Defence, drones, deals: What to expect from Farnborough airshow

Global aviation's biggest players gather next week at Britain's Farnborough airshow, with defence in focus as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East reshape security priorities and spending.
Here are the key themes shaping the July 20-24 event.
'Largest in years'
Held every two years, Farnborough is one of the industry's biggest gatherings, with companies showcasing their latest defence hardware and aircraft.
More than 100,000 visitors and 1,600 exhibitors are expected over four days at the airport, southwest of London, usually used by private jets.
'This Farnborough is the largest in years,' with a sixth exhibition hall opening up to accomodate more visitors, Farnborough chief executive Gareth Rogers told a press conference.
While Farnborough typically sees some of aviation's biggest deals, this year's show reflects a changing geopolitical backdrop.
Defence has usually accounted for around 40 per cent of the airshow, but this year there is 'more of a 50-50 balance between defence and commercial', Rogers said.
Defence push
With Europe's growing security concerns and US President Donald Trump regarded as an unpredictable ally, military spending has ramped up.
'This year's Farnborough Airshow is being shaped by steadily increasing European defence spending,' Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at RUSI, told AFP.
He noted 'a marked increase in focus on developing capabilities for the early 2030s onwards that reduce industrial and capability reliance on the United States'.
Ukraine is set to have a sizeable presence at the airshow, with Rogers saying extra space was opened up for its delegation and exhibitors.
Global Combat Air Programme
One of the biggest defence attractions will be the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), launched by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter.
The project, due to enter service in 2035, arrives on a firmer footing after the three nations this month secured a £4.6-billion ($6.2-billion) contract to advance its design.
All parties will be 'keen to show off the progress made thus far and to emphasise unity now that the UK has finally committed to large scale funding', Bronk added.
Britain has pledged £8.6 billion to GCAP over the next four years in its long-awaited 10-year Defence Investment Plan unveiled at the end of June.
A joint venture between Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd is developing the aircraft.
The programme is under close watch following the collapse of France and Germany's joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet project.
Boeing Ghost Bat drone
US aerospace giant Boeing will prominently feature its MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an autonomous drone designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft or independently for surveillance and reconnaissance.
The aircraft reflects the growing role of drones in modern warfare, with unmanned systems dominating the frontline in Ukraine.
German defence giant Rheinmetall has struck a deal with Boeing to integrate the MQ-28 into Germany's military fleet and weapons system.
The MQ-28, developed with the Royal Australian Air Force, is expected to be available to Germany by 2029.
Commercial battle
The airshow remains a key commercial battleground for European planemaker Airbus and Boeing, competing to announce new orders and reveal customers behind previously booked deals.
Boeing plans a splashy display as it looks to move past a rocky period defined by safety crises, criminal probes and leadership shakeups.
'The show remains an important catalyst for deals to progress,' Richard Evans, senior consultant at Cirium Ascend Consultancy, told AFP.
However, 'with the big civil manufacturers sitting on record order books, sales of commercial airliners are unlikely to match that of previous bumper shows', said Tim Robinson from the Royal Aeronautical Society's aerospace magazine.
Attention will also turn to supply chain issues affecting everything from engines and spare parts to seats for Boeing and Airbus. — AFP