Pramesh S Jain
Amidst the coronavirus epidemic,the country’s prestigious aerospace and defence exhibition Areo India 2021′ was launched in Bengaluru on Wednesday.In this, the effect of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ will be seen.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th Edition of Aero India 2021,In the presence of Chief Minister of Karnataka,BS Yediyurappa, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda,Chief of Defence Staff,General Bipin Rawat,Chief of Naval Staff,Admiral Karambir Singh,Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal,Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria,Chief of Army Staff,General M M Naravane,Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar,Secretary,Department of Defence R&D and Chairman,DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy,Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola,Chief Secretary of Karnataka,P Ravikumar,and Defence Ministers,service chiefs and ambassadors of various countries were also in attendance.The event concluded with a glorious fly past as patriotic tunes played in the background,enthralling those in attendance.
This exhibition will be in both direct and digital medium.With the start of the exhibition, the aircraft of the Indian Air Force showed many tricks in the sky.
The 13th edition of Aero India -2021, the country’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition,is being held at Yelahanka Airforce Station in Bengaluru.
Addressing the gathering,Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh expressed his happiness at the attendance of delegates from around the world at Aero India 2021.
He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri BS Yediyurappa,Air Force Station Yelahanka staff,and other departments as BBMP,Fire and emergency service,Health,Police,MOD Staff from Delhi and Bengaluru’s MOD Staffs,as PRO,Ms.Punitha and her team as,Madhusudan,for extending full support in organising Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru at Air Force Station Yelahanka.
The three Air Force chiefs were present on the occasion.Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was also present.During this time, the Ministry of Defence handed over the contract of 83 LCA Tejas fighter jets to HAL.
The contract was handed over by Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, V L Kantha Rao to Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, R Madhavan,at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India-2021, the country’s premier defence and aerospace show in Benagaluru in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
“New India aims to focus on new goals”.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that India will protect its territorial integrity at all costs, amid tensions in East Ladakh with China.
India is ready to defend its borders.He said that we have been witnessing efforts for a long-term unilateral change on those border disputes which have not yet been resolved.We are ready to face anyone to protect the integrity and people of our country.
In view of these goals,recently we have conducted many successful tests like Akash NG missile,Anti-radiation missile-Rudram,MRSAM etc.In many tests,we have found success in our first attempt.This is a huge achievement.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said this while attending an air show in Bengaluru.He termed terrorism as a threat to the world and said that terrorism has challenged India on many occasions.He said that India has faced threats on many fronts.Taking a dig at Pakistan,the Defence Minister said that India is facing sponsored terrorism.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke on increasing the domestic manufacturing capacity in the defence sector during this period.
The Defence minister said that we plan to spend $ 130 billion on military modernization in the next 7 to 8 years.
The Defence Minister has placed orders for 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LAC). The Tejas MK1A is the largest indigenous deal ever.Tejas MK1A has been ordered by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
American bomber aircraft B-1B Lancer arrived to attend the air show.The aircraft are part of the 28th Wing of Ellsworth Airforce Base in South Dakota.It arrived here by flying for 26 hours.The long-flying supersonic aircraft has completed its operations from its permanent base to every corner of the world.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was on display at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru in a coastal defence role.The Indian Navy is going to include its fleet.
“The biggest ‘Make in India’ defence contract ever”.
The Defence Minister also said,’I am very happy that HAL has received orders for the development of 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).The Tejas MK1A is worth more than Rs 48,000 crore from the Indian Air Force.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India offers unlimited potential in defense and aerospace.Aero India is a wonderful platform for cooperation in these areas.The Government of India has brought reforms in these areas in view of the future.
Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri BS Yediyurappa said it was a matter of pride for people of Karnataka and Bengaluru for being
selected to host yet another edition of Aero India.
He said that the holding of Aero India this year was an expression of confidence in the ability of the state administration to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and assured that his government has
taken measures to ensure the safety of participants and delegates.
The Chief Minister said that Karnataka made a significant contribution to the nation’s aerospace and defence sector of India and was the first state to announce an aerospace policy with a proposed investment of close to Rs 14,700 crore and employment potential for about 10,600 people.
He highlighted the role of Micro,Small and Medium scale enterprises in the growth of thecountry’s industry.The Chief Minister said that “Laghu Udyog Bharati”and IMS foundation with the support of Government of Karnataka would be organising the MSME, Aerospace and Defence expo in Bengaluru from 27th to 29th September, 2021 to realise the potential of MSMEs and requested the support of the Ministry of Defence in this endeavor.
He thanked Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh for reposing faith in the Karnataka Government for Aero India.
