Avalon 2025 kicks off as police brace for protests

The first trade day of the Avalon Australian International Airshow kicked off on Tuesday as event organisers and police brace for ongoing protest action against military exhibitors, including Israeli weapons companies.

Defence personnel exit an RAAF C-17A Globemaster during a ADF showcase at the Avalon Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.

Vintage World War II Spitfire and Mustang fighters flew alongside an F/A-18F Super Hornet on Tuesday, the first trade day of the Avalon Australian International Airshow at Avalon, Victoria, despite the threat of ongoing protest action against military exhibitors.

Demonstrators are expected to disrupt the trade show on Wednesday morning – with further action across Melbourne and Geelong throughout the week – in opposition to “death dealing arms trading”.

AMDA Foundation chief executive Justin Giddings said the event launch was smooth despite protesters outside the show.

“Despite the presence of around a dozen protesters outside the venue, more than 1000 dinner participants attended and heard Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles officially open the 16th Avalon Australian International Airshow,” Mr Giddings told The Australian.

“The first industry day of Avalon 2025 saw strong activity and showstopping aerial displays by frontline defence aircraft, the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes and restored vintage aircraft.”

2025 Avalon International Air Show. Tuesday Industry day. A F/A-18F Super Hornet sits in behind WWII fighters Spitfire and a Mustang during an aerial display. Picture: David Caird

Mr Giddings said organisers were working with Victoria Police – who last week confirmed a “significant presence” at the show – to mitigate any disruptions.

“The organisers of Avalon 2025 respect the right of everyone in a democracy to voice their views in a peaceful manner,” Mr Giddings said. “We ask that protesters in turn respect the rights of those attending this international industry event.”

The 2025 show will host a line-up of 902 exhibitors from more than 30 nations, making it the largest Avalon Airshow to date.

Included is Elbit Systems of Australia, a subsidiary of Israeli defence technology firm Elbit that develops combat systems, electronic warfare capability, drones and weapons systems.

Protest organisers Disrupt Avalon said they opposed the inclusion of Elbit, Lockheed Martin, and Thales, saying the corporations were responsible for “murders in Palestine, West Papua and Afghanistan” alongside “environmental destruction of indigenous land worldwide”.

“War crimes like Israel’s genocide of Gaza start at weapons expos like this,” a group statement said. “The displays included manned and unmanned aircraft systems used for war crimes and human rights abuses, like the F35 fighter jets and drones used by the Israeli military.”

An F-35A Lightning II performs manoeuvres conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the Avalon Australian International Airshow.

Mr Marles, who is also Defence Minister, said on Monday he was not concerned about planned disruption, saying he “didn’t accept” there was opposition.

“You’ve got a few people who are out there who are very much a minority … It’s an important week for Australia’s defence industry,” he said. “We’ll have more than a couple of hundred thousand people come through Avalon over the course of next weekend. There is no event in this region which is bigger than that.”

The airshow will open to the public on Friday.