Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Aero India 2021

Bengaluru: The 13th edition of the country’s premier air show – Aero India 21 was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, February 3 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka.

Aero India 2021 is being held in the backdrop of Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bagging a Rs 48,000 crore order for fighter jets – Tejas Mark 1A and India’s engagement with Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.

The Contract of 83 LCA Tejas fighters was also handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by Ministry of Defence at Aero India show in Bengaluru.

Aero India will give a boost to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme by signing more than 200 agreements during an event- Bandhan (the bond) – on the last day of the biennial show on February 5.

Speaking on the occasion Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “In order to maximize the reach and participation, event is being conducted in a hybrid format with a concurrent Virtual Exhibition which will integrate Seminars, B2B interactions etc. It’ll be not incorrect to say, that Aero India 21 has truly gone digital and global.”

“Despite the constraints caused by the global pandemic, I am pleased to see such a large number of participants in this year’s event. It is coming from the world’s leading nations in the field of military and aviation,” Rajnath Singh added.

“I express my deep sense of gratitude to the Defence Ministers from Maldives, Ukraine, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Comoros and Madagascar who have joined this show in person, and many others who are joining virtually. I am very happy that HAL has got orders for the development of 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas MK1A from Indian Air Force valued at more than Rs. 48000 Crores, it is probably the biggest ‘Make in India’ Defence contract till date,” the minister said.