Bengaluru stares at the sky as PM Modi inaugurates Aero India 2023

The five-day event at the Yelahanka Air Force Station will showcase India's growth in aerospace and defence capabilities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 14th edition of India's largest aerospace and defence exhibition, Aero India, in Bengaluru.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will lead the Gurukul formation during the flypast at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru.

The five-day event on the theme 'The runway to a billion opportunities' at the Yelahanka Air Force Station will showcase India's growth in aerospace and defence capabilities.

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The event will include aerial displays by aircraft and helicopters along with a large exhibition and trade fair of aerospace and defence companies. As many as 809 exhibitors, including 110 foreign ones, have confirmed their participation at the show at Air Force Station Yelahanka, which is being positioned as a platform for 'Make in India for the world', defence officials said.

A premier exhibition in the global aviation industry, Aero India is held biennially in a total area of around 35,000 square metres, providing an opportunity for the industry to showcase its capabilities, products and services.

The officials said, around 250 business-to-business agreements are expected to be firmed up at Aero India which is estimated to unlock investment to the tune of around Rs 75,000 crore.

"New India" of 21st century will neither miss any opportunity nor will there be any shortage in its hard work, Modi said.

The prime minister said India today is not only a market but also a potential defence partner for so many countries, adding the nation is moving towards becoming one of the leading exporters of military hardware globally.

"Today, Aero India is not only a show, but it is also reflection of India's self confidence and capabilities," he said in the presence of top executives of various global defence majors and delegates from a significant number of countries.

He said Aero India' reflects India's new strength and aspirations.

Today, our successes are a proof of India's potential, he said, noting that the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft is an example of it.

A plethora of aircraft of the Indian Air Force displayed their aerial prowess in an air show at the event.

The theme of Aero India is "The runway to a billion opportunities" and is aimed at projecting India's growth and capabilities in the defence and aerospace sector.

The focus of the event is to showcase indigenous equipment and technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies, in line with 'Make in India, Make for the World' vision of the government, officials said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Aero India will act as a catalyst in further growth of the aerospace sector in India.

Singh will host a Defence Ministers' conclave on Tuesday on the theme "Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence (SPEED)".

(With PTI Inputs)