Dakota

Saras

Sarang

Yakovlevs

Aero India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Rafale

I am pleased to be here to support our largest-ever US participation in Aero India. We can work together to protect freedom of navigation in the air and sea ­ – United States Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster

Security and traffic



Rafale,andenthrall the audienceAt least 24 aircraft performed during the dress rehearsal foron Monday at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. The parade was performed before Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and their family members. It was(HAL) which dominated the flying display.Aircraft ranging from the vintage Dakota to Saras prototype (still being developed) were part of the rehearsal. Three aerobatic teams — the Sarang, Surya Kirans, and an international team Yakovlevs — enthralled the audience. The UK-based Yakovlevs are a six-aircraft formation. According to the Yakovlevs, the team is a specialist airborne display team flying authentic Cold War Russian warbird aircraft, the YAK-50 and Super Yak-52. While the YAK-50 is a single s eat aircraft, the Super Yak-52 is a two-seater aircraft.This year, visitors are in for a treat as after a hiatus of eight years as Surya Kiran will return with its nine-aircraft formation for Aero India. The Sarang display team, during this edition, will perform twice during the show which will be held between February 20 and 24. The cynosure of all eyes was of course theaircraft. A Rafale aircraft, belonging to the French Air Force, performed various manoeuvres, drawing applause from the crowd. Three Rafale aircraft will take part at Aero India.US long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber B-52 Stratofortress is expected to take part during the inauguration. The Boeing B-52 is being been operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster, who is head of the delegation to the show, said the US and India were committed to strengthening defence cooperation, in line with India’s status as a major defence partner. The US participation provides both US industry and US military services the opportunity to strengthen military-to-military relations and defence cooperation with India, a statement said.The City Police will deploy 1,478 personnel for traffic management during Aero India. City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said that while the IAF would deploy air defence systems to track down and destroy any intrusion which can be detected by radars, sharpshooters belonging to the Karnataka’s Elite Commando Force would be deployed in 30 positions at the ground level to thwart sub aerial threats which cannot be detected by radars.Suneel Kumar also advised the public heading to Kempegowda International Airport to use alternative roads to avoid traffic congestions, especially during the last two days, when the number of visitors are expected to shoot up.