The 8th International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence and Civil Aviation Aero India 2011, which is one of the biggest among such events in Asia, is hosted at the Air Force Station Yelahanka in the suburbs of Bangaluru from 9th to 13th February 2011. The Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosoboronexport, a regular participant in the air show, is promoting more than 80 items of weapons and military equipment.

Aerospace systems have always been a centrepiece in the defence cooperation between Russia and India. It was in 1964 when the first batch of the MiG-21 aircraft was delivered to India and our countries started then their modern-era military cooperation. The mutually advantageous collaboration has been maintained for decades, and is now raised to a strategic partnership level. Last visit to India of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev testifies to the high status of our relations. A number of important agreements were signed, including a feasibility study contract for the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) development programme. That was a start of the joint programme implementation. Similar developments are also carried out by USA and China. Thanks to the cooperation with Russia, India can be justly classed now in their number.

Just as prospective is a development programme for the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) which is planned to enter service with Air Forces of both countries in future. The aircraft is intended for active operation by both military services and commercial air lifting companies.

“We are moving up to deep-rooted cooperation and joint development of advanced systems. It does require a renewed level of trust. It is one thing to sell finished items or assemble them by licence, and it is quite different to implement programmes such as the fifth generation fighter aircraft, transport aircraft MTA or BrahMos missiles. We have already started, as it is, a number of major programmes that will define future defence capabilities of our countries”, – said Viktor Komardin, deputy director general of Rosoboronexport and head of delegation in India.

Russia was the first country which started transferring to India up-to-date aerospace, land and maritime equipment technologies. One of the most revealing examples is licence production of the Su-30MKI aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This modification of the fighter aircraft was developed by Russian manufacturers specifically to satisfy exacting requirements of the Indian Air Force. Su-30MKI proved to be a highly effective and reliable system. It is worthy of noting that in 2009 President of India Pratibha Patil made a flight on this fighter aircraft.

India also produces by licence the RD-33 series 3 engines for the MiG-29 fighters. The huge operational experience amassed by this type aircraft and existing infrastructure in the Indian Air Force give odds to the Russian fighter MiG-35 participating in the MMRCA tender. Specialists who wish to find full details on the aircraft should visit the Rosoboronexport stand.

There they will also find promotional materials and mock-ups of the Yak-130 combat trainer, Su-35 multi-role super-manoeuvrable fighter featuring design technologies of the fifth generation fighters, two versions of the IL-76MD (one powered with the D-30KP, the other – with the PS-90 engine), IL-78MK tanker, MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB ship-borne combat aircraft.

It is expected that visitors will show great interest in the Be-200 multi-role amphibian aircraft which can be equipped, on customer request, with a set of up-to-date open-architecture surveillance and detection systems enabling it to perform maritime reconnaissance, search-and-rescue as well as cargo/troops transportation and medical evacuation missions.

At Aero India 2011 Rosoboronexport offers its foreign customers a wide range of helicopter systems. In recent years exports of Russian rotary-wing aircraft have been steadily growing. Amongst the most popular export items one finds a family of the Mi-17 military helicopters, being delivered these days also to the Indian Air Force. Proven and effective in operation, these helicopters continue conquering new markets.

Due attention will be paid to the Mi-28NE helicopter, a participant in the Indian tender for the supply of 22 attack helicopters. A number of publications have pointed out that Russia will substantially strengthen its trade positions when this helicopter is promoted to the international market. The Mi-28NE helicopter employs a wide range of weapons, boasts unique survivability features, and can operate at any time of day and night under most adverse weather conditions. These helicopters started entering service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2009. Pilots praise first-class flight and combat qualities of the machines.

Among other types one sees the Ka-226T light multi-role helicopter, which participates in the tender invited by the Indian Army. The Ka-226T advantages have to do with its service ceiling, coaxial rotor layout, and options available for various mission modules installation allowing one helicopter to perform a wide range of tasks. Specialists will undoubtedly be interested in Mi-26T2, a participant in the Indian tender for the supply of heavy lift helicopters. This unique model just has no rivals as regards its load-carrying capacity (up to 20 tonnes). It has demonstrated excellent performance characteristics during rescue operations, in most enduring cargo transportation missions and erecting works.

Visitors to the air show will also be able to learn more about the Mi-35M combat- transport helicopter, Ka-31 reconnaissance helicopter, Ansat and Ka-32A11VS multi-purpose helicopters. At the Rosoboronexport stand visitors can be briefed on a wide range of aviation armament, modern training aids and unmanned air vehicles, in particular such as the Dozor air monitoring system.

Russian-made air defence equipment, rightly considered to be one of the world’s best, makes an integral part of Russia’s expositions at air shows. Air defence assets marketed by Rosoboronexport can be used to build up an integrated air defence system capable of intercepting and defeating targets at various ranges and altitudes. Specialists will not fail to glean information about the S-300VM Antey-2500, Tor-M2E and Buk-M2E air defence missile systems, as well as an upgraded version of the well-reputed Tunguska-M1 air defence gun/missile system. In addition, the information on the Igla-S MANPADS and Strelets control equipment and launch modules developed to fire these missiles will be available at the Rosoboronexport stand.

The Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosoboronexport is the sole company in Russia authorized to export full range of defense–related and dual-use products, technologies and services. The official status of Rosoboronexport secures the guaranteed state support in all operations. Rosoboronexport is ranked among the major companies on the global arms market and accounts for over 80% of Russia’s annual arms sales. Russia maintains military-technical cooperation with over 70 countries worldwide.

Rosoboronexport invites its current and future partners to establish long-term, mutually beneficial relations that will guarantee successful solutions to defense and security problems.