7^th International airshow Aero India 2009 (India, Bangalore, February 11- 15 2009) took its start at IAF airbase “Yelahanka” (Bangalore, India).

The show was traditionally opened with the speech of the Indian Minister of Defense, Mr. Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony. The speech was followed by the traditional air parade that began with the flight of Mi-17 helicopters fitted with flags. Among the aircrafts that took part in the parade were the An-26 and Do228 aircrafts, Dhruv helicopters, Jaguar fighter-bombers of IAF and Tejas light multi-role fighers of Indian design. Two Mirage 2000 fighters of IAF showed the refueling from Il-78 tanker. Demonstration flight was also carried out by Saras light passenger aircraft and Su-30 fighter of IAF both painted in the colors of the Indian national flag.

The parade was followed by the guests of the airshow – F-18, F-16, Typhoon fighters and Russian MiG-35. All of them are taking part in the tender for the supply of 126 new multi-role fighters for the IAF.

Among the participants of the airshow were about 330 foreign and 230 Indian companies as well as more than 100 aircrafts. At the static parking area the IAF demonstrated the modernized MiG-21, MiG-27 and Jaguar aircrafts, Su-30 fighters, Hawk instructional aircraft, Dhruv helicopters, Do. 228 marine patrol aircraft.

The central part of the static exposition and the demonstration flights programme took F-18, F-16, Typhoon fighters and MiG-35.

In accordance with the order of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation the organizer of the Russian exposition was the corporation “Rostekhnologii”. The Russian exposition was formed by 24 enterprises, whose stands occupied the territory of 1000 square kilometers. Our company’s stand occupied the area of 26 square meters and was notable for its original corporate design. Our delegation, headed by the general Director, Mr. I.V. Emeliyanov and the Head of the Representative Office of PLC “Aviazapchast” in India, Mr. D.A. Tomilov, held a range of negotiations and meetings essential for the company. Russia is traditionally one of the major participants of the airshow. At the present time Russia and India are working on new prospective projects in the aviation sector among which are first of all the manufacturing of multifunctional transport aircraft and the joint designing of the fifth generation fighter (PAK FA). Apart from the military aircrafts the civil production models such as Superjet 100 are also demonstrated during the Indian airshow.

Apart from the aircrafts, since 60-s years of the previous century the great demand is shown for the helicopters of the Soviet Union/Russian origin. During Aero India - 2009 the organizers announced the possibility of the arrangement of the Russian helicopters assembling in India and China.

The representatives of “Rosoboronexport” have already stated that the Bangalore Air Forum is successful with the view to promotion of the Russian aerospace industry to the regional markets. Taking into account the importance of this industry for the Russian economy, we’d like to hope that the airshow results shall turn into the actual orders for the Russian plants.