Aero India 2023: HAL removes Lord Hanuman's image from tail of supersonic aircraft after controversy

Bengaluru: HAL Chief Managing Director CB Ananthkrishnan on Tuesday put to rest the controversy surrounding an image of Lord Hanuman on the tail of the company's supersonic trainer aircraft HLFT-42 during the Aero India 2023.

"There was no specific reason for putting (the image) there. Designers had come out with the image in order to show the prowess of the aircraft. We removed it because we wanted to continue the programme successfully. We do not want any sort of misinterpretations," he told reporters in a press conference here.

The scale model of the lead fighter trainer aircraft was unveiled by HAL during the inaugural ceremony of the mega air show.

The Hanuman image on the aircraft snowballed into a major controversy after a section of society started to question its design by a government company.

The five-day event will conclude on 17th February. February 13th to 15th will be business days, while 16th & 17th have been set as public days to allow people to witness the show. The event comprises a Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs Round Table; Manthan start-up event; Bandhan ceremony; breath-taking air shows; a large exhibition; India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies.

The mega event is being organised at Air Force Station in Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm. It is the biggest-ever air show till date.

As many as 809 defence companies, including MSMEs and startups, will showcase the advancement in niche technologies and the growth in aerospace and defence sector. (UNI)