Aero India 2023 – the 14th edition of Asia’s largest air show and exhibition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Bengaluru on 13 February 23. This edition of Aero India, scheduled from February 13–17, 2023, would showcase the growing prowess of India’s defense industry in Aero Space to realize the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ and achieve self reliance in defense. The Air Show displays state-of-the-art aircraft from the Indian Air Force and many foreign countries.
2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence-SPEED’ Defence Ministers’ Conclave comprising Defence Ministers of other friendly foreign countries attending Aero India 2023 on 14 February on the sidelines of the Air Show.
3. Hon’ble State Minister for Defence of Sri Lanka, Mr. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon participated in Aero India 2023 and SPEED- Defence Ministers’ Conclave. He is accompanied by a business delegation from Sri Lanka to identify avenues for greater cooperation. Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Minister emphasized that in this ‘Asian Century’ there is a need to look beyond our borders and utilize forums like Aero India towards defence cooperation through joint ventures, co-development and production whilst investing in enhanced engagement in R&D and industry for sustainable development. Further, he stressed the importance of collective response through multilateral efforts like the Colombo Security Conclave to tackle the common security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. During the visit, Hon’ble Minister met the Chief of Defence Staff and all three service chiefs in addition to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
4. It may be recalled that Sri Lanka Armed forces have been successfully operating a range of Indian defence equipment like Indra Radar, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Army training simulators. More recently the Government of India have committed supply of Floating Dock, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Dornier aircraft which would ensure capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.