India's Defense Exhibition 2007

[Introvert]

Thirty firms from the United States will exhibit at India’s annual aerospace and defense exhibition next year, the first time American companies have taken part in the fair, an official said Dec. 20.

“America has never participated earlier. They were not willing to sell defense items. But we have now a new relationship,” Indian defense ministry secretary K.P. Singh told reporters.

“It shows the great confidence of American companies in India,” he said.
“It is a direct consequence of the nuclear agreement,” he added, referring to a landmark bill for Washington to transfer nuclear fuel and technology to India, which was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on Dec. 18.

The aerospace and defense exhibition will take place in the southern city of Bangalore from February 7-11, 2007. The U.S. firms set to take part include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

India is the largest arms purchaser among emerging nations and said last month that it will not prune defense spending because of the growing threat from terrorism and ongoing regional tensions.

India annually spends $14 billion, or 2.34 percent of its gross domestic product, on its military. Since 2004 it has either spent or committed billions of dollars in modernization projects planned until 2010.

The country is also expected to launch a tender for 126 warplanes, a contract estimated to be worth between $6.5 billion and $9 billion.

 

[Contrarian]

Aero-India 2007 is going to be HUGE! and the biggest ever. SOO many countries taking part and so many firms showcasing their products!!

And im going to Bangalore to see AI-07!! W0000t

 

[Contrarian]

A hint of Farnborough at Aero India in Bangalore

The 6th International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, Aero India 2007, will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bangalore from February 7-11. The Yelahanka air show is expected to bear an imprint of the famed Farnborough air show as the event is being jointly organised by Farnborough International Limited (FIL), the Department of Defence Prodiction and FICCI.

KP Singh, secretary, defence production, said, "Roping in FIL and FICCI had paid off. International and domestic participation this year has registered an increase of 45% and 40% respectively, based on bookings made."

The chiefs of 29 air forces, including those of the US and the UK, will be present at the biennial event. It is expected to attract 450 exhibitors, over 4,000 international visitors and 30,000 business visitors. Some of the world's best-known fighter aircraft — F-16s and F-18s included — will be showcased. Aero India seeks to promote products and services offered by the Indian defence industry. Exhibitors from 40 countries including USA, Russia, Sweden, France and Israel have confirmed participation.

More than 480 companies will showcase their aircraft and aerospace products at the show, which will also feature a daily flying demonstration. Indian aircraft such as the intermediate jet trainer, advanced light helicopter and advanced version of Cheetah helicopters would also be on display. Over 100 aircraft are expected to take part in the show with over 40 in the international category.

The infrastructure at Yelahanka has been scaled up. Runway length has been increased and taxiways have been widened.

The first edition of Aero India was organised at the same venue in 1996. Some of the other attractions at the show include an exclusive business jet chalet area, international aviation seminar and the Aero India golf tournament.

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[Contrarian]

Aero India 2007 to be held in Bangalore

F-16s and F-18s of the United States will be the major attractions of Aero India 2007. This was announced by Secretary Defence Production Shri KP Singh in a press conference here today. He said most of the finest contemporary aircraft of the world used for civilian and defence purpose will be showcased in the airshow. Shri Singh said this indicates the growing importance of the Aero India in the international arena.

The Sixth Edition of Aero India, the Biennial International Air-Show cum defence exhibition will be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore from Feb 07 - 11, 2007. The event is being organised by the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Farnborough International Limited (FIL) for the first time.

The significant feature of Aero India 2007 will be about 100 per cent increase in the participation by Indian firms. 148 Indian companies participated in the Aero India 2005 while this time 286 companies have confirmed their participation in Aero India 2007. Besides India, exhibitors from 40 countries including USA, Russia, Sweden, France, Israel, Italy, Germany, etc would be participating in Aero India 2007. More than 480 leading companies will showcase their aircraft and Aero Space products / equipment through air display, static display and exhibition attracting a large turnout of professionals and businessmen across the world.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be daily flying demonstration featuring some of the most advanced and sophisticated aircraft, which include F-16, F-18 Hornet, C-130J, P-3 Orion, CH-47, C-17 from USA, Grippen from Sweden, MiG-29M (02) from Russia and Falcon from France. Various Indian Aviation products and aircraft such as Intermediate Jet Trainer (HAL), HAL Dornier, Advanced Light Helicopter and advanced version of Cheetah helicopters such as Chetan and Cheetal would also be on display.

