Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the inauguration: “An airport is often the first introduction to a country. A good airport will signal a new India, committed to joining the ranks of modern industrialised nations.”

India’s biggest public building, the Rs 12,700 crore terminal at Indira Gandhi international airport in Delhi, opened on July 3. The steel and glass terminal, being called Terminal 3 (T3), is expected to handle 34 million passengers a year. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the inauguration: “An airport is often the first introduction to a country. A good airport will signal a new India, committed to joining the ranks of modern industrialised nations.” The airport terminal “highlights our country’s resolve to bridge the infrastructure deficiencies in our country,” Singh said.

Everyone, and not just people in the aviation industry, has been taken in by the T3 phenomenon. We would also lik to congratulate the GMR group over this tehnical marvel. Just saying “kudos” probably is not enough. We will take you on a tour of the swanky T3 in our next issue. But there’s enough for you to read between the covers this time.

If your mindspace is still occupied by the T3, you would feel proud of another achievement for the Indian aerospace industry. The special report ‘Flawless First Flight’ is about the industry crossing a significant milestone with the unveiling of the first prototype of the five tonne class light combat helicopter (LCH). If the flight-testing which would involve more than 500 flights, progresses without major glitches, the initial operational clearance can be achieved by 2013 and an in-service induction the following year.

While there have been much to cheer over indigenous efforts, there is an urgent need to have a vibrant defence industry within India to produce state-of-the-art defence equipment. ‘Is more FDI the solution?’ rues the fact that the Indian defence industry still contributes only 30 per cent in meeting the requirements of defence equipment, while nearly 70 per cent continues to be imported. The Forum article ‘A win-win situation’ joins the issue, and goes on the concur that establishing a sound defence manufacturing sector with the help of foreign investors could also lead the country to finally get into the global export market as well.

With India being an attractive market, MBDA, world leader in missiles and missiles systems, has been eyeing India as its fifth pillar after its current partnet countries France, UK, Italy and Germany. Included in this issue is an in-depth interview with Loic Piedevache, the MBDA Group’s country head, on the company’s plans to build a reliable, strategic and long-term partnership in India.

‘US Aerospace Majors’ traces the history of the two American aerospace majors who dominate the international market for military aircraft, Boeing Defence, Space & Security, and Lockheed Martin. And don’t miss out our photofeature on..... (French Naval Aviation Centenary Air Show).

Happy reading.