?Indian Army helicopters perform during the Aero India Show 2019 at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore, India, Feb. 20, 2019. The five-day Aero India Show 2019 kicked off on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Stringer)
NEW DELHI, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- India's air show "Aero India 2019" began Wednesday at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru, the capital city of southern Indian state of Karnataka, officials said.
"The 12th edition of Aero India 2019, the international aerospace and defence exhibition, has begun today," a spokesman said.
"The five-day event which has already carved a niche for itself globally as a premier aerospace exhibition in the world will end on Sunday."
Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the show.
According to officials, 61 aircraft including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) indigenous product Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas are all set to roar in the city's skies.
"During the biennial event India's air defence prowess is showcased, which will also act as a platform for leading aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances," the spokesman said.
On Tuesday, two Hawk aircraft of Surya Kiran (Rays of the Sun) aerobatic team crashed close to Yelahanka air force base during the practice for Wednesday's show. One pilot was killed and two others injured in the mid-air crash.
Representatives of defense industry from Russia, France, Israel, Britain, Germany, the United States, Saudi Arabia and others were participating in the event, officials said.
