Aero India: Big US Field, No Russian Flights

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Aero India: Big US Field, No Russian Flights

NEW DELHI — The 10th edition of the biannual Aero India show will not showcase a flight display by any Russian aircraft, despite ongoing programs between the two countries, while the US is expected to have the largest corporate presence with 64 companies, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence.

To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the theme of this year's show will be "Make in India," G. Mohan Kumar, secretary of defense, production, in the Ministry of Defence, announced at a press conference here Feb. 9.

As part of a policy to boost the domestic defense industry, nearly 60 percent of the $100 billion in weapon purchases planned for the next 10 years will be executed through India vendors who will then tie up with overseas defense companies.

In addition to the United States, 33 other countries will attend, including France, which will be the second biggest participant represented by 58 companies, followed by the UK with 48, Russia with 41, Israel with 25 and Germany with 17.

A total of 54 countries will be represented, though some only by political delegations and not by companies, and will attend the inaugural event. "The exhibition will also see participation by over 600 companies, including 295 Indian and 328 foreign companies," says a Defence Ministry press release.

Russia and India are jointly developing a fifth-generation fighter based on the Sukhoi T-50, and Russian President Vladmir Putin offered to sell Ka-226 light utility helicopters when he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December. But neither aircraft will perform demonstration flights at the show.

The Sukhoi T-50 prototype was first displayed at the 2011 MAKS air show in Moscow. India and Russia still have not inked a final agreement since the preliminary deal was struck in 2010.

Aero India 2015 is likely to witness tie ups between domestic and overseas defense companies for helicopter and UAV programs, said an Air Force official.

India is in contract negotiations with Dassault Aviation for the Rafale fighter aircraft, which has been selected as the preferred aircraft over the Typhoon in India's $12 billion Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program and is awaiting finalization seven years after the global tender was issued.

"No major decision is expected on the ongoing MMRCA deal despite the Indian prime minister inaugurating the air show," said an MoD source.

The Rafale will be showcased at the air show along with Lockheed Martin's F-16C fighter; Boeing's KC-135 tanker, C-17A Globemaster transport, the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and Boeing's F-15C fighter; and Brazil's Emb-145 airborne early warning aircraft made by Embraer.

After coming to power in May, the Modi government has canceled global tenders for purchase of light utility helicopters for the Indian Air Force and Navy, and has dropped plans to procure six conventional submarines worth $12 billion through a global tender.

Source: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /23173707/