By Dr. Inderjit Singh
In a world constantly evolving with the tides of technological progress and rising geopolitical tension, the military’s role remains central to the security doctrine of nation-states. Among the many ways nations project power and prestige, Air Shows are powerful symbols – not merely as dazzling displays of daring aerial manoeuvres and acrobatics but more importantly as strategic instruments of deterrence, diplomacy, and national pride. In this write-up, I have analysed the multifaceted nature of Air Shows, their reflection of a nation’s air power, their psychological and strategic impact on adversaries, the blurred lines between counterterrorism and conventional warfare, and the broader question of whether war can truly be a pathway to peace.
The Significance of Air Shows
Air Shows serve as a comprehensive platform for military and government interactions, fostering commercial interests and geopolitical goals through the public display and airpower demonstration. They are essentially tools of Soft Power and Diplomacy.
Air shows via static display of aircraft allow attendees to get up close and personal with military and civilian planes. They also feature immersive and interactive displays that provide valuable information, inspiring future aviators and engineers. Air Shows invariably celebrate the history and advancement of flight, from vintage aircraft to the latest in aviation technology, fostering appreciation for aviation’s rich legacy. They stoke national pride and reinforce the public’s morale and faith in their armed forces. This sense of unity becomes particularly crucial during periods of geopolitical tension or military engagements.
I say this with certain authenticity for having witnessed several Air Shows in the past, and most recently on the 25th May at the 2025 annual FourLeaf Jones Beach Air Show, New York. The gallantry display by the coveted US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team was followed by the demonstration of the US multirole fighter F-35 and the US Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft. Civilian performers included, amongst others, the world-famous.
Skytypers and their flight squadron of vintage WWII aircraft. The headliner, however, was the acrobatic display of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The sense of euphoria generated among the huge crowd had to be seen to be believed.
Picture Credit: Miguel Medina
Paris Air Show
The ongoing Paris Air Show from 16th to 22nd June 2025 is one of the longest-running and most well-known aviation events taking place every alternate year. It serves as a major hub for civil and military aerospace developments, bringing together players from around the world to showcase the technological innovations that define the future of aerospace. In a constantly evolving aerospace environment, the exhibitors demonstrate cognitive superiority to civil and military ecosystems by using AI to support human intelligence in opening new frontiers, better-connected and collaborative civil and defence aviation systems, advanced airport solutions, and premium global services. Airbus at the Paris Air Show hosts a unique competition, “Fly Your Ideas,” inspiring students worldwide to present their innovative ideas in the domains of Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Modelling.
Other Eminent Air Shows
The other notable world-class Air Shows are Farnborough International (UK), MAKS (Russia), Aero India, BAAFEx Singapore, Dubai Airshow, and ILA Berlin Airshow. Modern Air Shows showcase advanced commercial and military aircraft, drone systems, avionics, and AI-assisted weaponry. These demonstrations serve as visible proof of a nation’s defence innovation capabilities. The presence of fifth-generation fighters like the USA’s F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Russia’s Su-57, Sukhoi Su-35S, Europe’s Eurofighter Typhoon, France’s Dassault Rafale, South Korea’s KAI KF-21 Boramae, and China’s J-35A at such events is not coincidental – it is a strategic performance aimed at both allies and adversaries.
Air demonstration squadrons, like the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels, of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy respectively, the Frecce Tricolori of Italian Air Force, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force, the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force, and the Snow Birds of the Royal Canadian Air Force act as ambassadors for their respective nations, promoting a positive national image and fostering goodwill.
Amongst the leading global commercial and military aircraft manufacturers, those that regularly attend international Air Shows are Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and ATR, where they showcase cutting-edge innovations like sustainable flight technologies, use of advanced materials like thermoplastics and composites, and electric and hybrid propulsion systems, and cabin designs.
Tools of Soft Power and Diplomacy
Air Shows facilitate economic and defence diplomacy and military-to-military engagements. Countries use them as platforms to exhibit their advanced military aircraft and technologies, demonstrating their airpower and defence capabilities to court buyers, sign military pacts, build alliances and deter potential adversaries. These events bring together industry leaders, government officials, and military representatives, creating a forum for discussions on crucial issues. These include aviation security, technology transfer, and defence collaboration agreements leading to civil and military aircraft deals, incorporating systems, and support packages worth billions, thus influencing international geopolitics. The strategic choreography of inviting certain nations, excluding others, and unveiling new capabilities at specific moments speaks volumes about a country’s foreign policy intent.
The process ultimately leads to strengthening military ties between like-minded countries to interact, share best practices, and enhance interoperability. Joint exercises, often showcased at or alongside air shows, serve to demonstrate and improve military capacities in conjunction with other nations.
