The Farnborough Airshow opened on Monday. Boeing and Airbus secured the first major orders for commercial airliners, while defense companies showcased lower-cost interceptor missiles and drones amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which are fueling demand for air defense systems, Reuters reports.

Current geopolitical conflicts are setting the tone for discussions at the Farnborough Airshow. One of the world’s largest aerospace and defense events has brought together hundreds of companies from civil aviation, engine manufacturing, and military technology — from unmanned fighter jets and hypersonic missiles to reconnaissance satellites and AI-powered weapons systems.

“We are living in an era of global geopolitical instability,” said Gareth Rogers, chief executive of Farnborough International Airshow, while adding that market participants remain optimistic. “In my view, there is a continuing boom in orders in the civil sector. It is still difficult to say what the final figures will be.”

Among the major commercial deals are Irish lessor SMBC Aviation Capital’s order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and Riyadh Air’s purchase of six Airbus A350-1000 jets. In addition, Boeing received orders for 15 787-10 Dreamliners from Philippine Airlines and another 28 aircraft from the 787 family from the same Riyadh Air. Airlines and lessors also announced major contracts for engine deliveries for future Airbus and Boeing fleets. According to sources, SMBC is also expected to place an order for about 100 Airbus narrow-body aircraft.

Beyond current contracts, aircraft and engine manufacturers are debating one of the key questions for the coming decade: when and exactly how to replace the market’s bestsellers — the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320neo families.

On Monday, executives from leading airlines urged Boeing and Airbus not to rush the launch of a new generation of commercial airliners until the technologies involved are as reliable and well-proven as possible.

Air defense in focus amid global conflicts

Defense companies accounted for half of the exhibition’s record 1,600 exhibitors this year. This reflects a shift away from the event’s historically civilian profile, established in 1948 to showcase British aerospace achievements.

This transformation clearly shows how military conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East have changed spending priorities and sharply increased demand for new defense technologies.

Lockheed Martin announced on Monday the development of a lower-cost interceptor missile for the Patriot system. This comes as defense ministries seek the most cost-effective ways to counter drones and missiles, while traditional defense contractors face competition from startups producing inexpensive weapons for mass production.

European missile systems manufacturer MBDA also announced the development of an interceptor designed to repel attacks involving large numbers of low-cost threats, including drones.