Vicky Nanjappa in Bengaluru
South Asia's top air show Aero India 2011 took-off on an impressive note with an exquisite flying display and mid-air manoeuvres by Indian and foreign aircraft.
Inaugurating the show, Defence Minister A K Antony said that the international participation has gone up by 25 per cent when compared to the edition held last year.
The growing participation only signified that there is an increase in peace and stability in the region, the defence minister said, adding that Aero India-2011 will showcase the latest technologies in the field of military and civil aviation.
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Additional Inputs: Agencies
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
After the inaugural ceremony at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Indian and foreign aircraft and indigenous helicopters held centre stage with an impressive flypast at the biennial, five-day aerospace show.
Five units of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, recently given initial operational clearance, stole the show with breathtaking vertical loops and mid-air manoeuvres, demonstrating their aerial agility and quick manoeuvrability.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
The fly-past took off with Mi-8 formation flying mid-air with the tricolour and flags of Indian Air Force and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as India and participating nations demonstrated their air prowess.
Dornier conducted the 'small boy formation", while Jaguars demonstrated an "arrowhead formation" in the two-hour display, which also involved Sukhoi-30 MKI with their short take-offs and "Trishul formation".
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
The azure skies were streaked with smoky trails as aircraft performed aerial cartwheels and nosedives, rolled over and stood almost stationary.
The air show took off with MI 17 formation, marking the beginning of the event.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
But it was their signature manoeuvre of sky writing the alphabets IAF through a smoky trail that received the loudest applause.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
Their performance concluded with the 'bomb burst' formation, which dispersed in various directions.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
The team, a regular at other international aero shows, utilised the steep bank angles, high rate of rolls and pull ups to weave magical patterns in the sky.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
An estimated 2 lakh people are likely to take part in the event. Countries such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are also participating in this event.
Impressive display at Aero India 2011
The Boeings F-18 Super Hornet Block II is also on display and is one among the six contenders for India's Rs 42,000 crore contract, which will procure 126 medium weight multi role combat aircraft.
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