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The 11th edition of Aero India will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka,  Bengaluru from February 14 to 18, providing a significant platform in bolstering business opportunities in International aviation sector. It has favourably poised an exponential growth over previous edition. A rapidly growing economy, defence preparedness challenges and opening up of defence production to private sector, have given a major fillip to the defence industry in India. It has also become a hub centre for defence business in the Asia.

Among international participants, the U.S. will be a leading contributor to Aero India 2017, stressing the strength of the United States and IndiaâÂÂs strategic partnership.  The high-level U.S. delegation, impressive array of American military platforms and personnel, and significant representation from U.S. industry are a concrete example of our enduring ties. 

U.S. assets this year include F-16C Fighting Falcons, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and a C-130J Super Hercules transport. A Pacific Air Forces F-16 demonstration team will showcase the capability of one of the U.S. Air Force’s leading fighters and a combined India-U.S. parachute demonstration is also planned.

Over 20 U.S. companies are participating in Aero India, 17 with exhibits in the U.S. Partnership Pavilion with three companies recently entering the Indian market and five new to the show. U.S. participation in Aero India provides industry and the military services opportunities to strengthen military-to-military relations and invigorate defense cooperation as we work together to safeguard against global instability, protects freedom of navigation in the air and sea, and combat terrorism and violent extremism.  This robust public and private participation from the United States in Aero India demonstrates the importance we place on advancing our Major Defense Partnership with India.

From Indian public sector undertakings, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will reveal the mock-up of IndiaâÂÂs first indigenous multi-role helicopter. The medium-category helicopter is sought after by the services, and such helicopters have so far been imported. Ã¢ÂÂThe main attraction of HALâÂÂs indoor pavilion on 1,282 sqm is a mock-up of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter,â HAL said in a statement. HAL is expected to put up the initial design before the services for their response, and the âÂÂdesign and development will commence based on a firm demand from the Army and the Air Force.â 

It is planned as a twin-engine helicopter in the 10-tonne category, capable of flying at a height of 15,000 feet, and with a range of 500 km. It can perform several tasks, including counter-insurgency operations, casualty evacuation and combat search and rescue. In all nearly 750 Indian and global companies will be participating in this year’s Aero India show and delegations of senior officials from 109 countries will be visiting the show which will attract about 30,000 visitors and 15,000 business visitors.”