Australia is a proud – and powerful – aviation nation

We are increasingly seeing long-established international rules and norms being contested. Defence aims to deter conflict, prevent an adversary from coercing Australia, support regional security and prosperity, and uphold a favourable regional strategic balance.

A RAAF No. 6 Squadron EA-18G Growler Aircraft on the Nellis Air Force Base flightline during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1 in Nevada in January.

As a vast island continent, aviation is ingrained in our country’s modus operandi. We are an aviation nation.

From airlines connecting cities, regions, states and territories to each other and to the world – to services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service and CareFlight, and one of the oldest and most capable air forces in the world – we operate, thrive and survive in no small part due to Australia’s aviation sector.

Delivering this takes a significant team effort. Across government, defence, industry and academia, there are a number of dynamic and diverse organisations that support and deliver Australia’s aviation needs.

The Australian International Airshow 2025 (AIA25) is unique in that it brings us all together, with regional allies and partners, to celebrate our incredible aviation endeavours. And importantly it allows us to connect, collaborate and progress air power capability in our region. Given the strategic challenges we face, this collaboration is increasingly important.

The day I took command of the Royal Australian Air Force, I noted we are in a period of strategic autumn. We find ourselves facing the most challenging strategic circumstances since the Second World War.

Chief of the RAAF, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell.

We are increasingly seeing long-established international rules and norms being contested. This is creating uncertainty, risk of miscalculation, and heightened security challenges that have real implications for all of us.

To evolve to meet the strategic challenges we face, Defence is shifting to adopt a Strategy of Denial. The Strategy of Denial aims to deter conflict, prevent a potential adversary from successfully coercing Australia, support regional security and prosperity, and uphold a favourable regional strategic balance.

It is important to note, above all else, the Strategy of Denial is about deterrence.

In the first 100 days as Chief of Air Force, I travelled around Australia visiting our air bases and meeting our aviators, public service colleagues and industry partners.

My message to them was clear: the mission of our Air Force is to generate and deliver highly effective air power as part of an integrated and focused force. That is how Air Force contributes to deterrence – the noble endeavour to prevent strategic winter from coming.

Delivering on this mission requires deliberate integration with our ADF and APS colleagues, our whole of government partners, our industry partners, and internationally with our allies and partners. Today’s strategic environment demands we work even closer together. It is why events like AIA25 are so important. It provides the opportunity to foster and further strengthen connections.

To deliver on our mission of generating and delivering highly effective air power as part of the integrated and focused force, we must sharpen our focus on our people, our purpose and our preparedness. This focus will ensure we prevail in the current strategic environment.

AIA25 is a great showcase of our people, our purpose and our preparedness.

Our people are our greatest capability. The combined efforts of our aviators, public servants, and industry colleagues are essential to our mission. There is no greater demonstration of this than the Airshow.

The story being told by more than 860 exhibitors in the trade hall is one of innovation and collaboration. To give just one example, if you visit the Air Force innovation stand, you will find out how Air Force is collaborating with industry partners to find solutions for contemporary air domain issues, such as logistics in contested environments.

There you will see ALADDIN, which stands for air launched delivery drone. It has eight rotors that deploy after being air dropped. It can precisely steer a nominal payload of 30kg in a detachable box, right on target, even on to moving vessels.

It is an impressive example of what Air Force and industry can achieve together.

AIA25 also aptly demonstrates the importance of our shared purpose – how our aviators, public servants and industry colleagues in the Air Domain team contribute to the generation and delivery of air power each and every day. It takes many diverse, disciplined and dedicated contributions to generate air power – just look around at AIA25.

Lastly, AIA25 showcases our preparedness. We contribute to deterrence by emphasising our ability to deliver, disrupt, degrade, destroy, and defeat. Through the flying and static displays of air platforms to the innovation on show in the trade halls, you will see how we are ready, if called upon, to generate and deliver highly effective air power with enhanced lethality and survivability.

Also on display is how we integrate with Navy, Army and the APS to deliver air power, and the strength of our relationships with our international partners. A large number of international air force chiefs, personnel and platforms are also attending AIA25.

I am appreciative of the ongoing enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by our industry partners, Defence, all levels of government, and international militaries at every Airshow. AIA25 provides a valuable opportunity for us to engage with all stakeholders, including the public, to deepen their understanding of the crucial role air power plays in our national defence.

I hope you enjoy, as much as I do, the experience of AIA25.

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Air Marshal Stephen Chappell is Chief of Air Force.