Eurosatory 2026

When Airbus embarked on the A400M program, one of its selling points was that it could serve as a strategic transport and a tactical aircraft.

Join Aviation Week's defense experts for coverage from Eurosatory, Europe's premier defense exhibition. This episode explores Shield AI's X-Bat pitch—which the company sees as more than a CCA—and developments with airlifters in Europe and the U.S.

Thales has begun flight trials of its SwarmMaster system that aims to allow UAS to collectively work together under the control of a single operator.

Cruise missiles, hypersonics and one-way effectors are all in the mix as Europe races to close a critical strike gap.

Six European countries that have embarked on a joint effort to meet critical deep strike capability gaps have formalized their plans.

MBDA and its partner Fly-R have agreed to develop the Diamond loitering attack munition in the United Arab Emirates.

Rheinmetall and Destinus plan to accelerate the fielding of the 2,000-km-class (1,080 nm.) Ruta Block 3 cruise missile as part of the brewing partnership.

Toulouse-based Aura Aero is close to launching a new CCA project, aiming to reach first flight with a demonstrator in 2028, CEO Jérémy Caussade says.

Ukraine still needs a MALE uncrewed aircraft system to loiter in domestic airspace and shoot down incoming Russian attack drones and glide bombs, a co-owner of Ukrainian attack drone and missile-maker Fire Point says.

Join Aviation Week's defense experts for Day 2 coverage from Eurosatory. This episode dives into the latest developments in long-range strike capabilities and directed energy weapons reshaping modern warfare.

Israeli drone-maker Aeronautics Group says it has demonstrated single-operator control of multiple uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs).

The partnership of Renault Group and Thales to boost manufacturing capacity of loitering munitions is the latest example of companies investing in domestic capacity to ensure a sovereign drone-making industry.

The French government has become the launch customer for an Airbus effort to start evolving the A400M airlifter beyond its baseline capabilities.

One of the key weapons in Ukraine’s deep strike campaign against Russia may be regaining some of its effectiveness after a long and steep decline.

Safran and Edge Group signed said they have agreed around a joint venture to work on the French manufacturer’s Hammer precision weapon.

The French government has named a team of MBDA and Safran as the preferred bidder to develop a 150-km-range rocket artillery system.

The team of ArianeGroup, Soframe and Thales developing the X-Fire rocket system says they plan to offer conventional ballistic missile strike capability to engage targets at up to 2,500 km.

Australian counter-drone specialist Electro Optic Systems is nearing a contract to launch the highest-power version yet of its Apollo high-energy laser system.

Aviation Week reports from Eurosatory 2026 with comprehensive coverage of Day 1's most significant defense industry developments.

Elbit Systems’ plan to equip the Israeli Air Force and potentially others with airborne high-power lasers is starting to take shape.

Hensoldt says it is offering a mobile jammer for satellite-based navigation signals with an eye on critical infrastructure protection.

Shield AI’s proposed X-Bat already stands out as an autonomous, jet-powered, vertical-takeoff-and-landing, long-range strike aircraft, but company President Ryan Tseng adds another distinction.

The French government has signed an eight-year contract with Eutelsat to assure for Eutelsat OneWeb services to bridge to the European IRIS2 secure satellite. communications systems and add capacity.

The war in Iran that has drawn in the wider Gulf region has also become somewhat of a testing ground for Edge Group.

A small French aviation startup unveiled a partnership with Taiwan’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer on the opening day of the Eurosatory trade show June 15.