Rehearsal under way for the air show at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru on Friday. more-in Aero India 2017, India’s own biennial international aerospace and defence expo opening in Bengaluru on Tuesday, will be a single point of convergence for representatives of around 50 countries, 549 companies, apex industry chambers and four States. Around two lakh business visitors are expected, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday. The 11th military air show and exhibition is being held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka from February 14 to 18. Highlights 549 companies will participate — 270 Indian and 279 foreign ones 30 countries, 65 delegates have confirmed participation U.K. Defence Minister leading a 20-member delegation Host State beckons with ‘Make in Karnataka’ bait Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala are making their pitches at investors As many as 72 aircraft are participating. Dassault Aviation of France is sending three of its Rafale fighters. This will be their first show since the Ministry ordered 36 of them for the Indian Air Force last year, after several years of suspense over which global brand would join the IAF. The MoD, which has been hosting the event since 1996 through its arm the Defence Exhibition Organisation, said, “Aero India has become one of the most sought after exhibitions in Asia.” In 2015, there were 644 companies or exhibitors from 33 countries — 326 foreign and 318 Indian businesses, according to the Ministry. The total show area has increased to 27,678 sq. m this year over last time’s 24,403 sq. m. The gross area has gone up to 2.6 lakh sq. m from 2.5 lakh sq. m in 2015. Apart from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, those expected to be present at the event include, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati; Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Y.S. Chowdary; Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy; Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat; Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa; Defence Secretary G. Mohan Kumar; and Secretary, Defence Production, A.K. Gupta. Sessions by chambers The Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce have organised three sessions on February 15 focussing on manufacturing in India and the readiness of small businesses for foraying into aerospace. Swiss, the U.K. and Polish teams have planned business sessions with Indian companies. Delegates will be coming in from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, the U.K., the U.S., and Uzbekistan. Four aerobatic teams Two Indian, a British and a Scandinavian aerobatic teams are slated to enthral crowds during Aero India next week. Local pride will be from Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter team and popular Surya Kiran team. Surya Kiran had not performed at the 2015 show. Sweden’s Scandinavian Airshow team and the British Evolvkos Aerobatic Team are the other two that will enthral the crowds. Dassault Aviation said three Rafales will be present — a single-seat Rafale C and two twin-seat Rafale B. A daily flight solo display will be performed. U.K. Defence Minister to lead 20-member team British Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin will lead a 20-member U.K. business delegation. They will focus on tie-ups with Indian companies in defence, aviation and security sections, said an official statement. “The U.K. and India have much to offer one another in defence: from manufacturing collaboration and simplified export controls, to military cooperation, training and research partnerships.” The two countries signed a Defence and International Security Partnership in November 2015. With defence exports worth £7.7 billion, the U.K. is the second highest defence exporter. The British delegation includes Rolls-Royce, UTC Aerospace Systems, Cobham, Cranfield University, Garner Aerospace, Airborne International Ltd., among others.

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