For the first time, India will roll out its complete array of missiles, including the submarine-launched-ballistic missile (SLBM) Sagarika, which was test-fired recently off the east coast, at Aero India 2013 commencing here on Wednesday.
Sagarika will top the list of missiles to be displayed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The models of other missiles to be put on show include Agni-V, the inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), various variants of Prithvi, surface-to-air missile Akash, and beyond visual range (BVR) missile Astra being developed for made-in-India fighter jet Tejas, sources in DRDO told this newspaper.
The sources said a host of products and technologies developed indigenously — UAVs, gadgets for electronic warfare, avionics, radars, special materials for aerospace applications, sensors on aircraft, and simulators — would be exhibited during the show. “We are going to demonstrate that we have the best of technology and systems at the show. A simulator, complete with cockpit consoles and on the lines of one developed for Tejas will be on show. We will have experts to explain about all these systems to delegates from other countries and the public as we want to publicise our expertise in a wide range of defence technologies and products,” the sources added.
On the tarmac, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) would set up the trainer and naval versions of Tejas complete with its weapon systems. One fighter from the limited series production (LSP) would be reserved for visits by VVIPs and head honchos of global aerospace majors. One fighter, fitted with smoke winders on both wings, would demonstrate the agility of the indigenous jet twice a day throughout the show. This fighter would cross a milestone of 2,000 hours of flying during the event.
The sources said for the first time, a model of the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), the next generation fighter scheduled to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2025, would be unveiled at the five-day event.