- Wars are shifting the focus from passenger jets to weapons at the Farnborough Airshow, as defence becomes a priority amid rising security risks.
- Defence will represent half of the record 1,600 exhibitors at the show, a significant increase from the historical 40%.
- Tempest, the UK's future fighter program, is expected to be a highlight, with the Royal Air Force anticipating its seventh iteration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2028.
- Weapons manufacturers are experiencing the largest rise in demand since the Cold War, driven by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
- Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth noted that the global security environment is more complex and volatile than in many decades, highlighting the urgency for faster developments in defence.
Farnborough Airshow, set for July 20-24, is poised to spotlight defense amid escalating global security threats, particularly from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
With half of the 1,600 exhibitors focusing on defense, the event marks a significant shift from its traditional emphasis on civil aviation.2
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth noted, "The global security environment is arguably more complex and volatile today than we have seen in many, many decades," highlighting the urgency for advanced weaponry and technologies.6
The airshow will showcase innovations like the Storm Fighter, a future fighter jet developed in collaboration with Japan and Italy, alongside new drones and missiles.
As Jerrold Lundquist from The Lundquist Group stated, winning orders is no longer the primary focus due to production capacity constraints.
The event is expected to feature a range of new technologies, including the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone and various missile systems, reflecting a growing interest in AI and deep-tech solutions for modern warfare.
The Farnborough Airshow thus emerges as a critical platform for defense manufacturers to address the pressing demands of a rapidly evolving security landscape.
“Defence exhibitors will make up half of the record 1,600 companies at the show, up from 40% historically, as arms makers struggle with production capacity constraints. Meanwhile, the RAF's future Tempest fighter, set to fly by 2028, is accompanied by new drone and missile projects named Storm Chrome and Storm Fire.”
Aviation Week
