The five-day exhibition is set to witness the participation of over 700 defence companies and delegates from 98 countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and others during the inauguration of Aero India 2023. (narendramodi/Twitter)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex in Bengaluru on Monday, 13 February. He showcased India as an attractive destination for investment in the defence manufacturing sector.
He said that India will move towards becoming one of the leading exporters of military hardware globally.
The five-day exhibition is set to witness the participation of over 700 defence companies and delegates from 98 countries, officials said.
A mesmerising aerial display left the audience spellbound at the inaugural session. A plethora of aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) displayed their aerial prowess in an air show at the event.
The metal birds soared high and performed breathtaking aerobatics and mid-air manoeuvring.
This edition of Aero India is showcasing the country as an emerging hub for manufacturing military aircraft, helicopters, military equipment, and new-age avionics.
According to the organisers, around 250 business-to-business agreements are expected to be firmed up at Aero India, which is estimated to unlock investment to the tune of around ₹75,000 crore.
“New India” of the 21st century will neither miss any opportunity, nor will there be any shortage in its hard work, Modi said.
Aero India is a wonderful platform to showcase the unlimited potential our country has in defence and aerospace sectors. https://t.co/ABqdK29rek
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2023
The prime minister said that India today is not only a market but also a potential defence partner for so many countries. He added that the nation is moving towards becoming one of the leading exporters of military hardware globally.
“Today, Aero India is not only a show but also a reflection of India’s self-confidence and capabilities,” he said, in the presence of top executives of various global defence majors and delegates from a significant number of countries.
The inaugural show featured various formations, such as “Tiranga”, “Dhwaj”, and “Bhim”.
One of the aircraft formations during the inauguration of Aero India 2023. (narendramodi/Twitter)
A highlight of the inaugural session of Asia’s biggest aero show was Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari leading the “Gurukul” formation in the Tejas aircraft.
The Surya Kiran batch of the IAF stole the show with their scintillating performance.
According to one of the pilots who participated in the show on Monday, nine pilots formed the “diamond display”.
“This is my fourth Aero India performance ever since ‘Hawk’ was inducted,” the IAF pilot said.
There were displays by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-made light combat aircraft (Tejas), light combat helicopters, light utility helicopters, Sukhoi Su-30, and Dhruv advanced light helicopters, among others.
The theme of Aero India is “The runway to a billion opportunities” and is aimed at projecting India’s growth and capabilities in the defence and aerospace sectors.
The focus of the event is to showcase indigenous equipment and technologies and forge partnerships with foreign companies, in line with the government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision, officials said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Aero India will act as a catalyst for further growth of the aerospace sector in India.
#AeroIndiaShow2023 is being held in Bengaluru. PM Shri @narendramodi is gracing the inaugural ceremony with his presence. https://t.co/tzXObM29mT
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) February 13, 2023
Singh will host a defence ministers’ conclave on Tuesday on the theme “Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence (SPEED)”.
The major exhibitors at Aero India include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and BEML Limited.
The United States Air Force’s (USAF) newest fifth-generation fighters — the stealthy, supersonic, multi-role F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter — will make their debut at Aero India 2023.
After a journey from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, United States, the F-35A Lightning II demonstration team will impress crowds with a demo of its aerial capabilities, the US Consulate General Chennai said in a statement on Monday.
The F-35A Lightning II from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska will be on static display, it said.
The F-35’s engine produces 43,000 pounds (around 19,500 kg) of thrust and consists of a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine, the statement said.
Major General Julian Cheater, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the United States Air Force, International Affairs, said, “The F-35 represents the leading edge of US fighter technology. Aero India is an ideal forum to showcase the most advanced, capable, lethal, and inter-operable weapons systems the US has to offer.”
This system and others are designed to penetrate and defeat advanced adversary air defences, the military officer added.
In addition to the F-35, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo will conduct daily aerial demonstrations from 13 to 17 February, showcasing the capability of one of the USAF’s leading fighter jets.
On static display, the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are multi-role fighters.
(With inputs from PTI)
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