Antony and Merkel to open the ILA2008 in Berlin

Berlin: Germany’s Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel will open the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA2008 on 27 May during a 90-minute tour of the event. She will be accompanied by Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony, the Minister of Defence of India, this year’s partner country, Michael Glos, Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, Matthias Platzeck, Minister President of the Land Brandenburg, Harald Wolf, Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economics, Technology and Women, and Jürgen Thumann, President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).
As the partner country at the ILA2008, India has announced the largest ever display by its aerospace sector outside its own borders. Among the aircraft which Hindustan Aeronautics is intending to show for the first time in Germany, both on the ground and in the air, are a single-engined jet trainer, the HJT-36 “Sitara”, and the “Dhruv” light military and civilian helicopter. One of the main highlights will be an appearance by the “Sarang” helicopter team, flying four Dhruvs.
The opening tour will commence at 12.30 p.m. at the display commemorating the “60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift” on the eastern side of the exhibition site (Display 1). The programme will include a brief opening ceremony next to the Airbus A 380 with addresses by Federal Chancellor Merkel, India's Defence Minister Antony and the BDLI President Enders.
Dietmar Schrick, Chief Executive of the BDLI: “Once again the ILA 2008 set-up, with its wide-ranging display, provides convincing proof of the capabilities of the aerospace industry. This sector continues its successful growth, and with its various events the ILA is in tune with the entire sector.”
20/05/08 Ganesh/Machinist.in

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Categories: Berlin air show 2008