Aero India 2023: Asia’s largest air show, Aero India is set to begin today i.e. on Monday in Bengaluru. The show aims to display the country’s growth in the field of aerospace and defence capabilities.

PM Modi to inaugurate Aero India 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate five-day the air show, which runs through Friday. The first three days (February 13-15) are business days, and February 16 and 17 have been set as public days.

Defence Ministry statements

Taking notes from the 14^th edition of Aero India, the Defence Ministry said that the show will witness the participation of 809 Indians and foreign companies spread over 35,000 sq.m and is expected to see the conclusion of 251 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 75,000 crore during the three business days.

Moreover, the event is likely to witness the participation of 98 countries. The Defence Ministers of 32 countries, Air Chiefs of 29 countries and 73 CEOs of global and Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers are also expected to attend the event.

The officials also said that the air show will aim to promote the export of indigenous air platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), officials said. It will integrate domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups in the global supply chain and attract foreign investments including partnerships for co-development and co-production.

Aero India 2023 comprises a Defence Ministers’ conclave; a CEOs round table; Manthan (brainstorming) start-up event; Bandhan ceremony, air shows, a large exhibition; an India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies, the official added.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on air show

Speaking to the media, the defence minister, Rajnath Singh said that Aero India 2023 will showcase the country’s manufacturing prowess and the progress achieved towards realising Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Further, the union minister said, “A strong and self-reliant defence sector will play a pivotal role in helping India emerge as one of the top three world economies in the times to come. Achievements in the defence sector provide wide spin-off benefits to the Indian economy. The technologies developed in the field are equally useful for civilian purposes.”