Bengaluru. It is going to be an Aero Show of different kind due to the pandemic Covid 19 that continues to sweep across the country and the biennial exposition in Bengaluru will see only business days while the large crowds that was the usual feature will not be there and aviation buffs would be treated to a virtual show.
Though it has indeed disappointed these aviation buffs in the southern city which had been one of the cities badly hit by the pandemic, but, the virtual show has brought much cheer to the biennial event lovers outside as they would be able to watch the airshow of Aero India 2021 unfold live on multiple online and television platforms. Kicking off on February 3 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station here, the airshow will stay alive only for three days unlike the full five days. The event will be mainly business-focussed.
Till date, 532 exhibitors have registered for the event. But only 75 are foreign firms, a far cry from the last edition’s 165. Seven of the foreign bookings are by the US-based Lockheed Martin and associate companies.
With the pandemic impacting the major countries like US, Russia, France, UK, Germany, Spain and Brazil, many foreign delegates are likely to stay away.
According to reports, there would be focus on even fighter aircraft by leading companies in the wake of the ongoing border tension with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
Another area of focus would be drones which is now being increasingly used and strong plea for a National Commission on Drones was made at a recent Webinar conducted by the Ministry of Defence and trade body Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and is part of a series of Webinars to be held in the run up to this airshow.
However, reports say that though the turnout would be much lower due to the restrictions and the show being focussed only on the business end, hundreds are expected to flock to Yelahanka to watch the fighters and aerobatic teams take to the skies, staying outside the periphery of the Air Force Station.
A meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi had decided to reduce the number of show days. This was to ensure adequate social distancing within the venue and promote safe interactions among the business delegates from the defence and aerospace industries. Thermal scanners at all entry points, strict enforcement of no-mask-no-entry rule, sanitisers everywhere and all other Covid-mandated rules will be in force at the airshow venue.
To maintain social distancing, the number of individuals permitted in any hall, stall/booth and toilet/washroom will be restricted. A total of 61 aircraft were on display at the last edition, with the aerobatics dominated by the British Yaks with four Yakovlevs and the Sarang helicopter formations. The spotlight was on the Rafale. But symbolising the focus on civil aviation, an Airbus-330neo aircraft stood out as the first civilian mainstream aircraft at the airshow. The B-52 bomber’s flypast, the C-295 and the F-16 also made their presence felt. On the last day of the show, seven Suryakirans had returned to display a much lauded aerial tribute for the pilot killed.
Despite the Covid-19 crisis, India’s premier aerospace show will see participation of top global companies, with the venue at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru fully sold out as manufacturers line up to showcase their latest products.
While a majority of the participants will be Indian companies, officials said the response from global manufacturers had also been enthusiastic, with most major ones booking space at the venue. From major defence manufacturers to start-ups, a record 530 firms are expected at the biennial event.
Major foreign participants include companies from the US, Russia, France and Israel that have set up shop in India in recent years and already have joint ventures underway with Indian manufacturers. The number has, however, slipped from 167 foreign companies in the 2019 show to over 70 this time given the Covid crisis, but all large players will be represented.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who has been personally monitoring the preparations in the run up to this prestigious event in India’s defence calendar specially in the Aerospace sector, is expected to go for an onsite review of the venue later this month.
The show is expected to see major announcements under the Make in India initiative with special focus on start-ups.
An India pavilion that will showcase indigenous products that can be exported to friendly foreign nations will be the centrepiece of the show, with aircraft, missiles and other aeronautical products on display. The show will also host a conclave of defence ministers of the Indian Ocean Region this time.
