The 14th edition of India’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition, Aero India, will kick off here on Monday with an inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost the ‘Make in India’ campaign and give a fresh impetus to the domestic aerospace sector.
The five-day event will include aerial displays of aircraft and helicopters along with a major exhibition and trade fair for aerospace and defense companies.
As many as 809 exhibitors, including 110 foreign, have confirmed their participation in the exhibition at Air Force Station Yelahanka, which is positioned as a platform for ‘Make in India for the world’, defense officials said.
United States Ambassador Chargé d’affaires to India Elizabeth Jones will lead the largest US delegation at the biennial air show.
“As India modernizes its defense capabilities, we certainly want to be the partner of choice. We are increasingly focusing on mutually beneficial co-production and joint development partnerships,” she said.
Aero India, the leading exhibition in the global aerospace industry, is held every two years in a total area of approximately 35,000 sq m and provides an opportunity for the industry to showcase its capabilities, products and services.
The TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance – Beyond Horizon) Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned aircraft developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization will make its flight debut at Aero India.
“TAPAS is DRDO’s solution to ISTAR’s tri-service requirements (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance). The UAV is capable of operating at altitudes of up to 28,000 feet, with an endurance of 18 hours or more,” DRDO said.
TAPAS-BH, which would make its first public flight, can carry various payloads up to a maximum weight of 350 kg, DRDO officials said.
The DRDO pavilion will showcase more than 330 products divided into 12 zones, including combat aircraft and UAVs, missile and strategic systems, engines and propulsion systems, air surveillance systems and sensors, electronic warfare and communication systems, it said.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will demonstrate a ‘Aatmanirbhar Formation’ flight of 15 helicopters consisting of all variants of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), ‘Prachand’ Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).
The Defense Ministry is hosting a ‘Directors General Round Table’ under the leadership of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.
Themed ‘Sky is not the limit: Opportunities beyond’, the platform is expected to lay the foundation for more robust interaction between industry partners and the government with a view to strengthening the ‘Make in India’ campaign, officials said. .
The round table will be attended by officials, delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries including global investors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industries, General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, Safran and the General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI). .
Domestic PSUs like HAL, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), BEML Limited and MishraDhatu Nigam Limited will also participate in the round table.
Leading private defense and aerospace manufacturing companies from India such as Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, Dynamic Technologies and BrahMos Aerosapce are also likely to participate in the event.
This would engage industries in joint development and co-production to make India a commercial manufacturing hub and base for global product support, officials said. “It will explore Indian and global markets; create opportunities for industry to not only ‘Make in India’ but ‘Make in India’ for the world,” they said.
This year, the expo is expected to be the largest air show with the highest attendance and will feature top international think tanks, major airlines and world leaders, according to the Ministry of Defense.
