5.00 pm: It is for the first time that Mr. Modi arrived at NIMHANS for convocation. Around 107 students are receiving degrees in person and 23 in absentia. PhD is being awarded to 27 research scholars.
The Brietling plane at the Aero India Show today. via >@mohitmrao>#AeroShow2015>pic.twitter.com/ydW133GRBi
— Bengaluru Connect (@BloreConnect) >February 18, 2015
4:15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) for the convocation and greeted the audience at NIMHANS with Yellarigu Namaskara (Salutations to everybody). > Read more
3.30 pm: Referring to the Pakistani vessel issue, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said said that the Ministry stands by its earlier statement. "It is a case of indiscipline. We will inquire and take action,'' Mr. Parrikar said on remarks reportedly made by Coast Guard DIG B K Loshali.
3.05 pm: The Defence Minister said that, the Defence Ministry is going through offsets, some of which are "in chaos". May come up with some major changes and offset policy that will give a lot of support to small & medium enterprises (SME's).
2.50 pm: Parrikar says Bengaluru is an apt venue for Aero India. There are no doubts about hosting the next Aero India in 2017. He has dismissed talks of air show getting moved out of Yelahanka.
2.45 pm: Here are a few glimpse of the aircrafts during Aero India 2015: > The Aero India 2015 (in pictures)
2.32 pm: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar addressing a news conference at Aero India. He said that there could be a separate "Make in India" policy in defence manufacturing for SMEs.
2.30 pm: Several stalls have been put up at the Aero India exhibition and a huge delegation of stalls from Beijing and Israel are on display. It is a major attraction among the visitors.
2.15 pm: Metal birds awe spectators with aerial aerobatics >Read
2.05 pm: Tiger Moth, a 1932 plane, is doing the rounds in the air. The plane has been restored for the Aero India show and it is for the first time that the plane will fly in an aero show.
1:43 pm:PM Modi stresses on "Make in India" in defence
“We will build an industry that will have room for everyone – public sector, private sector and foreign firms. From sellers, foreign firms must turn into strategic partners.”
Read Dinakar Peri's full report > here .
1:10 pm: A look at some of the aircrafts that are part of the event:
12.35 pm: Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar to hold press conference soon.
11.55 am: HAL’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas too, will be on display at the event.
11:47 am: The air show will have static and air display by various aircraft including fighter, transport, helicopter and aerobatic display teams.
While the number of aircraft participating in static and air displays is tentatively 72, Indian Air Force Sarang Team and air display teams from Sweden, UK, Czech Republic and open sky jump by USA Special Forces are among the major attractions.
Seven of the 11 foreign military aircraft on display will be American - two F-15C Eagles, two F-16C Fighting Falcons, one Boeing KC-135 tanker, one C-17 Globemaster III and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.
11:46 am: The U.S. with 64 companies will have the biggest presence at the event, said to be the largest ever air show to be hosted so far in India, in which 33 other countries are taking part.
France will be the second biggest participant with 58 companies, followed by the U.K. with 48, Russia with 41, Israel with 25 and Germany with 17.
11:29 am:India will emerge as a major global centre for defence industry: PM
Inaugurating ‘Aero India’ show, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country needs to increase its defence preparedness and modernise its forces due to security challenges that were well known and invited foreign firms to become India’s strategic partners rather than remaining just sellers. > Read here.
10 32 am: Read the full text of Modi's speech at Aero India 2015 > here.
10:00 am: The small old yellow Tigermoth gets opening honour, followed by the lethal Sukhoi-30 fighter
9:57 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits with dignitaries to watch the show.
9.45 am: Foreign Ministers, guests and dignitaries at the Aero India show
A strong Indian defence industry will not only make India more secure. It will also make India more prosperous: PM >@narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) >February 18, 2015
9.30 am: PM Narendra Modi welcomes Foreign Defence Ministers and global dignitaries. "We have the reputation as the largest importer of defence equipment in the world. This is one area where we would not like to be number one," he says.
9. 20 am: Governor Vajubhai R. Vala arrives at the venue.
9.20 am: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah airs his wish of "Make in Karnataka" to investors.
9.15 am: Defence Minister speaking at the inauguration of Aero India 2015. Defence Minister lauds Bengaluru's niche position as Air Show venue in his opening remarks. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah to follow.
9.05 am: PM Narendra Modi with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other dignitaries.
9.00 am: PM Narendra Modi arrives at the venue. On his arrival, three IAF planes fly in symbolic reception.
8:01 am: All in readiness - the Air Force Station Yelahanka.
8:00 am: The event will have Indian military planes and helicopters, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, the Sukhoi-30 MkI medium fighter and the newly-purchased Pilatus basic trainer from the IAF and HAL stables. A highly expectant Dassault of France has brought in three Rafale fighters: this plane is shortlisted to be bought for the IAF.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open the Aero India 2015 air show and exhibition today at the Air Force Station Yelahanka. Defence Ministers or officials of equivalent ranks of six countries — the USA, Russia, Israel and Germany among them — will also be part of the annual event. Besides 54 ministerial and other high-level delegations from several countries that are slated to attend the inaugural event, the exhibition will also see participation of over 600 companies, including 295 Indian and 328 foreign companies.
Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who has a commercial pilot’s licence, is scheduled to fly in one of the Indian formations.
The show to be held from February 18 to 22 promises to be yet another air extravaganza for lakhs of Bengalureans and outsiders. By footfalls, this is going to attract 3.5 lakh visitors, the biggest Indian show ever, according to organiser Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO), an arm of the Ministry of Defence.
