The Singapore Airshow 2010 is opening today, could signal the rebound in Asian aerospace market, after a difficult year. 800 exhibiting companies from over 40 countries have gathered for the event, among them 62 of the top 100 global aerospace companies. More than 85% of the 2008 exhibitors are back this year although some big names have skipped this year’s event. The organizers are reporting an increase in the number of national pavilions from 18 in 2008 to 22 this year, as New Zealand, Switzerland, Romania and Russia have joined as national group displays.
Big Show, Big Names…
Among the aircraft participating in the flight display are the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C and AH-64D Apache, flying in a formation, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111G Aardvark, performing its famous the trail-blazing “Dump and Burn” (dragon breath) fire stunt and a U.S. Air Force A-10. Also on display are two jet trainers – the T-50 jet trainer from the Republic of Korea, and Aermacchi M346 of Italy. Both are contenders for the Singaporean future jet trainer program, augmenting the Swiss Pilatus PC-21 which has already been selected. Eurocopter EC130 also participated in the flying display.
On the static display, visitors can examine one of four new airborne early warning aircraft (AEW) that have joined the RSAF since 2008. The Gulfstream built G550 Conformal AEW (CAEW) was equipped for the AEW mission by Israel’s IAI Elta Systems. Other Singapore Air Force aircraft at the show include the F-16 Block 52 Falcon built by Lockheed Martin, the Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter and Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 unmanned aerial system.
Among the big names on site are Lockheed Martin, Boeing, EADS, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Goodrich and Rolls-Royce. Asian aerospace giants are also expected, including Japan’s Mitsubishi Aircraft – developer of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet; together with Liebherr-Aerospace and B/E Aerospace, they will make their debut at Singapore Airshow 2010.
The national Singapore Pavilion has grown dramatically adding 50% in exhibit space with displays spanning over all business areas, including aerospace, armored vehicles, unmanned systems, naval systems and electronics.
The Russian exhibit is positioned mainly around the civilian activities of Sukhoi, a leading member of the Russian United Aircraft Company (UAC). Both Russia and China are promoting here their advanced jet trainers (Yak-130 and K-8), positioned as competitive, affordable offering to many Asian air forces. China is also promoting a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles for military, scientific and commercial applications.
All leading Israeli defense industries are here sharing space in the Israeli national pavilion, organized by Israel’s Export and International Cooperation Institute. IAI, Elbit Systems, Rafael and IM are here, as well as a few smaller companies – armor specialist plasan, hydromechanical engineering and Pentagon 2000, providing logistics support for aerospace and unmanned systems, as well as the SDS group of companies.
Adjacent to the airshow, Asia Pacific Security Conference (APSEC) 2010 took place, co-organized by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and SAe.
Defense Update is covering the Singapore Airshow with a special review, and on-site news flashes. A detailed post-show report will also be available shortly after the show ends.
For past year Asian Aerospace reports please refer to:
