Welcome to our blog, where we bring you the latest news from the world of defense and aerospace! 😊 Today, we're diving deep into one of the most talked-about events in the industry — FIDAE 2026, the Chile International Air and Space Fair. As the largest aerospace and defense exhibition in Latin America, the Chile International Air and Space Fair is the ultimate stage where everything from fighter jets and drones to satellites and cyber technologies converges under one roof. Held in Santiago, Chile this April, the event welcomed over 440 companies from 35 countries, generating record-breaking buzz — and South Korean companies were among the brightest stars of the show. Let's take a closer look at what went down!
📋 Table of Contents
- What Is FIDAE? – History and Overview
- FIDAE 2026 – Key Numbers and Scale
- USA, UK, UAE – Major Country Highlights
- Korea's Spotlight – K-Defense Takes Latin America
- Drones, AI, Space – Future Tech Takes Over the Floor
- Chile's Geopolitical Context – Why FIDAE Matters Now
- Israel's Limited Return and International Relations
- Wrap-Up – What FIDAE 2026 Leaves Behind
1. What Is FIDAE? – History and Overview
The official name of the Chile International Air and Space Fair is FIDAE (Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio), which translates literally to "International Air and Space Fair." It began in 1980 as a one-time event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chilean Air Force — and back then, nobody could have imagined it would grow into Latin America's premier defense and aerospace platform for over four decades.
Held biennially in Santiago, Chile, the Chile International Air and Space Fair has seen steady growth in both participating nations and companies with each edition. What started as a showcase of conventional fighter jets and ground equipment has evolved dramatically — now encompassing civil aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, and cybersecurity. In short, it has transformed from a simple arms show into a comprehensive platform for the future of defense and security industries.
One particularly unique aspect is that in Chile, the Air Force oversees national space development policy — which means the Chile International Air and Space Fair attracts not only traditional defense contractors but also satellite and rocket startups. The fact that a mysterious-looking space launch vehicle model stood right at the entrance of this year's venue says it all. Honestly, just hearing about it made me want to hop on a plane to Santiago to see it for myself!
2. FIDAE 2026 – Key Numbers and Scale
FIDAE 2026 marked the 24th edition of the event. Running from April 7 to 12 at the exhibition grounds near Santiago's international airport, the scale was genuinely impressive. Here's a quick comparison of the key figures:
| Category | FIDAE 2024 | FIDAE 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Participating Countries | 57 | 35 |
| Exhibiting Companies | 428 | 440+ |
| Visitors | ~120,000 | 120,000+ (counting) |
| Duration | 6 days | Apr. 7–12 (6 days) |
| Edition | 23rd | 24th |
According to insiders who attended in person, the energy on the floor "felt like a new record was being set." Fighter jets continued to dominate the exhibition space, but one of the clearest shifts at this year's Chile International Air and Space Fair was the soaring interest in next-gen technologies — drones, AI-integrated radar systems, and space assets drew crowds that rivaled the traditional heavy iron.
3. USA, UK, UAE – Major Country Highlights
No surprise here — the United States dominated the floor at this year's Chile International Air and Space Fair. Lockheed Martin put on a spectacular booth centered around the F-16, the backbone of Chile's Air Force. Since Chile has adopted NATO standard specifications for its defense systems, U.S. defense companies enjoy a natural advantage in terms of compatibility and interoperability.
It was also worth watching how U.S. contractors navigated the optics given recent controversies in the Middle East — whether Chilean Air Force officials raised the issue on the sidelines is anyone's guess. Meanwhile, British firms, sometimes seen as losing their edge globally, put up a strong showing at FIDAE. BAE Systems in particular stood out, with a sharp focus on solutions tailored to Chile's unique geographic and operational environment.
🌍 Major Country Participation Highlights
- USA – Lockheed Martin leads with dominant F-16-centered booth
- UK – BAE Systems impresses with Chile-specific tailored solutions
- UAE – EDGE Group present, but noticeably smaller footprint than usual
- China – Brought an extensive package, but floor reactions were lukewarm
- Israel – Limited presence, no official national pavilion (details below)
The UAE's flagship defense company EDGE is normally known for putting on one of the most polished shows on the international circuit, but this year's appearance felt subdued — likely a reflection of ongoing domestic tensions. Here's hoping peace returns to the region soon so we can see them back in full force. As for China, the "comprehensive package" approach fell flat with Chilean attendees, which makes sense: Chile's NATO-standard framework creates a fundamental compatibility barrier that's hard to overcome with hardware alone.
4. Korea's Spotlight – K-Defense Takes Latin America
Honestly, one of the most exciting stories coming out of this year's Chile International Air and Space Fair was South Korea's standout performance. The Korean pavilion, organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), secured a prime location right in front of the Chilean Navy pavilion — and 31 companies ranging from large conglomerates to startups showed up in record numbers.
Among them, Hanwha Defense (Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Ocean) was the only Korean exhibitor to operate its own dedicated standalone booth. Hanwha Aerospace made its debut in Chile with the TIGON wheeled armored vehicle (6x6 version), alongside the K9 self-propelled howitzer, SAR satellite, and Jangbogo submarine — presenting an integrated land-sea-air-space defense solution.
During the event, Hanwha Aerospace also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Spain's Indra Group for cooperation on armored vehicle programs in Chile. Indra operates across 46 countries and conducts business in over 140, making it one of Europe's leading defense electronics firms with strong regional networks throughout Latin America — a perfect partner for Hanwha's push into the region.
