Aero India 2009 to kick off in February

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Nearly 600 armament companies from home and abroad are expected to take part in the seventh edition of the Biennial International Aerospace Exposition, popularly known as Aero India 2009, which gets underway from February 11 at the Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bangalore.

Nearly, 330 companies from 50 countries including the United States, the UK, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and the Netherlands, apart from 230 home-grown ones will put up their exhibits at the exposition. Nearly 100 different types of aircraft--both civil and military, will be on display.

The first meeting of the apex committee was held under the Chairmanship of the Defence Minister A K Antony here on Friday.

Addressing the top officials from several ministries and Organisations, Mr Antony said Aero India 2009 should be conducted in such a manner that it provides a benchmark for similar shows being organised in various parts of the world.

He said 'proper lessons must be learned from the past experiences of holding these shows and enough care must be taken to ensure that every participant and stake holder goes back with happy memories of the show'.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been selected as the Event Manager for Aero India 2009, in which there will be several new elements.

Indian Air Force will bring out some of the vintage aircraft from its stable and fly them at the show.

The Defence Ministry will also facilitate interaction between the overseas original equipment manufacturers and Indian Business Houses.

Similar interactions will also be encouraged between small and medium enterprises from home and abroad.

Efforts are also being made to give exposure to the students of technical and engineering colleges to encourage them to be part of the country's aim of becoming a design hub in aerospace technologies in the foreseeable future.

The Centre will be spending nearly Rs 20 crores to augment the infrastructure in and around the Air Force Station' Yelahanka.

Coinciding with the event an international seminar on aerospace technologies will be held from February 9 to 11, 2009 by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Aeronautical Society of India.

Aero India showcases the aeronautical and aerospace systems produced in India as well as by other living manufacturers from across the world. It provides an important forum for industry-customer interaction, generating in the process, considerable business interest in the region.

UNI MMG JT HT1822