Around 1,393 exhibitors from 40 countries participating in the Farnborough Airshow in the UK next week are expected to preview the changes in India?s Defence Procurement Policy (DPP), which is slated to be released next month.
Senior defence ministry officials told FE, ?The minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju, leading a 3-member high-level delegation to the airshow starting July 19-23, is likely to give a preview of the changes being incorporated in the new DPP which is scheduled to be released next month.? DPP 2010 will focus on reducing the delays in the procurements. The changes also relate to value addition, focus on critical technologies, a conducive taxation regime and strengthening of research and development.
?Since India will be among the ?star purchasers? of military aircraft at the airshow, a preview of the new DPP will attract more companies to India,? the officials said. In addition to fighters and transport planes, India is going to purchase helicopters, aerial refueling planes, trainer aircraft, UAVs and missiles among others.
India is eyeing its biggest ever defence deal?126 multi role combat aircraft and several manufacturers including Boeing, SAAB, Lockheed Martin, MiG and Eurofighter will be on hand to impress the Indian delegation. Several big-ticket defence purchases over the last few months, including the Boeing P8i reconnaissance plane, the Lockheed Martin C130J Hercules and the proposed purchase of the C-17 heavy lift cargo plane have been made.
The show will incorporate a mixture of modern civil and military aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, which is one of the contenders for the $ 10-billion 126 MMRCA, Airbus A380 and the Viking Twin Otter 400; some historic icons like the B-52, Vulcan, Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, as well as the exciting aerobatics teams like the world-famous RAF Red Arrows and The Blades will be there.
During the show, a number of exciting aircraft are making debuts at Farnborough, including Boeing which will launch the new 787 Dreamliner, Airbus will display the A400M in the flying display.