Wednesday, February 9 2005 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: A dazzling and awesome display of India's fighter prowess launched the Aero India 2005, the biennial air show, where dozens of global military and civil aircraft makers are showcasing their products to hard-sell them in Bangalore.

A formation of three Indian Air Force MI 8 helicopters trooping in the national tricolour and ensigns of the IAF and the aero show marked the start of the five-day event at the Yelahanka air base, 25 kms from Bangalore.

A low-speed composite formation of three aircraft - the home grown Advanced Light Aircraft, the Kiran trainer and the awesome Sukhoi-30 MKI - flying at a low altitude, gave the audience a taste of things to come, as it was followed by the Intermediate Jet Trainer, the indigenous aircraft being built to train IAF pilots for stage II training.

As the "Sentinel of the ocean", Tu-142 flew past the dignitaries, they were reminded that it was the "albatross of the Indian Navy", which could fly non-stop for over 18 hours, guarding the seas. India's latest acquisition, the Russian made IL-78 air-to-air re-fueller, called the fuel tank in the sky, tugged two Mirage-2000 fighters filling fuel over the Bangalore skies.

An arrow-head formation flying of three deep-penetration strike aircraft, Jaguar's was tailed by three prototypes of Tejas, the home-grown Light Combat Aircraft painted with the Indian tricolour. The tailless, delta-winged, fly-by-wire, single-engine supersonic fighter, being developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency, made its maiden fight on January 4, 2001, and is expected to replace the IAF's MIG fleet from the next decade.

The IAF's twin-engine supersonic fighter Sukhoi-30 MKI displayed its awesome prowess by making loops in the air and flying at 'low speed' with the announcer saying 'even the wind stops to stare'.

Sarang (Peacock in Sanskrit), the formation of Dhruv, the Advanced Light Helicopter demonstrated why it is being showcased for export by the Indian aerospace industry. As Mozart's symphony lent music to the ears, the scintillating manoeuvres and turns of the Sarang team, one of the world's only two such helicopter aerobatic teams, was a feast to the eyes of thousands of spectators from across the world.

The finale of the nearly one-hour visual treat was the superb display of the famed Surya Kiran aerobatic team, with a formation of the heart, diamond and scissor cuts.

Among the dignitaries were Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of State for Defence B K Handique, Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh and the Chiefs of three Services, besides several foreign delegates.