Aero India 2015 to set City skies on fire

72 aircraft, 623 companies are expected to take part in the show

Fighter aircraft from the United States and France, five aerobatics teams from Europe and India and sky jump by the US Special Forces would enthral Bangaloreans in the 10th edition of Aero India, which is set to commence at Yelahanka Air Force Station from February 18.

To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the five-day airshow would witness participation of 623 companies and 300 chief executive officers, who would explore new business opportunities with their Indian counterparts.

For the general public and aviation enthusiasts, the big attraction would be the fighter aircraft from abroad – F15-C Eagle from Boeing and F-16 from Lockheed Martin.
For the US Air Force's Eagles that would fly in from a base in Japan, it would be a maiden appearance at the air show.

In addition, three Rafale fighters of the French major Dassault Aviation, the home grown Tejas light combat aircraft and IAF's Su-30 MKI too are expected to set the Bangalore sky on fire.

Rafale was shortlisted as the preferred platform for the 126 fighter jet purchase programme more than three years ago but the two nations have been unable to ink the commercial contract so far. French defence minister would attend the show to continue his discussions with Indian officials in an effort to break the impasse.

Daredevil aerobatics would be on display by Flying Bulls of Czech Republic, a Scandinavian air show team from Sweden, two UK-based teams – Aero Superbatics and Airborne Service Limited - and Indian Air Force's own Sarang helicopter team are also set to enthrall the audience.

Two VIPs are also slated to fly though their identity has been kept under wraps till the approval process is completed.

Several other strategic aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster-III and P8-A from Boeing would be flying. While the IAF is operating the heavy lift C-17, Indian Navy flies a variant of P8-A called P8I as maritime reconnaissance aircraft. A tanker from Boeing KC-135 and Embraer's EMB-145-I are the other important military aircraft at the show.

From the civil side, 17 types of planes and helicopters would be present at the show where the Minister of Civil Aviation would be a special guest. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar would attend the show and chair a conference on Make in India.

“A total of 72 aircraft are expected to take part in the show, out of which 54 have confirmed. As many as 53 countries would participate, eight of them represented by their ministers and nine by their service chiefs,” said G Mohan Kumar, secretary, defence production in the defence ministry.

Scam-tainted Italian arms major Finmeccanica would be present but not its subsidiary AgustaWestland that supplied three VVIP helicopters to the IAF before being caught in the VVIP chopper scam.