Aero India
Encyclopedia
Aero India is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held in Bangalore
, India
at the Yelahanka Air Force Station
. It is organized by Defence Exhibition Organisation, the Ministry of Defence and is held in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO), the Indian Air Force
(IAF), the Department of Space
and the Union Ministry for Civil Aviation
.
The first edition of the air show was held in 1996. During this Aero India Show, many manufacturers and service providers from the Indian aerospace and aviation industry meet the potential buyers of their products. After 1996, the 4th edition of the air show took place in 2003. About 176 exhibitors from 22 countries all over the world came to grace the show.
In the year 2005, more than 380 participants came to the Aero India show’s 5th edition. In this show, many military and civil aircraft as well as aerospace products were displayed. The 2007 Aero India show was held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore in Karnataka.
The Defence Ministry of India, Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Department of Space in India and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and other such organizations join hands to organize the Aero India Show in India. The 7th edition was held from 11 to 15 February 2009, and included 592 exhibitors from over 25 countries making it the largest air show in Asia
. The Eight edition would start on 9 February 2011. In recent years, the Aero India has emerged as one of the world's most important and largest military aviation exhibitions. The Mikoyan MiG-35
and F-16IN Super Viper were unveiled for the first time at the 6th and 7th editions of Aero India respectively.
at the outskirts of Bangalore
. It was inaugurated by the then Defence Minister
of India
(seen in first thumb of photograph), George Fernandes
. About 50 delegations from the United States
, Europe
, Russia
, the Middle East
, Asia-Pacific
and Africa
visited Bangalore for the event. The French delegation was led by the Prime Minister of France
, Jean-Pierre Raffarin
.
in Bangalore from 9–13 February 2005. The Aero India 2005 attracted record 380 exhibitors from the world's leading industries in the field of civil and military aviation, aerospace and airfield upgrade. The show included both air displays as well as static exhibitions of military
and civil aircraft. A total of 80 aircraft including Fighters, Light Combat Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopters, Intermediate Jet Trainers (AJTs), Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) displayed their flying skills and capability during the Aero India 2005 show. The Indian Air Force
(IAF) and the Indian Navy
also displayed their various aircraft. There were 32 official military delegations and over 250,000 people enjoyed the Aero India 2005 show, which is considered Asia's premier air show.
The major attractions of Aero India 2005 were the leading fighter, advanced jet trainers and unmanned aerial vehicles from Russia, US, France, Britain, Israeli and India who took part in the flying as well as static displays at the show. The visitors enjoyed the spectacular flying performances and static exhibitions of the Russian MiG-29K, Su-30MKI
and Il-78 tanker; the American F-15E, C-130J Super Hercules and P-3C Orion aircraft; the French vintage Mirage 2000 and Falcon 2000
; the British Hawk 100
, Jaguar
and Sea Harriers, and the Indian Dhruv
(Advanced Light Helicopter) and Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) and the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen
. The colorful aerobatics performance by Sarang
- the Indian Air Force's Advanced Light Helicopters, made everyone spell bound during the inaugural function.
Other major attractions in Aero India 2005 were the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Israel's Orbiter
and SkyLite mini UAV impressed their visitors with beautiful look and features. The lightweight Orbiter just weighs 4.5 kg features an advanced data link system transmitting all the data and video in real time. The SkyLite mini is capable of making vertical flights from the canister, and can be launched even from narrow alleys.
The U.S. maritime surveillance aircraft P-3C Orion and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft attracted the attention of visitors. The P-3C Orion is generally used in anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, over-water and over-land surveillance missions, and network-centric warfare
missions. The U.S. Hawkeye 2000, known for its airborne early warning and battle management command and control system, was another attraction in the Aero India 2005 show.
Aero India 2005 also proved good for passenger aircraft manufacturers, as number of inquiries, especially for the smaller and low-cost aircraft were made during the show. Visitors also had a chance to get a glimpse of advanced missile systems, avionics suites, radars, and simulators.
