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23 Feb 24. Foreign debuts, but few defence deals at Singapore air show.
- Summary
- Companies
- Missile defence in focus after Houthi Red Sea attacks
- Russians absent from show amid Ukraine war
- China’s Z-10 attack helicopter makes foreign debut
SINGAPORE, Feb 23 (Reuters) – The Singapore Airshow included the foreign debuts of new weapons systems, growing interest in systems that could destroy ballistic missiles and swat down drones – but it was missing any Russian presence and major defence deals were scarce.
The trade portion of Asia’s biggest aviation gathering ended on Friday, with exhibitors packing up their sprawling displays of military hardware, aerospace services, parts and national pride.
After days of demonstration flights, Asian military acrobatic teams took a break on Friday, when no aerial displays were scheduled in advance of the public air show on Saturday and Sunday.
Unlike previous years, there were no Russian companies presenting their wares at the air show. With international sanctions hobbling business and the invasion of Ukraine sapping supplies, competitors said there were opportunities to step in with some Asian operators of Russian gear.
“In this region you have seen a shift away from Russian equipment already,” said Robert Hewson of Sweden’s Saab (SAABb.ST), opens new tab. “Of course there are some natural client countries… who stay where they are” in terms of suppliers.
Several Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, also use Russian-made or Soviet Union-vintage equipment, sometimes alongside Western-made gear. Russia’s largest arms exporters did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Israel’s defence industry made a quiet return after being largely absent from the Dubai air show in November in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war – a subject that the companies were reluctant to discuss.
IAI, Rafael, Elbit and the Israeli defence ministry all declined to comment on anything involving the war in Gaza, including the performance of their weapons.
The war wasn’t brought up by delegates at the Singapore event and didn’t dampen appetite for Israel’s missiles, spy gear and aerial drones, two Israeli industry officials at the show told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
MISSILES, HELICOPTERS
The barrage of anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, meanwhile, led to an interest in systems that could not just protect against those threats, but also smaller, cheaper missiles and drones, attendees said.
On the sidelines of the air show, a senior executive at a U.S. defence contractor said the activity in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis and in Ukraine had caught the attention of potential customers in Asia.
“What we’re seeing is demand increase for integrated air and missile defence here,” said the executive, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. He said that included sensors to detect targets, the weapons to shoot them down and the command-and-control systems tying it all together.
Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said the cost of such systems might make it more economical – based on the experience in the Red Sea – to simply try to destroy the attacking weapons on the ground.
“At the end of the day, we turned to offensive systems to strike the launchers,” he said. “That implies that defences are a very expensive niche capability. Why shoot the arrow when you can shoot the archer?”
U.S. Navy destroyers are equipped with the Aegis air defence system, with components from Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab, among others, which is designed to shoot down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
Aegis uses RTX (RTX.N), opens new tab subsidiary Raytheon’s SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6 missiles to intercept threats. A Raytheon spokesperson declined to comment on whether the company had seen increased interest in missile defence systems since the Houthi attacks began. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson provided public information about increased production of certain systems.
Among the notable weapon systems on display at the show was the Z-10 attack helicopter, made by China’s AVIC, which made its first trip outside Chinese territory in Singapore.
China hopes to export the helicopter. Experts and attendees said the number of potential customers might be small in Asia.
“The performance and capabilities of this platform would certainly make it of interest for export,” said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. He named Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar as possible buyers.
Although several commercial deals were announced at the air show, and “sustainability” was a buzzword throughout, the defence side of the show ended quietly, with discussion of hopes for future sales but no big announcements.
Still, many attendees came away optimistic, with Boeing saying it had seen “substantive customer engagements” with its defence portfolio.
(Source: Reuters)
22 Feb 24. Preview: Space-Comm Expo – The UK’s Space Industry Launch Pad. Space-Comm Expo is set to launch the UK’s commercial and defence in space conversation into the exosphere next month, during two-days of unrivalled networking and collaborating, following an industry-wide survey.
Professionals within the UK space industry have called for more government support and a closer look at how the sector is going to solve the skills shortage issue. Taking part in Space-Comm Expo’s annual industry survey, respondents shared their insight on how the industry is evolving, the biggest challenges and upcoming opportunities.
Growth is still high on the agenda for the industry, with 87% of those surveyed anticipating a revenue growth of up to 50% in the next 12 months, with the majority expecting their revenue to increase steadily between 11 and 20%.
When asked what’s keeping them up at night, the skills shortage across the industry was high on the list, followed closely by the lack of financial support and investment and the need to fix the supply chain issues troubling the industry. However, the overall tone is positive, with the industry feeling optimistic at the increased investment and focus on the vast industry skills gap promised by the government moving forward. In addition, they are hopeful that lowered barriers of entry to the market from start-ups and SMEs will support new technology, components and innovations entering the market.
According to the respondents, made of space professionals from the manufacturing, communication and finance sectors of the industry, the biggest trend over the next 12 months is the development of partial to fully reusable launches. Not only is this more sustainable for the environment, but will mean lower launch costs, enabling the businesses developing the technology to keep testing without starting from scratch and allow more scientists to learn and test new ideas.
