Farnborough 2026: industrial capability shapes the future of aerospace and defence
An industry looking beyond aircraft orders
The global aerospace and defence industry has once again turned its attention to the United Kingdom for the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, one of the world’s leading events for manufacturers, operators, government organisations and technology companies.
While the airshow has traditionally been recognised for major commercial aircraft orders, this year’s edition is highlighting a different reality: the focus is no longer solely on how many aircraft are sold, but on who has the industrial capability required to manufacture, maintain and sustain them over the long term.
Growing demand for new aircraft, increasing defence budgets and the complexity of global supply chains have placed industrial and technological capabilities at the centre of the conversation. In this new environment, competitiveness will increasingly depend on factors such as:
- sufficient production capacity;
- availability of specialised suppliers;
- supply chain resilience;
- the integration of emerging technologies.
Industrial capability and supply chain resilience become strategic priorities
Major manufacturers continue to build record order backlogs. However, the challenge is no longer limited to securing contracts; it is now about having the industrial resources necessary to meet delivery schedules, maintain quality standards and ensure the continuity of increasingly demanding programmes.
In this context, Farnborough 2026 is highlighting the importance of strengthening aerospace supply chains, expanding advanced manufacturing capabilities and consolidating industrial ecosystems capable of responding to growing demand across both commercial aviation and defence.
The competitiveness of the sector will increasingly depend on the ability to integrate engineering, manufacturing, digitalisation, maintenance and specialised services within a single industrial strategy.
Defence: more prominent than ever
Another key conclusion from this year’s edition is the growing prominence of the defence sector. Approximately half of the exhibitors attending Farnborough are involved in defence-related activities, a figure that reflects the transformation currently taking place across the international market.
Rising defence investment across Europe and other regions is driving programmes linked to air defence, autonomous systems, space capabilities, artificial intelligence for mission-critical operations, and solutions designed to detect and counter emerging threats.
Recent conflicts have highlighted the need for advanced technological capabilities, resilient supply chains and an industrial base prepared to respond rapidly to new security challenges.
As a result, the industry’s focus is no longer limited to developing platforms. Increasing attention is being directed towards technologies that enhance situational awareness, interoperability, critical infrastructure protection and operational superiority in increasingly complex environments.
What does this trend mean for ITE?
The main conclusions emerging from Farnborough 2026 align closely with several of the strategic areas in which Integración Tecnológica Empresarial operates.
The growing importance of industrial capability reinforces the role of companies able to provide engineering, advanced manufacturing, maintenance and specialised technological solutions for the aerospace and defence sectors. Today, supply chain resilience and the ability to deliver complex projects are becoming just as important as the final product itself.
At the same time, the growing prominence of technologies that are shaping the future of the sector aligns closely with several of ITE’s areas of activity, including:
- autonomous systems;
- drone-based solutions;
- counter-UAS capabilities;
- artificial intelligence;
- industrial digitalisation;
- critical infrastructure protection through cybersecurity for IT and OT environments.
Together, these areas reflect a broader technological evolution that is creating new growth opportunities for specialised companies capable of integrating engineering, innovation and industrial capability.
The transformation reflected at Farnborough is not simply a market trend. It is a clear indication of where the global industry is heading: greater industrial capability, greater technological innovation and deeper integration between the aerospace, space and defence sectors.
A shared vision for the future of aerospace and defence
Farnborough International Airshow 2026 confirms that industrial strength has returned to the forefront of the international agenda. In an environment where technology, security and production capability are increasingly interconnected, the development of a strong and competitive industrial base is becoming a strategic factor for economic growth and technological sovereignty.
At ITE, we continue to closely follow the trends shaping the future of aerospace and defence, convinced that innovation, engineering excellence and industrial capability will remain key pillars in addressing the challenges of the coming decade.
