Europe News

DefenseNews.com • Katie Livingstone

Ukrainian F-16 scores first confirmed air-to-air kill, downing a Russian fighter jet

Ukraine’s F-16 has downed a Russian fighter jet for the first time, with the kill confirmed by the top U.S. general. The engagement is described as another sign of Kyiv’s improving air power, executed by one of the oldest fighter platforms in the air combat inventory.

1 Source

2026-07-23T13:20:33.717202-07:00

AINonline

Joby and Virgin Atlantic lock in UK eVTOL air-taxi rollout, while Vertical Aerospace, Skyfly and Moya accelerate AM commercializ

36 Sources

2026-07-23T01:21:40.171111-07:00

Space Intel Report

Franco-German ministers endorse Iris2 as Europe’s “digital backbone,” seek reserved 2-GHz spectrum

1 Source

2026-07-23T09:05:45.643484-07:00

AeroTime

Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal

1 Source

2026-07-23T07:37:17.748677-07:00

Europe News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

1 source

Ukrainian F-16 scores first confirmed air-to-air kill, downing a Russian fighter jet Ukraine’s F-16 has downed a Russian fighter jet for the first time, with the kill confirmed by the top U.S. general. The engagement is described as another sign of Kyiv’s improving air power, executed by one of the oldest fighter platforms in the air combat inventory.

2026-07-23T13:20:33.717202-07:00

Ukrainian F-16 scores first confirmed air-to-air kill, downing a Russian fighter jet

Space Intel Report

1 source

Franco-German ministers endorse Iris2 as Europe’s “digital backbone,” seek reserved 2-GHz spectrum At the July 17 Franco-German Council of Ministers in Brussels, Germany and France praised the Iris2 multi-orbit secure connectivity initiative and backed its strategic role as a European digital backbone. The governments also want a 2-GHz spectrum allocation reserved for Iris2, despite Germany’s prior skepticism.

2026-07-23T09:05:45.643484-07:00

Franco-German ministers endorse Iris2 as Europe’s “digital backbone,” seek reserved 2-GHz spectrum

AeroTime

1 source

Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator Avincis has signed a new lease to add additional Super Scoopers for wildfire firefighting in Portugal. The move is intended to boost aerial waterbombing capacity during peak wildfire season and strengthen Avincis’ regional response capability.

2026-07-23T07:37:17.748677-07:00

Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal

FlightGlobal

1 source

Aeralis’ rescue bid falls through as French investment deal fails to close after Barzan funding withdrawn UK modular aircraft developer Aeralis ceased trading on 15 May after the required private-sector contribution failed to materialize. Newly published administrator documents say Aeralis had been close to a last-minute rescue via significant French investment, but could not finalize the deal in time after Barzan pulled funding.

2026-07-23T06:36:54.488455-07:00

Aeralis’ rescue bid falls through as French investment deal fails to close after Barzan funding withdrawn

Reuters

2 sources

Czech military Venom helicopter crash kills 1, injures 3 at an air force base A Czech army helicopter identified as a “Venom” crashed at an air force base in the eastern Czech Republic, according to the military. Five soldiers were on board; one died and three others were injured, per the army’s statement on X.

2026-07-23T05:19:48.450436-07:00

Czech military Venom helicopter crash kills 1, injures 3 at an air force base

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Airbus space turnaround positions company to capture rising European demand for satellite systems Airbus executives say the company’s space business turnaround arrived just in time to capitalize on growing demand for satellite systems, with Europe emerging as a key driver. The statement links improved execution to near-term market opportunity in the satellite segment.

2026-07-23T05:02:44.070623-07:00

Airbus space turnaround positions company to capture rising European demand for satellite systems

ch-aviation

None source

Ryanair to grow in Spain if airport operator retreats

2026-07-23T03:55:48.338321-07:00

Ryanair to grow in Spain if ai

ch-aviation

4 sources

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Qatar Airways Cargo adds Doha–Katowice 777F route as freighter operators expand converted fleets in Europe and Central Asia Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a twice-weekly seasonal freighter service between Doha and Katowice, Poland using Boeing 777Fs, expanding Central Europe’s access to its global network. Separately, Alaska Airlines is adding four 737-800BCF aircraft and SCAT Airlines has agreed with Boeing to add its first 767-300ER(BCF).

2026-07-23T03:16:03.848158-07:00

Qatar Airways Cargo adds Doha–Katowice 777F route as freighter operators expand converted fleets in Europe and Central Asia