AirShow China 2018: First participation of Saudi Air Force aerobatic team.

According to the Chinese News agency Xinhua website, Saudi Arabia has signed a deal with AirShow China 2018 to participate at the event with the Saudi Hawks, the Royal Saudi Air Force aerobatic team. The Saudi Hawks are a BAE Hawk-equipped Royal Saudi Air Force aerobatic team.

The Saudi Hawks at the 2011 Koksijde Airshow, Belgium. (Picture source Wikipedia)

The executive board of China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) in Zhuhai, inked the deal with Saudi air force to put on a joint aerobatic performance during the event.

The Saudi Hawks debuted in January 1999 at Riyadh, the Saudi kingdom's capital, as part of Saudi Arabia's 100th anniversary celebrations. Six smoke-capable BAE Hawk Mk.65A and three Mk.65s-all modified by BAE Systems are assigned to the team and now wear the team's striking green and white demonstration colors.

In February 2000, the Hawks first appeared outside their homeland-in Bahrain, flying out of Dhahran. Soon afterward, the team and the various RSAF Hawk squadrons moved to King Faisal Air Base (Tabuk) in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

At AirShow Chian 2018, the Saudi air force acrobatic team's display will have two demonstrations, the first part will see the team's seven planes flying in close formation and end with their signature move of creating the Kingdom's emblem, and the second part will show pilots demonstrating difficult skills and maneuvers.