30 Days to Go: Farnborough's Record-Breaking Arms Fair

Barclays bankrolls the Supermarket of Death

Every two years, Farnborough International Airshow descends on a small Hampshire town. It’s run by a subsidiary of ADS, the arms industry’s own lobbying body, and this year the official strategic partner is none other than…Barclays Bank.

FIA 2026 is officially the largest ever. Every chalet is sold out. A sixth exhibition hall has been added to accommodate the increase in demand, with over 120,000 visitors expected. BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon are among the 1,500+ exhibitors at the show, running from 20–24 July. Previous shows have featured Israel’s Elbit Systems showcasing their Rampage Missile System - marketed for its ability to strike “infrastructure facilities.”

American companies will be taking nearly a third of the space – Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, says “This shows the deepening relationship between the UK and US, as well as the importance of Farnborough as a place to do business.” This deadly business has sparked war and destruction globally, for power and profit.

In 2024, over $105 billion in commercial deals were announced - a figure organisers are eager to surpass this year. The UK government is also increasing its presence at the show – the Ministry of Defence, UK Export Finance, and the Department for Business and Trade will be all under one roof, helping arms companies expand their reach.

Delegations from countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Turkey, and Bahrain are routinely invited, despite their record of human rights abuses and military aggression.

CAAT has been at Farnborough’s gates every two years without fail. In 2024 we helped support a full day of action – discussions on the arms companies present, Quaker talks on peace and justice, information from and about Palestine, the Raised Voices peace choir, and craft activities alongside thousands of leaflets handed to arriving delegates.

A collective movement of environmentalists, Quaker groups, Palestine solidarity campaigners, and student activists united to disrupt this ‘Supermarket of Death’. 2024 was a huge success, and that was down to CAAT supporters. This year, Farnborough has grown – more exhibitors, more delegations, bigger halls. Our response needs to grow too. And just as in 2024, our response depends on CAAT supporters.

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