Aero India 2013 to kick start on 6 February

Aero India 2013, which is all set to kick-start at Bengaluru's Yelahanka Air Force Base on 6 February, will display an ensemble of two generations of aircraft - from a vintage Tiger Moth to the C-17 Globmaster III, the largest strategic heavy lift aircraft.

On display will be a USAF variant of the Indian Air Force's recently acquired C-17 heavy-lift aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules, F-16, KC-135, and other latest systems such as the armoured security and light combat vehicles, tactical communications equipment, integrated weapons systems, thermal imaging technologies and network munitions systems, according to a statement issued by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

While, the 'de Havilland DH82 'Tiger Moth' is a two-seat, single bay biplane powered by a 145 hp Gypsy Major four-cylinder inverted air-cooled engine, the Globemaster is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 77.5 tonnes, including combat vehicles, artillery guns and battle-ready troops.

The four-engine aircraft is capable of take-off and landing on makeshift runways, barely 3,500-feet long and 90-feet wide.

A recently refitted Tiger Moth aircraft will fly for the first time in the Aero India 2013, as part of the IAF vintage flight.

Also on display will be IAF's workhorse, the Russia-made Sukhoi 30 Mki, India's own Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Rudra, the weaponised advance light helicopter (ALH).

HAL will also hand over two Rudras manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Indian Army during Aero India.

More than 600 companies and 78 overseas delegations are expected to participate in Aero India air show from 6 to 10 February 2013, according to the organisers.

Top US defence companies, including ATK, BAE Systems Inc, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, DuPont, Exelis, FLIR, General Electric, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp, Harris, Honeywell, L-3 Aviation Products, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, Sikorsky, Textron Systems, Telephonics Corporation and Tyco, will display their ware at the air show.

The biennial air show and aviation exhibition is being jointly organised by the defence ministry, the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Department of Space and the union civil aviation ministry.

The show will also provide exposure to Indian armed forces, R&D personnel and young engineers to the latest technologies and advancements in aviation and aerospace industries.

Defence minister A K Antony will inaugurate the ninth edition of Aero India on 6 February 2013.

Since the launch of the first edition of in December 1996, Aero India has seen exponential growth in international participation.