'Make in India' theme of Aero India 2015

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) 'Make in India' will be the theme for the Aero India show this year, the defence ministry said Monday.

Topping the list of participant countries was the US, with 64 companies scheduled to take part in the event Feb 18-22.

The US is followed by France with 58 companies, Britain with 48 and Russia with 41.

The Aero India-2015 -- the 10th international edition of the aerospace and aviation exhibition in Bengaluru -- will include sectors like defence manufacturing and airport infrastructure besides aerospace, defence and civil aviation.

Describing the biennial event organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) as one of the largest premium airshows in Asia, secretary for defence production in the ministry's G. Mohan Kumar outlined the impetus of the 'Make in India' initiative during the forthcoming edition of the event.

The show will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As many as 54 ministerial and high-level delegations from several countries are expected to attend the exhibition. The event will see participation by over 600 companies -- 295 Indian and 328 foreign companies.

Around 300 CEOs from Indian and foreign industries are expected to attend the event.

Business-to-business (B2B) and roundtable meetings of Indian companies with those of Israel, Britain and Poland will also be held at the event.

Heads and representatives from the Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces besides service chiefs from nine other countries are also among those attending the event.

Three states -- Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh -- will have Special Economic Zone (SEZ) pavilions.

Defence ministry officials said a record number of small and medium enterprises are also attending the event, which would eventually help in pushing the 'Make in India' campaign.

While the number of aircraft participating in static and air displays is tentatively 72, scintillating and enthralling displays by the Indian Air Force Sarang Team, air display teams from Sweden, Britain, Czech Republic and open sky jump by US Special Forces are among the major attractions at Aero India-2015.

Among the foreign military aircraft that will be seen at the airshow include F-15C Eagle, Lockheed F-16C, Boeing KC-135, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Rafale Dassault and Emb-145 I.

The foreign civil aircraft participation includes PC-12 NG, Falcon 2000, Phenom 100E, Boeing B 75, Boeing A 75, Viking, Catwalk, WASP, RRJ 95, EMB 505, Bell 407 GX Helicopter, King Air 350 ER, 19-seater Turbo Prop AI Industry, Z Lin Z 50 LX, Oma Sud Sky Car, Falcon 7 X and Dornier 228-New Gen.