Air Chiefs meeting at Europe’s biggest airshow

At AIRPOWER24, over 200 aircraft from over 20 nations will be on display. In parallel with the event, an Air Chief meeting will take place until Saturday, hosted by General Gerfried Promberger, the Austrian Air Chief and Commander of the Austrian Air Force. This gathering will include representatives from over 10 European countries and the USA. On September 5, 2024, Air Chiefs from Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and Austria answered questions from the press during a press briefing.

Strategic collaboration and future vision

Major General Gerfried Promberger highlighted the strategic importance of AIRPOWER24: “We are showcasing what we need today”. The focus was on the technology and business exhibition, particularly in the field of ground-based air defence. General Promberger also introduced the new Air Chief DACH format, where the Air Chiefs from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria plan to further deepen and expand their existing cooperation.

A strong symbol for freedom

Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Inspector General of the German Air Force, emphasised the significance of AIRPOWER24’s motto: “AIRPOWER24 is themed ‘Flying, Freedom, Enthusiasm.’ My slightly modified version is ‘Flying for Freedom,’ which is more relevant than ever.” General Gerhartz pointed out that the ongoing conflict in Europe makes it even more crucial to demonstrate the readiness of their systems at this airshow. “Our cooperation extends far beyond AIRPOWER. For instance, in Austria, we use the mountainous terrain for helicopter pilot training. There is also a joint effort among all countries to address current threats, as seen with partners like Switzerland and Austria participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative”, he added.

Swiss Air Force: Transformation and cooperation

Division General Peter Merz, Commander of the Swiss Air Force, discussed the planned strategic measures: “The Swiss Air Force is focused on enhancing its defensive capabilities. We are transforming our processes and structures over the coming years”. General Merz further explained that the introduction of new systems such as the F-35A, the Patriot missile system, and the ADS15 reconnaissance drone system will enable the development of new capabilities. Additionally, there are plans to intensify existing military collaborations with partner nations. “The Swiss Air Force is preparing for future threats”, General Merz said.

First impressions from the Polish Air Force

Brigadier General Tomasz Jatczak, representative of the Polish Air Force, shared his thoughts on his first participation at AIRPOWER24: “It’s a great opportunity to strengthen connections and learn about new systems”. General Jatczak highlighted the recent introduction of the F-35 multi-role fighter and the AH-64 attack helicopter into the Polish Air Force.