Bangalore:The sixth edition of Aero India 2007 took off on a spectacular note today (Feb7, 2007) at the Yelahanka air base here, with breathtaking manoeuvres and daredevilaerobatics at the flying display.

 

The supersonic fighter Sukhoi-MKI30, three Advanced LightHelicopters (ALH) of the Sarang aerobatic team and nine sub-sonic traineraircraft Surya Kirans of the Indian Air Force (IAF) stole the thunder at thehour-long flying display, leaving about 5,000 spectators spellbound.

Other aircraft and helicopters that took part in the flyingdisplay were the two prototype Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Intermediate JetTrainer (IJT), the five deep-penetration fighter Jaguars, transport planesTuplov 142N, IL-78 with air-to-air fuelling by two Mirage 2000 jets, AN-32 andthe prototype of the 14-seater Sarang aircraft of the National AerospaceLaboratories (NAL).

 

Inaugurated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony in the presenceof his two deputies - Inderjit Singh and Pallam Raju, Karnataka Chief MinisterH.D. Kumarawamy and a host of top dignitaries, the five-day internationaldefence exposition-cum-seminar received an overwhelming response from globalaerospace majors and the aviation industry, including the large Indian industrythis time.

Held biannually about 20 km away from India's silicon hub, the mega eventis being attended by delegations from 15 countries, with air chiefs of 28nations participating in such large numbers for the first time in an Indian airshow.

Welcoming hundreds of delegates, participants, exhibitorsand other stakeholders, defence production secretary K.P. Singh told thegathering that the air show had attracted over 500 companies, including 280global firms from major aerospace countries such as the Britain, Germany,France, Israel, Russia,Sweden and the US.

 

Among the Indian participants are a dozen public sectorunits, including HAL, BEL, NAL, DRDO, ADA,GTRE and BEML and about 200 firms from the private sector.

"Aero Indiaprovides an ideal platform to the Indian aerospace industry to showcase itscapabilities to the global audience. It is also an excellent forum to explorebusiness opportunities and facilitate joint ventures and collaborations formutual benefit," Antonysaid in his inaugural address.