The International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin remains a magnet for aviation enthusiasts, with fighter jets and military hardware performing daily flight displays. But a stroll through the exhibition grounds at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) reveals a fundamental shift: the real action is no longer in the cockpits but in the software, sensors, and autonomous systems that are redefining modern defence.
This year's edition, which features around 750 exhibitors from 37 countries, got off to a rocky start after pro-Palestinian activists blocked both access roads to the venue, delaying shuttle buses and visitors. Police cleared the blockades by late morning, and by midday the focus had returned to the exhibition itself.
The Bundeswehr is a prominent presence, with recruitment stands, static displays of tanks and air defence systems like IRIS-T, and regular flight demonstrations. Yet despite the spectacle of Eurofighters and transport aircraft, the conversations among military officials, investors, and engineers are increasingly dominated by uncrewed systems and counter-drone technologies.
New players take centre stage
One of the clearest signs of this shift is the growing number of young companies exhibiting alongside established primes such as Rheinmetall, Airbus, and Helsing. German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems used ILA to unveil its new Pulse P19 aircraft, which can operate with a pilot or autonomously and is designed for reconnaissance and counter-drone missions. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the company's stand to see the platform.
Krista-Marija Läbe, Deputy Spokesperson at Quantum Systems, told European Pulse that the Pulse P19 can carry various payloads under its wings, including interceptor drones that can be launched to engage other drones in flight. But for her, the bigger story is the changing composition of the industry itself.
"What is incredibly impressive to me is how many new players are here at ILA this year. I think it's very different from what it was just two years ago," she said. "It's good to see that this exhibition doesn't just belong to the old players, the traditional primes, but that young, ambitious and emerging companies are playing an increasingly important role as well."
Läbe pointed to the strong presence of Ukrainian companies and younger technology firms, a trend that is visible across the exhibition halls. A walk through the site confirms that the defence and aerospace ecosystem is diversifying, with startups offering everything from autonomous logistics drones to AI-powered threat detection systems.
The emphasis on drones and autonomy comes as European defence budgets rise and nations seek cost-effective, scalable solutions for surveillance, electronic warfare, and force protection. The collapse of the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project earlier this year has further accelerated interest in uncrewed systems, as European capitals look for alternatives to expensive manned platforms. An Airbus-led consortium has proposed a new fighter jet to fill the gap, but the buzz at ILA suggests that drones are where the near-term innovation lies.
The exhibition also highlights the growing role of European startups in the defence supply chain. Companies like Helsing, which specialises in AI for military applications, and Quantum Systems are challenging the dominance of traditional primes. Their presence reflects a broader trend: European defence is becoming more entrepreneurial, with Berlin, Munich, and Paris emerging as hubs for venture-backed defence technology.
Organisers expect more than 100,000 visitors over the course of the event. While the flight displays will continue to draw crowds, the conversations in the halls and on the sidelines are increasingly about the future of warfare—and that future is uncrewed.
