Aero India 2013

By

Sandeep Ghosh

With Dassualt's Rafale making the official MMRCA cut, it seems the charm of Aero India would be dwindled, with no Mig 29 OVT's , Gripens, EFT's or Super hornets at display. But to my surprise, AERO India 2013 did have bigger participation, compared to 2011, nearly 700 companies from around the world.

Russian Knights, Su27 flying team and a F16's from USAF would definitely add to the charm of this aero India.

With IAF's El Hefe already declaring most of the deals for the 12th defence plan, it seemed a few of prospective player were missing. I had expected Rosoboron to field a BE-200, as it seems it has pitched it's sale to India a year before, in the same category there were some developments with japanese ShinMaywa US-2/3 and the Canadian bombardier CL415 GR.

With EADS not wanting to hang in the MMRCA till the fat lady sing, it would have been exciting to see the EFT ambushing the Rafale on the runway, it would have definitely raised some eyebrows in the defense circles.

MoD did display the AMCA concept, hopefully that would take shape sooner than expected, I am hoping that LCA would play the same role for AMCA, as the ALH did for the LCH. Hopefully the first prototype is ready by the time PMF/FGFA takes on it's final  operation clearance.