Aero India to fly high with top US firms

With a renewed vigour in Indo-US relations since the signing of the civilian nuclear deal, American aerospace companies will be the largest participants at the forthcoming Aero India-2009 international air show beginning on Wednesday.

According to senior US officials, "The US will be the largest participant at Aero India 2009 in terms of space taken up to showcase an array of military and civilian aircraft for static and flying displays. With a huge contingent, our presence will be larger than at any previous Indian air show." Companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics and Bell Helicopter, with their fleet of fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, hi-tech equipment and products will be a major attraction and show of strength. "Besides senior military leaders, defence department officials and top officials of the major aerospace companies would be participating in the show."

It maybe pointed out that Lockheed's F-16 and Boeing's F/A-18F Super Hornet are in a race to win the Indian Air Force (IAF) contract for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).

The two are in competition with the Eurofighter Typhoon of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space), Gripen of Saab, French Rafale of Dassault and Russian MiG-35 of MiG for the $10-billion IAF order for the 126 MMRCA.

In an official statement, issued earlier, Boeing India president Ian Thomas said, "India's growing aero-space and defence industry offers significant opportunities for growth and productivity. Our participation will underscore our commitment to India and foster stronger ties with our Indian customers and partners."

Recently, secretary defence production, Pradeep Kumar had said the global meltdown would not impact India's military modernisation and reassured the global aerospace industry of the market potential in the sub-continent.

The Boeing exhibit will also feature models of its commercial jets such as 787 Dreamliner, planes of the 777 family, the 747-8, freighter series and the next-generation 737 family, besides a range of products and services. Another aerospace major, Lockheed Martin, which has bagged the $1-billion order for six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the IAF in early 2008, has roped in Indian ace shooter and Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra to fly in the F-16 at the air show.