Make in India dazzles at Bahrain Air Show

As a show of exciting proposition, it was breathtaking, to say the least. The manner the minutest of detail was executed to crystal clear precision, it left everyone wonderstruck. The charming effect was as mesmerising as the men who piloted the aircraft with their sortie-like maneuvers and dexterous dare-devilry.

What gladdened the Indian hearts and made people like me proud was that the honours and spotlight were grabbed by the magnificence of the country’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which the world was seeing for the very first time as it was making its foreign air show debut.

Taken as a whole, the awe-inspiring mid-air thrillers were worth the wait for hundreds and thousands of fortunate people, who were around, and also to millions who could catch the action on small screen. For one who has covered many such out of the ordinary spectacles during a three-decade career as a photo-journalist, even I was left speechless.

The Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) that was inaugurated by Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, and was held from Thursday to Saturday, was spectacular when taken from any angle and under any yardstick. In doing a thorough professional job, the organisers have set a fine example for other countries, most notably to India and other Asian nations, of what a spellbinding global event can bring in as tourism revenue and help strike bilateral deals, along the way.

It was a multi-cultural sea of humanity what with folks coming from across the globe to be part of the historic one-of-its-kind experience and preserve it for posterity. Virtually, all roads led to the picturesque Sakhir Airbase, where one could get lost in a vibrantly energetic world that was loaded with enthralling entertainment, awesome flying displays that rank foremost in the Middle East and getting to taste the finest of world renowned recipes besides interacting with likeminded adventure-seeking foreigners.

Of course, air shows have been held in every other country but somehow the uniqueness of BIAS takes pride of place. It is quite possible that the presence of many of contemporary giants like USAF, USN, DRDO (Tejas), the Sarang Display Team of Indian Air Force, Bell Helicopter, Emirates, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Flying Club, Sukhoi, Russian Knights, Royal Saudi Airforce, Al Jazirah Aviation Club and UAE Al Fursan, to name a few had something to do with organisational acumen that was on show.

Dance, acrobatics, balance and style symbolised the Jump Rope Crew while the Majaz Band, the locally assembled Progressive Fusion Folk entity, and the charmingly petite Hanan Redha, who captivated the audience with her mellifluous renderings, enlivened the proceedings all through the three days of pomp and gaiety.

However, all these would perhaps take a backseat when one talks of the five-hour visual spectacle in the sky featuring aerobatic display teams, military aircraft that blended with the historic, iconic and the modern that one could witness from grandstand seating. It was an unimaginable rhapsody that zoomed in and shot over heads when some of the acclaimed individuals and aircraft penetrated through the skies.

Nine-time British aerobatic champion, Mark Jefferies, flying his Extra 330SC presented amazing twists and turns with his plane while Russian Knights, Saudi Hawks and UAE Al Fursan demonstrated that they were second to none when it came to mastery over the skies. Twisters Twilight Pyrotechnic Display did not disappoint the enthusiastic fans on its return. The enchantment has not diminished one bit.

To me as an Indian who takes pride whenever there is a straight-from-the-heart salutation, I was pleasantly moved by the overwhelming applause reserved for Indian capabilities. This time around the loudest cheers came for the intellectually innovative creative outpourings from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) that were backed by qualitative expertise from IAF, CEMILAC, DGAQA and CSI .

Specialised teams from these wings combined to elevate India’s image with the finesse that went into Tejas and Advanced Light Helicopter that is the soul of Sarang Helicopter Display Team, which has been the Brand Ambassador of IAF since 2003. After its international debut at Singapore in 2004, the team has astounded the world with its performances in Chile, the UAE, Berlin and the United Kingdom. At BIAS, the applause was as deafening as were the flights crossing the frontiers with nonchalance.

The reception that was accorded to Sushma Swaraj on her arrival and during her stay, including at Sakhir Airbase is but an indication of the respect Indians command in the kingdom. It is a good augury that this ‘dress-rehearsal’ has happened just ahead of Republic Day celebrations. It is for certain that François Hollande will be bowled over and turn envious seeing India’s military might on display at the parade. The Make in India superiority will bedazzle the august guest of honour, if one may take the liberty of saying so!