Why it matters
Dubai Airshow is the premier aerospace and defence procurement platform for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions, where multi-billion-dollar fleet orders, defence contracts, and technology partnerships are routinely signed in a single week. For defence SMEs and startups, the dedicated Vista hub, 120-startup ecosystem, and 50 on-site investors create direct access to Gulf sovereign buyers and prime contractors that are otherwise difficult to reach. The show's biennial cadence and record $202 billion in deals at the 2025 edition make it an unmissable event for any supplier targeting the rapidly growing UAE and regional defence market.
About
Dubai Airshow is a biennial international aerospace trade exhibition and air display held every November in odd years at Dubai World Central. The five-day event brings together civil aviation, defence, and space sectors, combining a large indoor exhibition with static and flying aircraft displays, multi-track conferences, and high-value procurement negotiations. It is one of the world's largest aerospace events by attendance, exhibitor count, and deal value, rivalling Farnborough and Paris Air Show. The show is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is supported by the UAE Ministry of Defence, Dubai Airports, and the UAE Space Agency.
Market intel
High pricinghigh confidence
The 2025 edition was the largest in the show's history, generating a record USD 202 billion in deals — double the 2023 figure — anchored by Emirates' $41.4 billion widebody order and flydubai's $13 billion Boeing 737 MAX commitment. UAE defence group EDGE launched 42 new products and signed 21 international agreements, while the UAE's Tawazun Council disclosed AED 18 billion in defence contracts. The 2027 edition is confirmed for 15–19 November at DWC.
Notable exhibitorsBoeingAirbusEDGE Group (UAE)RTX (Raytheon Technologies)Lockheed MartinLeonardoGulfstreamCOMAC
AI-researched Wed, 2 September 2026. Estimates from public sources. Verify with the organizer.
Topics
AirSpaceUAS / DronesAutonomy & RoboticsISR & Sensors
Who it's for
PrimesSMEsStartupsInvestorsInstitutions