Aero India 2009

Aero India, Asia's premier air show and very much awaited event in Bengaluru concluded on 15th February 2009. I've been going to this event since 2001 and this was my fifth time.
Though the spirit levels and enthusiasm in me was a bit debilitated,this time I did manage to go there , that too on time!
Now that the new airport is ready, the road to the IAF station in Yelahanka (where the event takes place) is excellent.

Aero India 2005
(the Surya Kiran team doing the Heart maneuver)

After seeing the show I noticed that this time the Air show did lack some caliber. Unlike earlier versions the number of Jets flying were less and the sorties they did were also less.
The reasons , I inferred was that mainly the interest of Indian Government towards Defense purchases. In 2007 the Govt expressed their desire to purchase few crafts so almost every Aerospace giant thronged to cash in the situation. But when nothing really happened every body seem to have lost interest. This reflected on the Airshow this year. This time the only majors luring the IAF were the Lockheed Martin with their F-16 and F-18 and the Euro fighter Typhoon. These three Jets were the only interested people in selling the crafts, so were very invigorated with their flights.

Aero India 2007(MiG 35)

The rest like Mikoyan-Gurevich(MiG) and Sukhoi weren't all that impressive unlike the earlier versions.
The absence of SAAB's Gripen, BAE's Hawk/Sea harrier made the show a lacsture performance.
The Surya Kiran team- the show stealers every time didn't manage to do it this time because of the ailing team who were mourning the loss of one of the team member who died in an accident while training in Bidar,Karnataka.

Aero India 2009(Su-30 MKI)

But the trade exhibition didn't let my hopes down as it was very good, with the German airforce-Luftwaffe participating in huge number for the very first time in Aero India impressed me.

Although all these factors did hinder the show's attraction it did impress freaks like me.
I have put up some photos here and some videos here. Please have a look and put in some comments.
Hope to you again in 2011,
Bye bye Aero India!