‘Make in India will be the refrain when Aero India, the two-yearly, and predominantly military air show and exhibition, returns to Bengaluru in mid-February 2015.
The earlier editions were marked by the high sales pitches of global manufacturers keen on selling expensive military aircraft and hardware here: the country is counted among the world’s largest defence spenders.
The management of the 10th edition reverts fully to the Ministry of Defence’s arm, Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO); four earlier editions were partly outsourced to apex industry bodies since 2007.
The Bengaluru show is scheduled for February 18-22, when the big names of Indian and international military aircraft manufacturers and their associates are expected to throng the Yelahanka Air Force Station.
Wing Commander Mayaskar Deo Singh, DEO Director, who is in Bengaluru overseeing the arrangements, said January should give a clear picture of the participants. In 2013, there were 570 exhibitors from 29 countries, including 296 from India.
“The thrust this time is on ‘make in India’ and we expect a huge response from international and Indian participants this time, too,” he said.
While business deals will still be part of the show, big-ticket purchases by the government do not seem to be in the offing. As such, Aero India 2015 could see a big turnout of Indian industry majors who nurse big entry plans into aerospace manufacture, according to IAF veteran, Air Marshal (retd.) B.K. Pandey, who earlier headed the IAF Training Command here as its Air Officer Commanding in-Chief.
Wg.Cdr. Singh said the MoD has involved the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and roped in the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the first time.
