The Dubai Airshow 2025 was held at the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, UAE from November 17th to 21st, showcasing cutting-edge aviation equipment and innovative technologies from around the world.
The theme of this edition of the airshow was “The Future is Here”, aiming to showcase the latest advancements in sustainable development, artificial intelligence, space exploration, smart transportation, and other areas of the aerospace industry. It was the largest in scale compared to previous editions.
The event attracted over 1,500 aerospace and defense companies from more than 47 countries and regions, expecting to host around 148,000 visitors. There were 21 national pavilions at the show featuring over 200 aircraft of various types.
Highlights of the aircraft models showcased at the Dubai Airshow 2025 included significant technological breakthroughs in the military aerospace sector. Notably, the top fifth-generation fighters from the United States and Russia, the F-35 and Su-57, were rare stand-offs. Additionally, the United States’ General Atomics showcased its YFQ-42A unmanned combat aerial vehicle for the first time in the Middle East. This model is participating in the U.S. Air Force’s unmanned collaborative aircraft project, competing for qualification to operate in conjunction with the U.S. military’s sixth-generation aircraft. Local defense firm EDGE from the UAE also exhibited a concept model of a large unmanned combat aerial vehicle. This model is equipped with a large weapons bay and electro-optical detection devices, which require high technology for stealth capabilities and detection.
This five-day aviation extravaganza also unveiled several innovative achievements, with electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) taking center stage. Positioned as “air taxis,” these aircraft use pure electric propulsion, enabling vertical take-off and landing without the need for runways, representing the future direction of urban air transportation. The airshow set up dedicated exhibition areas and hosted high-level conferences focusing on regulatory policies, infrastructure development, and the future of urban air transport development.
Here are some captivating moments captured during the Dubai Airshow 2025.