Jois/Farnborough, July 2026 – From July 20-24, 2026, Zoerkler Gears participated in the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026, one of the world's leading events for the aerospace, defence and space industries. As part of the Austrian Pavilion organised by Advantage Austria and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), Zoerkler showcased its capabilities as a development and manufacturing partner for advanced propulsion and transmission systems while strengthening existing partnerships and establishing valuable new international contacts.

With 1,427 exhibitors from 41 countries, more than 100,000 visitors from 114 nations, 423 international delegations and over 1,700 accredited media representatives, FIA 2026 once again provided a unique platform for business development, technology exchange and strategic industry networking.

Three Themes Defined FIA 2026

Throughout the event, discussions with customers, partners and industry leaders highlighted three key themes shaping the future of the aerospace and defence sectors:

Defence. Resilience. Innovation.

The growing importance of defence capabilities, supply chain resilience and technological innovation was evident across the exhibition halls, conference sessions and networking events. Key topics included:

• How can production capacities be scaled more rapidly?
• How can critical supply chains be secured and strengthened?
• What role will artificial intelligence and automation play in engineering and manufacturing?
• How can Europe's industrial sovereignty be reinforced?

For Zoerkler, these are not future challenges. They are already part of everyday business. As a development and manufacturing partner, the company supports customers throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept development and prototyping to testing, industrialisation and series production, contributing to high-performance, reliable and future-ready systems.

Showcasing Innovation for Future Aviation

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the jointly developed Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) for eVTOL applications, created in collaboration with UK-based technology company Helix. The innovative propulsion system was displayed at both the Zoerkler and Helix exhibition stands, attracting strong interest from aerospace OEMs, engineering companies and technology innovators.

The EPU combines Helix's expertise in electric propulsion technology with Zoerkler's extensive experience in the development and production of high-precision gearbox and transmission systems. Together, the companies have created a highly compact and efficient solution designed to meet the demands of next-generation electric aviation and urban air mobility applications.

Beyond the EPU, the event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Zoerkler's broader expertise in transmission technology, system integration, advanced manufacturing and propulsion solutions for both aerospace and defence applications.

Strengthening Partnerships and Building New Connections

Over the course of the five-day event, the Zoerkler team engaged in numerous discussions with international customers, OEMs, technology companies, research organisations and representatives from the aerospace and defence communities. These interactions not only reinforced existing relationships but also opened the door to new collaboration opportunities across the global aerospace ecosystem.

The conversations confirmed the increasing demand for innovative propulsion and transmission technologies while highlighting the importance of strong partnerships, resilient supply chains and advanced engineering capabilities in shaping the future of the industry.

Farnborough International Airshow 2026 once again demonstrated that the future of aerospace and defence will be driven by technological excellence, industrial resilience and close collaboration. Zoerkler looks forward to continuing its role in this journey and helping shape the next generation of aviation and defence technologies together with its customers and partners.

We would like to thank all visitors, customers and partners for the engaging discussions, valuable insights and inspiring exchange throughout FIA 2026.

Event Facts

• Event: Farnborough International Airshow 2026
• Date: July 20-24, 2026
• Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, United Kingdom
• Exhibitors: 1,427 companies from 41 countries
• Visitors: 100,358 attendees from 114 countries
• International Delegations: 423
• Key Themes: Aerospace, Defence, Future Air Mobility, Sustainable Aviation, Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Digital Engineering

Links:

Farnborough International Airshow 2026
Helix