New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 14th edition of India's biennial aerospace exhibition 'Aero India' which will showcase the country as an emerging hub for manufacturing military aircraft, helicopters, equipment and new-age avionics. He emphasised that Aero India 2023 is not only a show but a "reflection of India's self-confidence."
At the inaugural event held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, PM Modi released commemorative stamps and said: "Bengaluru sky is bearing testimony to the capabilities of New India. This new height is the reality of New India. India is touching new heights and transcending them too"
"Aero India 2023 is a shining example of India’s growing capabilities and the presence of more than 100 nations here shows the trust that the entire world shows in India. More than 700 exhibitors from India and the world are participating. It has broken all past records," he added.
He further stressed that the Aero India exhibition "reflects a new approach of New India". "Today, Aero India is India’s strength and not just a show. It not only showcases the scope of the defence industry but also showcases the self-confidence of India," he added.
Tejas, INS Vikrant, advanced manufacturing facilities in Surat and Tumkur, said the Prime Minister as he hailed the potential of Aatmnirbhar Bharat.
According to the Prime Minister, India is no longer just a market for defence companies in the world, the country is a potential defence partner today. "This partnership is even with those nations that are much ahead in the defence sector, nations that are looking for a dependable partner for their defence requirements," he said.
"The new India of the 21st century will neither miss any opportunity nor will it lack any effort. We're ready. We're bringing revolution brought in every sector with the help of reforms," PM Modi emphasised India used to be the largest defence exporter for decades and has now started exporting defence equipment to 75 countries in the world.
“Aero India's deafening roar echoes India's message of Reform, Perform and Transform”, the Prime Minister remarked.
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Aero India 2023
The theme of Aero India 2023 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities' and will witness participation by more than 80 countries along with 800 defence companies including around 100 foreign and 700 Indian companies, as per a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, the event will focus on displaying indigenous equipment/technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies," the PMO stated.
The five-day exhibition at the Yalahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru will see the participation of 809 defence companies and delegates from 98 countries, news agency PTI reported citing officials.
As per the officials, around 250 business-to-business agreements are expected to be firmed up which is estimated to unlock investment to the tune of around Rs 75,000 crore.
According to PTI, the major exhibitors at the Aero India will include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen and Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and BEML Limited.
About five lakh visitors are expected to attend the event physically, the defence ministry said. Aero India 2023 will cover design leadership, growth in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector, defence space and futuristic technologies.