This event was held from 7 February 2007 to 11 February 2007, at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. The attractions of the event were the Lockheed-Martin F-16, as well as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, all contenders for the Indian Air Force's 126 aircraft MRCA requirement.
The spellbound displays by the Surya Kiran
and Sarang
teams were really enjoyable.
The Surya Kiran team consists of nine Indian pilots, and have displayed skills by flying as close as 3-5 mts at high speeds and have exhibited various formations like the arrow, diamond and concluding with the hearts. The Sarang team displays maneuvers of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
During the rehearsals for the show, one of the Sarang helicopters crashed on 2 February 2007. The co-pilot was killed in the incident. However, the team performed the displays in the show.
During the show, a HAL HJT-36 skidded off the runway when a tyre burst after the pilot aborted take-off as the aircraft's canopy inadvertently opened up. Fortunately, there was no fatality.
. Armament majors from several countries, including Australia
, Brazil
, Britain
, Belgium
, Canada
, Czech Republic
, France
, Germany
, Italy
, Ireland
, Israel
, Malaysia, Norway
, Poland
, Romania
, Russia
, Singapore
, South Africa
, Spain
, Sweden
, Switzerland
, Netherlands
, Ukraine
and United States
. There were also country pavilions from Australia
, Belgium
, Germany
, Israel
and Romania
. This year also saw China
participating for the first time in Aero India.
The show was preceded by an international seminar (Aero India Seminar
) on aerospace technologies and applications (9–11 February), hosted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
. Nearly 330 companies from 50 countries abroad and 230 from India
set up exhibits.
Some 30 military and civil aircraft gave flight demonstrations. The F-16, F-18, MiG-35D, Eurofighter, IJT
, Dhruv
, Hawk
, C-17, Embraer 135 business jet Legacy 600, C-130J, Citation XLS,G 550, AN-12 Cargo and A-310 MRTT were on display. Some 70 more were on static display. Whose event manager will be the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
. Defense Minister A. K. Antony
chaired the first meeting of the apex committee of the exhibition here Friday. "Addressing the top officials from several ministries and organizations, Antony said Aero India-2009 should be conducted in such a manner that it provides a benchmark for similar shows being organized in various parts of the world," the official said.
The Indian Air Force
brought out some of the vintage aircraft from its stable and flew them. The defense ministry also facilitated interaction between the overseas original equipment manufacturers and Indian business houses.
"Similar interactions will also be encouraged between small and medium enterprises from home and abroad. Efforts are also being made to give exposure to students of technical and engineering colleges to encourage them to be part of the country's aim of becoming a design hub in aerospace technologies in the foreseeable future," the official added. The central government will spend nearly Rs.200 million to augment the infrastructure in and around the Air Force Station Yelahanka.
However these claims were false and China had its representatives present there.
The highlight of the morning was the flight display in which several aircraft performed intricate manoeuvres. The Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, which flew in a formation in public view for the first time, was a key highlight. The Tejas, the smallest and lightest supersonic combat fighter aircraft in the world, drew whoops of delight as it made a vertical climb and then did a belly turn right in front of the podium. While five Jaguars flew in a V-formation, the Sukhoi 30-MKI flew in a trident formation. Boeing's F/A-18 (popularly known as the Super Hornet), the Gripen (by Saab, the Swedish aircraft maker) and the Rafale, by Dassault, the French aircraft manufacturer, also performed loops, rolls, and somersaults in the air. The aerobatic team Suryakiran did their last show with their Kiran Aircraft which are planned to be replaced by new Hawk aircraft. The aerobatic team of Czech Republic popularly known as Flying Bulls or Red Bull also performed for first time. Indian Aerospace Companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories
, Mahindra Aerospace, Taneja Aerospace (TAAL), Tata Aerospace also participated in the event.What really took the cake at the event was the performance by the Flying-Bulls.Also worth seeing were the chalets
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
at the Yelahanka Air Force Station
Yelahanka Air Force Station
The Yelahanka Air Force Station is an Indian Air Force base in Yelahanka, Bangalore.The main role of this airbase is to train pilots to fly transport planes...
