After row over venue, Aero India 2019 to be held in Bengaluru from February 20-24

Amidst all the speculations and controversy, Aero India 2019 will be held in Karnataka's Bengaluru from 20-24 February 2019.

The five-day event will combine a trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with public air shows.

Aero India has traditionally been organised at the Indian Air Force's Yelahanka air base on the outskirts of Bengaluru since its inception in 1996.

A political slugfest had erupted between the BJP at the Centre and the Karnataka government led by the Congress-JD(S) combine after reports claimed that the central government was contemplating to move the event to Lucknow in a bid to project Uttar Pradesh as a manufacturing hub.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had marked his dissent, saying that he would agitate against the Centre if the aero show is moved out of the state. Former CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah had also lambasted the government, saying that it would validate the "step-motherly" treatment being meted out towards Karnataka.

The aero show is being held in Bengaluru for the last two decades. Each year, the event witnesses arms manufacturer from across the world displaying their fighter aircraft, cargo planes and other defence equipments which could be procured by the Indian defence and paramilitary bodies. The event also facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry.

"The Department of Defence Production is committed to making this a successful and result oriented show," the MoD notification said.