Article Posted on : - Feb 20, 2019

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MOCA Suresh Prabhu, RRM Dr. Subhash Bhamre, H. D. Kumaraswamy, CM of Karnataka, Chiefs of Army, Navy & Air Force and officials arrive to mark the inauguration of Aero India 2019 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka Bangalore. Photo: Aero India Twitter.

BENGALURU (BNS): The 12th edition of Asia'spremier Air show 'Aero India-2019' begins 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 alsoact as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts.

Besideds 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 enthrall 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, startup manthan and women's day (to celebrate women achievers) will be some of the highlights of Aero India-2019.

BrahMos Aerospace will be the major attraction at the 12th edition of the AERO INDIA 2019, to be held at Air Force station Yelahanka, Bengaluru from 20th to 24th Feb 2019.

BrahMos Aerospace will be showcasing the BRAHMOS missile in various configurations, including the BRAHMOS Coastal Defence System consisting of the land-attack variant, BRAHMOS Land Mobile Complex and BRAHMOS Ship-based Weapon Complex consisting the ship-to-land, ship-to-ship and underwater variant of the of the 290-km range missile. The major emphasis during the exhibition will be the BRAHMOS Air-Version supersonic cruise missile system.