The principal aim of the new collaborative venture is to encourage business relationships between aviation and aerospace organisations, particularly SMEs, in the civil and military sectors, and to boost the flow of information about business opportunities.

Members of both organisations signed the memorandum at the 'Flying in Formation' seminar in Avalon.

AIDN Victoria president Stephen Harvey commended the two organisations for their work to finalise the partnership agreement,

"Flying in formation – like working together as industry partners in alliances and in truly collaborative endeavours – requires co-ordination, planning, persistence and skill," Harvey said.

"This memorandum signed today will strengthen our collective focus on more innovative and more advanced manufacturing in the aerospace sector."

Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan was also at the signing and said there are ample opportunities for Victorian companies to engage in commercial and military aerospace activities. 

"We’re here on Tuesday, and the Tuesday to Friday part of the Airshow event is arguably, from an economic development point of view, the most important component of the event,” Minister Noonan said.

"This is where alliances and networks are forged, and where business is done.

"There are few more important sectors of the Victorian economy than defence technologies."

Minister Noonan also touched on the importance of SMEs and alliances in the defence industry,

"Talking about our defence capabilities, I just wanted to talk briefly about the importance of the Victorian Defence Alliances managed by the Australian Industry & Defence Network here in Victoria," he said.

"The alliances play such a critical role in supporting defence industry, really by championing the cause of, in particular, local small to medium businesses."

AIDN-Victoria’s contribution to the partnership will be through its Victorian Defence Alliance – Aerospace.

A/AA chairman Adam Burford said his association was focused on promoting business to business partnerships, innovation and sustainable growth of the defence sector for the next generation through diversity and skills development.

Burford highlighted the value of the partnership, enabling both associations to collaborate across civil and defence segments of the aerospace sector.