Updated Feb 03, 2021 | 10:45 IST
Aero India: As many as 601 exhibitors, including 523 Indian and 78 foreign, and 14 countries will be participating in the event.
Three Mi-17 helicopters taking part in the flypast at the inauguration of the Aero India-2021 in Bengaluru.  |  Photo Credit: ANI
Bengaluru: The 13th edition of Aero India, country's premier aerospace and defence exhibition, kickstarted on Wednesday amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing for "AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan" and "Make in India" programmes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Aero India 2021 here at IAF Station Yelahanka.
Addressing the mega event, Singh said that India plans to spend 130 billion dollars on military modernisation in the next 7-8 years. “We have taken steps to strengthen our security apparatus. Domestic manufacturing of bigger and complex defence platforms has now become focus of our policy under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan',” the defence minister said.