KVE by Daher inaugurated a 1,800-square-meter expansion of its Ypenburg production facility in The Hague on September 10, 2026, marking the composite manufacturer’s 30th anniversary and a €2.5 million investment in automated manufacturing.

In a press release issued by the Daher Group, the company detailed that the expansion will support increasing production rates for aerospace and defense customers. The new dedicated production line focuses on KVE’s proprietary induction welding technology for thermoplastic composites, a process that eliminates the need for rivets or adhesives in aircraft structures.

Facility expansion and technological focus

The €2.5 million capital injection, allocated between 2025 and 2026, funds new equipment and the automation of manufacturing processes. The expanded footprint at the Ypenburg site, located on the historic grounds of former Dutch aircraft manufacturers Fokker, increases KVE’s capacity to produce advanced composite components.

KVE specializes in thermoplastic composites used in radomes, composite blades, aircraft wings, radar systems, and drones. The company holds approximately 20 patents, securing six new patented innovations in the past two years alone. These recent patents cover radomes, next-generation rotor blades, and advancements in thermoplastic welding processes.

Corporate growth and strategic integration

Founded in 1996 as Kok & Van Engelen Composite Structures BV, KVE was acquired by the Daher Group in 2019. Since 2020, the subsidiary has quadrupled its revenue and tripled its workforce, now employing approximately 100 people across its locations in The Hague and Maastricht. The company’s current business portfolio is weighted heavily toward the military sector, with 80 percent of operations dedicated to defense and 20 percent to commercial aerospace.

Pierre Rouch, Managing Director of KVE, stated that the anniversary marks the beginning of a new chapter for the manufacturer.

“Since joining Daher, we have significantly accelerated our development. By combining our expertise in advanced composites with the Daher Group’s industrial capabilities, aerospace experience and international presence, we have created an environment that fosters innovation and growth. These new investments will enable us to sustainably support the ramp-up of our customers’ aerospace and defense programs,” Rouch said.

AirPro News analysis

We view Daher’s continued investment in KVE as a core component of its “Take Off 2027” strategic plan, which aims to secure a technological lead in composite manufacturing. The ability to weld thermoplastic composites without traditional fasteners directly addresses the aerospace industry’s demand for reduced weight and lower production costs in primary aircraft structures. The joint demonstration of a full-scale torsion box at the JEC World 2026 composite materials technology show in March highlighted the maturity of this technology. As production rates for next-generation aircraft and defense systems increase, automated, fastener-free assembly methods will likely become a critical differentiator for Tier 1 suppliers.

Sources: Daher

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) and robotics firm Donecle have launched a joint verification project to conduct aircraft exterior inspections using fully autonomous drones. The initiative, announced in a press release on September 11, 2026, is the first in Japan to utilize drone technology explicitly approved within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals.

The project aims to replace traditional manual visual inspections, which require mechanics to work at elevated heights on scaffolding or lift equipment. By automating this process inside its hangars, JAL intends to reduce inspection times while enhancing workplace safety for its maintenance personnel.

Transitioning to automated visual inspections

Operational testing for the project began at the end of June 2026. JAL mechanics have been conducting side-by-side comparisons between conventional visual inspections and high-resolution images captured by the drones to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the technology.

The project utilizes Donecle’s Iris GVI drone. The autonomous aircraft measures 855 millimeters in length and width, stands 245 millimeters tall, and weighs 3,700 grams including its battery. The system navigates the hangar environment to scan the aircraft exterior and capture detailed visual data for inspection records.

Operational efficiency and future applications

JAL plans to reallocate the labor hours saved by the automated drone inspections toward predictive maintenance tasks. The airline operates a fleet of 234 aircraft as of March 2026, serving a network of 413 airports across 71 countries and regions. Improving maintenance efficiency is a core component of maintaining dispatch reliability across this global network.

Future phases of the joint project will target specific operational pain points. JAL and Donecle aim to use the drones for rapid unscheduled inspections following suspected lightning strikes, a process that traditionally causes significant flight delays. The companies also plan to implement regular automated monitoring of aircraft paint conditions.

Donecle’s international expansion

The partnership with JAL follows a period of growth for Donecle. In April 2026, the company secured €10 million in new capital investment. According to reporting by Aviation Week, this funding was earmarked to drive international expansion and further develop the company’s artificial intelligence technology for defect detection.

AirPro News analysis

We view the explicit approval of drone technology within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals as the most critical element of this announcement. Historically, regulatory bodies like Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have required direct human visual confirmation for scheduled exterior inspections. By validating the Iris GVI against conventional methods, JAL is building the necessary safety case to transition Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations away from scaffolding and toward automated, AI-assisted data collection. The ability to rapidly clear an aircraft after a lightning strike using a drone could save airlines millions in delay-related costs annually.

Sources: Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

CFM International and Vietjet signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on September 10, 2026, to evaluate the feasibility of establishing domestic MRO capabilities for CFM LEAP engines in Vietnam.

The agreement was formalized in Paris during an official visit by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam. According to a press release from CFM International, the engine Manufacturers will propose a consulting framework to advise the Airlines on the technical, infrastructure, and workforce requirements necessary to support a local MRO facility.

Developing local aerospace expertise

The initiative aligns with the Vietnamese government’s broader strategy to cultivate high-value aerospace services and integrate the country more deeply into the global aviation supply chain.

CFM International President and CEO Gaël Meheust stated that the company intends to leverage its global experience to provide a comprehensive evaluation supporting this vision.

“Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic aviation markets in the world, and we are pleased to further strengthen our relationship with Vietjet by evaluating engine maintenance capabilities in the country,” Meheust said.

Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thanh Son emphasized that a robust aviation sector requires deep technical expertise alongside a modern fleet. Aviation Week reported that Son views the collaboration with CFM as a foundational step in building a complete aviation ecosystem within Vietnam.

“Our work with CFM is an important part of VietJet’s ambition to build a more complete aviation ecosystem in Vietnam,” Son said.

He added that the initiative is expected to establish maintenance capabilities for next-generation engines, cultivate local engineering talent, and allow the country to assume a larger role in the global aviation value chain.

Supporting rapid fleet expansion

The push for domestic MRO capabilities follows Vietjet’s aggressive fleet growth strategy. The airline currently holds Orders for 200 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, all of which will be powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.

Securing reliable maintenance channels is critical for the carrier’s long-term operational stability. Vietjet operates a diversified next-generation fleet. While the Boeing 737-8 order relies on CFM International, the airline’s Airbus A320neo family aircraft are equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines.

AirPro News analysis

We view Vietjet’s move to explore domestic MRO capabilities as a strategic hedge against ongoing global supply chain and maintenance bottlenecks. The global MRO network for next-generation engines remains heavily constrained by parts shortages and extended turnaround times. By developing local infrastructure, Vietjet could eventually secure greater control over its maintenance schedules and reduce out-of-service times for its growing Boeing 737-8 fleet.

This LOI also signals Vietnam’s ambition to transition from a rapidly growing consumer of commercial aviation products to a participant in the aerospace aftermarket. Establishing a certified LEAP engine MRO facility would require significant capital investment and regulatory approvals, but it would position Vietnam as a regional maintenance hub in Southeast Asia.

Sources: CFM International