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| Sitanshu Kar, MoD, Spokesperson |
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: The Ministry of Defence (MoD), for the first time, officially came out in the open saying that all talks about Aero India-2013 might be a damp squib, following the big-ticket MMRCA deal, are far-fetched and not in tune with the plane facts. Speaking to Express on Monday, Sitanshu Kar, Additional Director General (Media and Communication), MoD, said number an air show’s success should not be judged against the number of planes participating alone.
“We are striving hard to make India the manufacturing hub of aerospace activities. And, Bangalore will play the pivotal role in our mission. Aero India has matured over the years and one need to see the real sense behind the show now. The fact that the exhibition area has increased from 75,000 sqm (2011) to 1,25,000 sqm, this time itself shows its growing popularity,” Kar, who is also the Principal Spokesperson for MoD, said.
He said the offset clause in the Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) will inspire aerospace firms in India to invest more in R&D and augmenting manufacturing facilities. “Aero India will be one opportunity to all those who are in the business of aerospace and defence to share and exhibit their strengths. We are doing everything to ensure that Indian industry, both private and government-owned, will wake up to the challenges and opportunities aerospace and defence sector is offering,” Kar said.
Weather halts Knights: The Russian Knights aerobatic display team (which is expected to perform at Aero India for the first time), failed to touch down at Yelahanka Air Force Station on Sunday, owing to bad weather. The Knights were scheduled to reach Hindon Air Force base on Sunday (Feb 3) from Moscow. The Knights operate Su-27 fighter jets, flown by the Russian Air Force. “It missed the Full Dress Rehearsal today and we hope they will land tomorrow,” an official said.
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