The 2025 Paris Air Show highlights current military challenges: drones, fighter jets, missiles, and air force innovations.
From June 16 to 22, 2025, the International Paris Air Show (SIAE) in Le Bourget will be the strategic meeting place for air defense players. Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and accelerated modernization of armed forces, this 55th edition promises to be a barometer of military priorities. Key issues include the integration of drones, the evolution of fighter jets, the development of new-generation missiles, and arms sales. The air force plays a central role, both in terms of demonstrating capabilities and exploring new technologies.
The Aarok drone: a French sovereign ambition
The Aarok MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone, developed by Turgis & Gaillard, symbolizes France’s ambition for technological sovereignty in the field of military drones. With a maximum takeoff weight of 5.5 tons and a payload capacity of 1.5 tons, it is designed for long-endurance surveillance and strike missions, with a flight endurance of up to 30 hours. Equipped with Safran Euroflir 410 or 610 optronic sensors, multimode radar, and electromagnetic intelligence equipment, the Aarok is positioned as a credible alternative to the American MQ-9 Reaper drones, while being more economical.
The integration of the Aarok into the French Air Force’s arsenal would strengthen its surveillance and autonomous strike capabilities, while reducing its dependence on foreign technology. Its ability to operate from minimally prepared terrain, with a takeoff distance of 400 to 600 meters, offers significant operational flexibility.
The development of the Aarok is also part of a strategy to support the national defense industry by promoting innovation and the creation of skilled jobs. Its presentation at the 2025 Paris Air Show will be a key moment to assess its export potential, particularly to countries seeking to diversify their military drone suppliers.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS): a European program under pressure
The SCAF, a joint project between France, Germany, and Spain, aims to develop an integrated air combat system comprising a new-generation fighter aircraft, escort drones, and a combat cloud. Scheduled to enter service by 2040, the program is currently in phase 1B, with a budget of €3 billion over 36 months.
However, tensions remain between the partners, particularly over the distribution of industrial tasks and the governance of the program. Dassault Aviation, in charge of the fighter jet, and Airbus, responsible for the drones and combat cloud, are struggling to agree on certain technical and organizational aspects.
The 2025 Paris Air Show will be an opportunity to take stock of the SCAF’s progress, with the presentation of models and technology demonstrators. The stakes are high: maintaining the competitiveness of the European aerospace industry in the face of American and Asian competition, while ensuring the strategic autonomy of the partner countries.
The SAMP/T NG system: a European response to air threats
The New Generation Medium Range/Land Air Defense System (SAMP/T NG), developed jointly by France and Italy, represents a significant advance in European air defense. Equipped with the ASTER 30 B1NT missile, capable of intercepting targets at ranges of over 600 km, and a Thales Ground Fire 300 radar, the SAMP/T NG offers 350 km radar coverage and can track and intercept targets at 150 km.
This system is designed to counter modern air threats, such as ballistic missiles and new-generation drones. Its modularity and scalability make it well suited to the needs of European armed forces, in a context of strengthening missile defense capabilities.
The presentation of the SAMP/T NG at the 2025 Paris Air Show will demonstrate the European industry’s ability to develop high-performance, interoperable defense systems in response to today’s security challenges.
Arms sales at the heart of geopolitical issues
The Paris Air Show is traditionally a venue for arms sales negotiations, and the 2025 edition is no exception. Against a backdrop of international tensions, countries are seeking to strengthen their military capabilities, and defense manufacturers are taking advantage of this opportunity to showcase their products.
Fighter jets, armed drones, and missile systems are particularly sought after. Flight demonstrations and static displays allow potential buyers to evaluate the performance of the equipment on offer.
However, these sales also raise ethical and political questions, particularly with regard to countries involved in conflicts or accused of human rights violations. The presence of certain exhibitors at the 2025 Paris Air Show has sparked controversy and calls for a boycott.
The 2025 Paris Air Show promises to be a major event for the defense industry, with significant technological, industrial, and geopolitical stakes. The focus on drones, fighter jets, missile systems, and arms sales reflects the current priorities of the armed forces and defense contractors. The air force plays a central role, both as an operational player and as a partner to manufacturers.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.