Aero India show to open on Wednesday

Bengaluru, February 19

The 12^th edition of Asia’s premier air show ‘Aero India-2019’ will begin at Yelahanka air force station here on Wednesday with 61 metal birds, including HAL’s indigenous products Light Combat Aircraft Tejas all set to roar in the city skies.

The five-day long biennial event, which will showcase India’s air defence prowess, will also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts.

The tragic death of a pilot from IAF’s aerobatic team Surya Kiran during a rehearsal earlier on Tuesday has cast its shadow on the show.

This edition of Aero India was marked by controversy with reports about it being shifted to Uttar Pradesh, which had taken a political colour, as the Congress-JD(S)led government in the state had hit out at the BJP-led Centre against the alleged move.

Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH),Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show.

Also, aerobatic teams like India’s Sarang (ALH-Dhruv) and UK-based Yakovlevs are expected to enthral the audience.

On static display will be HAL’s Light UtilityHelicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive CareUnit).

The Sukhoi SU-30, Rafale, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber will be part of the air show.

The Aero India official website said a total of 61 aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show.

CEO’s round table, drone Olympics, start-up manthan and women’s day (to celebrate women achievers) will be some of the highlights of Aero India-2019. PTI