With the borderless nature of space, defence is becoming a much larger discussion point across the industry. While a majority of those surveyed (67%) are currently involved with the defence sector or moving into it, only 6% of respondents feel defence’s role in space is clearly defined. One thing that was clear, there is a demand from the space industry to work closer together, with more than 60% of the professionals that took part in the survey believing that a higher level of collaboration between the space and defence industries is needed.
Showcasing the industry’s biggest & brightest innovators
Cementing its position as the UK’s leading and largest space industry event, Space-Comm Expo is the premier opportunity for businesses of all sizes to showcase their latest innovations, share future-altering thought leadership, build new partnerships and announce new projects and investment.
The two-day event brings together business, government, defence, space agencies and aerospace experts from the entire space community including manufacturers, space agencies, International Space Command, Government officials, engineers, satellite operators, technicians, systems integrators, and buyers and procurement professionals.
International-renowned organisations, manufacturers and innovators, including Airbus, BAE Systems, Cornwall Space Cluster, Catapult Satellite Applications, MDA, Moog, Pulsar Fusion, Rolls-Royce and Viasat, will feature on the show floor.
Speaking on their experience at Space-Comm Expo 2023 and why they are returning to the event in 2024, Craig Miller, President, Global Space Networks, at Viasat Inc, said: “I have had meetings with customers, industry peers, competitors and several members of parliament, and there is no place like this where I can come and meet face-to-face with this many people, from this many places around the world.”
Space broadcasters, CEOs, government and scientists to deliver keynotes
Space-Comm Expo has a must-attend conference programme with keynote speakers including space scientist and astronaut in training Professor Suzie Imber and the who’s who of industry CEOs, CTOs and founders from the likes of NATO, Space Florida, and Thales Alenia Space.
Across three theatres, including a new stage dedicated to specialised defence and security, the conference programme will highlight the growth areas, barriers, latest innovations and grey areas of the global space industry.
Space-Comm Expo 2024 keynote speakers include:
- Professor Suzie Imber, space scientist and astronaut in training
- Ray Lugo, Chief Executive Officer, ISS National Laboratory
- Col Robert Long, President and Chief Executive Officer, Space Florida
- Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State for the Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
- Dr Giorgio Cioni, Director for Aerospace and Armaments Capabilities, NATO Headquarters
- AVM Paul Godfrey OBE, First Commander, UK Space Command
- Mike Gold, Executive Vice President, Redwire
- Arne Matthyssen, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Rhea Group
- Martin Coates, Chief Executive Officer, Orbex
- Max Haot, Chief Executive Officer, Vast Space
- Helene Huby, Chief Executive Officer, The Exploration Company
- Lucy Edge, Chief Operating Officer, Satellite Applications Catapult
- Frank Strang, Chief Executive Officer, Saxavord Spaceport
- Andrew Stanniland, CEO, Thales Alenia Space
- Martin Soltau, Chief Executive Officer, Space Solar
- Paul Cremin, Commercial Spaceflight Policy & Regulation Lead, Aviation Directorate, DfT
Organised by Hub Exhibitions in partnership with Farnborough International, Space-Comm Expo 2024 is set to welcome thousands of space professionals, organisations, agencies and government officials across the two-days.
As well as providing thought leadership across the Keynote stage, features including the Start-Up Zone and Meet The Buyer will enable start-ups, SMEs and industry-leaders to network with investors, regulators and academics to collaborate and discuss actionable change for the future of the space industry.
The place for space to do business, Space-Comm Expo, taking place 6-7 March 2024, brings together decision-makers across the supply chain to further the commercial space sector with future-altering partnerships and hear from world-renowned experts on the immediate opportunities and challenges, including the above, facing the industry.
For more information on exhibiting at or visiting Space-Comm Expo, please visit: www.space-comm.co.uk
22 Feb 24. Defence firms see Asia opportunity in Russian absence from air show. Russia’s absence from the Singapore Airshow, as its companies struggle with sanctions and the demands of sustaining the invasion of Ukraine, shows an opportunity for rivals to step in with some Asian customers, experts and industry sources say.
Defence giants such as UAC and Russian Helicopters have historically had large presences at Asia’s biggest air show, where companies show off a range of systems, from sensors and small arms to massive transport aircraft, missiles and satellites.
This year, however, no Russian companies were listed among attendees – which competitors said was a sign the door was open in Asia.
“In this region you have seen a shift away from Russian equipment already,” said Robert Hewson of Sweden’s Saab . “Of course there are some natural client countries… who stay where they are” in terms of suppliers.
Sangshin Park, regional manager and chief of international business development for Asia at Korea Aerospace Industries , noted that his company had sold its FA-50 light fighter aircraft to Malaysia in a deal worth more than $1bn. Malaysia also operates Russian-made aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-30.
Several other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, also use Russian-made or Soviet Union-vintage equipment, sometimes alongside Western-made gear.
Russia’s largest arms exporters did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
“I think there will always be opportunities for Western defence companies, and in particular, South Korea would be a highly visible exporter in the region,” said Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
“It largely depends on the needs of the customer – but I’d imagine maritime and naval capabilities, UAS and drone systems, and combat aircraft and helicopters that can respond to challenges in a maritime and archipelagic environment would be a priority,” he added.
