Following our visit to the 2025 International Paris Air Show, Barum & Dewar is reflecting on the key trends and conversations shaping the future of aerospace and defence and how these align with our focus as a long-standing specialist in engineered packaging solutions.

The show brought together over 300,000 attendees from across the globe, with a strong emphasis this year on sustainability, digital innovation, and European collaboration in defence. These themes are closely aligned with Barum & Dewar’s approach: combining technical expertise with agility to meet evolving client requirements across satellite, aerospace, and defence programmes.

Key Takeaways from Paris 2025

Defence and Security in Focus: Defence featured prominently throughout the show, with a significant number of exhibitors and discussions centred on strengthening European security, advancing sovereign capabilities, and increasing investment in military aviation and autonomous systems.

Sustainability and Green Innovation: Sustainable aviation was a core theme, with several governments and manufacturers announcing new initiatives to accelerate decarbonisation. Innovations in alternative fuels, electrification, and lightweight materials featured across both civil and defence programmes.

Digitalisation and Emerging Technology: Digital twins, AI integration, and advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing were widely showcased. These technologies are set to play a major role in boosting efficiency, reducing development timelines, and improving system performance across aerospace platforms.

Supply Chain Resilience: The importance of robust, agile supply chains was emphasised in light of recent global disruptions. Collaboration, localisation and transparency were key topics across many discussions, as the industry looks to future-proof its operations.

European Collaboration and Investment: Cross-border partnerships and multi-national programmes were a strong feature at this year’s show, particularly in defence. A shared commitment to innovation, security and economic growth continues to drive new joint ventures across the continent.

Managing Director David Frame attended the show on 17th and 18th June, meeting with clients, partners, and new connections from across Europe. These conversations reaffirmed the importance of close collaboration, particularly as clients prepare for next-generation space and defence missions.

Barum & Dewar remains committed to supporting our clients with technically advanced, trusted solutions and the insights gained from Paris 2025 will continue to inform how we innovate and evolve to meet industry needs.

If you’d like to find out more about our aerospace and defence capabilities, get in touch with the team.

Barum & Dewar is looking forward to attending the 55th International Paris Air Show next week, one of the most important events in the global aerospace and space calendar. Held at Le Bourget from 17-23 June, the show brings together thousands of industry professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, and government representatives to showcase the latest innovations and forge future partnerships.

Our Managing Director, David Frame, will be attending on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th June, meeting with both existing clients and new connections. These meetings are part of our continued focus on strengthening relationships across the European aerospace and space supply chain and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Barum & Dewar has been designing and manufacturing specialist packaging solutions for over 25 years for the sector. As demand continues to grow, particularly from clients across Europe, events like the Paris Air Show are vital to staying connected, informed, and ahead of our clients’ evolving needs.

David Frame commented, “The Paris Air Show is always a key date in the calendar. It allows us to meet face-to-face with many of our clients and partners, understand what’s on the horizon, and ensure Barum & Dewar remains a responsive and trusted supplier to this fast-moving industry.”

If you are attending and would like to arrange a meeting during the show, please get in touch, we would be delighted to connect.

The recently published Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out an ambitious and far-reaching vision for the UK’s future defence capability. With its emphasis on readiness, innovation, and integrated operations across domains, it signals a shift in how defence will be structured, equipped, and supported in the decade ahead.

For suppliers to the sector, the SDR brings clarity to the Government’s priorities, underlining the need for long-term investment, greater agility, and a more collaborative relationship between MOD and industry. As a business with 30 years of experience supporting UK defence, Barum & Dewar welcomes the intent to enhance this relationship, recognising that delivering capability at pace will require more than just procurement reform, it demands a trusted, responsive and forward-thinking supply base.

The SDR makes clear that defence can no longer be viewed in isolation. The need for an “always-on” industrial base, improved supply chain resilience, and faster acquisition cycles reflects the operational realities of modern conflict. In this context, the role of companies able to combine technical capability with responsiveness becomes increasingly important. Our experience in the sector has shown that speed of response, backed by deep sector understanding, is often as critical as the product or service itself.

Equally, the review highlights the need for new approaches to ongoing challenges. From modular platforms and uncrewed systems to digital enablement and dual-use innovation, the direction of travel is clear. Supporting these developments will require industry partners who not only understand defence environments, but who can also think differently and respond with flexibility. This has long been part of our approach: to work closely with clients to solve practical challenges through considered, innovative solutions.

As the MOD develops its Defence Investment Plan and prepares to implement the SDR’s recommendations, there is a growing recognition that trusted relationships and sector-specific knowledge matter. In an environment where reliability and assurance are essential, suppliers with a proven record of delivery, combined with the agility to adapt, will be key to maintaining readiness and resilience.

Following our acquisition by Macfarlane Group, B&D is also now part of a wider packaging and logistics network, further strengthening our ability to scale, invest, and evolve in support of defence requirements.

The SDR’s focus on building a more integrated, digitally enabled and responsive defence capability presents an opportunity to build on the strengths of the UK’s industrial base. Barum & Dewar remains committed to playing our part, supporting critical missions, contributing to national resilience, and continuing to evolve in line with the sector’s changing needs.

Barum & Dewar is pleased to announce a new contract with NATO JEWCS, based at Yeovilton, for the supply of a large custom case and foam solution to support the deployment of mission-critical equipment into the field.

The requirement presented unique challenges due to the size and weight of the equipment, which exceeds standard manual handling limits. Working closely with our long-standing partners at Peli, Barum & Dewar has developed a packaging solution that combines rugged protection with mobility and practicality, in single lid cases designed specifically for use in demanding field environments.

Delivery is scheduled for summer 2025, and we are proud to continue supporting NATO JEWCS with dependable, operational-ready packaging that ensures their essential equipment arrives intact and ready for use.

Barum & Dewar is proud to confirm a repeat production order from Dynamic Load Monitoring (DLM) for the supply of additional cases and foams used to protect their shackle and tensile test kits.

This long-standing collaboration began with a requirement for a robust and professional transit solution capable of withstanding harsh working environments, while presenting DLM’s load cell products in a well-organised, high-quality format.

Partnering with trusted supplier Peli, and using our in-house foam production facility, we delivered a tailored solution that continues to perform in demanding environments such as offshore, marine, and subsea industries.

The continued repeat orders reflect DLM’s confidence in our product quality, customer service, and local support, and we are proud to continue delivering value for this highly respected client.

More on our original project with DLM can be found here: Case Study – Dynamic Load Monitoring