Being in Singapore Airshow 2012 Aviation Exhibition visitors can momentarily forget serious things, such as the world economy is not bright. Range of civil and military aircraft in the court, or the roar of jet engines at the Changi air, such as giving their own optimism for the aerospace industrialists, whose products range from components, radars, missiles, until the final product in the form of civil and military aircraft the latest generation.
Now the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is seen unfavorably, in which civil aviation will only generate a profit margin of 0.6 percent this year (which means only about 3.5 billion dollars in industry revenue in the amount of 600 billion U.S. dollars) . That, too, as noted by Tony Tyler (Business Times, 13/2), still depends on how Europe can solve its debt crisis.
However, in that situation, civil aviation is still witnessed a remarkable dynamism in the Asia Pacific region. Ads Lion Air and Boeing 230 that picked up the purchase contract Boeing 737 jet (Boeing 201 and 737 Max 29 737-900ER) will at least imply it.
So, while in Europe a number of airlines-as-troubled country concerned, in the Asia Pacific region there is a bright atmosphere. In 2010, a third of airline passengers traveling to, from, or in the Asia Pacific region. It is balanced with the size of North American and European markets.
Tyler added, in 2015 the airline industry's center of gravity will move to the east. In that year, the route Asia-Pacific region will reach 37 percent, North America and Europe through a 29 per cent.
Military aircraft
In the early opening of the Singapore Airshow 2012, one of the hot topics was the decision of India to buy 126 fighter jets made by Dassault Rafale of France to meet the need for MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft). Purchases worth nearly 11 billion U.S. dollars on the one hand this would lengthen the breath at the top of the French aerospace industry, but still leaves a disappointment for the defeated rivals, especially the Eurofighter Typhoon. Previously, the Rafale has thrown Gripen jet, the F-16IN Fighting Falcon, F/A-18IN Super Hornet, MiG-35 and also out of the competition.
Air defense equipment procurement by India is just adding a row of purchase which was announced a number of countries in Asia Pacific. For example, Japan is a few weeks ago announced the purchase of F-35 Lightning II to strengthen the Self-Defense Force air.
Previously, a number of other Asia Pacific countries, like Thailand, JAS Gripen jets have been purchased-39 made in Sweden, Indonesia and Malaysia have increased Sukhoinya jet orders. Meanwhile, the Philippines is far behind in the acquisition of air defense equipment, is now finalizing plans to buy advanced jet trainer which can serve as a light attack aircraft. The competition narrowed to two types, namely M-346 made by Alenia Aermacchi and the T-50 made by Korea Aerospace Industries.
Still on the Philippines, Indonesia after the hearing had 24 F-16 unit free of charge, President Benigno S Aquino III now also intends to get the same treatment from the U.S.. (Aviation Week & Space Technology, 6/2)
Moreover, some countries also pursue the development of domestic engineering capabilities, either alone or through cooperation. China to design stealth jet fighter (stealth, radar invisible) Chengdu J-20 is one such example. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Korea are also developing KFX fighter jet.
By the dynamism of aerospace technology to master the military, or driven by the needs of the background security concerns, aircraft procurement program was evident in the Asia Pacific region.
In a situation like this, when in the West-makers are faced with budget constraints, which culminated in the reduction of orders, and any excess plant capacity, Western observers worry about the sale of technologically advanced aircraft to any country. It is feared will make sensitive technology would easily fall to anyone. (Tim Mahon, The Wall Street Journal, 15/2).
This could occur because of the possibility of greater buyer power in the era of the so-called buyer's market, as alluded to by the military observers Andi Widjayanto in 50 Years Kohanudnas Seminar in Jakarta, 6 February. However, prices are more expensive defense equipment and strictly enforced regulations that make the buyer's market rather than widespread phenomenon. Japan's desire to buy jet fighters F-22 Raptor is not realized is one of the proofs.
But beyond that, the air force modernization program, as a dimension that since the 1991 Gulf War, his prowess is increasingly recognized as unstoppable. Asia-Pacific region, both because of the relatively superior economic performance, and on the other side of the security challenges faced considered real enough, seems to lead the march of air defense equipment acquisition. Singapore Airshow which takes place 14-19 February 2012 broadcast a tinny echo of this.
