AERO INDIA 2025 BETTER AND WORSE

Aero India 2025 highlighted the growth of India's aerospace and defence industry ecosystem but delivery delays in key programmes need to be reined in says ATUL CHANDRA

- ATUL CHANDRA

India’s biennial airshow Aero India is unique in providing an inside look into our growing defence industry ecosystem, which is now building fighter and trainer aircraft, different types of helicopters, a vast range of missiles and undertaking the design and manufacture of aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, et all. With the Indian defence industry ecosystem growing from strength and increasingly looking at defence exports, Aero India is perhaps the most important platform to showcase its capabilities to the Indian military and paramilitary forces, as well as export prospects.

“Aero India is a platform that showcases the strength, resilience, and self-reliance of New India. It is not just crucial for India's defence preparedness, but it also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. It will demonstrate our defence capabilities and forge global partnerships. Our goal is to enhance collaboration in areas of common interest with our friendly nations, fostering deeper cooperation and shared progress,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, said before the start of the show. “As a testimony to the emergence of India as a defence export nucleus, India has seen 31 times growth in the export of products in the last 10 years as compared to Financial Year 2013-14,” he added while speaking as the show progressed. The top three destinations for India's defence exports in 2023-24 were the USA, France, and Armenia.