Page 3 - AVALON 2023 - Day 1 | DAILY NEWS

AVALON AIRSHOW IS BACK!

newcomer is the Defence Space Command,
which was only established last year as
part of the ADF. As its commander, Air Vice-
Marshal Catherine Roberts, noted: ‘Space
connects us all, and is essential to our abil-
ity to operate freely in and control maritime,
land and air domains. Much of our forces’
capabilities are enabled by space-based
communications, intelligence and position-
ing, navigating and timing.’
As usual, the US military has a strong pres-
ence too, with aircraft like the F-15E, MV-22B
Osprey and AH-64E Apache Guardian all
making their way to Avalon Airport.

The four-year break has heightened interest
from exhibitors. This year, for example, the
USA Partnership Pavilion is making its larg-
est ever appearance at Avalon. A total of
86 American companies are present, occu-
pying more than 1,200m² of floor space.
In all, there are more than 100 American
companies participating.

Looming over Australia’s defence land-
scape is the much-anticipated Defence
Strategic Review. On 14 February, the
The Avalon Airshow is Australia’s largest meetings and aircraft flying displays, a Australian government announced it had
such aviation and aerospace exhibition, range of specialist conferences and sym- received the final version of this report,
and it is boomeranging back in full force posiums have been arranged. which for six months examined the force
after a four-year absence! The last such posture, structure and capabilities of the
airshow was held in 2019, since COVID- Avalon Airshow 2019 attracted 38,952 ADF. This is particularly important, since
19 pandemic did its best to stymie public trade attendees, 698 exhibiting companies rapidly evolving changes – such as Russia’s
exhibitions in the intervening period. and 161 industry and government delega- wanton invasion of Ukraine, and the grow-
tions from 30 countries. There was also a ing belligerence of China – will influence
As the organisers state, ‘Avalon 2023 will record 371 aircraft on display on the ground the future composition of Australia’s mili-
be a platform for industry at all levels to or flying in the air. tary. Defence industry is eagerly awaiting
promote to customers, partners and sup- the contents of the report to be released
pliers, providing unrivalled access to the For 2023, there will be more than 60 aircraft publicly.
region’s aviation, aerospace, defence and and helicopters on static display alone.
space community.’ These range from luxury business jets to Avalon air shows are organised by AMDA
emergency response helicopters, from Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit
This is the 15th iteration of the show. jetliners to prototypes, from flying cars to corporation that aims to promote the
Containing three onsite exhibition halls, unmanned aerial vehicles. development of aviation and Australia’s
extensive outdoor space and tarmac cov- industrial, manufacturing and information/
ering an area of 320,000m², Avalon Airshow Of course, the Australian Defence Force communications technology resources in
2023 actually sold out its exhibitor space. As (ADF) is a major participant in every Avalon the fields of aviation, aerospace, maritime,
well as the exhibits, business-to-business air show, and 2023 is no different. A special defence and security.

Editorial Director Arun Sivasankaran Art Director
Vittorio Rossi Prudente arun.sivasankaran@gbp.com.sg Sudheesh Kularmunda
PUBLISHED BY vittorio.prudente@gbp.com.sg Atul Chandra sudheesh.kularmunda@gbp.com.sg
atul.chandra@gbp.com.sg
Editorial Team: Sales Director
Jay Menon Yulian Ardiansyah Akshay Satyamurthy
jay.menon@gbp.com.sg yulian.ardiansyah@gbp.com.sg akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg

AVALON 2023 FEBRUARY-28-2023 | 3