As military planes roared over the Farnborough International Airshow – the very same planes currently bombing Gaza – peace campaigners and local residents gathered outside to show their disgust at the arms trade.

On Wednesday 24th July, PPU members and staff attended peaceful protests against the Farnborough International Airshow organised by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), Greater Rushmoor Action for Peace (GRAFP), and Quakers, and featuring the Raised Voices Choir, along with speakers and testimonies from survivors of war, and representatives from a number of other organisations.

In part, the protest focused on climate issues; the Airshow, like all others, is associated with huge carbon emissions. This relates to the aircraft – the aerospace and arms industries in general, and the displays during the Airshow – and to the delegates, who fly in from across the globe, including on private jets (insultingly, one of the event’s themes this year was ‘sustainability’).

Additionally, the noise pollution, which is extreme and prolonged, is a source of distress for many residents – this is particularly the case as the Airshow takes place over several days but also includes a practice week beforehand. A local parent informed us that, in previous years, the noise has been so intense it’s necessitated the early closure of schools (something only avoided this year due to the Airshow’s timing). Raised Voices Choir were, in fact, forced to stop singing at numerous points due to the deafening sound of aircraft displays overhead. The noise was extremely intimidating even though we knew it was a display only; it is impossible to imagine the fear and horror the same sound would cause for those trapped in the midst of conflict. 

In addition to opposition based on the environmental impact of the Airshow was that focused on the military equipment on display and for sale, and the arms companies represented inside. These include BAE System – which has its own hall! – Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Leonardo, Elbit Systems, Rafael and more. The Airshow does have a civil aviation element, but each iteration of the Airshow appears to increasingly focus on trading in arms.

One of the aircraft proudly displaying overhead was a F-35, billed by Lockheed Martin as ‘the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world’. The F-35 is, in fact, the very fighter jet that’s currently being used by the IDF in its bombardment of Gaza. It is disgraceful and disgusting to fly F-35 aircraft over the skies of Surrey for the benefit of arms dealers while Israel simultaneously intensifies its bombing campaign on Gaza. It is outrageous, in general, to hold such a high profile and flashy event when wars rage around the world, directly fuelled by the equipment flaunted inside.

Arms dealers, dressed almost entirely in their usual uniform of dark blue suits, strode past our camp, trying to avoid eye contact. They were approached and questioned on their way in and out, and encouraged to take literature on the impact of the arms trade. One delegate shamelessly confirmed he didn’t care at all that the equipment he was peddling would kill people, including children, abroad. At one point, Raised Voices Choir sang a song of peace as arms dealers speedily rolled their identical suitcases past, anti-war banners and placards clearly visible in the background.

Local residents, on the other hand, stopped by our protest camp to show their support and learn more. They expressed disgust at the arms companies’ actions and at the increasing focus on buying and selling of weaponry at the Airshow, as well as their frustration with the noise pollution they are subjected to on a biannual basis. They confirmed that in Farnborough, with its strong military presence, they find it challenging to express alternative views and, therefore, greatly appreciated our presence and opposition. These comments should provide increased motivation to continue with our public opposition to these destructive industries, and to keep connecting with different communities and supporting them in their struggles.

We shared lunch together as a group and maintained an open space throughout the day, one of solidarity and action, of standing together in our utter rejection of this Airshow, of the military and arms industries, and of the militarist mindset that allows these industries to flourish.