Aero Show 2019: The 12th edition of Asia's premier air show begins.
The 12th edition of Asia's premier air show 'Aero India-2019' began at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru today with 61 metal birds, including HAL's indigenous products Light Combat Aircraft Tejas all set to roar in the city skies. The five-day long biennial event, which will showcase India's air defence prowess, will also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts.
However, the death of a pilot from Indian Air Force's aerobatic team Surya Kiran during a rehersal on Tuesday has cast its shadow on the show.
Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH),Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show.
Here are the Highlights from Aero India 2019 Bengaluru:
India invites investors to capitalise on the ecosystem prevailing in the aero space and other sectors and pitches for joint venture partnerships, saying it offered a big market in Defence manufacturing.
Around 5,000 guests and invitees were treated to a two-hour spectacular flying display of fighter jets, helicopters and civilian aircraft.
F-21 Fighter Jet
American defence giant Lockheed Martin unveils the F-21 multi-role fighter jet especially for India, to be manufactured locally under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, as it eyed a multi-billion dollar military order.
Specifically configured for the Indian Air Force, Lockheed Martin's F-21 provides "unmatched" 'Make in India' opportunities and strengthens India's path to an advanced air-power future, the firm said announcing the plan on the opening day at the Aero India 2019 air show in Bengaluru.
Watch here:
International CEOs' round table conference begins at Aero India in Bengaluru. A total of 24 CEOs -- 13 foreign and 11 Indian -- are part of the conference.
Rafale combat aircraft flew at low speed to pay tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision during rehearsal in a Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team's aircraft on Tuesday.
Watch: The Rafale jet at Aero India 2019
Three Indian Air Force aircraft, with a Su-30MKi in lead, fly in the missing man formation (an aerial salute) at Air Force Station Yelahanka as a tribute to Wg Cdr Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision during rehearsal in a Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team's aircraft on Tuesday.
The Dakota, Douglas DC - 3, at Aero India 2019 fly-past in Bengaluru.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Aero India:
"Aero India intends to put India on the global map. It will show India's prowess in defence and aviation over the years. PM Modi has repeatedly called Indian entrepreneurs to rise and help the manufacturing sector in India under the 'Make in India' campaign," she says.
"The contribution in aero-space from this part of India (Bengaluru) is very high. We have released a coffee table book which shows the achievements of young start-ups. Start-ups are making a very big difference in the aero-space industry."
"I invite all investors to capitalise on aero space and other sectors which can help manufacturing in India," she adds.
India Air Force's Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team Aircraft lies with their canopies covered on runway behind the inaugural venue of Aero India 2019, according to news agency ANI. The aircraft won't participate in it due to the loss of two aircraft and one pilot in a mid-air collision during rehearsal on Tuesday.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Air Force Station, Yelahanka.
"India will purchase 2,300 new air planes. We are coming up with the strategy to set up the roadmap and ecosystem to improve the manufacturing destination in India," says Union Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, during the inauguration of the air show, sayd: "We have 103 airports and we want to build another 100 in coming years. We want to connect remote areas of the country to air, investing 65 billion dollars. Under the Udan, scheme, we launched a program to connect 235 new destinations."
"India has introduced procedural reforms in defence manufacturing. We have space for everyone including of DPSUs, private firms and others. Aero India Show is a mega event that showcases India's capabilities and strength in aerospace," says Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre at the inauguration of Aero India-2019.
Ahead of the grand inauguration, two-minute silence was observed to pay tributes to the pilot who died in yesterday's crash.