DUBAI – This year’s Dubai Air Show drew robust attendance and displays from U.S. defense industry companies large and small, as well as participation from more than 150 other nations in a sign that the Mideast market continues to be a core focus of the global aerospace industry.
Several attendees at this year’s event — the 19th annual show in the United Arab Emirates wrapped up Friday — said regional conflict and security shifts have pushed governments and industry leaders from around the world to pay renewed attention to strategic security partnerships with Arab powers of the Persian Gulf.
From the joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran in June, to the India-Pakistan clash in May, instability in both Middle East and South Asia are driving attention to arms markets in both regions.
“This has been a busy event,” Luis Campos, the chairman of Beyond Vision, a Portuguese drone manufacturer, told The Washington Times.
“What’s clear here is a new shift to Asia, and in particular the Middle East, rather than the previous focus on Europe,” said Mr. Campos, whose firm supplies drones to the Portuguese navy and law enforcement agencies in various nations, including in the United States.
“I believe we’re going to see the Ukraine war end in the next few months,” he said. “With that, there will be a new surge in defense spending. Asia — particularly, the Middle East — will be where a lot of the focus is over the next few years.”
The UAE government rolled out the red carpet at the five-day event for American businesses, including a CEO breakfast with the U.S.-UAE Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi.
The American pavilion included displays by major American firms such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and L3 Harris Technologies, as well as newer players like Anduril and Shield AI. The robust U.S. attendance stood in contrast to September’s Defence and Security Equipment International Exposition in the United Kingdom, where the American presence was minimal.
“I think there is a lot of activity here because the United States is represented,” said Linda Zadeh, CEO of Epic Semiconductors, a Canadian company that makes artificial intelligence microchips designed for defense applications.
“The Trump administration has built a strong defense relationship with [the Gulf], which means being here can be important for us,” said Ms. Zadeh. “Getting involved with that activity could open up contract opportunities involving the United States.”
Last week’s high-profile trip to Washington by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which included a White House summit with President Trump and the inking of a new U.S.-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement, underscored the growing American commitment to the region.
During the visit, the White House announced that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and designate the kingdom a major non-NATO ally. “That’s a sign of trust,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to be selling Saudi Arabia some of the greatest military equipment ever built.”
Defense industry analysts say the Saudi deal will comply with existing U.S. law, which requires that American weapons companies ensure Israel maintains a qualitative military edge over neighboring Arab states. The version of F-35s ultimately provided to the Saudis is expected to lack some advanced features because of the U.S. law.
However, the deal announced by Mr. Trump is significant.
“The signals out of the White House show the leadership of the Trump administration is about getting deals done and recognizing Gulf nations as partners,” said Damian Killen, the chairman’s adviser for Remah International Group, a UAE-based defense company.
“This has meant more collaboration between UAE companies and Saudi companies to the benefit of everyone,” Mr. Killen said.
The airshow has become known over the past decade for dazzling displays, often of futuristic aircraft, soaring over Dubai throughout the week while companies from around the world show off equipment at booths on the event’s networking and deal-making floor.
The sheer scope of countries in attendance is eye-opening. Along with the Americans, Europeans and South Americans, this year’s show featured Chinese and Russian pavilions as well.
Sadly, global headlines were made as the show was coming to a close Friday. What began as a triumphal display from the Indian Air Force ended in tragedy, with the crash of an Indian Air Force HAL Tejas combat plane. The crash claimed the life of the senior Indian pilot aboard the aircraft.
Precision flying by air forces from around the world typically serves as a backdrop to cutting-edge aerospace announcements. The United States Air Force conducted several demonstration flights throughout the show last week.
“Our presence at Dubai is more than just an air show,” said Lt. Gen. Derek France, of the 9th U.S. Air Force in a statement. “We are showcasing our professionalism, training and lethality on a world stage in plain view. The message we are sending is clear: peace through strength. We along with our partners are committed to regional stability and we are equipped, trained and ready to sustain stability and reinforce security.”
Several major deals unfolded throughout last week. L3Harris Technologies announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with EDGE GROUP, the Emirati advanced technology and defense conglomerate. “This preliminary agreement serves as a strategic platform for developing
innovative solutions that contribute to the UAE’s growing defense capabilities and expands L3Harris’ operational involvement in the Middle East and globally,” L3Harris said in a statement.
Italian defense and aerospace company Leonardo and EDGE announced the launch of a joint venture in the UAE for next year to design new aircraft.
California-based defense technology firm Anduril also announced a deal with EDGE to develop an autonomous air vehicle — the “Omen” — for both military and commercial use. The craft is designed for electric vertical takeoff and landing without specialized infrastructure.
Anduril describes Omen as having a “tailsitter” design, meant to vertically take off from its own structure before transitioning to wing-based forward flight. EDGE is expected to produce the first 50 systems in the UAE, with full-scale production scheduled by the end of 2028.
The United States was not the only nation offering advanced arms at the air show. The Russian Federation showcased its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which unveiled its C-2 heavy-lift aircraft in Dubai in 2017, scaled back its approach this year, but still hoped to find buyers for that transport craft and its P-3 maritime patrol aircraft.
“There is some new interest in Asia,” said Noritaka Otake.
“However, not yet for our product — some secret interest we will have to nurture,” he added with a smile.
• John Seward contributed to this article from Washington.
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