Georgia Ward
Head of PR
The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) remains one of the world’s most influential gatherings for the aerospace, aviation and defence industries, but its defence focus is increasingly central.
FIA has evolved far beyond a flying display into a strategic forum where governments, military leaders, contractors, SMEs and innovators meet to shape capability priorities, strengthen alliances and accelerate delivery across the global supply chain.
As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape defence spending and procurement, the Airshow provides a rare environment for direct engagement on interoperability, sovereign resilience, export collaboration and industrial partnerships, reinforcing the UK’s position as a trusted partner and a leader in defence and aerospace innovation.
A focal point of the programme is the Aerospace Global Forum: Defence Summit, convening leaders from defence, government and adjacent industries to address the agility and partnerships required for modern operations, alongside the economic security considerations that underpin them.
New for this year, the Defence SME Zone will spotlight high-potential organisations specialising in defence and security technologies and help them connect directly with primes, investors, media and delegations. Designed exclusively for businesses with a turnover under £10million and sponsored by FTSE 100 Babcock International, the zone is intended to accelerate the visibility and growth of next-generation suppliers.
FIA’s role as a global defence marketplace is underlined by the presence the National Armaments Director Group (part of the UK Ministry of Defence) in the UK Government Hub. The group develops, delivers and sustains the UK’s national arsenal and defence infrastructure, and the participation signals the importance of collaboration across government, industry and international partners to strengthen national security and unlock investment and export opportunities.
spotlight high-potential organisations specialising in defence and security technologies and help them connect directly with primes, investors, media and delegations
Rupert Pearce, the UK’s National Armaments Director and a member of the Defence Board, said: “In today’s environment, the UK can only deliver the pace, resilience and efficiency we need by building stronger partnerships between government, industry and our allies. This underscores the significant strategic contribution the Farnborough International Airshow makes, as a platform that brings together the UK defence base, towards ensuring the nation remains secure and resilient at home and abroad.”
Farnborough International Airshow | Farnborough International Airshow
