Over the course of the 10 editions organised since 1996, Aero India has established itself as one of the world’s leading aerospace exhibitions. At the last edition, in 2015, the event attracted 644 exhibitors — around half of which were from outside India — from 33 countries, along with 46 overseas delegations.
The eleventh edition of Aero India will be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru from 14th to 18th Feb 2017. The organisers hope to attract more than 750 exhibitors, along with delegations from over 100 countries, more than 150,000 business visitors and 300,000 general visitors.
Visitors will be pleased to hear that, after missing two editions of Aero India, Surya Kiran, the aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force, will be making its return, albeit in a different aircraft. At its last appearance, in 2011, the team flew Kiran Mk IIs. At Aero India 2017, the pilots will be flying the Hawk Mk 132 advanced jet trainer.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will perform flight demonstrations of the HTT-40 basic trainer, the first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132, or “Hawk-I”, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
Europe’s major aerospace players will be present in force, including:
• Airbus (Hall B, Stand 2.2) will highlight industrial partnerships with Indian companies such as Tata (proposed C295W final assembly line) and Mahindra (military helicopters). The company says it already procures U$500m of goods from India annually from around 45 suppliers, generating local employment for more than 6,000 people. Aviators Air Rescue, in partnership with the Air Medical Group Holding Inc. became the first Indian operator to introduce three Airbus H130 helicopters in a dedicated air ambulance role last year. One of these helicopters, fully kitted out with specialized emergency medical care equipment, will demo its life-saving service at the entrance of Hall B throughout the business days of the show.
• Thales says it will demonstrate a wide range of cutting-edge products, capabilities and latest developments, as well as highlighting its overall goal of ‘Make in India and export from India’. The company will showcase its involvement in the Rafale, including the RBE2 AESA radar, the Spectra electronic warfare system, optronics, the communication navigation and identification system (CNI), the majority of the cockpit display systems, power generation systems and a logistics support component. The company will also highlight the Stratobus stratospheric airship and Spy’Ranger mini-UAV.
• The flagship of Dassault's Falcon bizjet family, the Falcon 8X, is making its India debut at Aero India 2017. Recently certified, with deliveries under way, the ultra-long range 8X — featuring the roomiest cabin in the Falcon family — is now in full production. Three Rafale fighters are also expected to be present at the show.
• The Rolls-Royce stand (Hall AB, location AB3.1 in the UK Pavilion) will feature the latest variant of the Adour family, the Mk951, along with a full-scale model of the Advanced Military Fan Concept for a 5th generation fighter aircraft engine.