A senior executive at a U.S. defence contractor said support for purchased systems was a crucial part of arms sales in Asia and elsewhere. He said that was a selling point for his company, and other Western and Asian industry officials said their firms also saw this as an advantage.
India has been trying to move away from Russian arms imports as munitions and parts are expended in the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported last month.
“As you grow and your needs grow … you can build upon what exists, and you know that there will be support,” said the U.S. company executive, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
No major Asian defence deals have been announced at the air show so far. The trade portion ends on Friday. (Source: Google/Reuters)
20 Feb 24. Singapore air show kicks off amid travel rebound, supply constraints.
- Summary
- Companies
- More than 1,000 companies participating in air show
- COMAC wins orders for 40 C919 and 16 ARJ21 jets
- Travel demand has nearly recovered from 2019 levels
- Suppliers struggling to keep up with aircraft demand
Singapore on Tuesday kicked off Asia’s biggest air show – the first in six years unaffected by pandemic restrictions – as the global aviation industry grapples with a rebound in travel demand in the face of severe supply constraints.
More than 1,000 companies from more than 50 countries are participating in the biennial commercial and defence-focused Singapore Airshow, led by Western industry giants such as Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab, Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab and their Chinese competitors such as COMAC and AVIC.
Russian companies such as Russian Helicopters and Irkut that attended past editions of the show are not participating this year amid the war in Ukraine. However, Israeli companies Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which dropped out of the Dubai Airshow in November amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, are in attendance.
The flying displays feature military aircraft from Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea and the United States, as well as the COMAC C919 commercial jet’s first appearance outside Chinese territory and an Airbus A350-1000 powered by 35% sustainable aviation fuel.
COMAC posted the first aircraft orders of the show on Tuesday morning, with China’s Tibet Airlines finalising an order for 40 C919 single-aisle planes and 10 ARJ21 regional jets, and China’s Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group ordering 6 ARJ21s.
Given its timing early in the year, there are typically fewer major order announcements at the Singapore air show than at its counterparts in Paris, Farnborough and Dubai.
By the end of 2023, travel demand had made a near-full recovery from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with domestic travel running 4% higher than pre-COVID levels and the international market lagging at 88% mostly because of China’s slower rebound, according to International Air Transport Association data.
“While it was easy to ramp down in response to the pandemic-induced demand crisis, the ramp up has been beset with challenges,” Alton Aviation Consultancy said in a report on Tuesday. “Delays in returning aircraft into service, exacerbated by a shortage of manpower across the entire value chain, led to a slower pace of recovery in APAC.”
SUPPLY CHAIN STRUGGLES
Major suppliers, planemakers and engine producers have struggled to keep up with the rebound in demand after the sharp downturn during COVID-19 led to job losses, freight snarls and an industry skills shortage.
Boeing, in particular, is under scrutiny after the mid-air blowout of a cabin panel on an Alaska Airlines (ALK.N), opens new tab 737 MAX on Jan. 5 led the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to take the unprecedented step of freezing production of its best-selling single-aisle plane at 38 per month.
Airbus this month announced a further delay in entry to service of its long-range A321XLR single-aisle jet to the third quarter from the second. Suppliers told Reuters that Airbus is producing about 50 A320neo family jets a month compared with a production plan that had foreseen 58 by end-2023.
Christian Scherer, the CEO of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business, said on Tuesday there were many “pinch points” in the aerospace supply chain.
“The production ramp-up is putting pressure into the supply chain everywhere and it is our job to tackle it,” he told reporters, adding that Airbus had deployed several dozen supply chain engineers to unlock bottlenecks.
The production issues are delaying the ability of airlines to replace older jets with more fuel-efficient models as the industry looks to meet its goal of “net zero” emissions by 2050.
Airlines are also looking to buy as much sustainable aviation fuel as possible to reduce their carbon emissions, even though it costs up to five times as much as conventional jet fuel.
In Singapore, travellers will bear the cost of the transition towards green jet fuel, its transport minister said on Monday, as he announced the city-state’s plans for a levy on departing flight ticket prices from 2026. (Source: Reuters)
14 Feb 24. EASA dissemination event for Shepherd UAS standards research project – 23 April. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is hosting an online dissemination event for the research project SHEPHERD UAS standards on 23 April 10.00 to 12.00 CET.
The main objective of the SHEPHERD (UAS Standards) research project is to assess the technical content of more than 60 standards related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and U-Space, developed by standardisation bodies from different parts of the world. When assessing the standards, the project determines whether these standards can be fully or partly used, or cannot be used as means of compliance to meet the safety objective of the provisions of the relevant EU regulations.
After a public tender procedure, EASA awarded a Consortium led by Deep Blue the implementation of this project. The project team has now successfully accomplished all tasks and would like to invite you for the final dissemination webinar.
In this webinar, EASA and the SHEPHERD project team will:
- introduce the research scope and objectives,
- summarise the research activities and main results,
- inform about the expected benefits from the project, and
- give the possibility for questions and answers.
More details here
For more information visit: www.easa.europa.eu
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
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