Bangalore: As India declared its resolve not to prune its defence budget despite the economic recession, major aerospace players like Boeing and France participating in the 7th edition of the Aero India show here stepped up their business initiatives to bag more orders from the country.
Seeking to send a strong signal over India's position to accord top priority for security related issues, Defence Minister A K Antony, after inagurating the biennial event, had declared "In keeping with the country's security interests, the government will not slash defence expenditure despite the economic recession".
Jet, set and go: 7th Aero India show takes off
"Our Defence expendigture at present is about 2.5 per cent of our GDP. Despite economic recession there is no question of scaling down our defence expenditure or compromising with our acquisition programmes", he said.
On the inaugural day, leading defence aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce sought to aggressively market its MK 821 engine for the IAF's Jaguar in the face of a stiff competition from its competitor Honeywell and France expressed its readiness to transfer surface-to-air missile technology to DRDO to enable India build its own version of missle.
Rolls-Royce's Defence Aerospace Managing Director, Martin Fausset said his firm was pitching its Adour MK 821 engine for IAF's Jaguar upgradation programme, for which its competitor Honeywell is also in the race.
"Adour MK 821 meets all the Indian Air Force's upgradation requirement", he said seeking to impress upon India and dismissed his competitors claims that the new engine would add weight to the Jaguar.
Interview: UK-India defence ties
France, which is one of the contenders for India's 126 fighter jets contract, said the Rafale aircraft made by Dassault Aviation was currently present at all stages of evaluation in India in its bid for the contract.
French Minister of State for Defence Jean-Marie Bockel said his country was ready to transfer technology of its surface-to-air missile to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) so that India can build its version. The technology transfer offer was currently under discussion with Indian authorities, he said.
Bockel, however, did not commit himself when queried whether France would stop sales of weapons to Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai terror strike, but remarked, "France wants Pakistan to act very concretely and fully against terrorism at all levels of the state".
Another leading aerospace major Boeing said it was competing to bag an order for six aircraft required by India and an evaluation team would evaluate the aircraft.
"We are at a competitive stage. India had made a request for proposal last summer and it had responded in November," Rick Buck, Programme Manager, International Programme, Airbase Anti-Submarine Warfare of Beoing said.
'No favouritism in fighter aircraft contract'
The opening day witnessed display of aerial prowess of participating nations who showcased their products and cutting edge technologies.
"The P8I-P8 MRA combine would have help India lead tthe world in maritime domain awareness and supremacy", said Rick.
On the modifications made in PI8 for India, he said Boeing ensured suitable modifcation as per customer requirments. For India, the focus was on affordability, reliability and capability, he said.
Special on Aero India Show 2009
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