Rajnath reviews preparations for Aero India 2021

NEWDELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the preparations for Asia’s largest air show, Aero India, to be staged at the Yelahanka air base outside Bengaluru next year, officials familiar with development said on Friday.

The biennial air show will be staged from February 3 to 7 with all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the officials said.

Singh is monitoring all developments related to the international aerospace and defence exhibition. The defence ministry’s spokesperson on Friday tweeted that the air show is taking shape, with the minister having reviewed the roadmap for Aero India-2021.

“All precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be followed. It’s a prestigious event and will be held as planned. Top defence firms have shown interest in taking part in the show,” the officials said.

The air show is a significant event in the defence ministry’s calendar, given that self-reliance in the sector is a top priority for the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India had the potential to become a reliable weapons supplier to friendly foreign countries and strengthen its strategic partnerships as it takes strides towards self-reliance in the defence sector.

Earlier this month, the government announced a separate budgetary outlay of ₹52,000 crore for domestic capital procurement and came out with a negative import list. India announced on August 9 that it will ban the import of 101 different types of weapons, systems and ammunition — from artillery guns to light military transport aircraft — over the next five years.