Focus shifts from jets to weapons at Farnborough Airshow

Focus at the Farnborough Airshow is shifting from commercial jets toward defence and weapons amid escalating security risks and persistent demand for armaments. With the Ukraine war in its fifth year and a ceasefire fraying in the Gulf, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth told the International Air Chiefs Conference that threats are evolving rapidly. Organisers expect defence to account for about half of the show’s record 1,600 exhibitors, rising from 40% historically, with increased presence of AI, deep-tech and finance firms. The biennial event running July 20–24 is also expected to see less attention on Boeing–Airbus commercial order news because delivery slots are largely sold out into the next decade. Industry sources said total deals may struggle to exceed 300 aircraft, below pre-show forecasts of up to 800.