South Asia's largest air show, the five-day Aero India 2003 beginning on February 5 at the neighbouring Yelahanka air force base, will dominate the city's skyline through next week.
Defence minister George Fernandes will open the show on Wednesday. The Indian presence will be marked by the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited which will be there in full regalia.
Indian technology will be showcased by Bharat Electronics which will display defence electronics products.
Rolls-Royce, the British aero engine maker, has already raised the corner of the curtain on a manufacturing agreement with HAL.
The details will be announced during the air show. Rolls-Royce is also looking for Indian partners in design and information technology.
The keenest commercial competition at the show will be among the three manufacturers of the advanced jet trainer for which India is in the market -- Britain, the Czech Republic and Russia.
A high watermark of the air show will be the visit of the French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, along with a 40-strong delegation of French CEOs. They will join Indian CEOs at an Indo-French CEOs' forum organised by FICCI and CII.
The French CEOs will be mainly from industries like agro food processing, manufacturing, defence and information technology.
Leading French companies like Danone, Lafarge, Dassault and Alstom will be represented. Another prominent visitor will be Lord Bach, the Britain's minister for defence procurement.
The world's two leading commercial aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and the European Airbus, will be present in full strength.
In fact, this air show will see a sharp rise in the US presence with companies like GE Aircraft Engines and Ratheon also there.
According to reports, over 170 foreign companies from 22 countries will participate, marking a sharp rise from 2001 in participation in this biennial show.
Britain, France and Russia will be present in full strength, joined by a strong Israeli contingent.
