Aero India 2017 flies into sunset

Bengaluru: Indian firms announced many mega-buck deals with global majors during Aero India 2017 which drew to an end on Saturday. But the intangible benefits of the air show will dwarf these multi-million dollar contracts well before the next biennial event, as the country's expertise in aerospace and defence sectors will help roll out a wide array of products for the global market.

For, this air show was a turnaround for domestic industries and products as the focus shifted from military hardware showcased by global majors earlier to proficiency, skills and wares of local enterprises. Many contracts were signed by big-ticket companies such as MBDA , Sweden's SAAB, or Elbit of Israel, and Airbus Group with local firms, but the seeds for bigger deals were sown with many global majors reaching out to them for joint development and production of aerospace and defence supplies.

"We had the greatest opportunity to display our products, all types of helicopters and aircraft ranging from the basic trainer to Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, and going by the response of experts who flew them, we are certain that big business deals are in the offing, and we will turn into suppliers for the world," Mr T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL, told Deccan Chronicle.