After keeping away from the two previous editions of the aero show, India's prestigious biennial aerospace and aviation technology exposition, because of post-Pokhran sanctions, many US military and civilian firms are staging a comeback to participate in the Aero India 2003, beginning February 5.

With the Bush Administration lifting the sanctions, imposed on India in the wake of the Pokhran nuclear tests in May 1998, as many as 18-20 American firms have confirmed participation in the five-day exhibition, and the three-day international seminar on 'Aerospace Technologies -- Development & Strategies' being held as part of the aero show.

"Though US firms made a modest presence in the first edition of the Aero India in 1996, barring Boeing, many of them kept away from the subsequent aero shows in 1998 and 2001 due to US sanctions against India," Aeronautical Development Establishment director Air Marshall Philip Rajkumar told rediff.com in Bangalore on Wednesday.

This time, besides Boeing, Bell Helicopter Textron, GE Aircraft Engines, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, TEAC America, Pratt & Whitney, and United Technology are among the US firms that will be showcasing their products and technologies in the US Pavilion.

"For the technology summit, we have received registration from 10 US delegates, the largest contingent from overseas, who will be making presentations at the technical sessions. Out of the total 36 foreign speakers, 5 each will be from France and the UK, while 3 each are from Israel and Russia," ADE director M D Aravamudhan stated.

In all, about 180 international aerospace firms from 23 countries, including Russia, France, Italy, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Poland, and the UK are participating this time as against 155 firms from 17 countries two years ago.

Billed as one of the biggest air shows in the world and held at the Indian Air Force base station in Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore, Aero India 2003 will have spectacular display by some of the awesome flying machines such as Sukhoi-MKI30, British Hawk, French Mirages and Jaguars, Russian MiGs and transport planes, and India's fighter aircraft Light Combat Aircraft.

F-16, the US jet fighter, however, will not be flying into Bangalore this time for either static or flying display.

According to Dr V K Aatre, scientific advisor to defence minister, the occasion will be utilized to demonstrate India's prowess in aerospace and aviation technologies and products such as missiles (Agni & Akash, and Brahmos), radars, avionics software, sub-systems, fly-by-wire control systems, and electronic warfare systems.

"Though there will be negotiations among the participant countries for striking deals, India will also engage seriously in selling its wares this time than merely buying. Indian defence organizations and aerospace industries have developed and built state-of-the-art products for global military and civilian use," Aatre asserted.

Besides flying display by the two versions of LCA technology demonstrators (TD1 & TD2), India will also roll out its Saras feeder aircraft, the 14-seater all-weather plane, being designed and built by the Bangalore-based National Aeronautical Laboratories and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

The Intermediate Jet Trainer, which is in the advance stage of completion, will also be on static display at the expo, along with all the versions of HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter, including the civilian variant.

Lakshay, the unmanned aerial vehicle, which attracted global attention and inquires from several countries, including Israel, will be another start attraction at the show.