Theme
“The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”
Visited Aero India on 15 Feb 23.
Remembered this day four years back (15 Feb 2019). Was up to my neck coordinating the final journey of the martyrs to their home towns all over India and planning the appropriate response to the drastic Pulwama incident.
Impressions of Aero India 2023:-
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- The air show has come of Age.
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- Russian presence is minimal.
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- Americans have come with the latest (F-35, F-16/F-21, F-18, B-I).
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- DRDO and DPSUs stalls are predominant.
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- Emphasis and focus is on:
- Atmanirbharta
- Make in India
- Enhancement of arms export
- Make for the world.
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- Glamorous foreign aerobatic teams and wing walkers are missing.
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- Suryakirans and Sarang display are as awe inspiring as ever.
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- F-35 display is superb and impressive. (The aircraft is seen of by two ground crew),
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- Number of seminars has been restricted and generally limited to Govt agencies and DPSUs.
General observations are as follows:-
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- Photograph of PM is all over.
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- Static display area has been expanded.
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- The entire static display area is cordoned off, and generally the aircraft can be seen from far and from front. Individual cordon is better but difficult for crowd control I guess.
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- IAF Chalet has been moved from number 2 position to 4 position.
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- There is no clarity about parking and entry.
Glimpses
F-18 (USA trying to sell it to IN)
Big US presence: F-16 & F-35 (not in pic F-18 & B-1)
SU-30 (Work Horse of IAF)
RAFALE (Latest induction in IAF)
AMCA (Eagerly Awaited)
LCA Mk 2 (Hope it comes in time)
Brahmos on Su-30 (most potent combo)
Jet Pack (Everyone wants one)
RAFALE-M (Eyeing Market : IN)
LCA MK2 (Much Needed)
TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter: For IN)
(Experience gained from LCA-N being utilised)
Vintage over Modern (Dakota flying over F-35)
F-35 (Most Modern Fighter Existing)
F-18
Jaguar (Flown 1000+ hrs, Most of it over the sea)
Jaguar (Flying it at Ultra low level is so much fun)
Apache (Looks Dangerous)
Reminder: Air Show is being held in Karnataka
Aero Space Power
Gripen (Still in the race?)
AMCA (5th Gen)
Tejas (Indigenous)
AMCA
More coming up (F-35 Debut)…..
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