THE AIR SHOW OF THE FUTURE IS RIGHT HERE

THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC DAYS AT THE AERO INDIA 2021. MEETINGS WILL BE HELD BOTH PHYSICALLY AS WELL AS VIRTUALLY; DELEGATIONS FROM OVERSEAS ARE GOING TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY

The Aero India, for the first time, will have indigenously developed virtual exhibition platform on a hybrid model, and will be accessible 24x7 to visitors

Even as major air shows across the globe including like the IDEX, Australian International Air Show and Paris Air show, have been postponed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, India is hosting Aero India 2021. In fact, this is the first global air show organised POST-COVID.

The government has set an ambitious target of achieving a manufacturing turnover of $25 billion or Rs 1,75,000 crore including exports of USD 5 billion in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025. In the aerospace and defence market, India is considered to be very competitive and the civil aviation industry is the third-largest in the world. Over the next few years in this decade plans are to modernise the armed forces and to make more procurements. This will either through domestic vendors of the global giants.

Due to strict COVID protocols in place, several changes have been made in Aero India 2021 show which includes cutting down the number of days, no public is allowed and there is an option to be present either physically or virtually.

The 13th edition of Aero India 2021 for the first time ever is going to have indigenously developed virtual exhibition platform on a hybrid model and is going to be accessible 24X7 for visitors. According to organisers, the visitors can also see the detailed descriptions of each product which are on display and they will be able to interact with the exhibitors virtually.

Also, for the first time, visitors can participate in all the conferences virtually. They can conduct B2B meetings with exhibitors and can also watch the live display of the events, and the live demonstration of the air display.

Due to travel restrictions still in place in several countries, for the first time about 105 virtual exhibitors have registered. As per the information shared by the organisers, there are 542 exhibitors of which 464 are Indian and 78 foreign exhibitors from 14 countries who will be participating in the event.

This time France is the leading international exhibitor, with 25 companies, followed by the US -- with 22 companies, then the UK, Russia and others. Because of stringent COVID protocols in place, and social distancing only 15,000 people would be allowed and in the Air Display Visual Area.

This show is organized by the Indian Ministry of Defense and fully supported by the Government of India, and it is the largest air show in Asia. Over the last decade the number of countries and exhibitors has almost tripled. However this year due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, several exhibitors have decided to go virtual.

Aero India is considered to be one of the biggest air shows in the world and has grown phenomenally ever since its inception in 1996. The limelight event this year is expected to play host to over 500 plus aerospace and defence companies from within the country.

What to expect this year?

There will be a huge presence of both private and public sector companies showcasing their products and the focus is on Defence Exports and the platforms which the government plans to export to friendly nations.

There are going to be 41 aircraft participating in the flight display on an inaugural day while there would be 63 aircraft on static display. And the main attraction is the display by Surya Kiran aircraft and Sarang helicopters, which would be participating for the first time in this biennial event. Also for the first time the American Chinook and Apache helicopters and Rafale aircraft are expected to be at the show.

There will be a range of indigenously developed helicopters at the India Pavilion. All the indigenous helicopters in various categories and manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are going to be on display. India has the capability of both designing and manufacturing any kind of helicopter here in the country.

According to officials Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a weaponised Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and a Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are going to be on display inside the pavilion, and outside the Indian Pavilion there will be a civilian version of the ALH on display. Also on display with the Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’. Besides the variety of aircraft in service with the forces, this year the underdevelopment platforms like the HTT 40 basic trainer, the LUH and the Intermediate Jet Trainer are also going to be on display.

Major draws of Aero India – 2021 will be the Us-based to aerospace and defence companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin; top companies from the UK, France, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine and others. All these companies are showcasing their complete airpower solutions but their latest technologies that are needed by India.

Aero India which has a sizable presence of Indian companies will provide global firms with an opportunity to ramp up their presence and commitments to the Indian market. With the government opting to float tenders under the ‘Make in India’ segment, these working relationships will serve as a major boost for global aerospace firms.

Dealing with the number of fighter jet fleets going down, over the next few 10-15 years India has drawn up plans to plug the capability gap. The Indian Air Force is working towards the target of inducting around 400 fighter aircraft by 2030 to bring the numbers up as it is dealing with a combined threat from China and Pakistan.

This year the whole focus of the show is to showcase the products the Indian manufacturers have to offer globally. There is a conclave organised by the Ministry of Defence for the defence ministers of the Indian Ocean Region where the focus besides the maritime cooperation is also going to be on raising awareness about the India eco-system that has been developed in the defence and aerospace sector.