BENGALURU: THE eleventh edition of Aero India that started on a lacklustre note did, however, take off towards the end. The overwhelming response on the last two days was a marker for Bengalureans’ love for the metal birds. For many, it took over three hours to wade through bumper-to-bumper traffic to reach Yelahanka Air Force Station, but it was worth all that.
According to Defence ministry officials, on the last two days, about four lakh people visited the venue. Although the number of firms that took part and aircraft that flew during the show was less compared to 2015, this edition did fairly well in terms of providing a global platform for Indian firms to collaborate with foreign companies.
‘Make in India’ was the central theme of the show which was dominated by Indian firms including defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The HAL-built Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and trainer aircraft HTT-40 flew for the first time at the show. The PSU also unveiled its plans to develop a multi-role helicopter.
The indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas which flew at the show for the first time after it was inducted into the IAF, and IAF’s fighter jet Sukhoi -30MKI were among the star attractions at the flying display.
Formation flying teams, including Surya Kirans, flying for the first time with Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) Hawks; Sarang helicopter display team with the HAL-built Advanced Light Helicopter and UK-based Yakovlevs mesmerised people with their breathtaking manoeuvres. The Scandinavian Skycats — women walking on aircraft wings too were a major draw.
On the ground, many Indian firms like Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Mahindra Group, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd signed MoUs with foreign companies on jointly developing equipment. Announcements during the show gave hope to the revival of projects like Saras and Kaveri that had almost hit a dead end.
The show provided the perfect platform for defence equipment manufacturers who are looking at India as a potential market. A delegation from China too was here to take a close look at advances made in the Indian defence sector. Given its strategic relations with Pakistan and aggressive stand towards India, Chinese participation has generated a lot of buzzes.
As the show ended on a high, rumours on its shifting to Goa — Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s home state — gained currency. Defence ministry officials, however, rubbished it.
Bengaluru seems to the natural choice for Aero India given the presence a large number of defence and aviation firms, including HAL and DRDO labs.