New Delhi: The countdown has begun for the keenly anticipated international aerospace and defence exhibition Aero India 2021, to be held as a hybrid event at the Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bengaluru from February 3-5, 2021. With a total of 600 registered exhibitors – of which 522 are from India and 78 from 14 countries including the USA, UK, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Israel, Italy, Bulgaria, Belarus, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan and Ukraine – as well as 171 virtual exhibitors, the event will be both a physical exhibition as well as a virtual exhibition. One of its highlights is a public air show, that is set to dazzle the Bengaluru skies.
Aero India 2021 is the 13th edition of the exhibition, organized every alternate year. The theme of the event is ‘Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The event will showcase India’s resolve to be ‘first amongst first’; displaying the country’s indigenous technological and logistic prowess, and itis expected to embolden the aerospace and defence industries, start-ups, MSMEs to forge partnerships with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who are keen to attend. At Aero India 2021, exhibitors are likely to showcase their products using latest technologies to potential customers. It is an important international event, likely to be attended by thousands of business visitors and lakhs of general visitors.
Being a major international aerospace and defence exhibition, Aero India requires active participation, shared responsibility and synchronised efforts at all levels. Towards defining these roles and responsibilities, an MoU was earlier signed between the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka for smooth conduct of the event.
During a recent review meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the hybrid model of Aero India-21 should be the template for the world to emulate while conducting business in the new normal until the concerns of the pandemic are addressed. At the event, stalls are being provided in both the physical and virtual realms, which will result in greater engagement and exhibitors will experience a greater outreach, catering to those who could not join the event physically. Attendees joining the event virtually can participate in the seminars, interact with exhibitors and representatives, hold B2B meetings and also view product details and supporting videos.
Aero India-21 will abide by international norms for conduct of such events and incorporates additional precautions for social distancing, crowd control wherein the total exhibition area head count has been reduced to 15,000 persons and air display visual area head count to 3,000 persons, safe social behaviour such as compulsory wearing of facemask, non-contact interactions, etc. Brochures and literature will predominantly be in digital format, and a contactless experience has been planned for registration and booth visits. A negative RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to the first day of the event, entry screening and restricting entry of people with symptoms are being made mandatory to ensure safety of all attendees. The Aero India-21 mobile app will be the handy interactive interface for all issues related to the event, with features to support exhibitors, attendees, and the media pre, during and post the event.