Stay informed about the latest news in the drone sector, both civil and defense
High-level round tables, in French and English, with Europe's leading experts on the market, opportunities and prospects in the current economic climate.
October 14, from 10:00 to 11:30
Theme: Defense
The rise in international tensions, especially the war in Ukraine at Europe's doorstep, is forcing European nations—including France—to recalibrate their defense industrial and technological base and to scale up their drone industry, which was still in the R&D phase before 2022.
From R&D environments to the establishment of a full supply chain, this scaling up is crucial for the future of emerging players and for an entire "New Defence" economy that is now taking off. This round table will address these challenges, with testimony from those experiencing them daily—both in France and in war zones.
October 14, from 14:00 to 15:30
Theme: Defense
Force massification is a key concept tied to the return of high-intensity warfare and attrition. In a context where human resources are limited, increasing the number of aerial vectors becomes essential. Drones offer a potential solution. New tools are being deployed by air and naval forces: MALE, UCAV, Loyal Wingman... These acronyms refer to drones that are no longer disposable but have become high-value assets (optionally expendable).
But for what doctrines, and to what extent? Armed forces and innovative companies will present their challenges and solutions to confront today’s and tomorrow’s conflicts.
October 14, from 15:30 to 17:00
Theme: Civil
Since emerging in the mid-2000s, the drone industry has sometimes outpaced regulation, with technological breakthroughs allowing it to reach the level of manned aviation over inhabited territories. Regulators—both national (DGAC) and European (EASA)—aim to find the right regulatory balance so that a fast-evolving drone industry can coexist with the aeronautics ecosystem. But this constant search for compromise can create significant pressure on a dynamic yet vulnerable sector.
Each edition of the UAV SHOW gives the floor to those who shape and live this regulation daily. This year, certification and standardization will be at the core of the debate. Is this a sign of maturity for the industry—or an exposure of new vulnerabilities for drone players? The discussion will be open.
October 15, from 11:00 to 12:30
Theme: Defense
In a context of growing threats linked to the malicious use of drones, mastering detection, tracking, and neutralization technologies has become a major strategic issue for national defense and security.
This round table will bring together military experts, industry leaders, researchers, and institutional decision-makers to discuss the latest developments in counter-drone systems. Topics will include innovative detection sensors, automated tracking solutions, countermeasures (kinetic, electronic warfare, cyber), and the challenges of integrating these systems into complex environments.
Objectives: to share operational feedback, identify capability needs, and anticipate technological evolutions in a rapidly changing field.
October 15, from 14:45 to 16:15
Theme: Defense
A drone—whether aerial, land-based, or naval—is an unmanned system. But can it truly be considered autonomous? Today, most drones are remotely piloted. While human cognitive load is transferred, it is not eliminated, and the human-machine link remains constant. We already see the limits of this approach when missions are complex and remote—and that constant link can become a vulnerability, exposing pilot locations.
Making drones more autonomous is now a priority—both in defense and civilian applications. The rise of AI meets the drone sector at this critical juncture, and many players are working to merge the two technologies. How do these worlds collaborate? What are the opportunities and limitations of this convergence? The key players in this (r)evolution will share their visions and work during this round table that will close the 2025 edition of the UAV SHOW—and shape the innovations of the next one.
All keynotes will take place in Amphitheater C.
>> 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM, October 14
Nicolas HESSE, Deputy Prefect for Defense and Security of the South-West Zone
>>9:30 AM – 10:15 AM, October 15
Benoit Isner, François Gros, Pierre Macé
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM, October 15