Airbus Military has chalked up significant sales in the Asia-Pacific region and in 2012 it sold its C-295 Medium transport in Indonesia and became the preferred bidder for an Indian Air Force order for six airborne tankers. It also recently signed an agreement with Indonesian Aerospace for the development of an updated version of the C-212 light transport, known as the NC-212i.

Twenty years after first being contracted, the RAAF’s Vigilare air defence command and control system (Project Air 5333) has achieved final operational capability (FOC); one suspects with sighs of relief from all concerned.

Although ownership moved from Australia to the US in 2006, Aerosonde has retained its Australian footprint and continues to develop and assemble its small, long-endurance UAVs in a suburban Melbourne facility.

When asked at the recent Avalon Airshow, whether they thought unmanned combat aircraft would play a part in the future fighter force of the Royal Australian Air Force, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown and Defence Minister Stephen Smith both left the door ajar for armed UAVs.

The 12th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition was held on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi between 26th and 30th March and attracted over 70 aircraft from eight countries, and 64 warships and boats.

Delays in air defence target system programs appear to be endemic – ask anyone who followed the progress of the UK’s Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) or who continues to keep tabs on the ADF’s JP66 Phase 1 – Aerial Defence Target System (ADTS).

At the last Avalon Air Show, Chemring opened their new facility at Lara. The company invested $35 million in the factory that is part of the 10-year $160 million contract from the Commonwealth to produce all countermeasures for the ADF. Two years on, the facility has ramped up significantly. With turnover jumping from $4 million to $40 million in the past six years, time has flown.

Project CH CAP, or Chinook (CH-47F) Capability Alignment Program, to give its full title is dedicated to ensuring Army’s seven new Boeing CH-47Fs remain aligned with the larger US Army fleet through to Life Of Type.

Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a strong contender for more than just the Norwegian Air Force.

As Defence prepares to upgrade the UHF/VHF/HF communications of the Australian Military Airspace Control Communications System (AMACCS) under Air 5397 Phase 2, it is anticipated that new developments in air-ground-air communications, including IP-based systems, may well be introduced.

In 2009 the ADF urgently acquired a persistent overland ISR capability to support ground operations in Afghanistan, bolstering the surveillance provided by a small detachment of AP-3C Orions which, until recently were, based in the Middle East Theatre of Operations.

One month after the rollout last June of Northrop Grumman’s first MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAV, the proposed acquisition for the ADF of up to seven high altitude, long endurance (HALE) UAVs for maritime patrol and other surveillance was advanced by four years in the 2012 Defence Capability Plan (DCP).

With the full fleet of 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) now in the hands of the Army’s First Aviation Regiment thoughts are turning towards ensuring their combat effectiveness and sustainability throughout their life of type. Such thoughts should be turning also to the remediation of a particular deficiency in the ARH system.

One of the positive news stories in the wake of the 2012/13 Federal Budget was the announcement that the RAAF will get 10 Alenia C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters to replace the long-retired Caribou.

The RAAF is in the process of bedding down a raft of new capabilities with more on the horizon. The decade long program of transition that began a few years ago is well underway with capability mostly on track. But there are challenges ahead for the organisation and the industry that supports it.

While two major events during 2012 have helped shape the future of Australia’s air combat capability, further decisions to be taken during the course of 2013 will provide more direction.