Top innovators from the aerospace, aviation, and defence industries are anticipated to attend the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), which is being held in the United Kingdom from July 18 to July 22, 2022. The show serves as a venue for multibillion dollar corporate transactions.
By presenting some of its greatest aircraft at this event, Turkey expects to generate the most revenue for its domestic aerospace and defence sector.
Turkey’s historic national fighter plane, the National Combat Aircraft (MMU), is making its demonstration debut. According to the reports, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is also displaying an MMU simulator in the UK.
The fifth-generation TFX resembles the American F-35 Lightning II in appearance somewhat. The F-16 jets will eventually be phased out in favour of the indigenous warplane by the 2030s. A full-scale mock-up of the TF-X/MMU had already been unveiled by Ankara at the Singapore Air Show in 2022. TAI had never previously displayed an MMU model in Asia.
At the 2018 Paris Air Show, a full-size mock-up of the TF-X was on exhibit. Turkey had not yet been kicked out of the F-35 programme by Washington at that time.
TAI is also putting on a presentation as part of the expo with its Hürkuş close air support aircraft and training aircraft, as well as its T129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK).
The twin-engine, tandem-seat ATAK is a weather-resistant tactical reconnaissance and attack helicopter. The T625 Gökbey, Turkey’s first indigenous multi-role helicopter, is also on display at the business.
Aksungur and Anka, the nation’s unmanned combat aerial vehicles, are also present.
A domestically produced advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, the Hürjet, and an updated ATAK, the ATAK 2, are both available.
Farnborough Air Show
One of the largest aerospace expos, the Farnborough Air Show was first held at Farnborough Airport in 1948. For the first time since the coronavirus outbreak, the occasion might finally take place this year.
Aerospace, defence, and sustainability exhibits from the aviation sector are available for visitors to enjoy. Both static ground displays and aerial displays will be presented each day. 96 countries participated in the 2018 show, and orders and commitments worth $192 billion were announced. This year, about 1,500 exhibitors, representing a broad range of goods and services from every level and area of business are anticipated to participate.
According to reports, this year’s show will feature a total of 69 flying, stationary, and mock-up aircraft. Among those making their Farnborough debuts are the Boeing 777X, 737-10, Embraer E190 Tech Shark, VoltAero Cassio, and Cranfield Saab 340 flying lab.
The South Korean Air Force’s Black Eagles team, which will perform every day, is the flying display segment’s centrepiece. The RAF Red Arrows, the Blades aerobatic team, Historic Army Flight, and the Aerosuperbatics wing walkers all perform flypasts as well. F-35s, P-8s, and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft will also be present at the event. The Black Eagles will put on a 25-minute show that includes challenging air stunts like the wedge roll and the Taeguk sequence, in which their jets draw the outline of the Korean flag.
The expo also includes representatives from the commercial aerospace sector. Since the majority of Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted in the West, demand for flights has skyrocketed this year, clogging airports, particularly in Europe. Airlines are scrambling to rehire workers who were let go during the pandemic. After numerous cancellations or delays over the past two years, they will also buy jets.
Despite numerous challenges, including ongoing regulatory issues with its 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing is participating in Farnborough. The vehicle was a top seller at the most recent Farnborough show, but it was grounded for nearly two years following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Additionally, sales of the MAX model lagged behind the Airbus A320, a competitor. Airbus recently received a sizable order for 298 aircraft from Chinese airlines. Because of the A321neo, its most well-known model, Airbus has increased production across the board of the A320 family and increased its market share.
Airbus and Boeing, however, are struggling to meet airlines’ demand for new, fuel-efficient aircraft as travel demand increases following the worst of the pandemic due to supply-chain issues.
The manufacturers of aircraft plan to showcase their most recent creations and technological advancements while also announcing agreements for brand-new passenger, cargo, and military aircraft during the expo.
Three aircraft are flown by Qatar Airways to Farnborough
Qatar Airways is promoting its strong financial results and network expansion at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom with three aircraft. As CEO Akbar Al Baker fueled rumours that a second Boeing 777X order was imminent, the Doha-based airline flew a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a Boeing 777-300ER, and a Gulfstream G650ER into the Hampshire airport.
The 787-9 Dreamliner is the first of the three aircraft in the air at Farnborough. According to Qatar Airways, this particular aircraft has never before been on display at an air show. The aircraft went into service with the airline in 2021, and it has the new Adient Ascent business class suite, which has a 79-inch lie-flat bed, sliding privacy doors, and wireless mobile device charging.
The distinctive 777-300ER from Qatar Airways, sporting its unique FIFA World Cup 2022 Livery, also touched down. Later this year, Doha will host the soccer festival, which Akbar Al Baker welcomes but also predicts will strain the airline’s capabilities. He continues by saying that Qatar Airways will change from a hub-and-spoke airline to a point-to-point airline over the months of November and December.
The third aircraft from Qatar to fly to Farnborough is a fascinating one. The airline’s private jet charter division is where the Gulfstream G650ER comes from. According to Qatar Airways, the aircraft offers unmatched passenger comfort, industry-leading cabin technology, and outstanding range capabilities. The airline is evasive about how much business it actually generates.
Qatar Airways considers increasing the 777X order
The big news out of the Qatar Airways camp was that the airline may be considering increasing its Boeing 777X order, even though the aerial eye candy garnered a lot of attention on the first day in Farnborough. 74 of the aircraft are on order with Boeing for the airline. The 777X, on the other hand, is years behind schedule and hampered by production and certification problems.
According to Bloomberg, Mr. Al Baker told reporters on Monday, “We will even give them a bigger order,” without offering any additional information. The volatile Al Baker is an expert at dropping nuggets like this. It continues to keep the airline in the news. The remark also serves as a warning shot directed at Airbus. Regarding surface issues on some Airbus A350 aircraft, Qatar Airways and the plane manufacturer in Toulouse are embroiled in a legal dispute. Airbus has responded by cancelling orders from Qatar Airways.
Despite the fact that Boeing may perceive this as a significant victory—and the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer could use a few victories—Mr. Al Baker’s remarks should not be taken at face value. Additionally, according to Bloomberg, Qatar Airways quietly allowed an MOU for 25 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to expire. Qatar Airways’ CEO isn’t doing Boeing any special favours beyond some customary Al Baker-style boosterism, despite the fact that Boeing may currently have an advantage over Airbus there.
– The writer is an Aerospace and Defence Analyst & Director ADD Engineering Components (India) Pvt Ltd (An Indo- German Company). The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
-The author is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily carry the views of Raksha Anirveda
