The 14th edition of India’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition, Aero India, is all set to do new exotic adventures for the people of Karnataka this time. The show will begin on Monday, inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi bolstering the ‘Make in India’ campaign and giving an energetic rise to the aviation sector.
The event is organized for a period of five days which will include aerial displays by aircraft and helicopters followed by a large exhibition and trade fair of aerospace and defense companies. A total of 809 exhibitors including 110 foreign ones, will take part in the show at Air Force Station Yelahanka, which is being kept positioned as a platform for ‘Make in India’ for the world, the defense officials said.
The United States Embassy Charge d’affairs Ambassador Elizabeth Jones will lead the largest ever US delegation to Aero India. As India modernizes its defense capabilities, certainly we want to be the partner of choice. We are increasingly focused on mutually beneficial co-production and co-development partnerships”, she said.
A Premier global exhibition in an area of around 35000 sqm
In the Global aviation industry, a premier exhibition is being put on, providing an opportunity for the industry to showcase its capabilities, products and services.
DRDO developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance class unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance-Beyond Horizon) will make its flying debut at Aero India. TAPAS is DRDO’s solution to the tri-services ISTAR (Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) requirements. The UAV is capable of operating at altitudes up to 28000 feet, with an endurance of 18 plus hours, according to DRDO.
TAPAS which would make its debut public flight can carry a variety of payloads up to a maximum of 350kg, DRDO officials said. The DRDO pavilion will showcase over 330 products categorized into 12 zones including Combat Aircraft &UAVs, Missiles & Strategic Systems, Engine & Propulsion Systems and Sensors for Electronic Warfare & Communication systems, it was stated.
The platform theme is “sky is not the limit” opportunities beyond boundaries; is expected to lay the foundation of a more robust interaction between the industry partners and government with an eye on bolstering the ‘Make in India’ campaign, officials said.
This year, the exhibition is expected to be the biggest airshow with the highest rate of participation and will feature top international think-tanks, major aerospace companies and world leaders, according to Defense Ministry.