AERO-INDIA 2025

CIVILIAN DRONES AND HELICOPTERS ADD DIVERSITY TO

- RASHEED KAPPAN

Aero India 2025 maintained its status as the nation's leading aerospace exhibition, characterized by the presence of major Indian and multinational corporations demonstrating their capabilities in military aviation, equipment, and services. RASHEED KAPPAN reports.

Dominated by Indian and multinational biggies showcasing their prowess in military aviation, equipment and services, the recently concluded Aero India 2025 stuck to its legacy as the country's premier aerospace exposition. But on the civil aviation side, the show offered an opportunity for smaller players to display their drones, demonstrate their innovations, network and push for collaborations. And then there were the ALHS and Dornier 228s.

Echoing the trend over the last four airshows, drone startups did showcase a definite level-up. For instance, a Bengaluru-based startup, Scandron unveiled its CargoMax 20KHC, claiming it to be India’s most powerful cargo drone with a 200kg payload capacity. Although the startup offered it as an option for the armed forces as a reliable aerial logistics platform for last-mile deliveries, the thrust was also on civilian operations delivered to the airline in April 2022.

ALH-NG in Pawan Hans colours

Standing out in an area dominated by military colours at the airshow was the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv-(ALH)-NG which actually made its maiden entry. The helicopter wore the Pawan Hans colours, demonstrating the aircraft’s potential to be more impactful.