Eyeing PM Modi’s 'Make in India' pitch, global arms makers queue up for Aero-India show

Bengaluru, Feb 9: At a time when the ruling BJP at Centre is facing blues after exit polls are predicting a humiliating defeat for the party in Delhi Assembly polls, there is some morale booster for the saffron party.

Encouraged by Prime Minister Modi's

pitch, global arms makers are aiming to lure the new government. As many as 330 armament majors are set to attend Aero-India 2015 in Bangalore. Around 270 Indian companies also marking their presence at the five-day exhibition which will be inaugurated by PM Modi on February 18.

The biennial Aero-India, which is being organised since 1996, has emerged as a platform for arms makers to woo India, which has emerged as a largest arms importer in the world.

As per a TOI report, India will spend another $120 billion in arms acquisitions over the coming decade, with its 1.5-million strong armed forces still grappling with several operational gaps ranging from fighters and helicopters to artillery and submarines.

All global aircraft manufacturers ranging from Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed Martin to BAE Systems, Israeli Aerospace Industries and Dassault Aviation have all lined up in the airshow. They will showcase fighter aircrafts and helicopters to woo India.

"There will be 72 aircraft on display. The US will have the maximum number of companies (64), followed by France (58), UK (48), Russia (41), Israel (25) and Germany (17)," said the report.

BAE Systems' showcase at the tenth edition of Aero India extends its Make in India commitment to a range of platforms and technologies. Building on the success of its flagship programme in India on the Hawk advanced jet trainer, the Company's Pavilion will emphasise the continued development of Hawk's training, performance and operational capabilities.

Marking the company's continued progress in partnering Bharat Electronic Limited in the country's first ‘Make India' programme, Tactical Communications Systems, the pavilion will dedicate a section to the "Internet for the battlespace" or secure, deployable broadband voice, data and video communications systems.

Notably, Indian Air Force wants to strengthen its eroding combat edge and needs an investment of $35 billion to induct new fighter planes and choppers, and other advanced equipments.

OneIndia News