. It is organized by Defence Exhibition Organisation, the Ministry of Defence and is held in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation
Defence Research and Development Organisation
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
(DRDO), the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
(IAF), the Department of Space
Department of Space
The Department of Space is an Indian government department responsible for administration of the Indian space program.The Indian Space Research Organization is the primary research and development arm of the DoS...
and the Union Ministry for Civil Aviation
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.
The first edition of the air show was held in 1996. During this Aero India Show, many manufacturers and service providers from the Indian aerospace and aviation industry meet the potential buyers of their products. After 1996, the 4th edition of the air show took place in 2003. About 176 exhibitors from 22 countries all over the world came to grace the show.
In the year 2005, more than 380 participants came to the Aero India show’s 5th edition. In this show, many military and civil aircraft as well as aerospace products were displayed. The 2007 Aero India show was held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore in Karnataka.
The Defence Ministry of India, Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Department of Space in India and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and other such organizations join hands to organize the Aero India Show in India. The 7th edition was held from 11 to 15 February 2009, and included 592 exhibitors from over 25 countries making it the largest air show in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. The Eight edition would start on 9 February 2011. In recent years, the Aero India has emerged as one of the world's most important and largest military aviation exhibitions. The Mikoyan MiG-35
Mikoyan MiG-35
The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. 10 prototypes have been built so far...
and F-16IN Super Viper were unveiled for the first time at the 6th and 7th editions of Aero India respectively.
The 4th edition, 2003
176 companies from 22 countries participated in the 4th edition of the event from 5 to 9 February 2003 in YelahankaYelahanka
Yelahanka is a suburb of Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka originally envisaged as a satellite town of Bangalore city, but now part of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.-Location:...
at the outskirts of Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. It was inaugurated by the then Defence Minister
Defence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(seen in first thumb of photograph), George Fernandes
George Fernandes
George Mathew Fernandes is an Indian trade unionist, politician, journalist, agriculturist, and member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He is a key member of the Janata Dal , and was the founder of the Samata Party...
. About 50 delegations from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
visited Bangalore for the event. The French delegation was led by the Prime Minister of France
Prime Minister of France
The Prime Minister of France in the Fifth Republic is the head of government and of the Council of Ministers of France. The head of state is the President of the French Republic...
, Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Jean-Pierre Raffarin is a French conservative politician and senator for Vienne.Jean-Pierre Raffarin served as the Prime Minister of France from 6 May 2002 to 31 May 2005, resigning after France's rejection of the referendum on the European Union draft constitution. However, after Raffarin...
.
The 5th edition, 2005
The 5th Aero India 2005, the beiennial air-show-cum-defence exhibitions, was held at the Yelahanka Air Force BaseAir Force Base
An Air Force Base is a military airbase of any of a number of air forces, such as the United States Air Force or South African Air Force ....
in Bangalore from 9–13 February 2005. The Aero India 2005 attracted record 380 exhibitors from the world's leading industries in the field of civil and military aviation, aerospace and airfield upgrade. The show included both air displays as well as static exhibitions of military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and civil aircraft. A total of 80 aircraft including Fighters, Light Combat Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopters, Intermediate Jet Trainers (AJTs), Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
Surveillance aircraft
A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...
and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) displayed their flying skills and capability during the Aero India 2005 show. The Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
(IAF) and the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
also displayed their various aircraft. There were 32 official military delegations and over 250,000 people enjoyed the Aero India 2005 show, which is considered Asia's premier air show.
