Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 14th edition of Asia’s largest aero show, “Aero India 2023,” in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on February 13, 2023. Spanning over five days, the event, on the theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, will radiate the rise of a strong and self-reliant ‘New India’ by displaying India’s growth in aerospace and defence capabilities.
The focus will be on showcasing indigenous equipment/technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies, in line with ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision for a secure and prosperous future.
Addressing the curtain raiser press conference in Bengaluru on February 12, 2023, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Aero India 2023 will showcase the country’s manufacturing prowess and the progress achieved towards realising “Atmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by the Prime Minister. This event will significantly contribute to the development of the aerospace and aviation sectors, he said.
February 13th to 15th will be business days, while February 16th and 17th have been set as public days to allow people to witness the show. The event comprises a Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs’ Round Table; Manthan start-up event; Bandhan ceremony; breath-taking air shows; a large exhibition; India Pavilion, and a trade fair of aerospace companies.
Organized at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, in a total area of around 35,000 square metres, the event, the biggest-ever to date, is likely to witness the participation of 98 countries. The defence ministers of 32 countries, the air chiefs of 29 countries, and 73 CEOs of global and Indian OEMs are expected to attend the event. Eight hundred and nine (809) defence companies, including MSMEs and start-ups, will showcase the advancement in niche technologies and the growth in the aerospace and defence sectors.
The defence minister described the record international participation as a reflection of not just India’s buyer-seller ties with different countries, but also their shared vision of global prosperity.
The major exhibitors include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and BEML Limited. About five lakh visitors are expected to attend the event physically, and many more will connect through television and the internet.
Rajnath Singh emphasised that Aero India 2023 will provide a renewed thrust to the government’s efforts to create a vibrant and world-class domestic defence industry in order to achieve the goal of “Atmanirbharta” in defence as well as the overall development of the nation.
“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. In addition, a temperament towards science & technology and innovation is created in the society, which helps in the overall development of the nation,” he said.
