For the next five days, all roads in the city will lead to the Indian Air Force base in Yelahanka which is hosting India’s largest aerospace and defence expo. The 11th edition of the event, which begins on Tuesday, will see the popular Surya Kiran Team of the IAF make a comeback to the skies after nearly six years.
Aerobatics teams will take to the skies twice a day to enthral visitors. Visitors can look forward to three of the five teams from the previous edition — Sarang (helicopter acrobatics) of the IAF, the Scandinavian Air Show team from Sweden and the UK-based Team Yakovlevs, which employs tight formations and uses Cold War-era Soviet aircraft.
At the ground level, 72 aircraft, some of them representing cutting-edge technology, will be on display.
The business-side of the event will see various States vying for investment while defence companies and suppliers will be hoping to find buyers for their innovative products. Delegates from more than 30 countries are expected to take a close look at the wares and innovations being showcased by companies from 51 countries.
For perhaps the first time, a Chinese delegation will participate in the event. The delegation comprises five officers from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
From traffic diversions to banning non-vegetarian food in and around Yelahanka, civic bodies have been on an overdrive in the run-up to the event. With lakhs of people and thousands of vehicles expected to congregate near the IAF base, the traffic police have introduced diversions.
