Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bangalore: F-16 rides for celebrities and hectic lobbying by aircraft giants are part of the buzz surrounding the seventh edition of the AeroIndia show that takes off here tomorrow.
The British and American envoys also made a strong pitch for companies in their countries as the Indian Air Force plans to launch field trials for purchase of 126 aircraft as part of its expansion and modernisation programme. The air show is being organised jointly by the defence ministry and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“It is competitive sales and our aircraft are competing with others. What we are trying to do is convince our customers about our products and that the product uses the best technology,” said US Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Steven J White.
American giant Lockheed Martin has been pitching for sale of F-16 aircraft and has been lobbying hard. It is even planning to take celebrities and media personnel for a ride on the aircraft. Film star Priyanka Chopra and cricketer Yuvraj Singh are among the names doing the rounds but a media person Ms Suman Sharma appeared to have got the better of them and is poised to become the first Indian woman to fly on an F-16.
The secretary, defence production, Mr Pradeep Kumar, speaking to reporters earlier about arrangements for the five-day show was not aware of these personalities planning to fly in the F-16. Journalists, too, have been lobbying hard for a ride in the aircraft.
Twenty two American and 33 British companies are displaying their latest products at the AeroIndia show.
Significantly, the participation of domestic exhibitors has steadily grown from 66 in its inaugural show in 1998, to 289 this year, accounting for nearly half the total exhibitor strength of about 600.
10/02/09 Sri Krishna/The Statesman
The British and American envoys also made a strong pitch for companies in their countries as the Indian Air Force plans to launch field trials for purchase of 126 aircraft as part of its expansion and modernisation programme. The air show is being organised jointly by the defence ministry and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“It is competitive sales and our aircraft are competing with others. What we are trying to do is convince our customers about our products and that the product uses the best technology,” said US Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Steven J White.
American giant Lockheed Martin has been pitching for sale of F-16 aircraft and has been lobbying hard. It is even planning to take celebrities and media personnel for a ride on the aircraft. Film star Priyanka Chopra and cricketer Yuvraj Singh are among the names doing the rounds but a media person Ms Suman Sharma appeared to have got the better of them and is poised to become the first Indian woman to fly on an F-16.
The secretary, defence production, Mr Pradeep Kumar, speaking to reporters earlier about arrangements for the five-day show was not aware of these personalities planning to fly in the F-16. Journalists, too, have been lobbying hard for a ride in the aircraft.
Twenty two American and 33 British companies are displaying their latest products at the AeroIndia show.
Significantly, the participation of domestic exhibitors has steadily grown from 66 in its inaugural show in 1998, to 289 this year, accounting for nearly half the total exhibitor strength of about 600.
10/02/09 Sri Krishna/The Statesman
Labels: Defense, General: Participants
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