Top 9 Aerospace & Advanced Engineering Trade Shows in the UK in 2026

One of the world's two great aerospace shows — the biennial gathering where the civil, commercial, defence and space sectors show aircraft, systems and technology, and where the industry's biggest orders are announced.

Why visit — It is the single densest concentration of the global aerospace value chain on the calendar, from primes to Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers to space and defence. If you're anywhere in aerospace, this is the room.

Who's there — Aircraft and engine OEMs, defence and space primes, avionics and systems suppliers, the components and materials supply chain, and the airlines, air forces and investors who buy.

The UK's largest annual gathering for advanced engineering — design, materials, testing and production across aerospace, automotive and industrial manufacturing, at the NEC in Birmingham.

Why visit — It's the cross-sector meeting point for UK advanced manufacturing: composites, additive, metrology and connected engineering under one roof, with a buyer-heavy trade audience.

Who's there — Advanced-materials and composites firms, machining, additive and metrology vendors, test and inspection specialists, and the aerospace, automotive and industrial engineers who source from them.

The UK event that brings the whole metals supply chain together with engineering, manufacturing and construction — primary metals, processing, machinery, finishing and recycling.

Why visit — It connects the metals value chain to the industries that consume it, co-located with advanced engineering in Birmingham, so buyers can cover materials and manufacturing in one trip.

Who's there — Metal producers and stockholders, processing and fabrication firms, machinery, welding and finishing suppliers, and the manufacturing, engineering and construction buyers who source from them.

The exhibition and conference for the aerospace technology community — avionics, connectivity, MRO IT, flight-operations IT and testing, in London.

Why visit — It's the software-and-systems side of aerospace: the digital, connectivity and maintenance technology that generalist air shows don't cover in depth.

Who's there — Avionics and connectivity vendors, MRO and flight-ops software firms, testing and embedded-systems specialists, and the airlines, OEMs and MRO providers who buy.

One of the world's largest military air shows — a global gathering of air forces and defence aviation, running in the same July window as Farnborough.

Why visit — For defence and military aviation it's a unique convening of air arms and their suppliers, and a natural pairing with Farnborough for a single UK aerospace trip.

Who's there — Air forces and defence operators, military-aviation and rotorcraft suppliers, systems and support firms, and the trade and enthusiast audiences who follow them.