Bengaluru, February 20: In the 12th edition of Asia's premier air show 'Aero India-2019' – began at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru on Wednesday – Indian Air Force showed it might on display with fighter jets including the newly inducted Rafale, Sukhoi MK30i, Tejas and other metal birds. The grand inauguration began with a two-minute silence to pay tributes to the pilot who died during the practice of Surya Kiran flights on Tuesday, after its crash.

Along with the Indian Air Force jets, metal birds like United States’ F-16 participated in the air show and roared in the city skies. Displaying the vigour and charisma with aerobatics, the Sukhoi MK30i pierced the sky. However, the eye-catching moment for the day was Rafale, which displayed its prowess and supersonic speed disappeared within seconds. As soon as Rafale fighter jet was announced, the band paused their drums to have a look at the spectacular and thrilling metal bird. Aero India Show 2019: Three Rafale Jets Land in Bengaluru Amid Political Row.

With the ongoing event on, the team of Sarang spread its wings and orchestrated impressive manoeuvres. Even the spellbinding performance by Airbus 330-900 left the audience speechless. However, due to the sudden death of the Indian Air Force pilot during the practice session on Tuesday, as two aircraft collided mid-air, Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team Aircraft lies with their canopies covered on the runway behind the inaugural venue of Aero India 2019. Aero India 2019: IAF's Surya Kiran Fleet Pulls Out After Death of Pilot in Mid-Air Collision During Rehearsal. 

According to the reports, around 61 metal birds will participate in the air show. Also, after the air show of the day, an international round table conference of 13 global and 11 Indian CEOs of various defence firms are scheduled to meet. The CEO include that of General Atomic USA, SAFRAN France, SAAB Sweden, IAI Israel, Liebherr Germany, United Aircraft Corp. Russia, among others.

Though this is the first day of the five-day-long biennial event, it is expected that the Union government – along with the aviation companies and the defence sector – would forge an alliance with each other.

Earlier, while addressing the dignitaries, Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu stated, “India to purchase 2300 new air planes. We are coming up with the strategy to set up the roadmap and ecosystem for thriving the manufacturing destination in India.” Aero India 2019: Astra Missile Developed by DRDO Under Make-in-India Programme to Be Showcased.

Adding more, he said, “As Aviation sector is not just growing but booming by almost by 20%, we now have 103 airports, and we aim to add 100 more in coming years to connect even remotest part of India. With our defence Ministry, protecting our skies, we will touch newer heights in the Aviation Sector.”

As per the report, during the five-day long vent, India would display HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132- named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), beside Tejas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2019 01:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).