Bahrain: Stunning aerobatic stunts will be performed by Indian fighter jets at next month’s Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS).
It will be the first time the fighter jets, called Tejas, will be flown outside India’s
airspace.
The fourth edition of the show will be held from January 21 to January 23 under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad at the Sakhir Airbase.
It is being organised by the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry and the Royal Bahraini Air Force in association with Farnborough International.
An Indian Embassy official told the GDN that two helicopters, Dhruv and Sarang, will also be on display along with the two
fighter jets.
“We are expecting a delegation of around 60 people from India taking part in this prestigious air show that will be held in Bahrain next month,” said First Secretary Ram Singh.
The fighter jets will take part in a flyby and the Indian Air Force pilots have been rehearsing stunning manoeuvres in India, a report in the Asian Age daily stated yesterday.
“They will head to Bahrain in January after refuelling stops at Jamnagar and Muscat,” it said.
Sources quoted in the paper said top technocrats of Indian Defence Ministry and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will also attend
the air show.
The BIAS will offer visitors aerial entertainment that includes the Hawks from Saudi Arabia, UAE’s Al Fursan, the Russian Knights and the SWIP Twister display team who are set to thrill visitors with their amazing night-time display.
“The flying display is expected to provide a spectacular five-hour visual treat in the sky featuring aerobatic display teams, military aircraft, historic and modern,” organisers said in a statement.
Nine times British aerobatic champion and BIAS regular, Mark Jefferies, will be returning to the show this year as he will entertain the crowds with twists and turns
in the sky.
Highlights will also include a heritage handicrafts village as well as a wide range of games and activities to suit all ages, including a flight simulator.
Several major contracts are expected to be signed during the event which will also mark 200 years of relations between the UK
and Bahrain.
A strong British presence is expected at the air show that will provide a business platform for international aviation companies from civil, military and defence sectors. Senior decision-makers from the industry and delegations from numerous countries will come together to take part in the show and related events.
The GDN earlier reported that all available exhibition spaces have been booked.
Tickets for the air show cost BD10 daily for adults and BD5 for youngsters aged
under 16.
People who buy 20 or more tickets, for any of the three days of the show, will receive a five per
cent discount.