Dazzling Fly-past, Daring Aerobatics Mark Aero India Launch  

Bangalore, Feb 9 (IANS) A spectacular flying display and breathtaking aerobatics in formations by Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots marked the launch of Asia's biggest air show Aero India-2011 here on a sunny Wednesday.

Soon after Defence Minister A.K. Antony declared open the eighth edition of the biennial aerospace and aviation trade expo at the air force base near Yelahanka on the outskirts of this aerospace hub, VIPs and invitees were treated to an hour-long fly-past involving supersonic and sub-sonic fighters, trainer jets and helicopters.

India's indigenous and world's smallest light-weight combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas in an arrow formation and aerobatics was the star attraction at the inaugural event for the fighter's agility and maneuverability.

After the transport aircraft AN-32 flanked by two Dornier flew past the runway in a small boy formation, nine Surya Kiran sub-sonic trainers took off for various formations and aerobatics, belching a trail of smoke in Indian tri colours.

Even as the select gathering waited for the return of Surya Kirans to perform dazzling feats, including rollovers and signature tunes, the indigenous Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) of the state-run defence behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) flew over, followed by five Jaguars in arrow formation and three Sukhoi fighters in trident ('Trishul') formation.

Among the choppers were the HAL's light combat helicopter (LCH) and its flagship product advanced light helicopter (ALH), which flew in formation as a Sarang team.

The awesome flying and aerobatic display of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) by five of the six global aerospace majors - which are in race for the IAF's multi-billion dollar order for 126 metal birds - held the audience spellbound and kept them gazing at the sky despite a beating sun.

The fourth generation supersonic fighters that displayed their air prowess are European consortium EADS' Eurofighter Typhoon, US majors Boeing's F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin's F-16s, Swedish SAAB's Gripen and Dasault's Rafale.

The sixth contender -- Russian MiG-35 -- was conspicuous by its absence.

Hosted by the defence ministry's exhibition organisation in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the five-day event has attracted about 40 international delegations and 675 exhibitors.

This number includes 380 from 30 countries and 295 domestic firms which will showcase their latest aerospace technologies and products for Indian and international markets.

Official delegations from the big five - Britain, Germany, France, Russia and the US - have also come acalling to promote their global aerospace majors for collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures with Indian state-run and private enterprises.

"The US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro, is the largest with 250 members, including officials, chief executives and experts in the field at the aero show," the official said.

Other major delegations will be from Germany with 35 members and Italy 10.

Eight countries -- Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia and the US -- have put up dedicated pavilions for their respective aerospace companies and organisations.

About 70,000 business delegates from 70 countries are expected to make a beeline to the military and civil aviation trade show, while a whopping 275,000 general visitors are set to throng the venue for witnessing the static and flying display.

About 100 military and civil aircraft, including 47 foreign planes and different helicopters, have landed for static or flying display.

India Invites Aerospace Majors for Partnerships, Outsourcing 

India Wednesday invited leading international aerospace firms to partner with its strong defence organisations, state-run enterprises and the emerging private sector for the all-round development of its aerospace industry.

"We are open to joint ventures, long-term partnerships and licence production under transfer of technology with leading international aerospace companies to make our aerospace sector strong, competitive and self-reliant," Defence Minister A.K. Antony said while inaugurating Asia's biggest air show Aero India 2011 here.

Asserting that India's aerospace sector has emerged as the fastest growing in the world, Antony said the government has charted out a course to increase self-reliance in the defence sector by creating a strong industrial base across the country to counter the security challenges in the region.

"Our latest defence production policy spells out the blueprint of the roadmap that we intend to follow. We are encouraging our public and private sector industries to become active partners in this initiative," Antony said, declaring open the eighth edition of the biennial event at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base near Yelahanka on the outskirts of this aerospace hub.

Noting that the defence procurement procedure was being fine-tuned to make it transparent and efficient, the minister told a select gathering of national and international delegations that the scope of the offset policy guidelines has been expanded to civil aerospace, internal security and training to include eligible products and services to enable global firms bagging orders to discharge their obligations.

"We hope the revised defence production policy and procurement policy will provide better opportunities to foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and help build indigenous capabilities to undertake outsourcing of products and services for the global aerospace and civil aviation industry," Antony pointed out.

Reiterating that India's democratic credentials and a fast-growing economy have convinced the world that the country could play a responsible and stabilising role in the South Asian region, Antony admitted that violent disturbances in the immediate and extended neighbourhood posed security challenges.

"We are, therefore, committed to ensure rapid modernisation of our armed forces with the latest systems, equipment and platforms. The defence expenditure at 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is consistent with our projected security requirements and is bound to increase over the next two decades," he said.

Lauding Aero India for carving a niche and acquiring international recognition and prominence, the minister said the international participation in the air show has increased 25 percent over the previous (2009) edition.

"By showcasing the latest international technology in military and civil aircraft, avionics, sub-systems and radars, the trade event will enhance the country's emergence as an attractive market and a key outsourcing hub for global aerospace firms," he added.

Unlike other countries in the region, India possesses cost-effective manufacturing, skilled engineers, efficient organisations, technology and software to become one of the leading aerospace and civil aviation markets in the region.

The revival of the civil aviation post-recession is evident from its participation, overtaking military aviation 54 percent and the defence sector accounting for the remaining 46 percent.

This year's air show will outnumber all previous figures in terms of participating countries, companies, space and business, with 70 percent increase in gross exhibition area to 75,000 square metres from 44,000 square metres in 2009.