600 foreign, domestic aerospace and defence companies line up for AeroIndia 2009
12 Aug 2008
Nearly 600 foreign and national aerospace and defence design and manufacturing companies are lining up for participation in the AeroIndia 2009 show, which is now recognised as one of the largest international aerospace exhibitions.
A biennial event, the AeroIndia show is hosted at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore. The previous, sixth edition, of the event was held in 2007. The dates for the 2009 edition, the seventh, have been announced for 11-15 February, 2009.
Armament majors from several countries, including the US, Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and the Netherlands will participate in what is billed as Asia's premier show. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have been confirmed as the event managers.
''Nearly 330 companies from 50 countries abroad and 230 from India will set up their exhibits at the seventh edition of the biennial international aerospace exposition, popularly known as AeroIndia 2009 to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bangalore,'' a defence official said Monday.
Around 100 different types of civilian and military aircraft will be on display at the show..
The first meeting of the apex committee of the exhibition was chaired last week by defence minister AK Antony. According to ministry of defence officials, Antony addressed top officials from several ministries and organisations, and asked that AeroIndia 2009 should be conducted in such a manner that it becomes a benchmark for similar shows being organised in various parts of the world.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will bring out some of the vintage aircraft from its stable and fly them. The defence ministry will also facilitate interaction between the overseas original equipment manufacturers and Indian business houses.
According to authorities, similar interactions will also be encouraged between small and medium enterprises from home and abroad. Efforts will also be made to provide exposure to students of technical and engineering colleges to encourage them to be part of the country's aim of becoming a design hub in aerospace technologies in the foreseeable future.
The central government will spend nearly Rs20 crore (approx.$5 million) to augment infrastructure in and around AFS Yelahanka.
