Bangalore: It might be a month to go before those magnificent men in their mean machines criss-cross the Bangalore skies. The 25,000 square metres of swanky air-conditioned and 10,000 square metres of outdoor space that was available at India's prestigious aerospace and Defence jamboree — Aero India 2007 — has been taken.

Organised jointly by a consortium consisting of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Farnborough International Ltd., a global leader in aerospace exhibitions, the five-day aero show, which promised to be bigger and better than any of the four previous Aero India editions, would take off at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, on the outskirts of Bangalore from February 7.

Aero India 2007 marks the first time that a private body is allowed to organise India's air show, a privilege that hitherto is the preserve of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The department will maintain overall control over the event.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is most likely to be the Chief Guest, the Chief of Air Staff S.P. Tyagi, air chiefs from around 30 countries (who will take part in a global air chiefs conference), official delegations from over 40 countries, and representatives of business corporations from countries will all be in attendance at the air show. Many of the corporations will be vying for orders from Indian buyers both in the Defence and civilian sectors.

A spokesperson from FICCI told The Hindu that given the heightened security concerns, security would be given priority during the event. "People visiting the show should be prepared for this. We are restricting the number of complimentary passes." While the number of exhibitors had gone up to 450 (from the 380 at the previous edition), the number of aircraft that would be seen at the air show would be around 80.

Among the aircraft on view would be the United States of America's F-16 and F-18, Sweden's Grippen, Russia's MiG-29/35 and the French Rafael. The other aircraft that would take part in the show were the maritime patrol aircraft P-3C Orion that India was buying, and India's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Intermediate Jet Trainer and the Advanced Light Helicopter. The show would see the participation of some of the world's leading civilian aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus and mega organisations such as Ariane Space and Indian Space Research Organisation showcasing their wares.

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