NEW DELHI \u2014 The 10th edition of the biannual Aero India show will not showcase a flight display by any Russian aircraft, despite ongoing programs between the two countries, while the US is expected to have the largest corporate presence with 64 companies, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the theme of this year’s show will be “Make in India,” G. Mohan Kumar, (cq), <\/span>secretary of defense, production, in the Ministry of Defence, announced said (MoD), <\/span>at a press conference here Feb. 9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of a policy to boost the domestic defense industry, nearly 60 percent of the $100 billion in weapon purchases planned for the next 10 years will be executed through India vendors who will then tie up with overseas defense companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the United States, 33 other countries will attend, including France, which will be the second biggest participant represented by 58 companies, followed by the UK with 48, Russia with 41, Israel with 25 and Germany with 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A total of 54 countries will also <\/span>be represented, though some only by political delegations and not by companies, and will attend the inaugural event. Besides 54 ministerial and other high-level delegations from several countries that <\/span>and are slated to attend the inaugural event. [<\/span><\/span>WHY INAUGURAL, AND DOES THAT MEAN 54 COUNTRIES ARE REPRESENTED?OK]<\/span> “The exhibition will also see participation by over 600 companies, including 295 Indian and 328 foreign companies,” says a Defence Ministry n MoD <\/span>press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Russia and India are jointly developing a fifth-generation fighter based on the Sukhoi T-50, and Russian President Vladmir Putin offered to sell Ka-226 light utility helicopters when he met with personally <\/span>offered during his summit talks with <\/span>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December. But neither aircraft will perform demonstration flights at the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n