Britain's defence minister, Mrs
Harriett Baldwin, and her counterparts of several countries as well as service
chiefs and heads of department are heading to Aero India 2017, billed as Asia's
biggest aerospace and aviation exhibition, commencing here on February 14, to
explore opportunities for partnership, collaboration, investment and transfer
of technology during the five-day event.
An Indo-UK round table has been scheduled
to discuss collaboration and investment in aerospace and related fields during
the event while inveterate aviation enthusiasts could look forward to stunning
aerobatics by Evolvkos Aerobatic Team from Britain.
Defence delegations from other
countries include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Africa, Sweden,
Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, USA and Uzbekistan at the
exhibition, the biggest since Aero India commenced here in 1996, with the total
gross area increase from 2,50, 000 square meters to 2, 60,000 square meters to
accommodate 72 aircraft and military equipment of more than 500 firms from 51
countries across the world.
In addition to the Indo-UK round
table, an Indo-Swiss business meet and an Indo-Polish business meet are also
scheduled during the event. Under the Make in India initiative, "Indian
Aerospace: Investor's Meet" and "Make in India in
Aerospace: Are MSMEs geared for it? - Reflections and the Way Forward" are
scheduled for February 15.
Official sources said more than two
lakh business visitors would participate in the event as a special area will be
created to facilitate B2B meetings. The home state, Karnataka, and Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala will set up exclusive SEZ pavilions for attracting
investments.
Besides the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s
Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams, the Scandinavian Air Show Team from
Sweden will enthral visitors with breath-taking manoeuvres during the air show.
UK companies to step up game
Led by their government, companies from the United Kingdom are looking to make
an impression at Aero India 2017.
British Defence Minister Harriett
Baldwin will lead the UK delegation at Aero India 2017 as Britain and India
focus on partnership, collaboration, investment and technology transfer.
Mrs Baldwin, the Minister for
Defence Procurement, joined 20 UK companies at the aerospace exhibition held at
Air Force Station Yelahanka. Showcasing some of the most innovative technology
in the defence, aviation and security sections, these cutting edge businesses
will be forging long-lasting industrial partnerships and joint ventures with
Indian companies.
"The UK and India have much to
offer one another in defence; from manufacturing collaboration and simplified
export controls, to military cooperation, training and research partnerships.
As Britain steps up globally, we
will work together with India to build knowledge, security and prosperity
through a close industrial, military and economic partnership," said Mrs.
Baldwin.
The Minister for Defence Procurement
added that, ""The UK has a significant range of world class products
across the air, land, maritime and security sectors and we are encouraging UK
and Indian companies to develop and sustain long term industrial partnerships,
to meet our future requirements and to launch new products into the global marketplace."
The minister's visit is set to build
on the Defence and International Security Partnership (DISP) agreed in November
2015. Mrs Baldwin was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to India;
Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military
Capability in the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD); and Sophie Lane Regional
Director for India in the Department of International Trade's Defence and
Security Organisation (DSO).
UK's defence exports in 2015 were
worth £7.7bn making the UK the second highest defence exporter in the world.
UK's security exports in 2015 were worth £4b.
Source :- Deccan Chronicle
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