India has sent its Minister of State of for defence, Dr. Pallam Raju to the Farnborough Air show to reflect India’s clout as a major purchaser of military aircraft.

      The Indian Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju leads a 3-member high-level delegation to represent India at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK. Dr Pallam Raju left New Delhi today along with Secretary, Defence Production, Shri Raj Kumar Singh and Air Marshal S Mukerji, Commander-in-Chief, Southern Air Command as part of the official delegation to the Airshow beginning next week.

      The Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is among the 1,393 exhibitors from 40 countries participating in the biennial event. India is eyeing its biggest ever defence deal, the 126 multi role combat aircraft and several manufacturers including Boeing, SAAB, Lockheed Martin, MiG and Eurofighter will be on hand to impress the minister and the Indian delegation.

      India has made 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.

      India will be among the “star purchasers” of military aircraft at the Farnborough Air show. In addition to fighters and transport planes, India is going to purchase helicopters, aerial refueling planes, trainer aircraft, UAVs and missiles among others.