The Dubai Airshow 2025, taking place from 17 to 21 November at Dubai World Central, is expected to be one of the most strategically significant aerospace and defence gatherings of the year.
Organisers say more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 200 aircraft will participate, continuing the event’s trajectory as a platform for military procurement, technological development and intergovernmental engagement.
The show’s dedicated defence zone will present a wide span of military capability including fast jets, unmanned aircraft, integrated air-defence systems and advanced command-and-control technologies.
The organisers expect over 493 official delegations, including chiefs of air forces, senior MoD representatives and procurement authorities. Creates a concentrated environment for contract negotiation and partnership building for defence manufacturers.
Flying and static displays will again serve as a focal point. While commercial aviation remains a pillar of the event, the military aircraft presence is traditionally one of the strongest in the region. The organisers state that the show’s layout has been expanded by approximately 8,000 m² to accommodate new participants and increased display requirements, demonstrating heightened demand from both established primes and emerging suppliers.
A comprehensive conference programme will run alongside the exhibition. Twelve themed tracks will cover cyber security, advanced air mobility, space and workforce development. These subjects all aligning with the evolving requirements of defence forces grappling with digitalisation, and autonomous systems.
With geopolitical tensions, accelerated defence modernisation programmes and wider industrial digitisation all influencing procurement cycles, the 2025 event is positioned to attract renewed attention from governments and industry decision-makers.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: “The Dubai Airshow 2025 comes at a defining moment for aviation and aerospace, as technology, sustainability and global connectivity converge to reshape how the world moves. It reflects the UAE’s ambition to lead in these sectors and Dubai’s role as a hub for collaboration, a stage for innovation, and the place where the future of our industry takes shape.”
