F-16s and F-18s of the United States will be the major attractions of Aero India 2007. This was announced by Secretary Defence Production Shri KP Singh in a press conference here today. He said most of the finest contemporary aircraft of the world used for civilian and defence purpose will be showcased in the airshow. Shri Singh said this indicates the growing importance of the Aero India in the international arena.

The Sixth Edition of Aero India, the Biennial International Air-Show cum defence exhibition will be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore from Feb 07 - 11, 2007. The event is being organised by the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Farnborough International Limited (FIL) for the first time.

The significant feature of Aero India 2007 will be about 100 per cent increase in the participation by Indian firms. 148 Indian companies participated in the Aero India 2005 while this time 286 companies have confirmed their participation in Aero India 2007. Besides India, exhibitors from 40 countries including USA, Russia, Sweden, France, Israel, Italy, Germany, etc would be participating in Aero India 2007. More than 480 leading companies will showcase their aircraft and Aero Space products / equipment through air display, static display and exhibition attracting a large turnout of professionals and businessmen across the world.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be daily flying demonstration featuring some of the most advanced and sophisticated aircraft, which include F-16, F-18 Hornet, C-130J, P-3 Orion, CH-47, C-17 from USA, Grippen from Sweden, MiG-29M (02) from Russia and Falcon from France. Various Indian Aviation products and aircraft such as Intermediate Jet Trainer (HAL), HAL Dornier, Advanced Light Helicopter and advanced version of Cheetah helicopters such as Chetan and Cheetal would also be on display.

Keeping in view, the vast increase in number of participants and exhibitors, the infrastructure at Air Force Station Yelahanka is being upgraded in a big way . Aero India 2007 will be organised in an exhibition space of 25,000 sq meters which is about 40 % higher from Aero India 2005. Five new hangars each with an area of 1320 sq meters have been augmented this year totaling to ten, to meet the growing demand. The runway length is being increased from 7250 ft to 8000 ft. Widening and re-surfacing of taxiways and dispersal area has also been taken up. Growing interest from the companies has also prompted the need for another hangar, the construction of which is underway. Communication facilities have been upgraded and enhanced by the creation of a Wi-Fi zone at venue for the first time.

The other salient features of Aero India 2007 would include an exclusive Business Jet chalet area, expansion of scope to include civil aviation sector, International Aviation Seminar and Aero India Golf tournament. The Indian Air Force as part of its Platinum Jubilee Celebrations is organising an International Aerospace Power Seminar from Feb 04 -05, 2007 at Delhi, where more than 30 Air Chiefs from various countries including USA, UK, Australia, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Chile have confirmed their participation. After attending the seminar they will fly to Bangalore to attend Aero India 2007.

The First edition of International Aerospace Exposition - AERO India 1996 was organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka (Bangalore) from Dec 03 to 07, 1996. Since then four more editions of the exposition have been held at the same venue in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

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