Aerospace & Defence Pulse Check Q3/2026
Sentiment in aerospace and defence has reached a new record high. Our Q3/2026 survey shows where defence portfolios are heading and what suppliers expect from the A320 successor.
The H&Z Aerospace & Defence Pulse Check Q3/2026 surveyed 83 industry leaders between 9 and 16 October 2026. 79% of them hold senior or top management positions. Industry sentiment has reached another record high: 88% of participants rate their company’s expectations for 2026 as positive or very positive.
Companies are exploring new defence segments and are successfully capitalising on them. At the same time, most participants see the successor to the Airbus A320 family as an opportunity for additional business.
This page summarises the key results on sentiment, defence portfolios, and the A320 successor programme. The full document is available below. The previous edition is the Aerospace & Defence Pulse Check Q2/2026. For the wider picture of how H&Z works with the sector, see our industry practice.
RECORD CONFIDENCE IN THREE NUMBERS
READ THE FULL AEROSPACE & DEFENCE PULSE CHECK Q3/2026
Flip through the pages to see all results of this edition, including the sentiment development over time, the full defence portfolio analysis, and the technology assessment for the A320 successor.
DEFENCE PORTFOLIOS ARE DIVERSIFYING
A&D suppliers work across several military domains at once. Their future target programmes are moving in a clear direction.
Legacy military aviation
Legacy programmes, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, continue to dominate current portfolios.
UAVs
Unmanned aerial vehicles are part of the portfolio with the highest growth ambitions.
Space systems
Space systems are a relevant growth driver.
Ammunition
Ammunition is a relevant growth driver as well.
Entering new market segments requires additional approvals, certifications, and legal expertise.
THE A320 SUCCESSOR: A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Participants see the successor to the Airbus A320 family mainly as an opportunity.
44%expect a larger role in the programme than today
13%consider it one of their key strategic growth initiatives
24%expect their role to stay roughly the same
19%expect less business than today
Engine efficiency is by far the most relevant technology for the A320 successor in the view of the participants, followed by fully integrated production. Supply chain sustainability and additive manufacturing are rated lower.
SO WHAT? STRONG ORDER BOOKS ARE NOT A STRATEGY
The results reflect an industry with exceptionally strong momentum. Orders have arrived, order books are filling up, and the immediate challenge is execution: delivering on commitments, managing capacity, and ensuring supply chain performance. Our defence ramp-up analysis looks at this in detail.
These challenges must not distract management from the more fundamental question: what comes next? The A320 successor programme will come, but future workshare, technological requirements, and supplier selection are far from guaranteed. The current boom is the moment to reassess positioning, capabilities, and competitive advantages before the next market cycle begins, with a growth strategy that holds beyond today’s programmes and the operational excellence to deliver today’s business.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the H&Z Aerospace & Defence Pulse Check?
It is a recurring survey of senior leaders in the aerospace and defence industry, run by H&Z. Each edition tracks business sentiment and current topics in the sector.
How many participants took part in the Q3/2026 edition?
83 industry leaders responded between 9 and 16 October 2026. 79% hold senior or top management positions.
How positive is the aerospace and defence industry about 2026?
Sentiment has reached another record high. 88% of participants rate their company’s expectations for 2026 as positive or very positive.
Which defence segments are suppliers moving into?
Legacy military aviation programmes still dominate current portfolios, but growth ambitions are shifting towards UAVs, space systems, and ammunition. Entering these segments requires additional approvals, certifications, and legal expertise.
What do suppliers expect from the Airbus A320 successor?
44% expect a larger role than today and another 13% consider it a key strategic growth initiative, while 19% expect less business. Engine efficiency and fully integrated production are rated the most relevant technologies.
