By Vijay Grover
The skies above Bengaluru roared to life on Monday as Aero India 2025, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, officially kicked off. This year’s event is drawing an impressive crowd of industry leaders, government officials, and military delegations from across the globe, all eager to witness the latest advancements in aviation technology.
Under the theme “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” Aero India 2025 started with a Grand Inaugural ceremony with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh once again highlighting “Make In India” putting India’s growing self-reliance in the defence sector firmly in the spotlight. The event which serves as a platform for Indian manufacturers to showcase their indigenous capabilities has seen a steady rise in inquiries from foreign countries. from fighter jets and helicopters to missiles and electronic warfare systems. “Aero India 2025 is a testament to India’s growing prowess in the aerospace and defence sectors,” said a government official. “It demonstrates our commitment to self-reliance and our ability to produce cutting-edge technology that can compete with the best in the world.”
Aero India 2025 once again like earlier editions has attracted a huge participation from the US based major players in the defence sector, and its participation in Aero India 2025 underscores its growing strategic partnership with India. The event coming just a day before the Indian Pim minister embarks on a US Tour, US companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and RTX are showcasing their latest fighter jets, helicopters, and defence systems.
The US is likely seeking to strengthen defence ties with India on a bigger note and deepen cooperation with India in areas like joint military exercises, technology transfer, and co-production of defence equipment. With the change in Power In the USA, there is speculation that talks may be on boosting arms sales and securing lucrative contracts for its advanced military hardware, including fighter jets like the F-35 and F-16. The F 35 is seen making thunders at Aero India 2025, the Russian SU 57 not far behind in grabbing the attention of all with its skilled maneouvers
The exhibition features an array of aerial displays, with breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers performed by both Indian and international aircraft. Among the highlights are the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft, the Rafale fighter jet, and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI which are increasingly becoming the mainstay of the Indian defence forces replacing the aging fleet. Visitors can also explore static displays of various aircraft, helicopters, and defence equipment.
Aero India 2025 is not just a spectacle, it’s a crucial platform for forging partnerships and securing deals. With major countries looking to collaborate with India on defence manufacturing and procurement, the event is expected to generate significant business opportunities for both Indian and international companies.
“We are seeing a tremendous amount of interest from countries around the world in partnering with us,” said C Sundar, Business Head of Vikra Infotech, a Chennai-based start-up that develops several versions of land-based and underwater rovers for defence applications.
