Indigenously-manufactured Indian Air Force Dhruv helicopters perform aerobatic manoeuvres. (Image: AP) IAF's Dornier aircraft, flanked by the HTT-40 and Hawk. (Image: PTI) An IAF Rafale, French fighter aircraft, flies inverted during the air show. (Image: AP) A foreign exhibitor poses next to a floral aircraft model on the inaugural day of Aero India Show 2019, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru. (Image: AP) IAF's Sarang display team performs during the 12th edition of the AERO India 2019 in Bengaluru. (Image: PTI) IAF's SU-30 MKI flies past. (Image: PTI) IAF's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. (Image: PTI) IAF's Sarang display team performs. (Image: PTI) A MIG-21 aircraft. (Image: PTI)<doc-sep>Aero Show 2019: The 12th edition of Asia's premier air show begins. The 12th edition of Asia's premier air show 'Aero India-2019' began at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru today with 61 metal birds, including HAL's indigenous products Light Combat Aircraft Tejas all set to roar in the city skies. ​The five-day long biennial event, which will showcase India's air defence prowess, will also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts. However, the death of a pilot from Indian Air Force's aerobatic team Surya Kiran during a rehersal on Tuesday has cast its shadow on the show. Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH),Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show. Here are the Highlights from Aero India 2019 Bengaluru: Feb 20, 2019 14:52 (IST) India invites investors to capitalise on the ecosystem prevailing in the aero space and other sectors and pitches for joint venture partnerships, saying it offered a big market in Defence manufacturing. Feb 20, 2019 13:11 (IST) Around 5,000 guests and invitees were treated to a two-hour spectacular flying display of fighter jets, helicopters and civilian aircraft. Feb 20, 2019 13:05 (IST) F-21 Fighter Jet American defence giant Lockheed Martin unveils the F-21 multi-role fighter jet especially for India, to be manufactured locally under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, as it eyed a multi-billion dollar military order. Specifically configured for the Indian Air Force, Lockheed Martin's F-21 provides "unmatched" 'Make in India' opportunities and strengthens India's path to an advanced air-power future, the firm said announcing the plan on the opening day at the Aero India 2019 air show in Bengaluru. Watch here: Feb 20, 2019 12:50 (IST) International CEOs' round table conference begins at Aero India in Bengaluru. A total of 24 CEOs -- 13 foreign and 11 Indian -- are part of the conference. Feb 20, 2019 11:21 (IST) Rafale combat aircraft flew at low speed to pay tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision during rehearsal in a Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team's aircraft on Tuesday. Feb 20, 2019 10:41 (IST) Three Indian Air Force aircraft, with a Su-30MKi in lead, fly in the missing man formation (an aerial salute) at Air Force Station Yelahanka as a tribute to Wg Cdr Sahil Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision during rehearsal in a Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team's aircraft on Tuesday. Feb 20, 2019 10:40 (IST) The Dakota, Douglas DC - 3, at Aero India 2019 fly-past in Bengaluru. The Dakota, Douglas DC - 3, at Aero India 2019 fly-past in Bengaluru. Feb 20, 2019 09:38 (IST) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Aero India: "Aero India intends to put India on the global map. It will show India's prowess in defence and aviation over the years. PM Modi has repeatedly called Indian entrepreneurs to rise and help the manufacturing sector in India under the 'Make in India' campaign," she says. "The contribution in aero-space from this part of India (Bengaluru) is very high. We have released a coffee table book which shows the achievements of young start-ups. Start-ups are making a very big difference in the aero-space industry." "I invite all investors to capitalise on aero space and other sectors which can help manufacturing in India," she adds. Feb 20, 2019 09:33 (IST) India Air Force's Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team Aircraft lies with their canopies covered on runway behind the inaugural venue of Aero India 2019, according to news agency ANI. The aircraft won't participate in it due to the loss of two aircraft and one pilot in a mid-air collision during rehearsal on Tuesday. Feb 20, 2019 09:32 (IST) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Air Force Station, Yelahanka. Smt @nsitharaman arrives at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru to inaugurate the Aero India 2019. She is welcomed by Shri Sanjay Mitra, Defence Secretary, @drajaykumar_ias, Secretary Department of Defence Production and the Tri-services' Chiefs. #AeroIndiaBeginspic.twitter.com/hfGZeOzRSx - Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) February 20, 2019 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Air Force Station, Yelahanka. Feb 20, 2019 09:30 (IST) "India will purchase 