Czech Republic participated in Aero India

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi, with the support of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, organized a participation in the Aero India 2021 show in Bengaluru from February 2 to 6, 2021. Personally, on the spot and in physical form 5 Czech companies presented themselves and 2 professional associations were present at a joint exhibition stand. The delegation was led by Ambassador Milan Hovorka, who met with the highest Indian representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, and individual armed forces and personally supported Czech-Indian cooperation in the defence and aviation industries. The event, which was considered to be very successful, symbolizes the determination of Czech and Indian companies to cooperate, despite the adversity and epidemiological situation that prevented the physical participation of even more participants.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi provided the participants with a number of activities, which were secured with the support of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. The main pillar of the program was participation in the Aero India 2021 show, the most important military aviation event in South Asia, but at present probably also on a larger scale. An exhibition stand was secured for the Czech participants of the mission, with state-of-the-art design, which was carefully prepared for Czech exhibitors together with the foreign offices of CzechTrade in Mumbai and Bengaluru, who actively participated not only in the preparations, but also in the actual implementation.

In parallel with the physical exposition, Czech companies were also given the opportunity to present themselves at a virtual fair, which was used by 5 Czech companies for presenting their products at a virtual stand, while another 1 virtual booth was created jointly by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Delhi, Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic and CzechTrade.

Another activity provided for the participants of the mission was a networking buffet dinner, during which the delegates were given printed catalogs of the mission, designed especially for the purpose of introducing themselves during the meetings. In addition to the printed catalogue, the companies also presented themselves in a virtual catalog on the fair's website.

In terms of meetings, this year's Aero India 2021 has been overwhelming. Ambassador M. Hovorka discussed a number of issues in the field of aviation and defence cooperation between the two countries with heads of all major armed forces - Bipin Rawat (Chief of Defence Staff), Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadaurya (Chief of Air Staff), and admiral Karambir Singh (Chief of the Naval Staff). Another important meeting at which companies had the opportunity to present themselves was the one with the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Important meetings were also arranged with the Secretary Defence, Ajay Kumar, and also with Secretary Defence Production, Ministry of Defence of India, Mr. Raj Kumar. On Thursday, February 4, the delegation was also received by the Chairman of the DRDO and Secretary, Department of Defence, R & D, Dr. Satheesh Reddy. Here, the Indian side presented a proposal for further cooperation and set out a follow-up, which the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Delhi, in cooperation with the entities concerned on the Czech side, will prepare.