Bengaluru: Even as the countdown has begun for the first ever Covid era hybrid airshow, uncertainty prevails over participation by several nations with only US and France confirming their presence while that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the curtailed Aero India 2021 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru is yet to be confirmed.

The biennial show to be held from February 3 has been cut down to three days with spectators to be able to see it in virtual mode and as Air Commodore Shailendra Sood, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Yehanka said “we are in a fluid situation due to the pandemic. Many foreign countries that had registered earlier, are withdrawing due to the situation. Only the US and France have confirmed participation and we will get a clear picture only by this month end.”

Spectators will be limited, though the show promises to be magical, with steel birds hitting the Bengaluru skies. For the first time, Surya Kiran jets and Sarang helicopters will perform a combined display of aerobatics. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), which lost one of its pilots after two jets collided during a practice sortie last edition, will be back with a boom.

The advanced multi-mission helicopter Chinook, and advanced multi-role combat helicopter Apache, which were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2020, will also debut at the show. Besides, 41 aircraft including Dakota helicopter, Sukhoi and Tejas fighters will perform, while 63 aircraft will be on static display. Display of foreign aircraft is also expected.

Preparations for the 13th edition of Aero India began almost five months ago. “We have put in place safety measures to follow Covid-19 guidelines. No one can enter the venue without an RT-PCR report dating 72 hours prior to February 3. We have set up isolation centres and anyone with symptoms or fever will be taken there,” Air Commodore Sood said.

The fire mishap in the parking area has led to a number of measures to ensure there is no repeat. The parking zone and other areas have been made ‘no grass zone’, and a detailed plan is in place, with fire tenders in each zone. Fire spotters and hall managers will be deputed in all five hangars, while two IAF helicopters with Bambi buckets will be on standby.

A total of 63 Indian aircraft, including civil aircraft, will be on display at the Aero India 2021. This is higher than the 61 aircraft that took part in the Aero India 2019, officials said.

The flight display after the inaugural day will see the participation of 42 aircraft, including a C-47 Dakota from the 1940s. While international aircraft are expected to participate in the flight display, details are still unclear, the IAF said.

The number of people expected to attend was still unclear but the daily footfall had been capped at 15,000. He clarified that 3,000 additional members of the public will be allowed inside the airbase, although their activities will be restricted to the air display viewing area of the expo.

In addition to participating in the air display, the Sukhoi Su-30 and the Mi-17V5 are also part of the security contingent and will carry out combat patrols around the event.

The Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor which is going to be a part of the show for the first time with more than 463 defence-related companies will be a major stakeholder.

The show offers a unique platform to the international aviation sector to bolster business.