Airbus Defence Summit 2026

The Airbus Defence Summit is taking place on 20 May 2026 in Manching, Germany.

While the physical event in Manching is a specialised summit for invited guests, industry experts, and media, we are bringing the experience to everyone through our digital platforms. 

You can join us via two exclusive live broadcasts featuring Airbus CEOs, industrial representatives and the experts shaping the defence industry of tomorrow. These sessions will provide deep insights into the evolving value of Defence and how groundbreaking technology is shaping a safer, more autonomous future for Europe.

You can watch the live stream directly on this webpage and follow the coverage on the Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Helicopters social media channels. We will be broadcasting two key sessions live on the day of the event:

• 09:05 (CET): Opening session with a keynote by Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO.
• 09:30 (CET): From blueprint to battlefield: Making Europe’s defence a reality, a panel discussion featuring Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, and Mike Schoelhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
• 15:20 (CET): Closing session: The next generation of deterrence Deterrence: Europe’s inter-generational responsibility to protect what matters.

Please bookmark this page and tune in at the scheduled times to join the conversation. No prior registration is required to view the stream.

The Defence Summit will explore how modern security impacts our daily lives, to show how a strong defence actually helps prevent the emergence of new conflicts and protects our way of life. The event will showcase tangible examples of the everyday missions that keep citizens safe, alongside insights into how Europe can remain independent and resilient. We will also look at how the defence industry supports a stable economy and fosters innovation across borders. The event will conclude with the European Defence Dialogue (ED2), to hear from the next generation of enthusiasts as an essential actor in the conversation.

Airbus plays a critical role in European security by pioneering cutting-edge technologies, ranging from military aircraft and helicopters to satellites and cybersecurity, that protect sovereign airspace and support life-saving emergency missions. 

Beyond the battlefield, Airbus also drives cross-border innovation, pioneering the air power and rotorcraft capabilities of tomorrow as part of NATO’s NGRC or the European Union’s ENGRT projects. With its strong industrial presence and sites in an array of locations, the Company also contributes to strengthening the economy, providing the vital tools necessary to protect our freedom and stability.