UAV Show 2025 in Bordeaux
Key Facts
- UAV Show 2025 will take place from October 14–16 in Bordeaux, France.
• The 8th edition focuses on dual-use technologies bridging civil and defense applications.
• Over 110 exhibitors will participate, with indoor and outdoor flight demonstrations.
• Key defense themes include anti-drone systems, large MALE drones, AI integration, and industrialization.
3 minute read
Europe’s leading trade fair for professional drones, UAV Show 2025, returns to Bordeaux at a time when the boundaries between civil and military drone technologies are dissolving. The 8th edition of the event, held from October 14 to 16, positions itself squarely within Europe’s accelerating defence-industrial shift, highlighting dual-use innovation and the growing strategic role of unmanned systems.
The three-day event combines industry networking, live demonstrations, and policy discussions under the theme of civil-defence convergence. With over 110 exhibitors and a strong European presence, the show aims to capture the full spectrum of the drone ecosystem, from industrial inspection and agriculture to military applications and security operations. Its focus on dual-use technologies mirrors the European Union’s broader push to strengthen strategic autonomy while maintaining competitiveness in a global market dominated by U.S. and Chinese players — a theme explored in Europe’s rearmament drive.
The conference program, curated by François Baffou, dedicates much of its agenda to defence-related developments. Sessions will examine the transition from prototype to mass production, the deployment of large MALE drones in air and naval forces, and the evolving challenge of countering hostile UAVs — an area gaining urgency across Europe’s counter-UAS landscape. Artificial intelligence and automation are expected to feature prominently, reflecting their growing influence in both civilian and military operations.
A notable highlight will be the presentation of the Pandrone program, a three-year collaborative project involving 17 academic and industrial partners aimed at securing airport sites with autonomous aerial and ground systems. The initiative underscores Europe’s shift toward integrated drone ecosystems, where interoperability and AI-driven autonomy are key to operational resilience — in line with the integration goals outlined in the European Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030.
The event begins with an opening keynote by Nicolas Hesse, the Delegate Prefect for Defence and Security of France’s South-West Zone, signaling the strong institutional support behind Europe’s UAV sector. The first two days, hosted at Bordeaux’s Palais des Congrès, are dedicated to sourcing, professional exchanges, and an indoor drone arena where visitors can observe short-range demonstrations up close.
The final day, October 16, moves outdoors to a demonstration area where exhibitors will showcase drones in real flight conditions. Applications span defence, energy-infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, topography, public safety, and media. The Demo Day follows the successful 2023 edition at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, reinforcing the show’s role as a proving ground for Europe’s next generation of drone technologies.
As the defence landscape evolves, the UAV Show’s dual-use focus reflects a larger European reality. The line between civilian innovation and military capability is increasingly blurred, and the EU’s industrial base is adapting accordingly. From anti-drone systems to autonomous logistics platforms, the technologies presented in Bordeaux point to a continent preparing for a future where unmanned systems are central to both economic growth and strategic security.
The 2025 edition’s tone suggests that Europe is moving from experimentation to deployment, from prototype projects to scalable production. In that sense, UAV Show 2025 stands not only as an industry gathering but as a snapshot of how Europe’s drone ecosystem is aligning with its defence ambitions.
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