The Aero India 2005 show, where dozens of global military and civil aircraft-makers showcase their products, started in Bangalore on Wednesday.
A formation of three Indian Air Force Mi-8 helicopters in the national tricolour and ensigns of the IAF and the aero show marked the start of the five-day event at the Yelahanka airbase, 25 km from Bangalore.
A low-speed formation of three aircraft -- the homegrown Advanced Light Aircraft, the Kiran trainer and the Sukhoi-30 MKI -- flying at a low altitude, gave the audience a taste of things to come.
It was followed by the Intermediate Jet Trainer, the indigenous aircraft being built to train IAF pilots.
When the Tu-142 took to the skies, the dignitaries were reminded that it was the 'albatross of the Indian Navy', which could fly non-stop for over 18 hours.
India's latest acquisition, the Russian-made IL-78 air-to-air refueller, tugged two Mirage 2000 fighters taking fuel over the skies.
An arrowhead formation of three Jaguar aircraft was tailed by three prototypes of Tejas, the homegrown Light Combat Aircraft in the Indian tricolour.
Tejas, the tailless, delta-winged, fly-by-wire, single-engine supersonic fighter, being developed by Department of Research and Development Organisation's Aeronautical Development Agency, made its maiden fight on January 4, 2001 and is expected to replace the IAF's MiG fleet from the next decade.
Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
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