By A Correspondent
Bengaluru (Karnataka): India will host Asia’s largest air show at the Yelahanka air base here beginning Feb. 10, 2025, and it has attracted over 900 aerospace and defence companies, including 150+ foreign and 750+ Indian firms, to showcase their military hardware to the world.
India’s Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh will open the 15th edition of AeroIndia, where for the first time two competing fifth-generation fighter aircraft — Russia’s Su-57 and America’s F-35 – will vie for attention from both military personnel and enthusiasts.
With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,’ the five-day aerospace and defence exhibition will show the world the military aviation prowess and Indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies.
In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’‘ (Self-Reliance) and ‘Make in India, Make for the World‘ vision of the Indian government, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s resolve of making the country ‘Viksit Bharat‘ (Developed India) by 2047.
Addressing a press conference here on the eve of the event, Rajnath Singh described AeroIndia as a crucial platform, which will drive forward the government’s vision of a strong, capable India, secure, and self-reliant India. “AeroIndia 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,” Rajnath Singh said.
“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. The event is not just a showcase of technology and innovation, but will also serve as a source of inspiration for our youth, fostering scientific temperament and a spirit of innovation,” he said.
Organised in a total area of over 42,000 sq. m. and with the confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, the event will be the biggest-ever AeroIndia. Rajnath Singh termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities.
“Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of Air Chiefs and Secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event – not just for India, but for the entire international defence community,” he said.
Highlighting the transformation of the defence and aerospace sector in recent years, Indian defence minister asserted that, today, India was not only capable of designing and developing major platforms and equipment within India, but it also successfully established a vast supply chain within the country.
“Advanced platforms like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and C-295 Transport Aircraft are now being produced in India. We have also taken a firm resolve to manufacture fifth-generation fighter aircraft within the country,” he said.
“From the advanced variants of the Agni missile, the Astra missile system, and the Pinaka missile system to the cutting-edge Hypersonic missile system and the Akash air defence system, we have built numerous success stories. These achievements have played a crucial role in strengthening our defence sector, making India more self-reliant and secure,” he said.
Rajnath Singh added that corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board, the newly formed companies have started performing exceptionally well in defence production. “Under a well-considered and well-developed plan, we have actively worked to empower the private sector in the defence and aerospace industries. Today, India has a thriving private defence industry that has firmly established itself and is making significant contributions to our national security,” he said.
He expressed confidence that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore (~US$15 billion), will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore (~US$18 billion) by the end of 2025-26 fiscal. Defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore (~US$2.4 billion), he said, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore (~US$3.5 billion).
Rajnath Singh underlined the crucial role being played by the defence industrial sector in making India an economic superpower. He stated that any breakthrough in the defence sector not only strengthens national security, but also impacts the economy.
“Technologies developed for defence applications promote innovation in the civil sector as well, leading to employment generation and economic development,” he said.
The defence minister termed AeroIndia a significant driver of economic strength, contributing to the overall growth and development of the economy. He expressed confidence that AeroIndia will be remembered as a historic milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the aerospace and defence sector.
The AeroIndia 2025 comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave in which 80 nations would be represented, including 26 defence ministers from friendly nations; CEO’s Roundtable representing 118 companies, including 59 Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers; and startups promotion at Manthan and Samarthya events, apart from India & iDEX Pavilions.
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