Farnborough Airshow to focus on drones, fighter jets and European defence autonomy

20 July 2026: The Farnborough Airshow opens Monday in England with the future European fighter jet, drone development and European autonomy in defence expected to be central issues.

The event is held every two years and alternates with Le Bourget near Paris. This year's show could also mark a return to prominence for Boeing as the company seeks to move past a deep crisis in recent years.

Pascal Fabre of the international consultancy AlixPartners told AFP that the war in Ukraine and Donald Trump's rise to power had accelerated European discussion of sovereignty and rearmament. Gareth Rogers, the event's managing director, said the defence sector usually accounts for 40 percent of exhibitions, but this year is expected to account for nearly as much as the civil sector.

Ukraine will have a large presence at the exhibition after recent deep strikes against Russian refineries and military installations. Extra space has been set aside for Ukrainian exhibitors. Fabre said Ukrainian drone-war solutions would be of interest to many industrial players and that Ukrainian exhibitors would be courted at Farnborough.

Attention is also expected to turn to GCAP, the fighter programme developed by Britain, Italy and Japan, after the abandonment of SCAF, the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft programme. The GCAP programme gained momentum this month after the three countries allocated 4.6 billion pounds, or $6.2 billion, to continue its development. They aim to have it in service by 2035.

Justin Bronk of the British think tank RUSI said the parties would want to show progress and stress unity after the United Kingdom committed to large-scale funding.

Boeing will present its MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an autonomous combat drone described as a possible partner for the fighter being developed under GCAP. The aircraft reflects the growing role of drones in modern conflicts, including in Ukraine. Rheinmetall has partnered with Boeing to integrate the MQ-28 into German Air Force capabilities. The aircraft, developed with the Royal Australian Air Force, is expected to be available to Germany by 2029.

The source said such partnerships are renewing debate about Europe's defence sovereignty. In commercial aviation, Boeing is also expected to face close attention over certification schedules for three new aircraft that are several years behind schedule, after several incidents involving its planes damaged the company's reputation.