Umbria Aerospace Cluster Strengthens Its International Presence at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026

Umbria Aerospace Cluster has successfully concluded its participation in the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, one of the world’s leading events dedicated to the aerospace, defence and space industries, attracting companies, institutions and industry professionals from across the globe every two years. The mission featured an intensive programme of institutional meetings, industrial relations and international networking opportunities.

Once again, Umbria Aerospace Cluster took part with a regional exhibition stand organised with the support of the Umbria Region, the assistance of Sviluppumbria, and the coordination of Confindustria Umbria, reaffirming its commitment to presenting an integrated, highly specialised regional supply chain capable of competing in the world’s leading aerospace programmes.

The mission brought together 19 Umbrian companies: AMCo, CoMeAr, EN4, ERA Electronic Systems, Fomap, Fucine Umbre, HTC, Meccanotecnica Umbra, NCM, OMA, QFP, Rampini Carlo, Serms, Seven Pulse, Sky Eye Systems, Test Industry, UmbraGroup, Umbria Aerospace Systems and VGA. Together, they showcase the region’s expertise in precision engineering, electronics, advanced materials, actuation systems, testing, specialised manufacturing processes, high-tech services and unmanned systems.

Umbria Aerospace Cluster is the association representing the region’s aerospace companies, with the mission of promoting the development of the regional supply chain, fostering collaboration among industry, research organisations and institutions, and strengthening Umbria’s position in the international aerospace, space and defence markets.

Throughout the exhibition, the Cluster’s stand served as a focal point for numerous high-level institutional meetings. Delegations were welcomed by Daniele Tonti, President of Umbria Aerospace Cluster, and Cillian Fani O’Broin, Secretary General.

Among the distinguished visitors were Fabio Cassese, Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom; General Antonio Conserva, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force; Guglielmo Picchi, President of SACE; Giovanni Sacchi, Director of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) Office in London; Giuseppe Cossiga, President of AIAD; Cristina Leone, President of the Italian National Aerospace Technology Cluster (CTNA); Senators Maurizio Gasparri, Alessandro Alfieri and Stefania Pucciarelli; Member of Parliament Emanuele Loperfido; Lieutenant General Luca De Martinis, Director of ARMAEREO – National Armaments Directorate; and Federico Zoppas, President of the Veneto Aerospace Cluster (RIR AIR).

The mission also included a series of meetings with key stakeholders from the Italian aerospace industry. At the AIAD stand, Umbria Aerospace Cluster sponsored the signing of a cooperation agreement involving NCM and companies from Lombardy and Piedmont, in the presence of leading representatives of the sector. A delegation led by President Daniele Tonti, accompanied by Deputy Vice President Claudio Becchetti and Secretary General Cillian Fani O’Broin, also visited the Leonardo exhibition area. In addition, discussions with Marco Landolfi, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Unit for Large Enterprises and Strategic Sectors at the Directorate General for the Promotion of the Country System of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and with Pietro Batacchi, Editor-in-Chief of Rivista Italiana Difesa, provided an important opportunity to discuss the future development and competitiveness of the aerospace sector.

The opening day of the exhibition concluded with a meeting with Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto at the Italian Embassy in London. As part of the mission, Umbria Aerospace Cluster also hosted an institutional gala dinner in the unique setting of Tower Bridge, attended, among others, by Giampiero Cannella, Undersecretary of State for Culture, and Riccardo Smimmo, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in London.

“Participating in Farnborough is a strategic opportunity to strengthen the international visibility of Umbria’s aerospace supply chain and consolidate relationships with the leading players in the industry,” said Daniele Tonti, President of Umbria Aerospace Cluster. “The presence of nineteen companies under a single regional identity demonstrates the maturity achieved by our sector and Umbria’s ability to position itself as a reliable partner in major international aerospace programmes. The institutional and industrial meetings held throughout the exhibition confirm the growing recognition of our Cluster and create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and growth for our member companies. At a time characterised by rapid market evolution and transformation, it is essential for our region—and for the future of the Cluster itself—to build, strengthen and expand the synergies that enable us to participate successfully in the world’s leading aerospace events.”