🇰🇷 Key K-Defense Products on Display (FIDAE 2026)
- TIGON Wheeled Armored Vehicle – 6x6 version, Chile debut
- K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer – Korea's globally trusted ground firepower
- SAR Satellite – 25cm-resolution imaging regardless of weather or time of day
- Jangbogo Submarine – AI-powered advanced Combat Management System (CMS)
- Smart Battleship – Stealth + AI-integrated naval command solution
Korea's defense exports reached $15.4 billion last year — up 60% year-on-year and the second-highest figure on record — with expectations of hitting $20 billion this year. This FIDAE served as a crucial stepping stone toward that goal, as Latin America has emerged as one of the most important new frontiers for Korean defense exports.
5. Drones, AI, Space – Future Tech Takes Over the Floor
One of the most striking shifts at this year's Chile International Air and Space Fair was just how much attention drones, AI, and space technology attracted — nearly rivaling fighter jets in terms of crowd interest. Since the Russia-Ukraine war, the global defense community has fundamentally reassessed the role of unmanned systems and AI. The consensus on the floor was clear: conventional force thinking alone can no longer define modern warfare.
Planet, a globally recognized leader in satellite imagery, was actively courting local clients and showcasing its capabilities. Planet's technology spans agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and military reconnaissance — and the demand from Latin American governments and agencies is clearly there and growing.
On the space side, the Korea–Chile Space Seminar organized by the Korean Embassy in Santiago drew an unexpectedly large crowd — a testament to how seriously Chile takes space development under its Air Force-led policy structure. Given that FIDAE itself is organized by the Chilean Air Force, space was far more than a side note at this event.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why are drones getting so much attention at FIDAE?
A. The Ukraine war proved that drones can fundamentally change the battlefield dynamic. Their low cost combined with high effectiveness in reconnaissance and strike missions makes them especially appealing to mid-sized and smaller nations with limited defense budgets.
Q. Why does Chile's Air Force oversee space development?
A. Chile has a long tradition of the Air Force managing aerospace-related affairs. Since FIDAE itself is an Air Force-organized event, space and aviation have always been treated as deeply interconnected — a philosophy that continues to shape how the country approaches its space ambitions today.
6. Chile's Geopolitical Context – Why FIDAE Matters Now
The timing of the 24th Chile International Air and Space Fair in 2026 couldn't be more significant. The Trump administration is pushing its "Shield of the Americas" initiative to build a hemispheric defense alliance, while a new conservative wave is reshaping Latin American politics. Chile's newly inaugurated President José Antonio Kast, who took office in March 2026, brings a pro-U.S., right-leaning orientation that signals a potential shift in the country's defense procurement priorities.
Latin American nations that have witnessed the collapse in Venezuela are increasingly convinced that strengthening national defense can no longer be postponed. Chile's adoption of NATO-standard defense systems makes it a particularly favorable market for U.S., Korean, and European defense firms — and a challenging one for Russia and China, whose hardware struggles with compatibility issues in this environment.
This geopolitical landscape represents a clear opportunity for South Korea, whose defense systems are largely NATO-compatible. The fact that Korean companies secured a prime booth location right at the heart of this year's FIDAE floor — and conducted active B2B consultations throughout — is no coincidence.
7. Israel's Limited Return and International Relations
Israel, which has historically played a significant role in Chile's defense ecosystem, kept a notably low profile at this year's Chile International Air and Space Fair. The previous progressive government had outright banned Israel from participating in FIDAE 2024 — so when a pro-U.S. administration came to power, many expected a splashy comeback. Instead, there was no official national pavilion, and no senior military figures were visibly present.
That said, this doesn't signal a total breakdown. Diplomatic activity rarely plays out in full view, and behind the scenes of the exhibition floor, conversations aimed at rebuilding ties were almost certainly underway. As the saying goes, in diplomacy, what you don't see is often more important than what you do.
📌 Israel–Chile FIDAE Participation Timeline
- Up to 2022 – Israel held significant influence within Chile's defense ecosystem
- 2024 – Progressive government bans Israel from FIDAE entirely
- March 2026 – Pro-U.S. President José Antonio Kast takes office
- April 2026 – FIDAE 2026: Israel participates in limited capacity, no official pavilion
8. Wrap-Up – What FIDAE 2026 Leaves Behind
We've covered a lot of ground today, exploring the Chile International Air and Space Fair FIDAE 2026 from multiple angles. With 440+ companies from 35 countries on the floor, this wasn't just another arms show — it was a mirror reflecting how nations are repositioning themselves amid a rapidly shifting global security order.
America's commanding presence, the UK's solid performance, the cautious footsteps of the UAE and Israel, China's lukewarm reception, and above all, the remarkable rise of K-Defense — this edition of FIDAE marked a meaningful turning point for Korean defense companies seeking a foothold in Latin America. Hanwha's standalone pavilion and its MOU with Indra Group were the symbolic highlights of that story.
In an era where drones, AI, and space technology are fundamentally rewriting the rules of warfare, the Chile International Air and Space Fair will continue to serve as a compass for the global defense and aerospace industry. Here's looking forward to FIDAE 2028 — and hoping even more Korean companies claim an even bigger stage. Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end! 😊