Starting this Tuesday, April 7, Zona Militar begins its special coverage from the city of Santiago, Chile, where a new edition of the International Air and Space Fair ( FIDAE ) 2026 is taking place, one of the most important gatherings for the aeronautical, space, and defense industries in Latin America. The event, which runs through Sunday the 12th, is being held at Pudahuel Air Base and brings together institutional representatives, companies, and official delegations from around the world.
In its twenty-fourth edition, FIDAE 2026 brings together 35 exhibiting countries, more than 440 companies, 112 official delegations, and 300 professional delegations, in addition to featuring more than a hundred aircraft on static and flight display. With stands, airplanes, helicopters, and systems already deployed on the tarmac, activity has been in full swing since the opening day, reflecting the dynamism of an exhibition that concentrates cutting-edge technologies. The presence of civilian and military authorities, together with leading figures from the global industry, reinforces the strategic nature of the event and its importance for the sector.
The opening ceremony, attended by Chilean President José Antonio Kast, Defense Minister Fernando Barros Tocornal, and FIDAE President Air Force General Miguel Strange Muñoz, formally inaugurated the fair, kicking off six days of intense activities including aerial displays, static exhibits, commercial presentations, and specialized conferences. During the event, the Air Force General stated that “FIDAE 2026 strongly incorporates a new dimension aimed at the generation of knowledge. Hundreds of exhibiting companies, delegations, international organizations, and representatives from the academic-technological world are gathered at this fair,” highlighting the importance of the event for the development of the sector.
He also stated: “This approach makes it possible to broaden the fair’s transnational reach, consolidating it not only as a distribution space, but also as a platform for reflection and projection, where trends are analyzed, experiences are shared, and proposals for the future are generated. In this way, state challenges are aligned with the demands of an increasingly dynamic environment, where the meeting point between the academic, industrial, and defense spheres is decisive,” in reference to FIDAE’s role in the regional and international context.
For his part, the Minister of Defense emphasized: “This is a space where all technology converges, and above all, the future.” Lastly, the president stated: “FIDAE demonstrates our country’s ability to organize, convene, innovate, and project itself seriously in a strategic field for the present and future of nations. Chile did not reach this level of development by chance. The country understood early on the importance of airspace, technology, and strategic projection.”
Along the same lines, the president also referred to the launch of the T-40 NEWEN: “What we saw yesterday was a historic moment. A historic moment in the transition from the aircraft in which more than 5,000 Air Force pilots were trained to an aircraft that has a marathon of times.”
On this occasion, the Zona Militar team is present in Santiago to offer comprehensive coverage of FIDAE 2026, with a focus on the main developments in aeronautical defense, international cooperation, and technological innovation, providing detailed follow-up on the developments that will shape the agenda in the coming years.
Organized by the Chilean Air Force, throughout its 46 years of history FIDAE has evolved in parallel with an industry in constant transformation, consolidating itself as a benchmark exhibition in Latin America. Its multisectoral character, integrating academia, defense, and industry, positions it as a key space where innovation, international cooperation, and a vision for the future converge.
More news and exclusive content from the heart of FIDAE 2026 coming shortly from Zona Militar.
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