Keeping in view, the vast increase in number of participants and exhibitors, the infrastructure at Air Force Station Yelahanka is being upgraded in a big way . Aero India 2007 will be organised in an exhibition space of 25,000 sq meters which is about 40 % higher from Aero India 2005. Five new hangars each with an area of 1320 sq meters have been augmented this year totaling to ten, to meet the growing demand. The runway length is being increased from 7250 ft to 8000 ft. Widening and re-surfacing of taxiways and dispersal area has also been taken up. Growing interest from the companies has also prompted the need for another hangar, the construction of which is underway. Communication facilities have been upgraded and enhanced by the creation of a Wi-Fi zone at venue for the first time.

The other salient features of Aero India 2007 would include an exclusive Business Jet chalet area, expansion of scope to include civil aviation sector, International Aviation Seminar and Aero India Golf tournament. The Indian Air Force as part of its Platinum Jubilee Celebrations is organising an International Aerospace Power Seminar from Feb 04 -05, 2007 at Delhi, where more than 30 Air Chiefs from various countries including USA, UK, Australia, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Chile have confirmed their participation. After attending the seminar they will fly to Bangalore to attend Aero India 2007.

The First edition of International Aerospace Exposition - AERO India 1996 was organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka (Bangalore) from Dec 03 to 07, 1996. Since then four more editions of the exposition have been held at the same venue in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Its going to be BIG

 

[Contrarian]

50 countries participating in India's biggest Aero Show

NEW DELHI: With India on the verge of concluding big ticket deals of weapon systems and platforms, the country's 'Aero India 07' air show to be held in Bangalore in February has evoked an unprecedented response.

Fifty countries including the United States, Germany, France, Israel, the UK and nations from Latin America would be participating in the show which gets off on February 5 bringing in top of the line weapons platforms for display.

For the first time, the US Defence Majors would put up an air display of the F-16 fighting falcon, F-18/A Super Hornets, the Russian their new Mig-29m fighter, the Swedish the next generation Grippens, Secretary Defence Production K P Singh said.

The show is jointly being put up by Ministry of Defence and leading Industry Chamber Ficci, which has roped in the expertise of the leading UK Air Show Organisers Faranborough.

With the estimated $15 billion international tenders for India's acquisition of 126 Multi-role Combat aircraft just round the corner more than 450 companies are expected to exhibit their products.

Tenders for Naval acquisition of 60 helicopters, IAF's bid to buy 10 to 12 helicopters for VVIP travel and Army's plans to purchase 197 helicopters are either floated or on the verge of being issued.

"We have extended the Yelhanka Air Force station runway, to enable some of the most advanced fighters to take off and land for air displays", Singh said.

Twenty-nine Air Force Chiefs, including from the US, Royal Air Force, Chile, Malaysia would be attending the air show.

For the first time, India extended an invitation to the China to participate in the show and display their military wares, but the Defence Production Secretary said "there has been no response yet".

"We would have very much liked them to participate", he said.

Lockheed-Martin would put on display its C-130J Hercules transport aircraft as well as its maritime spy plane P3C Orions. The French would be bringing in the Falcons.

For the first time, Singh said the show had attracted 60 civilian aircraft, which would be part of air and static display.

As many as 166 Indian companies would also take part in the show, with Hindustan Aeronautic and Defence Research and Development Organisation in full strength.

DRDO would display the country's indigenous light combat aircraft with some of the avionics systems as well as the Intermediate Trainer jet.

Five new hangers, each with an area of 1320 square metres, have been augmented this year to provide more space for exhibitors, said Wing Commander R Dhingra, Joint Director Defence Exhibition organisation.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1070338

 

[Contrarian]

Aviation giants will flock to Bangalore

NEW DELHI: The unprecedented market for aviation in India would find its best display in Bangalore coming February when a whopping 25,000 square meters would be taken over by global aviation giants for five days to exhibit their products.

“It is unprecedented, reflective of the huge aviation market of ours,” says a senior Ministry of Defence official, talking about how almost all the single aviation giants of the world would be present at Aero India 2007, the sixth International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, between February 7 and 11 at Yelahanka air force station in Bangalore. Secretary (Defence Production) KP Singh says the international and domestic participation has registered an increase of 45 per cent and 40 per cent respectively from the show’s last edition in 2005. And it is reflective of the growing aviation market of India, he admits.

