Article Posted on : - Feb 09, 2011

Indian Defence Minister A K Antony at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India 2011, at Yelahanka Air Force station, Bangalore.

BANGALORE (BNS): Aero India 2011, India’s premier air show, gets off to a flying start Wednesday at Yelahanka Air Force station, Bangalore.

Inaugurating the Air Show, Indian defence Minister A K Antony said, “India has allocated 2.5% of its GDP towards the defence sector, which is expected to grow in the coming years as the economy expands.”

“India is a fast growing economy and consistently improving in the field of defence sector and our government is committed for the rapid modernisation of the defence system."

The Indian Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) will be more fine tuned and will provide transparency to the Indian and foreign companies, he said.

Aero India 2011 will showcase the latest International technology in the field of Aerospace, he added.

The minister acclaimed the defence expertise of Hindustan Aeronautical limited (HAL) and other companies and encouraged the participation of private-public companies in the defence sector.

He has also welcomed other leading International Aerospace foreign companies to form long-term partnerships with Indian companies.

Terming the international event as the biggest air show of Asia, the Minister also announced that the next edition of Aero India will be held in Bangalore from February 6 to 10 in 2013.