Aero India 2007 in B'lore in feb next;US to take part for Ist time

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) The US F-16s and F-18s shall be the major attractions of Aero India 2007 to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore, from February 7-11 next year.

Announcing this, Secretary Defence Production KP Singh told mediapersons here today that most of the finest contemporary aircraft of the world used for civilian and defence purpose will be showcased in the airshow -- indicating the growing importance of 'Aero India' in the international arena.

The sixth edition of 'Aero India' -- the Biennial International Air-Show cum defence exhibition -- is being organised by the Department of Defence Production in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Farnborough International Limited (FIL) for the first time.

The significant feature of 'Aero India 2007' will be about 100 per cent increase in the participation by Indian firms -- 148 Indian companies participated in 'Aero India 2005' while this time 286 companies have confirmed their participation.

Besides India, exhibitors from 40 countries, including the United States, Russia, Sweden, France, Israel, Italy and Germany, would be participating in 'Aero India 2007'. More than 480 leading companies will showcase their aircraft and Aero Space products/ equipment through air display, static display and exhibition attracting a large turnout of professionals and businessmen from across the world.

In addition to the exhibition, there will daily be a flying demonstration featuring some of the most advanced and sophisticated aircraft including the F-16, F-18 Hornet, C-130J, P-3 Orion, CH-47, C-17 from the US, Grippen from Sweden, MiG-29M (02) from Russia and Falcon from France.

Various Indian Aviation products and aircraft such as the Intermediate Jet Trainer (HAL), HAL Dornier, Advanced Light Helicopter and advanced version of the Cheetah helicopters -- such as Chetan and Cheetal -- would also be on display.

In view of the increase in number of participants and exhibitors this time, the infrastructure at Air Force Station Yelahanka is being upgraded in a big way. 'Aero India 2007' will be organised in an exhibition space of 25,000 sq meters -- a nearly 40 per cent increase from 'Aero India 2005'.

Five new hangars -- each with an area of 1,320 sq meters -- have been augmented this year to meet the growing demand -- this brings the hangar total to ten. The runway length is also being increased from 7,250 ft to 8,000 ft.

Widening and re-surfacing of taxiways and dispersal area has also been taken up. The growing interest evinced by the companies has also prompted the need for another hangar, the construction of which is underway. Further, communication facilities have been upgraded and enhanced by the creation of a WiFi zone at the venue for the first time.

The other salient features of 'Aero India 2007' would include an exclusive Business Jet chalet area, expansion of scope to include the civil aviation sector, International Aviation Seminar and Aero India Golf tournament.

The Indian Air Force -- as part of its Platinum Jubilee Celebrations -- is organising an International Aerospace Power Seminar on February 4 and 5 next year in New Delhi where more than 30 Air Chiefs from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Chile, have confirmed their participation.

After attending the seminar, the Air Chiefs will fly to Bangalore to attend 'Aero India 2007'.

The first edition of International Aerospace Exposition - AERO India 1996 was organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka (Bangalore) from December 3 to 7, 1996. Since then, four more editions of the exposition have been held at the same venue in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

UNI DG MSJ BD1930