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New Delhi : Aero India 2021, the three-day mega event to showcase the prowess of Aviation Industry, will begin from February 3, 2021, at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The Curtain Raiser Press Conference chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for Asia’s premier air show was held on February 2, 2021. Aero India-2021 will be inaugurated by the Defence Minster and will commence with a flying display at Yelahanka Air Force Station. Rajnath was felicitated by Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on the occasion.
Inspired by the Prime Minister’s call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the flying display will feature formations showcasing India’s cutting edge technology and capabilities in the aerospace sector. Aero India 2021 is being organised this year amidst the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 situation.
Rajnath commended the organisation of the biennial event this year amidst such challenges. He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and said that the Ministry of Defence was relentlessly giving impetus to domestic manufacturing of defence equipment, not only to fulfil the demands of our armed forces, but also to make India a net exporter of defence equipment and platforms to friendly foreign countries.
He appreciated the conducive ecosystem and climate for investors created in Karnataka through the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. He said that the award of a huge contract of Rs 48,000 crore to HAL was because of this spirit, according to a PIB release.
Rajnath also spoke about the distinguishing takeaways of Aero India 2021. Technological base and presence of industry leaders associated with Aviation cement the bonds between Bengaluru and Aero India 2021. He said that set against the backdrop of Bengaluru, the event would offer opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between Indian and global industry leaders, academicians, visionaries, centre and state administrations.
It would also bring together the defence ministers of various countries, service chiefs, policymakers, foreign OEMs, industry, entrepreneurs and academia to showcase, connect and collaborate as well as highlight policy reforms driving India’s new defence manufacturing revolution, said Rajnath. He further said that Aero India would spark a renewed sense of pride in India’s defence manufacturing and take defence cooperation to the next level.
Speaking on the COVID-19 pandemic, Rajnath added that countries were forced to impose restrictions to protect human lives. He said that while organising Aero India 2021, all COVID-19 related advisories issued by the Union Home and Health ministries and state government regarding the use of masks, social distancing, RT PCR tests would be strictly followed. He added that due to these restrictions this edition of Aero India would be a purely business event and there would be no public days.
Rajnath Singh said that since 2014, the government has brought in policy reforms to push indigenous defence manufacturing with an enthusiastic response from the global business community. He further said that the world has now started to recognise India as a trusted defence investment destination. He added that hosting the event in Bengaluru, the IT capital of India, will consolidate not only the Karnataka’s position as a favoured investment destination, but also establish the state as the gateway for defence and economic engagement.
He said that limited access to the aero shows would be provided to the public based on online bookings. Rajnath said that a dedicated virtual platform has been created to facilitate public participation. He said that Aero India 2021 promises to be the world’s first hybrid aero and defence exhibition with a concurrent exhibition integrating seminars, Business to business events, product displays etc.
This is the 25th year of Aero India and the 13th edition of the event. The President of India has accepted to attend the valedictory function for Aero India 2021 on February 5, 2021.