With over 25,000 square meters of total indoor exhibition space, the Aero India 2007 would be “comparable” to similar events in the continent like Dubai air show, an official says.

Among the most visible presence would be that of American aviation giants including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell and others. “In 2005 (last show) they tested the waters, this time they are in full force,” an official points out. Among the American exhibits would be F-16 fighters that is vying for the Indian Air Force contract for 126 fighters. The American aviation firms are also expected to participate in the flying display.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1071382

 

[Contrarian]

Are none of the peeps here comming to visit AI 07??

 

[Cheetah786]

Cheetah helicopters would also be on display

well thank you guys much appreciated.

 

[Munir]

Maybe we can see the latest version of the infant terrible called LCA. We will see India's latest super duper high tech plane and surely lots of pictures of the 5th gen joint development with mother Russia...

 

[Contrarian]

You wont see pictures of 5th gen, cuz its not decided yet, or atleast its not privy to the general public.

What i will expect to see is F16's, F-18's, Gripen, Rafale, MiG 35, LCA, and loads of other planes, there was also on display last time, the elta 2052, the aesa radar from Israel.

And its going to be the biggest display ever this time

 

[Neo]

Great!

Malay, would you like to cover the event here in PFF as provide us pics?

I'd appreciate it!

Thanks,
Neo

 

[Bull]

Malay are you from B;lore,i might be coming down during that time.

 

[sword9]

Cheetah helicopters would also be on display

well thank you guys much appreciated.

Maybe we can see the latest version of the infant terrible called LCA. We will see India's latest super duper high tech plane and surely lots of pictures of the 5th gen joint development with mother Russia...

I smell somethings burning up there....

 

[Contrarian]

Great!

Malay, would you like to cover the event here in PFF as provide us pics?

I'd appreciate it!

Thanks,
Neo

Sure mate, i'l get loads of pics and videos for ya

No Bull, i live in New Delhi, but am specifically going to Bagalore for this event
I hope you get the time required to visit AI' 07. Its gonna be great.

 

[Bull]

By R Krishnakumar DH News Service Bangalore:

With the Request For Proposal (RFP) pending on the Indian Air Force’s 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft contract, Gripen International is eyeing critical visibility at the upcoming Aero India in Bangalore.

With the Request For Proposal (RFP) pending on the Indian Air Force’s 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft contract, Gripen International — one of the bidders in the race — is eyeing critical visibility at the upcoming Aero India (February 7-11) in Bangalore. Talking to Deccan Herad on Wednesday, Tony Ogilvy, Vice President (Sales and Marketing) — Gripen International said the show was extremely crucial in the company’s plans for India.

“We’ve pooled all our resources into the event. A big pavilion has been shipped out and for the first time in Asia, three fighter aircraft from the Swedish Air Force will be on display. Aero India will reflect Gripen’s commitment to India and show our real intent,” Mr Ogilvy said. The simulated cockpit for fighter pilots — that will be part of the Gripen pavilion at Aero India — will showcase its key features including top-of-the-line visual display and air-to-air datalinking.


Gripen, the fighters export and marketing wing of Swedish aerospace major Saab, is in the MRCA race with its JAS 39 fighter. The contract, the RFP for which is expected to be issued soon, is worth around Rs 30,000 crore. Mr Ogilvy — who is also Gripen India’s Campaign Director — said that in a market which has the F-16s, MiG-21s and the Mirages, Gripen’s had been a low-profile presence.

He, however, said the idea was to push for the change through a series of initiatives, one of them being the launch of the Bangalore operations, complete with a core team of three to four senior design and technological experts.

“Bangalore is the centre of the Indian aerospace industry and Aero India will be the ideal platform to display Gripen aircraft for the first time to the IAF, as well as the public,” he said.

Mr Ogilvy said Gripen JAS 39 offered a low-maintenance model with an assured life of 40 years. He said IAF had wanted fighters in the race to be upgraded to Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and Gripen would — on acceptance of RFP — include the radars in the offer. On IAF’s demand for heavier, twin-engined fighters, Mr Ogilvy said he was not aware of such preferences. “We are presenting ourselves in the six to eight tonne category and single-engine fighters are the norm these days.”