Page 51 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
AIRPOWER AVALON PREVIEW 51
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A major drawcard at Avalon 2023 will be the first Australian appearance of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s ‘Black Eagles’ aerobatic team
The Royal Malaysian Air Force participated at an Avalon airshow for the first time in 2019, displaying an Airbus A400M transport aircraft
The Wall of Fire is always a crowd favourite at Avalon
The 2019 event was the swansong for the RAAF’s ‘Classic’ Hornet
The Japan Air Self Defense Force will again demonstrate the capabilities of its Kawasaki C-2 heavy airlifter at Avalon 2023
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AIRCRAFT ON DISPLAY
What sets Avalon apart from the Aerospace Maritime Defence and Security Foundation of Australia’s other major events (Indo Pacific and Land Forces) is of course the fact that it is also an airshow, with the public being admitted on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
ity Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) for the Army would seem to indicate that they – at least – are immune from the DSR findings. It is also perhaps no coincidence that Avalon organisers are advertising the presence of both an Apache and a Black Hawk from the US Army at the 2023 event.
From a local industry perspective Lockheed Martin has indicated that it will once again host its F-35 suppliers expo, highlighting Australian suppliers’ contributions to the international Joint Strike Fighter program.
Other major acquisition programs which seem likely to be discussed in hushed tones during Avalon 2023 include Air 6500 (Joint Air Battle Management System), Air 7000 Phase 1B (MQ-4C Triton) and JP9360 (Space Domain Awareness). ADM will bring you a detailed account of what was said, when it was said and by whom in our April issue.
While Avalon 2023 will once again be well-supported by air- craft and helicopters from the ADF and US military, AMDA has also announced significant international participation. Countries south as Germany, Papua New Guinea and South Korea are sending aircraft to Avalon for the first time and others – such as France, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand – are making a welcome return.
“LOCKHEED MARTIN HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL ONCE AGAIN HOST ITS F-35 SUPPLIERS EXPO, HIGHLIGHTING AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER PROGRAM”
Arguably the highlight will
be the Republic of Korea Air Force’s ‘Black Eagles’ aerobatic team, which will make its Australian debut at Avalon 2023. Flying the indigenous KAI T-50B Golden Eagle supersonic jet trainer, the Black Eagles have previously demonstrat- ed their skills at major international airshows around the world, including in Malaysia, Singapore and the UK. ■