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Display teams to dominate Aero India 2013
By SP's Special Correspondent
Photo Credit: Rafale: Dassault Aviation; Russian Knights: Russian Knights /Wikimedia Commons; FLying Bulls: DPR Defence; F-16: DPR Defence; Sarang: DPR Defence
Rafale
Russian Knights and Swifts
FLying Bulls
F-16
Sarang
January 28, 2013: With the Medium Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MMRCA) bid making its way towards a contract award, Aero India this year will bear a more resigned visage, at least as far as the roar of fighter engines is concerned. In its stead will be the heart-stopping and relentless roar of aerobatics teams from around the world. Debuting at Aero India 2013 will be the world-famous Rafale display team and the Russian Knights, which operates the Su-27 Flanker. Both teams have performed around the world to great appreciation and have decided to bring their show to India for the first time this year.
The Rafale team's presence is understandable—as the platform in line for the country's largest ever single defence contract to be signed this year, the fielding of the Rafale display team serves as a sign of commitment. The Russian Knights presence is likely to have been a diplomatic gesture to bail out what may have been an otherwise lacklustre show this year, or perhaps a token of gratitude for the recently signed contract for 42 additional Su-30MKIs, a platform that traces its legacy to the venerable Su-27 that the Knights operate. The Czech Flying Bulls, who stopped a lot of hearts with their amazing show two years ago in Yelahanka, return this year with their Zlin modified propeller trainers for what promises to be another great show.
The inexplicable final entrant in terms of fighters this year is a USAF F-16 display team, which has been a constant fixture at the show for the last few iterations. It is not clear what purpose fielding the F-16s serves, considering the platform is out of the MMRCA race. This could, once again, be a diplomatic gesture by the US for a slew of American wins in the Indian contracting space in recent months. The popular Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team, which was disbanded last year, hopes to be reborn soon with Hawk trainers, but is nowhere near ready to make a comeback, and will therefore give this year's show a miss—a lot of fans will be disappointed. However, the equally popular Sarang team, which operates the Dhruv helicopter, will be back again this year to put up their incredible show.
Rafale
Flying Bulls
F-16
Sarang
The Rafale team's presence is understandable—as the platform in line for the country's largest ever single defence contract to be signed this year, the fielding of the Rafale display team serves as a sign of commitment. The Russian Knights presence is likely to have been a diplomatic gesture to bail out what may have been an otherwise lacklustre show this year, or perhaps a token of gratitude for the recently signed contract for 42 additional Su-30MKIs, a platform that traces its legacy to the venerable Su-27 that the Knights operate. The Czech Flying Bulls, who stopped a lot of hearts with their amazing show two years ago in Yelahanka, return this year with their Zlin modified propeller trainers for what promises to be another great show.
The inexplicable final entrant in terms of fighters this year is a USAF F-16 display team, which has been a constant fixture at the show for the last few iterations. It is not clear what purpose fielding the F-16s serves, considering the platform is out of the MMRCA race. This could, once again, be a diplomatic gesture by the US for a slew of American wins in the Indian contracting space in recent months. The popular Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team, which was disbanded last year, hopes to be reborn soon with Hawk trainers, but is nowhere near ready to make a comeback, and will therefore give this year's show a miss—a lot of fans will be disappointed. However, the equally popular Sarang team, which operates the Dhruv helicopter, will be back again this year to put up their incredible show.
Rafale
Flying Bulls
F-16
Sarang
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