Amidst push for self-reliance, Aero India 2023 showcases India’s Indigenous Aviation assets

By Anil Kumar

Bangalore. The 14th edition of Aero India, billed as Asia’s largest aerospace exhibition, is being held here February 13 to 17. As always since 1996, the venue is the IAF Yelahanka airbase.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Show, in which molre than 730 exhibitors from India and other countries are taking part. The 5-day event on the theme ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’ is the largest-ever aero show organised in a total area of around 35,000 sq metres.

A highlight of the Airshow is the Defence Ministers Conclave with the theme ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagement in Defence (SPEED)’. There is also the CEOs’ Roundtable among the marquee events being organised as part of the Aero India.

“The Manthan start-up event and Bandhan, or Venturing Together ceremony, will witness signing of MoUs. Of course, top officials, Air Marshals, Generals, Admirals and top guns from the Industry from various countries would be there. Most of the Bangalore hotels are fully booked.

The eye-catching aerial display of IAF combat jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft is being held on all the five days; the last two, on Feb 16 and 17 being for public. As always, IAF has promised a scintillating display with our young Pilots proudly playing with the aircraft joysticks to thrill the crowds.

Of the 737 exhibitors taking part in the event, 643 are from India, while 94 are from 30 other countries. The goal of Aero India is to offer a special opportunity for exchange of knowledge, concepts, and innovations in the aviation sector.

The show would help the Make in India movement and boost the local aviation sector. “The events have been restructured with focus on increasing defence exports and forging partnerships rather than merely import of weapons and equipment,” the Defence Ministry has said. India has a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem and has emerged as a leading defence exporter which has grown by almost eight times in the last five years.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who reviewed the preparations recently, pointed out that the Indian defence industry is going through a transformational phase and the active participation of the private sector is the biggest catalyst to that change.

“Not just the private sector, but R&D establishments and academia are also working together with the Government. Aero India is a medium to provide a platform to all the stakeholders to jointly strengthen the defence & aerospace sector and contribute to nation building,” he observed adding:  “We are swiftly moving towards becoming pioneers in design, development and manufacturing at a global level. We are witnessing a transformational journey from being the largest defence importer to a net exporter.”

The Indian defence ecosystem is literally spreading its arms overseas as military exports have jumped by 334% in the last five years with India exporting equipment and systems to more than 75 countries.

The Defence Minister said though Aero India is a business event, it also aims to strengthen the country’s relations with other nations.

Aero India is organized by MoD’s Department of Defence Production, and IAF and HAL are the key organisers.