The International Ayr Show is facing the prospect of a protest after campaigners objected to the involvement of defence companies they say are linked to Israel’s military activity.
South Ayrshire Council announced earlier this month that Thales would be a “key sponsor” of the 2026 Festival of Flight. The popular event is due to take place next weekend, with the Red Arrows among the attractions shown in promotional material.
The French defence company employs more than 7,000 people in the UK, including workers at a factory in Govan. It has also faced protests over arms sales to Israel, including its former joint venture with Elbit Systems, described in the report as Israel’s largest weapons firm. The venture produced the Watchkeeper drone and ended earlier this year.
Campaigners call for action in Ayr
The council’s decision to accept Thales sponsorship has already drawn criticism, with the Scottish Greens describing it as “shameful”. The Sunday National has also reported that BAE Systems and Leonardo are sponsoring the air show.
BAE Systems, which also operates a factory in Govan, is described as one of the UK’s leading arms companies. It produces components for F-35 jets, aircraft previously used by the Israeli army during its bombardment of Gaza.
Leonardo UK, which has a factory in Edinburgh, manufactures laser-targeting systems for F-35 jets used by Israel in Gaza. The company also supplies naval guns fitted to Israeli warships and radar components for Elbit’s Iron Fist system.
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it expects the event at Ayr’s shorefront area to be targeted by protesters. The group urged people in the area to organise a demonstration and said it would provide practical support.
“We are almost three full years into what the International Court of Justice calls a 'plausible case of genocide' against Israel and what a UN committee describes as the 'extermination' of Palestinians by Israel, using weapons contributed by a number of arms companies, including Thales.”
“It beggars belief that South Ayrshire Council would include this blood-soaked company in any way in an event which aims to be family-friendly, given that Thales has been and is still facilitating the extermination of literally thousands of Palestinian families and tens of thousands of children.”
“SPSC calls on local people to organise a protest against this obscenity, which we will support practically.”
What the council says about the sponsorship
South Ayrshire Council said sponsors are assessed on whether they can support activities and deliver benefits for communities across South Ayrshire.
The authority said Scottish aerospace and engineering companies with local employees had strongly supported the airshow since its first event in 2023. It added that sponsorship had helped fund STEM activity and outreach, giving young people opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
However, the council said it would not comment on every aspect of a sponsor’s wider corporate activities. It said sponsorship decisions would continue to be considered in line with its responsibilities as a public body.
Thales and BAE Systems were approached for comment. Leonardo UK declined to comment.
The wider claims cited in the dispute
The report says more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, citing the territory’s health ministry. It also cites the United Nations as saying Israel has killed 20,000 children and injured 44,000 since 7 October 2023.
It further reports that a UN independent international commission of inquiry found in June that Israel had “deliberately targeted Palestinian children resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes”. The same commission confirmed last year that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The council’s sponsorship position and the campaigners’ response mean the International Ayr Show could become a focus for local protest when the event takes place. No protest date, route or arrangements are specified in the supplied report.
