The War Zone
• Howard Altman
The U.S. Air Force said suspected drones over RAF Lakenheath prompted a security response. The incident follows the evacuation of some USAF aircraft from England and heightened threat levels at bases, underscoring ongoing security concerns at installations hosting U.S. forces.
Europe
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The U.S. Air Force said suspected drones over RAF Lakenheath prompted a security response. The incident follows the evacuation of some USAF aircraft from England and heightened threat levels at bases, underscoring ongoing security concerns at installations hosting U.S. forces.
Ryanair inaugurated a 4,900-square-metre line-maintenance hangar at Porto on Nov. 10, 2026, expanding its existing airport facility from one aircraft bay to three. The added capacity increases the airline’s on-site maintenance footprint in Portugal.
Italy’s newly released spending documents show higher funding for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter this year, alongside cuts to planned spending on new Army tanks and fighting vehicles. The shift signals a change in the near-term balance of Italy’s defense procurement priorities.
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The Spanish airline has told a court it has begun creditor negotiations and secured three months, extendable by another three, to agree a restructuring plan. The plan would reduce its fleet and destinations and eliminate jobs; a collective redundancy process covers its 679 employees. Plus Ultra owes state holding SEPI €53 million.
Icelandair pilots are set to begin an indefinite strike on Nov. 20, the airline says, disrupting its international charter operations. The action is the latest bout of industrial unrest at the carrier; the available reports do not specify how many flights or passengers could be affected.
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Ukrainian-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied countries. In France, Tekever has begun local AR3 and AR5 production at a new Cahors factory under a seven-year procurement agreement, while U.S. maker Powerus says signed orders have reached $130 million.
European aerospace companies are committing more funding to test collaborative uncrewed combat aircraft, but political and military decision-makers have yet to match that momentum. UK-based Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, which has pivoted toward its Stingray ST-5 UAV family, disclosed fresh losses in its latest accounts without updating the program’s progress.
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