Quick Read
- The 10th Singapore Airshow will run from February 3–8, 2026, at the Changi Exhibition Centre.
- China’s COMAC C919 and Airbus’s A350-1000 demonstrator will be featured in the flying display.
- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A will make its debut, alongside a rare appearance by China’s August 1st jet display team.
- The inaugural Singapore Space Summit will be held concurrently, focusing on responsible and inclusive space development.
- Boeing forecasts Southeast Asia’s passenger air traffic to grow 7% annually, requiring nearly 5,000 new airliners by 2044.
SINGAPORE (Azat TV) – The 10th Singapore Airshow, Asia’s premier aerospace exhibition, is set to take off next week, running from February 3 to 8, 2026, at the Changi Exhibition Centre. This biennial event promises to offer a comprehensive insight into the Asia-Pacific aviation, aerospace, and space sectors, featuring a wide array of exhibitors and cutting-edge technologies. The 2026 edition unfolds two years after the industry began its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, now facing new complexities including trade tensions, persistent supply chain disruptions, and ongoing conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela.
Amidst a reshaping of the global ‘rules-based order’ and a perceived retreat of the United States to its Western Hemisphere sphere of influence, the airshow serves as a crucial platform for regional and international stakeholders. Visitors will explore the latest advancements in avionics, manufacturing, drones, weapons systems, and electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with a robust static display featuring major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Commercial Aviation Highlights at Singapore Airshow
Despite geopolitical turbulence, the Asia-Pacific region remains a significant growth engine for commercial aviation. Air cargo, in particular, demonstrated resilience in 2025 by facilitating swift responses to changing tariff conditions, offsetting some losses from China’s exports to the US with increased intra-Asia-Pacific trade.
China’s COMAC will once again draw attention with its C919 airliner, slated for a daily flying display appearance. The manufacturer is expected to bring a pair of C909s and a single C919, as it continues its quest for an international order to establish a stronger global presence. Airbus will showcase its A350-1000 demonstrator and a STARLUX Airlines A350 configured with a four-class layout. Additionally, an Air Niugini A220, adorned in a special livery commemorating Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary, will be on static display, amidst rumors of a potential 100-aircraft order from AirAsia for the A220.
Brazilian OEM Embraer plans to exhibit its E195-E2, highlighting its recent milestones in the region. E2-jet operations in Asia-Pacific commenced in November 2025 with Virgin Australia’s E190-E2, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) recently placed an order for 15 E190-E2s with options for five more. Boeing forecasts a 7% annual increase in Southeast Asia’s passenger air traffic, projecting a need for 4,885 new airliners by 2044. While Boeing will not display any airframes this year, it will feature a full-size 777X interior exhibit.
Elevated Defense Presence and Geopolitical Context
The 2026 Singapore Airshow is expected to feature a higher profile for defense exhibits, reflecting the significant geopolitical shifts and increased instability. Concerns among Asia-Pacific nations have grown following the recently released US National Defense Strategy, which indicated a more reserved US role in deterring North Korea. This comes as China intensifies its military exercises around Taiwan, which some analysts now interpret as full-scale rehearsals for a potential blockade or invasion.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will dedicate a large portion of the static park to its assets, including F-15SG and F-16C fast jets, an Airbus A330 MRTT, and a range of helicopters such as the AH-64D Apache, CH-47F Chinook, Lockheed’s Sikorsky S-70B, and Airbus Helicopters’ H225M. A SPYDER (Surface-to-air Python and Derby) short- and medium-range mobile air defense system will also be displayed. Embraer will bring its C-390 Millennium demonstrator, and the German Air Force will send an Airbus A400M.
Making its debut will be a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35As, with one scheduled for a flying display and the other for static viewing. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM, known for its 3D thrust-vectoring display and striking patriotic livery, is also a highly anticipated participant in the flying program. The US government will exhibit two F-35As, an MQ-9 drone, a KC-46 Pegasus tanker, and a P-8A Poseidon, with Singapore itself being a new customer for the P-8A to replace its aging Fokker 50s in the maritime patrol role. The presence of Chinese assets, following the international debut of the Changhe Z-10ME attack helicopter in 2024, raises expectations for potential new high-profile debuts from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Business Aviation and Advanced Air Mobility
The business aviation market in Singapore operates under strict controls, including nighttime curfews and peak-time restrictions. A new ‘No-Boarding Directive’ for high-risk travelers and a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy, effective April 1, will also be in place. Despite these regulations, the market is forecast to grow by £754 million by 2029, attracting several OEMs to showcase their latest aircraft.
Gulfstream will display its G500 and G700, competing for attention with Bombardier’s 19-seat Global 7500 and Dassault’s 16-seat Falcon 6X. For smaller business aircraft, Pilatus will exhibit its PC-24, while Textron will feature the Citation CJ4 Gen3, Citation Latitude, and King Air 360 turboprop. In the corporate helicopter segment, Airbus Helicopters plans to exhibit its H160, a twin-engined helicopter already in service in Southeast Asia for various roles, including offshore transportation and corporate travel.
The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and eVTOL sector will have a more subdued presence compared to recent air shows in Paris and Dubai, as leading companies like Joby and Archer focus on test flights in the Middle East. However, Boeing’s Wisk will offer a virtual reality experience of its autonomous advanced air mobility ‘air taxi’ flight. Eve Air Mobility, part of the Embraer group, and Canada’s Horizon Aircraft will also attend, alongside rumors of a new indigenous eVTOL launch. The UK’s Vertical Aerospace, which launched its production-ready Valo eVTOL last year, will also be represented.
Dynamic Flying Displays and Inaugural Space Summit
The Singapore Airshow’s flying display, while compact in numbers, is renowned for its quality and the rarity of its acts. Each day will feature eight aerial performances, including the Airbus A350-1000 and COMAC C919 demonstrators. The RAAF’s F-35A will make only its second overseas flying display appearance, while the RSAF will perform a combined display with an AH-64 Apache and an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
International teams will provide much of the aerobatic spectacle. The Indian Air Force Sarang Helicopter Display Team will return for its second successive show, performing with five HAL Dhruvs. Similarly, the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team will showcase its six Korean-made KAI KT-1B Wongbee aircraft, with rumors of a new color scheme. A major highlight for many attendees will be the rare overseas appearance of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s August 1st jet display team, flying eight Chengdu J-10 fighters.
Concurrently with the airshow, the inaugural Singapore Space Summit will run from February 2-3, focusing on ‘New Frontiers: Shaping a Responsible and Inclusive Space Future.’ The event will include discussions on satellites as critical infrastructure, dual-use technology, and space for environmental sustainability. Other high-level conferences, such as the A*STAR Singapore Aerospace Technology Leadership Forum and the Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference (SATEC), will also take place throughout the week. The show will also host AeroCampus, an initiative to engage students and future aerospace professionals.
The Singapore Airshow 2026, by integrating both commercial and defense advancements alongside burgeoning space and AAM sectors, underscores the Asia-Pacific region’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global aerospace amidst a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape.