As Aero India 2011 was nearing, plane spotters in the city could not help salivating at the prospect of catching some of the most magnificent flying machines in the Bangalore skies. This time around, they can expect to see many more top-end state-of-the-art machines than in the 2009 edition.
While some of them break the sound barrier to make a point, some 75,000 square metres of exhibition area, including outdoor space, will enthrall the afficionados.
The Aero India 2011, the 8th edition of Asia’s premier air show, is set to be much bigger and better than its previous chapter of 2009 when the world was in the midst of a global slowdown. With over 70 per cent bigger than previous edition, it is expected to see delegates from 35 overseas delegations.
The five-day air show and exhibition will be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Base from February 9 to February 13, 2011.
The event is set to see 675 exhibitors with 380 from abroad and 295 from India. The Aero India, this time, expects to see business visitors numbering over 70,000. It also expects general visitors to number over 275,000.
The biggest participation is expected from the USA with some 250 delegates visiting the air show. Germany will see the second biggest participation with 35 delegates and Italy will have some 10 delegates.
The air show is set to have some eight country pavilions with Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, UK and the USA pitching their wares aggressively.
There will be 99 countries participating with 29 taking part in exhibitions and visitors coming from 70 others.
Around 100 types of civilian and military aircraft would be on display. Civil and military aerospace manufacturers from at least 20 countries, including the US, Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and the Netherlands will participate in the show. They will be able to not only network with Indian industry but also benefit from sharing research and development expertise and pave the way for cooperation in different fields of military and civil aviation.
Military research institutions like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Aeronautical Development Agency are also taking part. All the global aviation majors have signed up to participate in Aero India. These include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Bell Helicopters, United Technologies Corporation & Raytheon (USA), BAE Systems & Rolls Royce (UK), Safran, MBDA, Dassault Aviation and Thales (France), SAAB Group (Sweden), Europe’s EADS among others.
All these companies are keen to take a bite of pie in the Indian defence contracts. According to a KPMG report, “Opportunities in the Indian defence sector”, India is likely to purchase defence equipment worth $100 billion by 2022.
The flying displays will see some of the latest fighter planes, including Eurofighter Typhoons, French Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Super Viper and Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet and Swedish Gripen besides unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. The Surya Kiran aerobatics team from the Indian Air Force, which has been the major attraction in all the previous air shows, is making its last display at the Aero India 2011.
Locally-developed supersonic light combat aircraft and light combat helicopters will also be on display at the air show.
Besides the F-16 IN Super Viper, Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules air lifter would also come to the show. Boeing will showcase its FôA 18 Super Hornets and C-17. “We are excited by India’s growing engagement as one of our key aerospace customers and supplier partners,” said Dinesh Keskar, president, Boeing India and vice president Boeing International. “The breadth and depth of our commitment is demonstrated though our companywide participation in defence and civil aviation at Aero India 2011,” he added.
Dassault Falcon is presenting its Falcon fleet of large cabin, long-range business jets at Aero India 2011, starting on February 9th in Bangalore. The Falcon range of aircraft will be on display alongside the Dassault Rafale fighter, which will perform in the air display.
Among Indian companies, other than the public sector defence companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited and BEML, Mahindra Aerospace, a division of the US $ 7.1 billion Mahindra Group, is participating for the first time.
“We are showcasing the GA8 TC-320 Airvan which has been designed and built by GippsAero. We look forward to engaging and interacting with visitors, partners, suppliers and customers at the Show,” said Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace Private Limited.
Vital components for aircraft engines, avionics systems and sub-systems, airfield radars and new age technologies used in the aviation and defence sector will also be on display at the exhibition.
The Karnataka government is participating for the first time in Aero India and showcasing its strengths and opportunities in the aerospace sector. The government is actively engaged the Confederation of Indian Industry to attract global investment into the Aerospace Park, coming up at an 800 acre area near the Bangalore international airport.
According to the organisers, this year Aero India will also have enhanced infrastructure facilities like air conditioned temporary hangars with German infrastructure, a fully equipped media centre, chemical toilets, fully equipped hospitals for any contingencies, air display viewing area, food courts with variety of cuisines to cater to the requirements of exhibitors and visitors, onsite ATM facilities, Wi-Fi connectivity in all halls, among others.
Keeping the security scenario in view and the high profile of the participants and displays, security at Aero India 2011 will include usage of
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) badges, CCTV surveillance at all points, fencing, under vehicle scanning, baggage scanning, etc.,
The air show will be inaugurated by defence minister A K Antony on February 9 in the presence of Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, government officials from both the state and Central governments and foreign dignitaries.
