After vacation II
Another event last week was the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in England. I have never been there and probably never will be again. Otherwise, probably everyone who is involved in the production of anything for aircraft is there. Our main representatives are Aero Vodochody and its SkyFox, and PBS Velká Bíteš with rocket engines. Other participants are:
- LOM PRAHA: State-owned enterprise providing repairs, modernization of helicopters and international pilot training.
- Aircraft Industries: Manufacturer of civil transport aircraft of the L-410 series from Kunovice.
- VR Group: Developer of advanced simulation and training systems for the air force.
- Charvát AXL: Supplier of landing gear systems and hydraulic components for the aviation industry.
- Jihlavan: Manufacturer of hydraulic devices, actuators and parts for aircraft structures.
- Mesit: Manufacturer of on-board electronics, radio communication systems and cockpit devices.
- UNIS: Specialist in engine control systems and critical aircraft electronics.
- MGM COMPRO: Developer of electric propulsion systems and controllers for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
But who can enter this world is defined by the Nadcap qualification. And who is it? There are 15 of them in total in the Czech Republic and 2 in Slovakia. But these are also certificates for NDT, CP, WLD, etc. There are only 5 certificates for heat treatment, none for HIP.
For my eyes to light up after such a fair, something has to change. First of all, something has to start being produced here, not assembled. So there is a lack of OEM manufacturers of engines, landing gear, critical parts, etc. It is also worth noting that even Charvát AXL, a supplier of landing gear systems and hydraulic components for the aviation industry, does not have a Nadcap.
In the context of the fair, one part is dedicated to something that is hidden behind the acronym FIA. In translation, it means Framework for International Air and Missile Defence Cooperation – an international framework for cooperation in the field of air and missile defence, which brings together states, organisations and experts with decision-making powers to coordinate defence, intelligence and cyber activities.
Since the aviation business is global, today built on the fact that the same engine can be manufactured or repaired using the same procedures in Europe, Asia and Australia, the existence of the FIA means that this will never be the case again. The world will be divided into blocks, and procedures will be accessible within them, but not outside your home block.
It sounds logical, but it is exactly the opposite of what the aviation business wanted. Moreover, there is no global standard or certification authority for this type of production, similar to Nadcap, it is in the hands of governments or blocs such as NATO and its AQAP standards. It will be very interesting, but I see it very negatively. And what if Trump really leaves NATO? If so, a lot of doors and gates that are open today will close.
I was not at the fair, but it is already clear to me that another fundamental change is taking place, which was the guiding idea for this industry. Namely, the unification of the technical and industrial framework towards uniform qualification processes worldwide, with the goal of compatibility and audit credibility across countries and continents. Nadcap was and is strictly apolitical.
In contrast, bloc security architectures hidden under acronyms such as FIA (Air and Missile Defence Cooperation) or RIA (Regional Information Architecture) are strategic: they address data sharing, cybersecurity, command and control interoperability. These frameworks arise in response to geopolitical tensions – they limit the free flow of information between blocs (e.g. NATO vs. non-aligned states). FIA/RIA therefore do not globalize production, but protect information infrastructure. They therefore represent a new reality of power – “who is allowed to do it”.
Even though for now we are “on the right side”, meaning we are probably allowed to do it, in reality there is nothing. So just a little optimism, maybe something like the Czech Rzeszow will emerge.
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25/7/2026
