Unveiled at the Paris Air Show, revolutionary companion drones signal a dramatic shift in military strategy, promising to transform air combat alongside fighter jets with unmatched speed, stealth, and autonomy.

Aerial Warfare Redefined: Companion Drones Set to Transform Global Conflict


The future of aerial warfare took center stage at this year’s Paris Air Show as global defense leaders introduced next-generation drones that are poised to change the nature of combat forever. Dubbed “companion drones,” these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are engineered to operate alongside fighter jets, heralding a seismic shift in military technology.

The biennial event—widely regarded as the world’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition—witnessed an unprecedented display of drone innovation, underscoring their pivotal role in modern warfare, especially following their effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict and mounting tensions in the Pacific.

Drones That Will Change the War: The Rise of Autonomous Wingmen


Among the most anticipated developments was the unveiling of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—a U.S. Air Force initiative aimed at deploying fleets of autonomous drones that can perform reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike missions beside human pilots.

Anduril Industries, a California-based defense technology company, revealed its 5-meter-long Fury drone model, which will enter production in 2027 as part of the CCA program. Jason Levin, Anduril’s Vice President of Engineering, described the aircraft as “extremely capable,” stating: “We can’t give details here, but it performs missions like a fighter jet.”

Levin further disclosed plans for a $2.5 billion facility in Ohio to support drone manufacturing, reflecting the company’s rapid growth and strategic focus. Anduril, already supplying Ukraine with smaller drones, also secured a $38 million agreement with the UK in March to deliver the Altius compact drone, capable of launching from land or air and performing attack, deception, or cyber warfare roles.

Strategic Stakes: Pacific Tensions and Beyond


General Atomics, another U.S. defense powerhouse, showcased its YFQ-42A drone—a direct counterpart to the Fury and optimized for deployment in the Pacific, where fears of a Chinese incursion into Taiwan have intensified.

Boeing also made waves with a live demonstration involving two Ghost Bat drones flying in tandem with an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft during a joint exercise with the Australian Air Force. “The Ghost Bat has the potential to transform a single fighter jet into an entire combat team,” said Australia’s Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. “Its sensors act like hundreds of eyes in the sky.”

Europe Joins the Race: Collaborative Defense Initiatives Advance


Not to be outdone, European defense manufacturers are accelerating their companion drone programs. Sweden’s Saab is developing its own systems, while a major trilateral effort by Dassault Aviation (France), Airbus (Germany), and Indra Sistemas (Spain) is underway as part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This initiative aims to integrate manned and unmanned aircraft into a seamless digital combat ecosystem.

 Drones That Will Change the War Are Already Here

Sky’s the Limit: Autonomous Warfare Reaches New Heights

The Paris Air Show offered a powerful glimpse into the future of air combat, where drones that will change the war are no longer prototypes but strategic assets. With defense giants racing to develop fleets of intelligent, lethal, and coordinated UAVs, the line between manned and unmanned warfare is rapidly fading. As geopolitical tensions mount, the skies are set to become even more autonomous—and far more unpredictable.