Teams fly into Sydney for first ever Military International Drone Racing Tournament

International military teams have flown into Sydney for the first ever Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT), to be hosted at Victoria Barracks in Sydney between 18­–21 October 2018.
 
Teams from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, The United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States will fight it out on the track in a number of races and freestyle events with the hope of being crowned the world’s best military drone racing team.
 
Major General Gus McLachlan, Commander Army Forces Command, welcomed the international teams to Sydney for the inaugural competition.
 
“The teams have travelled a long way to be here and we are pleased that they have come to Australia to participate in this adaptive and exciting sport,” Major General McLachlan said.
 
Major General McLachlan said drone racing was an emerging sport that encouraged interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among soldiers.
 
“Our racers have represented the Australian Army at competitions and public events since 2017, and I wish them, and all other competitors, the best of luck for the Tournament,” Major General McLachlan said.
 
Drone racing will also feature as a demonstration event at the 2018 Invictus Games, to be held in Sydney between 20–27 October 2018.
 
Further information on the MIDRT can be found at: https://www.army.gov.au/MIDRT
 
Media note:
 
Footage of the Australian Army Drone Racing team flying off the Royal Australian Navy Landing Helicopter Dock, HMAS Canberra in Sydney Harbour is available at: http://video.defence.gov.au/play/5846#