Industrial Automation Magazine India

Aero India 2021 takes off amid fanfare and flypasts

Published on : Thursday 04-02-2021

Spectators were treated to spectacular flying action with joint aerobatics by the famed Suryakiran Aerobatics Team of the Indian Air Force and Sarang helicopters.

Bangalore, February 03, 2021 – The 13th edition of Aero India, the biennial aerospace and defence exhibition, was off to a flying start on Wednesday. Billed as the largest air show in Asia, Aero India 2021 has attracted a total of 602 exhibitors – 524 domestic and 78 overseas – from 14 countries, attracting top officials and executives from the defence and aviation industries. This year’s event is held as a hybrid show, with 336 virtual exhibitors.

Speaking at the event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “We plan to spend USD 130 billion on Defence modernisation in the next seven to eight years. Like many of its friendly countries, India also faces threats and challenges emanating from multiple fronts.”

Spectators were treated to spectacular flying action with joint aerobatics by the famed Suryakiran Aerobatics Team of the Indian Air Force and Sarang helicopters. Other flypasts included the IAF C-17 Globemaster flanked by Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets and a US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber that flew with an IAF light combat aircraft Tejas. The indigenous Tejas demonstrated its prowess and agility through breath-taking aerobatics, including thunderous rapid rolls, vertical Charlie, upside down and angular flying display. The IAF also showcased its Su-30MKI fighter jet which is equipped with an air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters also showcased a Trishul formation. The HAL flew an ‘Aatmanirbhar Formation Flight’ comprising aircraft manufactured at the company with products like the LCA trainer HTT-40, IJT, Advanced Hawk Mk 132 and Civil Do-228.

Another highlight of Day 1 was the formal signing of the Rs 48,000 crore deal to procure 83 Tejas light combat aircraft from HAL for the IAF. This is the biggest ever deal in the indigenous military aviation sector in India. Tejas, manufactured by the HAL, is a single engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments.