By Staff Correspondent
The Aero India 2023 airshow has come to a close with a stunning final performance by aircraft and helicopters in front of a packed audience on 17 February 2023. The five-day event was the biggest ever since the airshow started in Bengaluru and witnessed the participation of 98 countries, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
The event was inaugurated on 13 February by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, which was organised in a total area of around 35,000 square meters. The first two days of the airshow were business days, which saw significant events like the Defence Ministers’ Conclave, the CEOs Round Table, the Manthan start-up event, and the Bandhan ceremony. The last two days were open to the public, with aerial displays being the highlight.
Defence Ministers of 32 countries, air chiefs of 29 countries, and 73 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of global and Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) attended the event, where 809 defence companies, including Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups, showcased their technologies. A CEOs’ Round Table on the sidelines of the airshow witnessed the participation of officials, delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries, including Boeing, Lockheed, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, and Safran.
The Bandhan event, held on 15 February, aimed to forge and renew partnerships between business entities. The event witnessed the forging of 266 partnerships, including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements, nine product launches and three Transfers of Technology (ToT), worth around ₹80,000 crores.
MoUs included the ones between Gopalan Aerospace India Private Limited and Omnipol of Czech Republic for manufacturing and assembling the first passenger aircraft (L 410 UVP-E20 version) by a private company in India and between HAL and Elta Systems Limited of Israel for cooperation on future business in maritime patrol radar for Indian platforms.
Other high-profile MoUs signed among various companies were AE Systems and NewSpace Research collaborating to work on uncrewed systems. Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) and Paramount Group signed an MoU to collaborate on developing and producing composite rotor blades, mission systems, and store management systems for medium-lift helicopters.
Crown Group also signed two MoUs with Aniba Solution and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), and GE Marine and HAL have agreed to work together on LM500 marine gas turbines. Furthermore, Bharat Electric Limited (BEL) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GLS) have joined forces to address global market opportunities for naval platforms.
BEL has also signed an MoU with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to collaborate on IWBC and Other Line Replacement Units (LRUs) for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Another MoU was signed between GRSE and Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH (MTU) for License production with localisation of the MTU 16V4000M73L engine to support the indigenous content for the Next Generation Fast Attack Craft vessel for the Indian Navy.
During the event, some impressive products were launched, including Vertically Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (BDL), SAL Seeker ATGM for BMP II (BDL ), and Jishnu (BDL). Indigenously-built ‘Counter Drone Radar’ based on technology from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (Astra Microwave Products Limited), 9-millimetre sub-sonic ammunition (Munitions India Limited), and Software-defined NAVIC/GPS receiver module based on indigenously-developed processors (Astra Microwave Products Limited) were also showcased.
In addition, HAL signed a contract with the Argentinian Air Force (AAF) for spares and engine repair of legacy two-tonne class helicopters. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL have signed a workshare agreement for the joint development of the engine intended for the future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval version Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).
Airbus and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the country’s access to aerospace education and research. This partnership will help develop relevant skills and create a talented workforce that will power the future of the aerospace sector in India. The MoU also emphasises developing, certification, and applying new materials for producing aircraft, engines, and accessories.
Bharat Forge Limited has signed an MoU with General Atomics, US, to collaborate on Lithium-Ion Battery System for naval platforms/submarines to address the requirements of the Indian Navy. The parties have also agreed to partner in permanent magnet motors. These agreements and launches showcase the potential for growth and development in India’s aerospace sector and promise exciting opportunities for domestic and international companies.
The airshow featured a range of aircraft, including the LCA-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Rafale, Sukhoi-30 Mki, B-1, DC-3, F-16, F-35, Dakota DC-3, Harvard Trainer, Surya Kiran aerobatics team and Sarang helicopter display team.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Arm Decoy, Apache AH-64, C-130J, C-390 Millennium, F/A-18, Hawk-I, Hawker 800, L39 Albatross, and Tango Sierra TS-1003 (UAV) were on static display. Overall, the Aero India 2023 airshow has been an unprecedented success, drawing participants from across the globe and showcasing some of the world’s most advanced aerospace technologies.
