The Singapore Airshow is coming up in the first week of February. This is Asia’s oldest aerospace trade show, with a lineage dating back to 1984. Since then, most other countries in the region have launched their own shows. They attract exhibitors who have near-term sales prospect in these countries, or who feel obliged to support the event because they have already been successful there. But for me, the Singapore show remains the only truly regional event. I have attended every one of them. Perhaps it would have been better to keep the show’s original label – Asian Aerospace.
Show organisers Experia expect nearly 60,000 trade visitors and says that there will be over 1,000 participating companies from more than 50 countries. At the time of writing it had not made the list of exhibitors public. But there will be 16 country pavilions within the Changi Exhibition Centrer (CEC). They include China’s largest showing yet, with over 60 companies included. The Chinese Air Force aerobatic team with its six J-10 fighters will perform in the flying display.
As usual, ST Engineering will be the biggest exhibitor, showcasing its extensive cross-domain capabilities. But most of the major aerospace OEMs will be present, along with their partners and subcontractors for aerostructures, engines, avionics, hydraulics and so on. And in common with most aerospace trade events these days, the Singapore Airshow is facilitating the presence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) supports the show with an example of most aircraft in its inventory in the static display. But the RSAF’s participation in the flying display will be limited to a co-ordinated performance by an F-16 and an AH-64 Apache. Perhaps this is not surprising, since the RSAF put maximum effort into Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee (60th) National Day celebration last August, with multi-axis, mixed formation flypasts over the city by over 30 aircraft and helicopters. I was fortunate to witness two of the many rehearsals over the previous six weeks:
Since the last show, the RSAF has announced the purchase of four Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to replace its aged Fokker F50s, and some Elbit Hermes 900 UAVs to replace the same company’s Hermes 450s. The RSAF has 20 F-35s on order, 12 B-model STOVL versions and eight F-35A CTOLs. Pilot training starts later next year in the US, so it would be interesting to hear about the service’s operational plans for this mixed fleet. But unlikely, I fear. The RSAF chief does provide an update on the force to coincide with the show, but only in a fairly tight-lipped written response to pre-submitted questions.
For the first time, a Space Summit is being staged to coincide with the show. It will be downtown at Marina Bay Sands on Monday and Tuesday, 2nd-3rd February. No fewer than 60 speakers have been lined up from commercial companies, trade associations and governments, both regional and global. An exhibition will be staged alongside, and the event will be followed by an Asian edition of CYSAT, the annual European event dedicated to cybersecurity in the space sector. There will also be a commercial aviation conference downtown on the 2nd.
Back at the CEC, there will be ten sessions over three days at the Aeroforum stage on the show floor. They will cover most of the current topics you would expect in the commercial, and defence sectors, in particular AI, advanced air mobility and sustainability. I look forward to hearing just how the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can be boosted to levels to justify the hype that says it is the major means by which airlines can meet their carbon reduction targets. However, Singapore is home to the world’s largest SAF refinery, operated by Neste, the leading producer.
Finally, my practical advice to attendees. Bring a sun hat, sunglasses and a wet flannel to cope with the humid tropical heat. Go native and dress semi-casual, with smart but open-neck shirts and slacks. Then you can watch with amusement, as the industry heavyweights make their perspiring way around the show and chalets in their suits and ties!
Chris Pocock Makes Aerosense 