The five-day event is expected to have the participation of exhibitors from over 700 companies covering an approximate gross exhibition area of 1,25,000 sqm. The largest overseas participation is seen from the US with indoor space occupied being 1,185 sqm followed by Israel and Russia Other major participants are companies from France, UK, Germany and Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Ukraine, Australia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, UAE and Singapore.

In this ninth edition of Aero India event there will be delegations from 78 countries.

To the visitors of Aero India-2013 Air Force Station Yelahanka will provide a wonderful sight of a wide range of aircraft. The vintage Tiger Moth will take to the sky as also the C-17 Globmaster III, the largest strategic heavy lift aircraft. The latter is the latest to join the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Tiger Moth aircraft resurrected recently as part of the IAF vintage flight will fly for the first time in the Aero India 2013. This would showcase the spectrum of technological advancement between the ‘Moth’ and the ‘Master’.

The 'de Havilland DH82 ‘Tiger Moth' is a two-seat, single bay biplane powered by a 145 hp Gypsy Major four cylinder inverted air-cooled engine. It was the primary trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and was also the basic trainer aircraft in the IAF right from 1940. Training schools in the IAF operated the Tiger Moth and later it was replaced by the HT-2.The Tiger Moth has no electric system and has to be started manually. Even it is refueled manually by pouring fuel in the tank above on the biplane.

The Indian Air Force is procuring this latest heavyweight from the US. Globemaster is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 77.5 tonne, including combat vehicles, artillery guns and battle-ready troops and will strengthen India's strategic capabilities. The four-engine aircraft is capable of take-off and landing on makeshift runways, barely 3,500-feet long and 90-feet wide.

The sky over Air Force Station Yelhanka would treat the spectators with the flight of these to aviation marvels representing different era.

This biennial event would be inaugurated by the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony on February 6, 2013.

This biennial air show and aviation exhibition which is organised by the Defence Ministry of India along with the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Department of Space and the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry aims at showcasing the range of products and services offered by the Indian defence industry in the international market. It intends to provide an exposure to Indian Armed Forces, R&D personnel and young engineers, to the latest technologies and advancements in the aviation and aerospace industries. The event manager will be the apex Indian industry body, FICCI.

The participation in Aero India has grown exponentially by both, Indian and international industry since the first edition, in December 1996. This growth has immensely contributed towards modernization of the aviation and aerospace sector of the three wings of the Armed Forces of India.

The first edition of Aero India was held in December 1996 with an objective to provide significant platform for business opportunities in the International Aviation sector as well as to exhibit capabilities of Indian Defences R&D and production. Being a biennial event subsequent editions were held in 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. While a modest 176 companies participated in the second edition of Aero India in 1996, in the eighth edition of Aero India in 2011 more than 600 companies from 29 countries participated occupying a gross exhibition area of 75,000 sqm.

The largest international participation for indoor exhibition, area-wise, will be by the US and outdoor exhibition by EADS. US will be followed by Israel and Russia in this category. Maximum participants from any single country will be from US, followed by France, UK, Russia, Germany, Israel and Belgium.

A total of 27 countries are participating with 10 country pavilions namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Israel, Russia, Germany, France, USA, UK and Ukraine.

The leader of the Indian representation (DRDO – ADA) with the largest indoor and outdoor area of approximately 2561 sq m, will be closely followed by HAL, BEL and TATA. This edition has seen a large increase in participation by medium and small Indian and Foreign industries.

With an aim to reach out to the youth of the country a Youth Pavilion dedicated to encouraging participation from undergraduate students from prominent engineering colleges of India has been initiated this year. This novel initiative intends targeting young Indian minds and stimulating them to focus towards development in the field of aviation and technology in general and military aviation in particular.

Improving upon the past air shows, a large number of initiatives have been taken to improve upon the visitor’s experience and security this time. Registration for visitors to the air show and sale of tickets is online, wherein a unique ID would be generated on filling the details. The tickets can then be collected from 10 ticket collection centers in the city on production of the unique ID generated. Photo ID is mandatory for entry to the air show. There is no cash sale of tickets for the air show this time.

Layered security would be provided by the state police and specialised security agencies including the DSC, CISF, Para SF and Garud commandos. A comprehensive security plan with counter terrorism squads, bomb disposal squad and CCTV surveillance will be in place. Likewise, a comprehensive disaster management plan has been put in place and exercised to cater for various contingencies.

Several health care facilities have been provided to take care of any emergencies. These include a hospital and medical health post, blood bank, ground air ambulance for casualty evacuation at Air Force Station, Yelahanka.

There is a 40- bed hospital with all required health facilities set-up at the venue. Additionally, two medical aid posts are also set up for the entire duration of show. To meet any emergency there are 18 ambulances always ready to move to the site for the entire duration of the show. To meet the blood requirement in case of any mishap 10 blood banks have also been established at the Aero India venue. One air ambulance of AN-32 aircraft and one helicopter ambulance made by MI-17 helicopter of Indian Air Force are also ready to meet any eventuality involving heath care at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, the venue of this prestigious international air show.