Article Posted on : - Feb 04, 2021

Indian Air Forces Tejas aircraft in lead with two HTT-40 aircraft ,one Hawk-I and one Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) in arrow formation Atmanirbhar fly over Yelahanka air base during the inauguration of the 13th edition of Aero India, in Bengaluru, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. A PTI Photo

BENGALURU (PTI):  India on Wednesday displayed the prowess in military aeronautics at the opening session of the 13th edition of the biennial Aero India-2021, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singhat the Yelahanka Air Force Station here.

While the indigenously developed Tejas-LCA helicopters and Surya Kiran aircraft stole the show, Sukhoi, Rafale, Hawk and the American B-1B Lancer heavy bomber were among the star attractions.

For the B-1B, of the 28th Bomb Wing Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, this is a historic moment and marks the first time an American bomber has touched down in India in the history of the Republic, according to U.S. officials.

The B-1B Lancer carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the U.S. Air Force and is considered the backbone of Americas long-range bomber force, they said.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited came up with 'Aatma- nirbhar Formation Flight' consisting its products such as LCA trainer (LIFT Trainer), HTT-40, IJT, Advanced Hawk Mk 132 and Civil Do-228 which flew in a special formation showcasing the spectrum of trainers and signifying self-sufficiency in the trainer segment.

There was a scintillating display of 'Dhanush' formation by the Light Combat Helicopters and 'Netra' formation showcasing the Defence Research Development Organisations flying display of Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C).

The jaw-dropping manoeuvres by the Surya Kiran light combat aircraft left the audience spellbound.