Aero India 2015: Record turnout of over 3 lakh visitors likely

AFS Yelahanka (Bengaluru), Feb 14: The 10th edition of Aero India 2015 has already breached all previous records in terms of confirmed participation from countries, delegations, aircraft (both static and flying displays) and aerobatic teams.

On Saturday, during a briefing to the members of the Forum of Aerospace and Defence Journalists, Bangalore (FDAJB) at Air Force Station Yelahanka, M D Singh, Director, Defence Exhibition Organisation, said that estimates are pointing towards a record turnout on all five days of the show.

"We are expecting over 3 lakh visitors, which is almost double when compared to Aero India 2013. We are geared up to handle the expected increase in number of visitors and have put in place many measures for the benefit of the public," Singh said. He said the organisers have also beefed up the security this time owing to PM Modi's visit.

Make in India mantra all over

With four more days to go for Asia's largest air show, Make in India banners have captured every vantage point at AFS Yelahanka. Singh too emphasized the push Aero India organizers are giving to propel Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.

"The SMEs and MSMEs will be in huge numbers this time. They are a pivotal link in the supply chain process in defence manufacturing. We are keen to brand India as a defence manufacturing hub and the only way out is to get on board more private industries," Singh said.

The change in trend is visible this time as the participation from SMEs and MSMEs have virtually doubled this year. "We are giving them a free area to conduct B2B meetings. Many countries are accommodating SMEs and MSMEs in their pavilions, which is a welcome change. It points towards the growth they are foreseeing together," Singh added.

(The writer is a seasoned aerospace and defence journalist in India. He is the Consultant Editor (Defence) with OneIndia. He tweets @writetake.)

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