Under the memorandum of understanding reached between HAL and Israel Avionics recently, the two companies will  start marketing the ALH in "right earnest" at the fourth International Aerospace Exposition to be held in Bangalore from February 5 to 9.

The ministry has applied for a licence for the ALH from the directorate general of civil aviation and this is expected to come through soon, Joint Secretary Rakesh Srivastava said.

Srivastava said Iraq, Mauritius and Sri Lanka had shown an interest in acquiring the military version of the ALH, which has already been supplied to the army, air force, navy and coast guard.

The military version, a twin-engined chopper, can be used for heliborne operations, reconnaissance, air observation and anti-ship and anti-submarine operations. It weighs five tonnes and can operate in extreme weather conditions.

While the naval version is equipped with sonars and torpedos, the army version is fitted with rockets, among other weapons.

Briefing reporters on the air show, Tapan Ray, joint secretary for exports in the defence ministry, said the exposition would show the world the achievements of Indian companies in the public and private sectors in the design, development and production of planes and allied systems.

As many as 68 aircraft, including 16 from foreign countries, will be participating in the show for which the government has earmarked Rs 8 crore [approximately US $ 1.67 million].

Besides India's latest prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft, the show will have IAF planes like the new MiG-21 Bison, Jaguar, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000. Cheetah, ALH and Mi-8 choppers along with Dornier transport planes will also be displayed.

Western fighter aircraft like the F-16 from the United States, MiG-29 M2 and the MiG-AT advanced jet trainer from Russia, the Hawk AJT from the United Kingdom, and the Transsali C-160 from Germany are also expected to be at the show.

Around 176 companies from 22 countries, including the France, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Brazil, Belgium, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Belarus, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Romania and the Ukraine, have agreed to participate in the show. The public-sector undertakings under the defence ministry will also be there.

Flying of various types of aircraft will be an added attraction at the exposition on a daily basis in addition to a seminar on 'Aerospace Technologies -- Development and Strategies'.