Indian Products Showcased at Singapore Air Show as Both Nations Expand Military Ties
The ongoing Singapore Air Show has emerged as a significant platform for India's indigenous defence and aerospace products as several nations elicited interest in them. While a high-level delegation comprising of Defence Ministry officials and the IAF chief are also at the show, an Indian pavilion with defence and aviation products is also attracting attention. Nations like Brazil, Japan, Israel and other Asian neighbours are keen on India defence products and technology while Canada has suggested collaboration to expand the potential of indigenous products.
The Singapore Air Show being held this week has an Indian pavilion which is showcasing latest Indian defence wares and core technologies like the 'Rustom' advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the 'Lakshya' pilot-less target aircraft. Speaking to the media in Singapore, DRDO officials indicated that Indian defence technology has attracted interests from Brazil, Canada, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Myanmar, Singapore and Japan.
The Singapore Air Show also had an India Business Forum where Indian Civil Aviation Minister Nasim Zaidi, Dr C G Krishnadas Nair from Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries and other aerospace industry officials highlighted the defence business opportunities in India. India has indicated that it is imperative to collaborate in state-of-art defence products and technologies with foreign nations. During the air show, a tremendous potential for collaboration between Indian and Canadian technology has been acknowledged. The scope of international alliance to enhance the defence products has been broadened with the growth in India's growing expertise and promising indigenous capabilities.
The Singapore Air Show is Asia's premier event which takes place biennially. The current edition is the largest to date with 900 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, including 22 country pavilions and 59 of the world's top 100 aerospace companies. Deals worth about $10 billion were announced at the last show in 2010 and the numbers will escalate with a Asian nations increasing their defence spending.
The Singapore Air Show has also been an opportune occasion for the Indian delegation headed by IAF Chief N.A.K.Browne to further defence ties with Singapore. On the agenda are meetings with Singapore Minister of State for Defence Lawrence Wong and a visit Air Combat Command of Singapore Air Force to meet Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Neo Kian Hong. A meeting with Singapore Air Force Chief Major General Ng Chee Meng has is also a part of the agenda wherein a range of bilateral issues on ongoing defence cooperation and their expansion will be discussed.
Meanwhile, the armies of Singapore and India are getting ready to conduct their annual war games codenamed as 'Exercise Bold Kurukshetra' at Babina in Uttar Pradesh. Both sides will field their mechanized forces in the training engagement and Singapore Army will bring its own tanks for the purpose. Indi and Singapore have already signed an agreement for expanding military cooperation, conducting joint military training, developing military technology and achieving maritime security.
Indian Products Showcased at Singapore Air Show as Both Nations Expand Military Ties
