Aero India 2019 Timeline: From Rafale, Hawk-i to Tejas, how the event unfolded
Curtains came down Sunday on the five-day Aero India 2019, Asia's premier show, which saw the indigenously developed light combat aircraft Tejas being given the Final Operational Clearance. The mega event began on a sombre note on February 20 as a mid-air collision between two Surya Kiran jets of the IAF aerobatic team during rehearsals, left one pilot dead and two injured. Following the mishap, the team was taken off the air show on the inaugural day.
The Surya Kiran team
Rafale team
Fire at Yelahanka Air Base
Nirmala Sitharama at the event
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the site and took stock of the situation this morning. On the inaugural day, the Minister had invited investors to capitalise on the ecosystem prevailing in the aerospace and other sectors and pitched for joint venture partnerships, saying it offered a big market in Defence manufacturing. Image source: twitter.com/aeroindiashow
P V Sindhu flying Tejas
Tejas
The aero show witnessed the handing over of the FOC certificate and Release to Service Document (RSD) relating to Tejas Dhanoa on the opening day. FOC involves addition of key capabilities to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft which are Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities, Air-to-Air Refuelling, Air-to-Ground FOC earmarked weapons and general flight envelope expansion. Image source: twitter.com/aeroindiashow
Rafale- the star attraction
Combat aircraft Rafale was the star attraction at the show as the breathtaking display of manoeuvres by the aerobatic team cast a spell on the aviation enthusiasts. Around four lakh people who attended the event were treated to a spectacular flying display of fighter, civilian aircraft and helicopters. Image source: Reuters