Amid growing global unrest, defense tech attracts attention in Paris

Defense and technology fascinates many and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Paris Airshow.

It's a biennial event that's expected to attract 300,000 visitors throughout the week. 

The first four days are for trade, with companies and business people meeting at over 2,500 exhibitions and stands. That's followed by three days for the general public to come and see 150 aircraft up close.

Civil aviation sits next to a bewildering array of defense companies. 

Passenger planes and the technology of transporting people to the four corners of the globe are parked near Le Bourget runway, while fighter jets and unmanned drones are placed in front of expensive pavilions paid for by multinational defense companies.

Inside one of five cavernous pavilions are companies from almost every continent.

The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has its headquarters in Beijing and is in Paris to attract more buyers for Chinese-made military aeroplanes. 

Some are already in use by other military air forces in Asia.

"We believe that this exhibition will foster friendly cooperation with aerospace enterprises and militaries around the world," said Zhu Qian, a Deputy Head of AVIC's delegation in Paris.

The company is launching a new fighter jet and is displaying models of it at its exhibition stand. It plans to bring an actual prototype plane from China to Europe eventually. 

Zhu Qian told CGTN: "The J-10 fighter is a fourth-generation fighter jet independently developed by China. It features advanced aerodynamics, as well as cutting-edge avionics, fire control, radar systems, and integrated weapon systems."

Alongside the J-10CE, the Pakistani government has bought and used China's newer J-35A combat jet recently.

"The J-35 is the next-generation," said Zhu Qian. "Its primary goal is stealth-based combat, aligning with next-generation warfare concepts. Its design differs significantly from J-10, aiming for maximum stealth effects, including its shape and internal bomb bays."

France's frontline fighter jet Rafale is a good seller, with factories manufacturing its different parts, spread across the country. The F5 Rafale model is being unveiled by Dassault Aviation for the first time at this year's event.

German defense and security manufacturer Diehl Defence is alongside more than 50 other Teutonic companies which have come to showcase their wares in Paris.

Diehl provides the German Army - the Bundeswehr - and international armed forces with high-tech equipment in ground-based air defense and guided missiles.

David Voskuhl, of Diehl Defence, told CGTN: "For a number of years the geopolitical situation is changing a lot. We have many hotspots in several regions of the world - and of course we notice that the attitude towards the defense industry is changing.

"There is a change of awareness in the general population. I can certainly speak for Germany as far as that is concerned."

Defense impact

There's no question that the most watched fly-pasts - and the noisiest - are the combat aeroplanes. 

Defense and security technology has become an increasingly visible part of the world's largest air show.

As the nature of warfare and technology evolves fast, new weaponry is on show - and on sale. There is an increasing interest currently in air defense systems, radar and unmanned vehicles or drones. 

Their impact is perhaps especially conspicuous this year, as we watch real-life wars on our nightly news bulletins.