Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday invited investors to capitalise on the ecosystem in aerospace and other sectors in India, which offered a big market for defence manufacturing.
In her inaugural remarks at the Aero India 2019, the 12th edition of Asia's premier air show at the Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, Sitharaman made a strong pitch for “Make in India” and referred to a slew of initiatives taken by the Narendra Modi government, including permitting 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence manufacturing.
Explaining the possibilities in the aerospace and defence sectors, Sitharaman said the original equipment manufacturers (OEM)s could find joint venture partners, so that the production could be scaled up and they could have a captive market and could export from India.
Sitharaman also noted that during the last four years and the current financial year, 150 contracts worth about Rs 1,27,500 crore have been signed with the Indian vendors for procurement of defence equipment for the armed forces.
Aero India, the five-day mega event, began on a sombre note, a day after two aircraft of Surya Kiran, the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s aerobatics team, collided mid-air, killing a pilot and injuring two others who ejected to safety.
Aero India, which would showcase India's air defence prowess, would also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts. The current edition of Aero India was marked by controversy, with reports about it being shifted to Uttar Pradesh, which had taken a political colour, as the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka had hit out at the BJP-led Centre against the alleged move.
Besides the Tejas fighter, 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) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show.
Also, aerobatic teams like India's Sarang (ALH-Dhruv) and UK-based Yakovlevs are expected to enthral the audience.
On static display would be HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter Rudra and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit). The Sukhoi SU-30MKI, Rafale, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber would be part of the air show.
The Aero India official website said a total of 61 aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show. CEOs' round table, Drone Olympics, start-up manthan and women's day (to celebrate women achievers) are some of the highlights of Aero India 2019.
