Aero India 2019: Rafale, Sukhoi SU-30, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet key attraction at air show
The 12th edition of Asia's premier air show, Aero India 2019, commenced at the Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The five-day mega event began on a sombre note, a day after two aircraft of Surya Kiran, Indian Air Force (IAF)'s aerobatics team, collided mid-air, killing a pilot and injuring two others who ejected to safety. The Rafale fighter jet, at the centre of a political controversy, took to the Indian skies, while there are several other aircrafts and advanced helicopters scheduled to fly in the air show.
Apart from the Rafale, Sukhoi SU-30, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber are part of the air show. Aerobatic teams like India's Sarang (ALH-Dhruv) and UK-based Yakovlevs are expected to enthrall the audience. Image source: IANS
Besides the Tejas, 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), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show. Image source: IANS
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 CareUnit). Image source: IANS
According the Aero India official website, a total of 61 aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who kicked off the event, invited investors to capitalise on the ecosystem in aero space and other sectors in India which offered a big market for Defence manufacturing. Image source: IANS
Sitharaman made a strong pitch for 'Make in India" and referred to a slew of initiatives taken by the government, including permitting 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Defence manufacturing. Image source: IANS
The biennial event, 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. Image source: IANS
Earlier, the Aero India show was marked by controversy with reports about it being shifted to Uttar Pradesh. The ruling coalition in of the Congress-JD(S) in Karnataka had hit out at the BJP led Centre against the alleged move. Image source: IANS