Psychological Warfare
The very sight of a fighter jet screaming through the sky or a formation of bombers cruising overhead can have a profound psychological effect. For adversaries, such displays remind them of the technological edge and combat readiness of their opponents. For citizens, they reaffirm a sense of security.
Balance of Power and Pre-emption
A superior air force not only discourages enemy aggression but also provides leverage in diplomacy. The Gulf War and NATO’s intervention in the Balkans are examples of how air superiority allowed rapid de-escalation and control over war zones.
Military Might as a Deterrent
As I deep dive into the numerous facets of these phenomenal events and considering the prevailing geopolitical dynamics and spread of conflict zones across the globe, I believe that the Air Shows must have the instrument of deterrence at their core. It serves as a powerful signal to potential adversaries that the cost of aggression would outweigh any perceived gains. Deterrence, to my mind, is that while a nation’s possession of sufficient military strength is on display, the determination to use it, when challenged or deemed necessary, is conveyed in unequivocal terms to the adversaries from taking actions they might otherwise consider.
History and theory alike suggest that a credible display of force, not aggression, can prevent wars. Deterrence theory, developed during the Cold War, remains foundational in understanding the logic behind military posturing. During the Cold War, the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union served as a powerful deterrent, with both sides possessing enough weapons to destroy each other, making a direct conflict unlikely.
Air power serves as a force multiplier for ground and naval units. Close air support (CAS), aerial refuelling, and logistical airlift operations ensure that conventional forces remain agile and sustained. The debate between air power and conventional military power is no longer about superiority, but about integration. True military dominance comes from a well-coordinated joint force command structure.
A Philosophical Outlook
“We make war that we may live in peace,” said Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher. He suggests that peace is the ultimate end, and war is the means to achieve it. He believed war could be a necessary step to secure a lasting and just peace, which would allow for the development of a flourishing society and a well-ordered state.
Several centuries later, Paulo Coelho, the living Brazilian novelist, lyricist, and a modern-day Philosopher, echoed the same sentiments, albeit in a different expression. “Love everybody, but never sell your sword” emphasizes the importance of both compassion and self-defence. It suggests that while empathy and compassion should be a guiding principle, one should never abandon their ability or willingness to protect oneself or others from any injustice, harm, or oppression.
War as a Pathway to Peace
Can war truly be a pathway to peace? At first glance, the phrase seems paradoxical to me. How can violence pave the way to harmony? Yet, history offers examples where decisive military action ended prolonged suffering.
The concept of “war as a pathway to peace” suggests that conflict, while inherently destructive, is at times necessary to achieve a lasting peace or a more stable environment. This idea is explored in various philosophical and historical contexts, often presented as a pragmatic approach to international relations.
The defeat of the Axis powers in World War II was necessary to end genocide and imperial aggression. NATO airstrikes were instrumental in ending ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in the Balkan conflict. During the Gulf War, military intervention pushed back an aggressor and restored a sovereign nation.
War, when waged with clear objectives, proportional means, and a commitment to minimize civilian casualties, can remove threats to peace and pave the way for stability. However, peace must be the end goal, not dominance, not retribution.
A strong, disciplined, and technologically superior military can enforce peace treaties, provide humanitarian aid, and respond swiftly to crises. Deterrence backed by diplomacy, however, remains the most effective formula for global peace.
The U.S. government responded to the 9/11 attack in 2001 by declaring a “war on terrorism,” leading to the invasion of Abbottabad, Pakistan on May 2, 2011, via Operation Neptune Spear, in which US SEAL Team Six shot and killed Osama bin Laden at his “Waziristan Haveli”. The post-9/11 world has redefined the nature of warfare. Unlike traditional conflicts between nations, the “war on terror” targets non-state actors embedded within sovereign borders.
In the ongoing conflict in South Asia between India and Pakistan, the Indian official public statement admits responding to the original escalations from Pakistan. The Indian side’s retaliation to the aggression has been targeted, precise, controlled, and measured. Only the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was targeted to thwart future acts of aggression.
The Last Word
The grandeur and precision of Air Shows, among other virtues, must deliver a subliminal message: “We are ready. We are capable.” The display of air power by any one country or collectively, while thrilling, ought to be a carefully choreographed statement of intent, resilience, and reach.
In an era marked by unpredictable threats – ranging from rogue states to stateless terrorists – air power in the format of Air Shows has moved to the centre stage of national defence. Its precision, mobility, and technological edge make it a cornerstone of modern warfare and deterrence.
Dr Inderjit Singh, a global aviation consultant with ICAO and former CEO of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, synergizes his aviation prowess and Doctoral research in International Relations to analyse the multifaceted nature of Air Shows in their present format.
