Article Posted on : - Feb 12, 2014

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Black Knights. Photo: Singapore MoD.

SINGAPORE (BNS): The Singapore Airshow 2014 got off to a flying start on Tuesday, with clear blue skies setting the stage for a spectacular aerial performance by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Black Knights.

Guests of honour, Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen and Transport Minister Mr Lui Tuck Yew inaugurated the Airshow held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the Minsitry of Defence said in a statement.

Also gracing the ceremony were 2nd Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing and Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki bin Osman.

The RSAF Black Knights performed manoeuvres such as the Criss Cross enthralling the crowd, which included local and international political and military leaders. The Black Knights aerobatic team is returning to the biennial event after taking a break from the last Airshow in 2008.

More than 500 exhibitors from the aviation industry as well as defence technology developers took part in the event. Among the exhibitors were Airbus Group and Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering.

A commemorative book "Our Air Force Story" to celebrate the RSAF's 45th anniversary was also launched on the occasion. The book features a collection of personal stories by airmen and women, both active and retired, and their contributions to Singapore's air defence.

Meanwhile, Singapore and the United States reaffirmed their bilateral defence relations during a meeting between US Undersecretary of Defence for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall and Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Changi Exhibition Centre.

Second Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing also received calls at the Changi Exhibition Centre from Indian Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Chief of Air Force of the Royal Australian Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown, among others.