Aero India 2021: US B-1B Lancer heavy bomber to ‘fly-by’ in February air show

Last updated on February 6th, 2021 at 08:59 am

13^th Aero India International Air Show is scheduled from February 3 to February 5 at Air Force Yelahanka, Bengaluru. During the show, fly-by will be performed by United States’ B-1B Lancer heavy bomber. 

The 13th edition of the Aero India air show is being organized by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization). 

The US Consulate at Chennai said on Friday, “Among the highlights of the show, a B-1B Lancer heavy bomber, of the 28^th Bomb Wing based out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, will perform a fly-by.” 

B-1B Lancer is a supersonic heavy bomber and is capable to operate in missions across the world from its bases in the US, apart from forward-deployed locations. The fact that the United States is participating in the Indian air show indicates strengthening strategic and defense relationships between the nations. 

Don Heflin, US Charge d’Affaires is going to lead a high-level US delegation of government officials and representatives from the defense industry to the February event. 

Various US defense companies that will participate in Aero India 2021 air show include Aerospace Quality Research and Development LLC, Airborn Inc., Boeing, IEH Corporation, GE Aviation, General Atomics, Hi-Tech Import-Export Corporation, L3Harris, Laversab India, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Trakka Systems. 

Heflin said, “I am pleased to head this year’s US delegation to Aero India to show our continued commitment to strengthening US-India defense cooperation, in line with India’s status as a Major Defense Partner.” He added, “US participation in Aero India 2021 reflects our increasingly close bilateral ties and our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” 

Celebrating India’s first hybrid defense show, the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Hawaii is also scheduled to perform with Indian percussion (ghatam0 artist Giridhar Udupa. A broadcast of collaboration will be done later on US Embassy and Consulate’s Instagram and Facebook pages. 

The US delegation will follow all Covid-19 related precautionary protocols and preventive requirements as per Government of India and US Department of Defense.