DefExpo's success in Goa likely to determine Aero India's fate

The Defence Ministry may take a call on making Goa the permanent venue for Aero-India after reviewing the conduct of DefExpo 2016, which is being held in the coastal state for the first time in the last week of March.

Almost four years ago, a Defence Ministry panel recommended shifting the biennial air show from Bangalore, due to flight safety issues — a move opposed by the Karnataka government — presumably because of the revenue loss to the state.

The proposal was first placed before Arun Jaitley during his short tenure as the Defence Minister, but it is now before his successor Manohar Parrikar, who hails from Goa.

The Def Expo 2016, to be kick-started in Quitol in Quepem taluka in south Goa on March 28, is a test case to determine whether the state would be able to cope up with the infrastructure needs required for organising such big defence shows where several types of aircraft including fighter jets will fly. The reasons for shifting the show from Bangalore include short runway (7200 ft), close proximity to the highway, adverse impact on the training schedule of the Indian Air Force and operational problems faced by the Bangalore International Airport.

In the absence of a “safe flying environment”, participation of fighter jets in Aero India was going down over the years, while other air shows in Asia are becoming popular, sources said. Goa was selected as the best alternate site after surveying locations in Puducherry, Kochi, Chennai and Udaipur, but the decision is stalled due to political pressure.

The permanent infrastructure for Aero-India including a 10,000 ft runway would come up only after a government approval, sources said.

Goa’s Industries, Trade and Commerce Minister Mahadev Naik said out of 220 acre land that the government holds in that area, 150 acres were given to the Defence Ministry to organise the prestigious show, using temporary infrastructure.