Bengaluru air show to be first hybrid aerospace expo

“The three-day air show will be the world’s first hybrid exhibition where the business activity will be physical and virtual, while the static and flying display of the military and civil aircraft will be at the venue,” a defence official told IANS here.

The biennial event will be held at the Yellahanka air base of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the city’s northern outskirts for three days instead of five days in the past due to Covid-induced restrictions on large gathering of people in public places to contain the virus spread.

Till date, 576 Indian and overseas exhibitors and 35 foreign delegations have registered for the event.

At a review meeting of the preparation for the event with the Karnataka government, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed on the safe conduct of the largest aerospace event in South Asia.

“The hybrid model of Aero India should be a template for other countries to emulate in conducting the business in the new normal amid the pandemic,” Singh said at the meeting where state Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and officials of the state government and defence ministry participated.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Defence Production secretary Raj Kumar and AoC-in-Chief of Southern Command Air Marshal R.K. Mathur were present in the review meeting at the state secretariat in the city centre.

The stalls at the expo will be in physical and virtual worlds for greater engagement between exhibitors and delegates and other stakeholders.

Attendees joining the event virtually can participate in seminars, interact with exhibitors, hold B2B meetings and view their products and technologies.