The major attractions of Aero India 2005 were the leading fighter, advanced jet trainers and unmanned aerial vehicles from Russia, US, France, Britain, Israeli and India who took part in the flying as well as static displays at the show. The visitors enjoyed the spectacular flying performances and static exhibitions of the Russian MiG-29K, Su-30MKI
Su-30MKI
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is an air superiority fighter jointly developed by Russia's Sukhoi and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force...
and Il-78 tanker; the American F-15E, C-130J Super Hercules and P-3C Orion aircraft; the French vintage Mirage 2000 and Falcon 2000
Dassault Falcon 2000
|-See also:...
; the British Hawk 100
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft...
, Jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
and Sea Harriers, and the Indian Dhruv
Dhruv
- Military :* HAL Dhruv, a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited...
(Advanced Light Helicopter) and Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) and the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen
JAS 39 Gripen
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight single-engine multirole fighter manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. It was designed to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force...
. The colorful aerobatics performance by Sarang
Sarang
Sarang is the helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force.The team flies four HAL Dhruvs. The name Sarang is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004...
- the Indian Air Force's Advanced Light Helicopters, made everyone spell bound during the inaugural function.
Other major attractions in Aero India 2005 were the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Israel's Orbiter
Orbiter
An orbiter is a space probe that orbits a planet.-Asteroids:*NEAR Shoemaker...
and SkyLite mini UAV impressed their visitors with beautiful look and features. The lightweight Orbiter just weighs 4.5 kg features an advanced data link system transmitting all the data and video in real time. The SkyLite mini is capable of making vertical flights from the canister, and can be launched even from narrow alleys.
The U.S. maritime surveillance aircraft P-3C Orion and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft attracted the attention of visitors. The P-3C Orion is generally used in anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, over-water and over-land surveillance missions, and network-centric warfare
Network-centric warfare
Network-centric warfare, also called network-centric operations, is a military doctrine or theory of war pioneered by the United States Department of Defense in the 1990's....
missions. The U.S. Hawkeye 2000, known for its airborne early warning and battle management command and control system, was another attraction in the Aero India 2005 show.
Aero India 2005 also proved good for passenger aircraft manufacturers, as number of inquiries, especially for the smaller and low-cost aircraft were made during the show. Visitors also had a chance to get a glimpse of advanced missile systems, avionics suites, radars, and simulators.
The 6th edition, 2007
The spellbound displays by the Surya Kiran
Surya Kiran
Surya Kiran is an aerobatics demonstration team of the Indian Air Force, successors to the Thunderbolts. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team was formed in 1996 to serve as the "Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force" and to "showcase the professionalism, the calibre and the mettle of the Indian Air Force"...
and Sarang
Sarang
Sarang is the helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force.The team flies four HAL Dhruvs. The name Sarang is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004...
teams were really enjoyable.
The Surya Kiran team consists of nine Indian pilots, and have displayed skills by flying as close as 3-5 mts at high speeds and have exhibited various formations like the arrow, diamond and concluding with the hearts. The Sarang team displays maneuvers of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
During the rehearsals for the show, one of the Sarang helicopters crashed on 2 February 2007. The co-pilot was killed in the incident. However, the team performed the displays in the show.
During the show, a HAL HJT-36 skidded off the runway when a tyre burst after the pilot aborted take-off as the aircraft's canopy inadvertently opened up. Fortunately, there was no fatality.
The 7th edition, 2009
The 7th edition of Aero India was held on 11–15 February 2009. 289 Indian firms and 303 foreign companies participated in one of the largest international aerospace exhibitions in BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. Armament majors from several countries, including Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Malaysia, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. There were also country pavilions from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. This year also saw China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
participating for the first time in Aero India.
The show was preceded by an international seminar (Aero India Seminar
Aero India Seminar
Aero India Seminar is a biennial seminar held in Bangalore, India. It is jointly organized by Defence Research and Development Organisation , Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Aeronautical Society of India...
) on aerospace technologies and applications (9–11 February), hosted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Defence Research and Development Organisation
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
. Nearly 330 companies from 50 countries abroad and 230 from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
set up exhibits.