2,300 new air planes. We are coming up with the strategy to set up the roadmap and ecosystem to improve the manufacturing destination in India," says Union Minister Suresh Prabhu. Feb 20, 2019 09:28 (IST) Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, during the inauguration of the air show, sayd: "We have 103 airports and we want to build another 100 in coming years. We want to connect remote areas of the country to air, investing 65 billion dollars. Under the Udan, scheme, we launched a program to connect 235 new destinations." Feb 20, 2019 09:23 (IST) "India has introduced procedural reforms in defence manufacturing. We have space for everyone including of DPSUs, private firms and others. Aero India Show is a mega event that showcases India's capabilities and strength in aerospace," says Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre at the inauguration of Aero India-2019.<doc-sep>The fire broke out near Gate 5 of general parking area Over 300 vehicles were gutted after a fire broke out in the car parking area of the Yelahanka Air Base on the fourth day of the Aero India show on Saturday around 11.55 a.m. The fire broke out in the ground opposite the Air Force base runway. Within minutes, the fire, whose cause is yet to be ascertained, spread to vehicles parked there. Over 300 cars were charred by the time fire tenders and emergency services officials posted at the air show doused the blaze at 2.30 p.m. The billowing smoke raised panic at the show being held across the Airport Road in the air base. While the morning aerobatics display was coming to an end, defence officials had to make announcements to stem the panic among the thousands who had gathered on the first of the two public days of the five-day air show. Fire at #AeroIndia2019 show in Bengaluru, 20 vehicles gutted Video Credit: Special Arrangement Read more: https://t.co/z5JxMdO2Og pic.twitter.com/ddbtM2NUBQ — The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 23, 2019 The smoke brought back fears of a plane crash coming just days after Tuesday’s fatal collision of two Hawk aircraft during a rehersal of the IAF’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) ahead of the air show, Fire officials said the vast empty area near the parked cars contained a lot of dried grass, which could have ignited when someone threw a cigarette butt. Over 1,500 cars — primarily those who had bought the exhibition area tickets for ₹1,500 each – had parked at Gate 5. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: “A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of fire.” The city police have also started a probe to ascertain the cause of the fire. The IAF reassured people that the show would go on as scheduled on Sunday.<doc-sep>
Bengaluru: The Rafale fighter jet, at the centre of a political controversy before elections, took to the Indian skies at the Aero India 2019, the 12th edition of Asia's premier air show at the Yelahanka air base here, on Wednesday. The five-day mega event began on a sombre note, a day after two aircraft of Surya Kiran, Indian Air Force (IAF)'s aerobatics team, collided mid-air, killing a pilot and injuring two others who ejected to safety. Apart from the Rafale, Sukhoi SU-30, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber are part of the air show. Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are scheduled to fly in the air show. Also, aerobatic teams like India's Sarang (ALH-Dhruv) and UK-based Yakovlevs are expected to enthrall the audience. On static display would be HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive CareUnit). The Aero India official website said a total of 61 aircraft would be on display and 403 exhibitors would be part of the show. Kicking off the event, Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman invited investors to capitalise on the ecosystem in aero space and other sectors in India which offered a big market for Defence manufacturing. In her inaugural remarks at Aero India 2019, Sitharaman made a strong pitch for 'Make in India" and referred to a slew of initiatives taken by the government, including permitting 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Defence manufacturing. Explaining the possibilities in the aerospace and defence sectors, she said the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) could find joint venture partners so that the production could be scaled up and they could have a captive market and could export from India. She also noted that during the last four years and the current financial year, 150 contracts worth about Rs 1,27,500 crores have been signed with the Indian vendors for procurement of defence equipment for the armed forces. The biennial event, which would showcase India's air defence prowess, would also act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts. The current edition of Aero India was marked by controversy with reports about it being shifted to Uttar Pradesh, which had taken a political colour, as the Congress-JD(S)led government in the state had hit out at the BJP led Centre against the alleged move.