Aero India 2021

• 05 Feb 2021

Why in News

Recently, the 13^th edition of the Aero India show began at Bengaluru’s Yelahanka Air Force Station (Karnataka).

Key Points

• About Aero India:
  
  • Aero India is a biennial international military and civil airshow.
  • It is a premier event that draws international and Indian military and civil aircraft makers, their support industries, military brass and government dignitaries, and business visitors.
  • Bengaluru based Yelahanka air base, about 30 km from the city centre, has been hosting the air show in February since it was started in Bengaluru in 1996.
• Aero India 2021:
  
  • This is the first-of-its-kind ‘hybrid’ air show, which means people can also attend it digitally.
  • The focus region for Aero India 2021 is the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • It has been organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • Aero India 2021 has seen the participation of top aviation firms, while India is showcasing its indigenous defence capability.
    
    • Apart from global aviation giants such as Boeing (USA), Lockheed Martin (USA), Dassault (France) and Airbus (Europe), the show will also see the participation of top defence firms involved in the aviation sector including Thales (France), BAE Systems (UK) and missile manufacturer MBDA (Europe).
    • India has been purchasing products from these major giants such as Boeing P8-I, Rafale jets from Dassault, other aircraft, etc.
  • During the Aero show, the government has also formally sealed the Rs. 48,000 crore deal to procure 83 Tejas light combat aircraft from state-run aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).
    
    • Tejas, manufactured by the HAL, is a single engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments.
• Importance:
  
  • India offers a unique opportunity in defence and aerospace manufacturing.
    
    • Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, domestic manufacturing of bigger and complex defence platforms has become the focus of the country’s defence policy.
  • Aero India 2021 will boost investment, expand manufacturing ecosystem, support enterprises, appreciate and enhance the technology levels and propel the economic growth for the country.

Source: IE