Australian International Airshow 2011

1 March 2011 00:00 to 6 March 2011 00:00

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is planning to make the 2011 Australian International Air Show a centrepiece of RAAF’s 90th anniversary activities, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announced today.

The Air Show at Avalon next March will be one of the largest and most comprehensive air shows ever conducted in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The air show will coincide with RAAF’s 90th Anniversary. So the 90th will be a key theme for this world class event which is run by Air Shows Down Under,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

“This will be a great opportunity for the public to get a close look at Air Force’s current high-tech fighter and strike capabilities, including the potent F/A-18F Super Hornet and the Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, both of which came into RAAF operational service this year.”

The air show will be a major opportunity to highlight RAAF’s future, in particular our transition to the cutting-edge Joint Strike Fighter,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

“The Avalon air show and associated conferences will also focus on unmanned aircraft. Air Force’s Heron is already providing crucial support to operations in Afghanistan, and remotely piloted aircraft will be a key feature of our future capability.”

“We anticipate nearly all of Air Force’s aircraft types will be represented at Avalon next year, along with Navy and Army aviation assets. Dozens of Australian Defence Force aircraft will participate. We’re also planning major displays of the ADF’s ground-based equipment and capabilities.”

“The Australian International Air Show is a key opportunity for Defence to engage our industry partners. The air show and conferences will also draw senior military personnel from the Asia Pacific region and across the world. This makes it an ideal forum to meet and exchange ideas with our international military counterparts,” Air Marshal Binksin said.

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