Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was in the city on Sunday, met the media at Air Force Technical College (AFTC). Alongside her was Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command in Bangalore, who said that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will play a key role in organising next year’s Aero India.

The Defence Exhibition Organisation had organised the event in the past. However, this time around, HAL has been asked to take up the task. The Aero India 2019 will be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka between February 20 and 24, 2019.

In August there were reports that the air show would possibly move to Lucknow. A political slug fest had broken out between the state government and the centre with the former accusing the NDA government of depriving Karnataka an opportunity to event which it has done since 1993.

On September 8, ending months of speculation, the Ministry of Defence announced that the government has decided to hold the Aero India 2019 in Bangalore. This five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with public air shows.