made up of four companies and 500 soldiers eventually. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said it will help Germany address rising security concerns and meet its NATO commitments.

Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider bomber has passed a critical design review for the US Air Force. The project's engineering and manufacturing development phase began nearly three years ago and it is expected to begin delivering initial capability in the mid-2020s.

The US Navy and Missile Defense Agency have successfully shot down an intermediate range ballistic missile target in space from the Hawaii-based AEGIS Ashore facility. The test marked the second consecutive successful intercept for the SM-3 Block IIA missile in development.