Airbus Defence Summit 2026

Name: Airbus Defence Summit 2026
Start: 2026-05-20T00:00:00+0000
End: 2026-05-20T12:00:00+0000

20 May 2026 Manching, Germany#AirbusDefenceSummit

Shaping the future of European defence

Airbus Defence Summit

We are at a historic turning point for global security. As Europe strengthens its strategic autonomy, the first Airbus Defence Summit in Manching, Germany, set out a plan for a safer future. Given the transformation of warfare, Europe will require the full range of its air defence capabilities, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, uncrewed aerial systems, cyber technology and satellites.

The Airbus Defence Summit brought together political representatives, academics, journalists and content creators to explore how defence is evolving through groundbreaking technology, scale and cooperation. The event included live demonstrations of state-of-the-art connectivity.

French A400M Tactical Flight in Pitch Black 2024 02

Defence and innovation: Why security matters for our future

Defence overview

The world is becoming increasingly volatile, and the nature of conflict is shifting. When threats evolve at lightning speed, a society’s ability to protect itself is its most vital asset.

Defence is the framework that gives our lives stability and enables us to live and speak freely. It is the bedrock of national sovereignty, ensuring our independence to make our own choices and giving our society the resilience to progress in the long term. Defence is always present, even if we don't directly notice it.

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Defence Summit insights

In a rapidly changing global landscape, Europe's safety relies on its collective strength. At the Airbus Defence Summit, the company's leadership highlighted that true security requires not only a commitment to self-defence but also a smarter, more integrated approach to industrial cooperation across the region.

The speakers

FROM AIRBUS

Voices at the Summit

Industry experts

Topics in focus

Airbus demonstrates multi-domain capabilities with Spanish Navy crewed-uncrewed…

Everything you need to know about uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft

Vertical thinking: designing a strategy to navigate the new normal

Airbus Defence Summit in pictures

Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2 - Eurofighter
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2 - From Blueprint to Battlefield

Hear from Mike Schoellhorn (CEO of Airbus Defence and Space)and Matthieu Louvot (CEO of Airbus Helicopters) on how defence is evolving through groundbreaking technology, scale and cooperation.
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2 - Guillaume Faury
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2
Defence Summit 2026 - Ambiance Conference
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Defence Summit 2026 - Highlights
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 1- Primoco
Defence Summit 2026 - Day 2 - A330 MRTT

Cover for Defence Summit edition of Rotor Magazine

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Engineering the shield that protects us

The rules of the world have changed, and in this increasingly volatile context, the nature of conflict has evolved too. Facing a multitude of rapidly shifting threats, a nation's capacity to defend itself has never been more vital.

Download the special edition of Rotor magazine to learn more about how Airbus is shaping the future of defence to ensure European countries and their allies remain strong, independent and resilient.

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Frequently asked questions

When and where the Airbus Defence Summit took place?

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

Was the Defence Summit open to the public?

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

You can watch the replays of the live broadcasts featuring Airbus CEOs, industrial representatives and the experts shaping the defence industry of tomorrow. These sessions provided a deep insights into the evolving value of Defence and how groundbreaking technology is shaping a safer, more autonomous future for Europe.

Where and how can I watch the live stream of the Summit?

You can watch the replays directly on this webpage.

What topics were discussed during the Summit?

The Defence Summit explored 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 showcased tangible examples of the everyday missions that keep citizens safe, alongside insights into how Europe can remain independent and resilient. We also looked at how the defence industry supports a stable economy and fosters innovation across borders. The event concluded with the European Defence Dialogue (ED2), hearing from the next generation of enthusiasts as an essential actor in the conversation.

What is the role of Airbus in shaping European Defence capabilities?

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.