PARIS- The Paris Air Show organisers announced that this year’s edition will dedicate 45% of its exhibition space to defence and security themes, marking a significant increase from the 2023 show.
Emmanuel Viellard, the show’s general commissioner, revealed this development during a press briefing held by the French Aerospace Industries Association (Gifas), which manages the event.
Photo- US Air Forces in EuropeParis Air Show Defence Focus
The increased defence focus reflects the deteriorating global security landscape that has emerged since the previous show. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year as the aerospace industry gathers at Le Bourget Airport (LBG) northeast of Paris.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for higher defence budgets across member nations to address mounting threats from Russia and an expanding China.
European NATO members have responded by planning increased spending on drones, air and missile defence systems, and enhanced air power capabilities.
The alliance faces additional pressure following Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities in the early morning hours of June 13, which have heightened tensions among diplomats and military officials worldwide.
Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus and president of Gifas, explained the shift during the briefing: “We are in a much more conflict-ridden environment, with increased attention on security issues, and therefore greater activity in the defence sector compared to what we saw in 2023.”
Just a few hours left before the Show opens its doors.
The world will soon turn its eyes to the skies over Paris
See you tomorrow!#PAS25 #TMinusOne #ParisAirShow pic.twitter.com/i35U1h75jG
— Paris Air Show (@salondubourget) June 15, 2025
Oldest Air Show
The week-long show begins Monday at Le Bourget Airport (LBG), continuing the tradition of the world’s oldest air show that first took place in central Paris in 1909 as the Salon de la Locomotion Aérienne.
The biennial event, commonly known as the Salon de Bourget among the French, represents the largest gathering of its kind by exhibitor count.
This year’s edition attracts 2,400 exhibitors from around the globe, including approximately 1,110 from France, 450 from the United States, 120 from Italy, and around 100 each from the United Kingdom and Germany.
The show hosts 83 of the world’s top 100 aerospace companies, significantly more than the 57 that attend the UK’s Farnborough Air Show, according to show CEO Guillaume Bourdeloux.
Paris Air Show Display 2023; Photo: SIAE Salon du BourgetMilitary Participation
Around 200 military delegations will participate in the event, building on the success of the 2023 edition that drew nearly 293,000 visitors, including 127,000 industry professionals.
Military representatives and national delegations expect to meet with all major defence sector players to discuss security issues and prospects for increased European defence spending.
NATO has identified air defence as a critical priority, with Secretary General Rutte stating earlier this week that alliance members must boost their air and missile defences fivefold to counter Russian threats. The show will feature prominent defence contractors presenting their latest systems.
F-35 Lightning II; Photo- WikipediaDefence Systems on Display
Raytheon will brief visitors on the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, while Diehl Defence will present its IRIS-T system.
Other major air-defence suppliers participating include pan-European missile maker MBDA and Norway’s Kongsberg.
Visitors will observe 150 aircraft throughout the exhibition, with flying demonstrations featuring the Dassault Aviation Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Lockheed Martin’s F-35, among other aircraft.
The French Air and Space Force will display an Airbus A400M military transport and operate a temporary air base equipped with air and drone defences to secure the airspace over Le Bourget.
Photo- Dassault AviationFrench Armed Forces Exhibit
The French armed forces exhibit will showcase two Rafale fighter jet variants, including the carrier version, an Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal tactical transport helicopter, and a SAMP/T air defence system equipped with MBDA’s Aster missile.
These displays underscore the industry’s pivot toward addressing contemporary security challenges through advanced defence technologies.
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