Chinese taking photos at Australia’s defence aircraft show Avalon arouse suspicions

A group of Chinese men taking photos at an Australian aerospace and defense air show have raised suspicion after authorities banned the Chinese military from being present amid escalating strategic tensions in the region.

An Australian national security expert, who suspects three men he saw photographed on the first limited day of the Avalon air show may have been ‘spying’, is preparing a report for the Defense Department.

Lincoln Parker is a deep tech defense innovation consultant who works closely with Australia’s Five Eyes allies on military technology.

Mr Parker said the trio took numerous photos of planes and visitors to the show, which Australia had banned China and Russia’s military presence from.

Officially called the Australian International Airshow & Aerospace and Defense Exposition 2023, it showcases a wide range of new defense technologies, including a new Australian-made deadly drone capable of unmanned air-to-ground strikes against hostile targets.

The three men pulled out a large camera and photographed the show and the audience, including 22 heads of service from other countries and Australia

The Australian Department of Defense has stated that neither China nor Russia were invited to participate in Avalon 2023 due to escalating strategic tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the war in Ukraine.

RAAF Chief Air Marshal Rob Chipman, told attendees — including international defense and government delegations, including chiefs of the armed forces and military officials — that the country’s competitive advantage would be crucial in future conflict prevention.

It is the second year the Defense Ministry has locked out China and Russia, with RAN chief Vice Admiral Mike Noonan withdrawing invitations for China and Russia to attend a 2022 naval conference in Sydney due to deteriorating ties.

Mr Parker, who himself photographed the trio of men, said the men showed great interest in recording the show and those in attendance.

After revealing the possible security breach to Chris Smith’s TNT radio program, Mr Parker said the men were armed with sophisticated camera equipment.

“Maybe I will go to ASIO, I will report to the Ministry of Defence,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

Showcasing the latest in aviation, aerospace, defense and space technologies, the Avalon show hosted air chiefs and military officials from several countries, but specifically did not invite Chinese or Russian military personnel

ABC News reported that “56 international delegations will be represented this year, including 22 heads of service,” but that the Defense Ministry “has not invited representatives from the Chinese and Russian militaries to Avalon 2023.”

On the first three days of Avalon, only government officials or those with trade registration badges were allowed entry, the restrictions making Mr. Parker even more curious about the three men.

“All three of them had big long lenses and there were these F33 Raptors and F35 (stealth bomber) planes and a guy was moving his camera around taking pictures in the crowd,” he said.

“I thought, this is weird. China (and Russia) were not invited and are known for stealing technology.”

Mr. Parker has worked in Washington, DC and advises around the world on defense security and government technology development.

He is Chairman of the Defense and National Security Policy Department of the Liberal Party of Australia.

The sold-out show opened to the public after four days of trading and official entry.

The show unveiled the new Australian-developed armed drone that can carry a potentially deadly payload of over 100 kilograms and is designed to be transported in shipping containers.

Called STRIX, the system that has a vertical takeoff and has a vertical takeoff can operate in high-risk areas without a runway.

Security expert Lincoln Parker took photos of the men at the defense air show arousing his suspicion with their intense interest in not only planes but also the crowd at Avalon

Professor John Blaxland, Professor of International Security & Intelligence Studies at the Australian National University, told Daily Mail Australia he wouldn’t be surprised if China spied on Australia’s premier defense aviation show.

“It is the prime location for overt espionage by defense attachés from around the world,” he said, adding that chiefs of armed forces from countries Australia was friends with were on the show.

“They didn’t want China or Russia to get up close and personal with what is still quite sensitive kit. They were excluded.

‘They’re not welcome. Relations have soured, especially with Russia, but we are still reeling from trade sanctions (by China) and Australians are not exactly given freedom of movement in China.

“They want to have their cake and eat it too.”