Aero India 2023: From Armed Drones To Missiles, Here's What Is On Display This Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated today, (13 February), the 14th edition of Asia's Largest Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru.

The Bengaluru sky is bearing testimony to the capabilities of New India. “This new height is the reality of New India, today India is touching new heights and transcending them too”, the Prime Minister said inaugurating the exhibition.

The theme of the exhibition “The Runway to a billion opportunities”, highlights the importance of India’s growing capabilities and is in line with the Prime Minister’s ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and 'Make-In-India, Make-For-The World' campaign.

Aero India will be the largest aerospace exhibition, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with 35,000 square meters of display space as compared to the 23,000 square meters of display space of the previous one.

Referring to the Defence Ministers' Conclave and CEO Roundtable that is being organized along with the show, Prime Minister Modi said that active participation in the sector will enhance the potential of Aero India.

The CEO Round Table will see participation from officials, delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries including global investors such as Boeing, Lockheed, Israel Aerospace Industries, General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, Safran, and General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI).

About 800 exhibitors are attending the exhibition compared to 540 at the previous event, with around 110 exhibitors of foreign origin.

“When the country moves forward with new thinking, new approach, then its systems also start changing according to the new thinking,” the Prime Minister said as he highlighted that Aero India 2023 reflects the changing approach of New India.

The highlights of the event will be the first public display of DRDO’s TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform For Advanced Surveillance — Beyond Horizon), and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV.

The Tapas UAV will be the main reconnaissance and surveillance platform for the three services and will have a payload of 350 kg. It will also be able to fly at an altitude of 28,000 feet for 18 hours.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will also showcase frontline combat aircraft like India’s first Fifth Generation aircraft AMCA, LCA Tejas, Tejas Mk-2, TEDBF and Autonomous Stealth Flying Wing Testbed.

The DRDO pavilion will showcase over 330 products categorized into 12 zones including Combat Aircraft & UAVs, Missiles & Strategic Systems, Engine & Propulsion Systems, Airborne Surveillance Systems, and Sensors for Electronic Warfare & Communication Systems.

Missiles like Astra, Akash, QRSAM, NAG, HELINA, Pralay will also be displayed in the DRDO pavilion.

Further, the DRDO’s participation in the mega show will be marked by the flight displays of LCA Tejas, LCA Tejas PV6, NETRA AEW&C and TAPAS UAV, according to a Defence Ministry release.

HAL for the first time will introduce to the public, HLFT-42 (Hindustan Lead-In Fighter Trainer). It is a single-engine supersonic fighter trainer which will be able to train fighter pilots in highly complex air warfare techniques while saving precious airframe life on advanced platforms like Su-30 MKI and Dassault Rafale.

HAL will also showcase posters of Kiran Optionally Manned Combat Aircraft (OMCA), which will be used to lure out enemy air defences.

Various other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) like BEL and BHEL will also show their products to the public.

India’s private defence and aerospace manufacturing companies like Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Bharat Forge, and Adani Defence will also see participation.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault, General Atomics and other international manufacturers will exhibit their fighter jets in hopes of securing orders from the Indian Ministry of Defence.