On 21 October, an Israeli-owned Kent arms company was refused permission to expand by Thanet district council, which rejected Instro Precision’s application to take over more of the former Manston airport. This decision, overruling officers’ advice, was partly the result of local campaigning to re-open the airport, and partly due to local anti-arms trade efforts.
Instro, which manufactures ‘electro-optic surveillance, and tactical support equipment’, is owned by Elbit Systems, the Israeli drones firm.
Earlier in the day, East Kent Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) occupied the roof of the former control tower at the airport, directly above offices rented by Instro Precision – no arrests.