Some 30 military and civil aircraft gave flight demonstrations. The F-16, F-18, MiG-35D, Eurofighter, IJT
HAL HJT-36
The HAL HJT-36 Sitara is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy...
, Dhruv
Dhruv
- Military :* HAL Dhruv, a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited...
, Hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
, C-17, Embraer 135 business jet Legacy 600, C-130J, Citation XLS,G 550, AN-12 Cargo and A-310 MRTT were on display. Some 70 more were on static display. Whose event manager will be the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Confederation of Indian Industry
The Confederation of Indian Industry is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation, seeking to play a proactive role in India’s development process. The organisation works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India,...
. Defense Minister A. K. Antony
A. K. Antony
Arackaparambil Kurien Antony is an Indian National Congress politician, a former Chief Minister of Kerala, and the current Defence Minister of India....
chaired the first meeting of the apex committee of the exhibition here Friday. "Addressing the top officials from several ministries and organizations, Antony said Aero India-2009 should be conducted in such a manner that it provides a benchmark for similar shows being organized in various parts of the world," the official said.
The Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
brought out some of the vintage aircraft from its stable and flew them. The defense ministry also facilitated interaction between the overseas original equipment manufacturers and Indian business houses.
"Similar interactions will also be encouraged between small and medium enterprises from home and abroad. Efforts are also being made to give exposure to students of technical and engineering colleges to encourage them to be part of the country's aim of becoming a design hub in aerospace technologies in the foreseeable future," the official added. The central government will spend nearly Rs.200 million to augment the infrastructure in and around the Air Force Station Yelahanka.
The 8th edition, 2011
The 2011 edition of Aero India was held from 9 February to 13 February in Bangalore. it was said Reportedly that the Chinese aircraft will not participate in this edition, due to rising trade competition between India and China.However these claims were false and China had its representatives present there.
The highlight of the morning was the flight display in which several aircraft performed intricate manoeuvres. The Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, which flew in a formation in public view for the first time, was a key highlight. The Tejas, the smallest and lightest supersonic combat fighter aircraft in the world, drew whoops of delight as it made a vertical climb and then did a belly turn right in front of the podium. While five Jaguars flew in a V-formation, the Sukhoi 30-MKI flew in a trident formation. Boeing's F/A-18 (popularly known as the Super Hornet), the Gripen (by Saab, the Swedish aircraft maker) and the Rafale, by Dassault, the French aircraft manufacturer, also performed loops, rolls, and somersaults in the air. The aerobatic team Suryakiran did their last show with their Kiran Aircraft which are planned to be replaced by new Hawk aircraft. The aerobatic team of Czech Republic popularly known as Flying Bulls or Red Bull also performed for first time. Indian Aerospace Companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia's largest aerospace companies. Under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence, this state-owned company is mainly involved in aerospace industry, which includes manufacturing and assembling aircraft, navigation and...
(HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories
National Aerospace Laboratories
National Aerospace Laboratories , is India's second largest aerospace firm after Hindustan Aeronautics . It was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at Delhi in 1959 and its headquarters was later moved to Bangalore in 1960...
, Mahindra Aerospace, Taneja Aerospace (TAAL), Tata Aerospace also participated in the event.What really took the cake at the event was the performance by the Flying-Bulls.Also worth seeing were the chalets
External links
- Aero India Home Page
- AeroIndia.org is a volunteer collaborative project to provide Aer India 2007 News, Photographs and Videos
- Aero India 2005 Photographs and web coverage at India Defence
- Photo feature of Aero India Show 2001 on www.bangalorebest.com
- "Aero India show begins on Wednesday..." - rediff.comRediff.comRediff.com India is a news, information, entertainment, and shopping portal. It was founded in 1996 as "Rediff On The NeT" and is headquartered in Mumbai, India with offices in New Delhi and New York City, USA....
article dated 4 February 2003 - "Aero India show attracts 146 companies" - The Financial Express story dated 28 January 2005