Aero India, India’s three-day long 13th premier exhibition, kick started on Wednesday at Yelahanka Air Force Station situated in Bangalore. It called global defence and aerospace companies to establish manufacturing units in the country offering numerous initiatives undertaken by the government in the sector.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Modi said, “Aero India is a wonderful platform for collaborations in these areas. The Government of India has brought futuristic reforms in these sectors, which will add impetus to our quest to become Aatmanirbhar.”

Defence Minister Rajnath, who is in Bangalore to attend the event, said that since 2014, the central government has brought in many reforms in defence sector to create a conducive ecosystem for exports, Foreign Direct Investment and offset discharge.

“I have been informed that about 540 exhibitors including 80 foreign companies, Defence Ministers, Delegates, Service chiefs and officials from more than 55 nations are participating in the event. It reflects the growing optimism of the global community,” said Singh.

“The Aero India 21 will display the vast potential of India, and the multifarious opportunities that our country offers in the field of defence and aerospace sector. It also promises to be the World’s First Ever Hybrid Aero and Defence exhibition,” the Minister added.

Despite the constraints posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Singh said he is pleased to see such a large number of participants in this event.

People who will be attending the event are required to carry a negative RT-PCR report for COVID-19 test.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase its latest defence technologies and demonstrate many systems. One of the DRDO’s major attractions will comprise flying displays of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and LCA Navy.